The former military analyst discusses his debut novel “Apollo Wept” and why Western civilization’s values are worth fighting for
Christopher “Coyote” Choate brings a unique perspective to science fiction writing. With over 15 years of experience in operational test and evaluation of U.S. Air Force and Navy weapon systems, he understands both the technical precision required for military operations and the creative vision needed to craft compelling fiction. His debut novel “Apollo Wept” combines his military background with a passion for rock-and-roll and a deep concern about the direction of American society.
Your background is in military technical writing. How does that experience translate to fiction?
“I hate to say it, but I think it depends,” Choate begins with characteristic directness. “I have over 15 years of experience writing test plans and reports on the operational test and evaluation of U.S. Air Force and Navy weapon systems. The most important element in that writing is clarity. What was tested and what were the results. Pretty simple really, but, like Clausewitz said about war, everything is simple but the simple is difficult. I can’t tell you how many hours we spent trying to ensure our words accurately reflected the test we had conducted.
For fiction which I’m currently writing, I would say plot, conflict, and style. First, the plot has to be compelling. Your story is dead in the water if not. Conflict makes the story interesting and a good style makes it enjoyable. All three are essential.”
What surprised you most about the novel-writing process?
“Two things come to mind,” he reflects. “First, would be how the story expands and moves in directions you didn’t really consider when you started. It’s pretty neat really how the story becomes a grander version of what you originally planned. Part of that is your characters coming to life. As you write what they are doing and why, their motivations and desires move you in a direction that wasn’t clear at first.
The second thing should have been obvious, and that is the amount of respect I have for ANY author that wrote a novel before the personal computer. I don’t know how they did it.”
Tell us about your protagonist, Pen Lencoln. What drives him?
Choate’s enthusiasm is evident as he discusses his main character. “Pen is a fighter pilot. It shaped his world view and how he approaches any problem. In the book Pen references the ‘OODA loop’ on many occasions. OODA stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, and Act. For those not familiar with it, it is a construct for aerial combat written by Major John Boyd of the U.S. Air Force at the dawn of the jet age. In simple terms, the fighter pilot that performs an OODA loop faster than his adversary will be the one that is victorious.
That tells you how he thinks, but it doesn’t really cover what makes him tick. That would be his sense of duty. Duty to country, duty to family, and duty to self. He adds duty to God as the story progresses. That commitment and emphasis on individual responsibility have been a vital part in the foundation of Western Civilization since the days of ancient Greece.”
The author’s voice grows more passionate as he continues: “I also believe it’s why western civilization is our planet’s best hope for the future, and totally horrifying to the woke culture of today. The Judeo-Christian values of Western Civilization have made America the greatest nation on the planet. In Pen’s time, these values are being eradicated. But events that occur as the story progresses cause Pen to confront the fallacy of those decisions, and directly leads to the central conflict of the book.”
You’re working on a second book about the Tuskegee Airmen. How do you approach research?
“I’m currently writing my second book which will be an alternate history of the Tuskegee Airmen. For it, I have a good foundation of knowledge for them and the U.S. Army Air Force at the time. I also have the background to understand air combat, but not in a piston driven fighter of World War Two. To take what I know, and convert it if you will to an earlier era, I’m researching books written by the aces of World War Two.
In addition, the Internet today is just as critical as a word processor. For example, my protagonist is from Wadley, Alabama. Thanks to Google Maps, I have seen the ruins of the old L&N Depot that would have been a key transportation node at the time of my book. I even followed the rail line to the next town so that became part of the story.”
He adds with evident anticipation: “I also have one piece of research I’m really looking forward to once the weather cools: I plan to visit the World War Two battleship USS ALABAMA in Mobile. There’s a reason for that, but I’ll keep it under wraps for the moment.”
How has your writing process evolved?
“For my first book, Apollo Wept, yes [there was lots to do before diving in]. Since it was my first novel, I did an extensive amount of reading on how to write fiction, how to think like your editor, and so on. With my second book, I realized from Apollo Wept how much the story would evolve as I wrote it. For this book, I made sure I had the overarching story ready then I began writing. I’m about half way through the first draft. I guess I’ll find out over the next several months if my new approach works or not.”
What’s always on your bedside table?
“The Bible. It’s been there since I became a Christian back in high school. I don’t read it like I should, but it’s always there, and it’s going to stay there.”
If “Apollo Wept” became a movie, who would you cast?
Choate lights up at this question. “For Pen Lencoln, the protagonist, and ‘overseer’ of USS DESPAIR, I would go with Brandon Sklenar. He was Spencer Dutton in the Yellowstone prequel 1923. His performance when Spencer returns to the ranch is a classic that would make Chuck Norris flinch.
Rene Smyth, elementary teacher from Orlando and Pen’s significant other, would be Sydney Sweeney. She would be perfect. Hopefully she can dance.
For the AI entity ‘Pop’ (Dr. William Lincoln), Kelsey Grammer would be my first choice. I loved his performance in The Pentagon Wars. I can just see him giving the 22nd Century characters a healthy dose of common sense from the ‘less kind, less gentle’ 20th Century.”
Any plans for sequels?
“I hope so. Right now, I’m thinking more of a prequel since there is a lot of material that leads to the world of Apollo Wept. A lot happens on the path to the dystopian future I created in Apollo Wept that could make for an interesting story.”
Final question: Do you write to music?
“Man, I never thought of that! But I’m going to try it now. Music does play a big part in Apollo Wept. If you love Rock-n-Roll from the 50s through the 80s, I believe you’ll enjoy the book.”
With his blend of military precision, passionate convictions, and creative vision, Christopher “Coyote” Choate represents a distinctive voice in contemporary science fiction—one that isn’t afraid to champion traditional values while crafting stories for the future.
Read Apollo Wept
“Sir, my apologies, but we have intercepted a message from DESPAIR sent to Earth.”
“Play it.”
The message starts with the logo of the US Space Equity Collective. It fades, and an image of an ancient probe appears inside a hangar bay. Moments later, a pleasant-sounding female voice says in English: “Voyager, we are here!”
Damn, the Americans did it. In spite of Operations Boxer and Sun Tsu, Captain Lencoln did what the Chinese, and even his own government, were dedicated to preventing. It’s a given now that DESPAIR will discover sub-planet Yu on its return to Earth and the Chinese mining operations. Lee knows what’s next. Damn this Captain Lencoln to hell, he says to himself. “Put the XO on.”
“Sir,” his number two replies as his image appears on the monitor.
“Bring the ship to battle stations,” Lee says without emotion. It’s time to train the crew for what Lee knows is to come.
