In this compelling episode of In the Writer’s Chair, host Lana McAra sits down with retired Army officer turned author Darrell Berry. Darrell shares his journey from a 22-year military career to writing his gripping mystery novel, Early This Morning, which explores the complexities of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era.

Darrell discusses how he transitioned from an avid reader to a published novelist, his process for weaving real-world military intelligence experience into fiction, and his current adventures adapting his work for the screen and researching a new mystery while driving for Lyft.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The Transition from Soldier to Storyteller: How Darrell turned decades of service into a compelling narrative.
• The "Seed" of a Story: How the discrepancies and injustices of military policy during the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" era inspired a high-stakes mystery.
• Inside Early This Morning: A look at the plot involving secret missions, biological agents, and a group of soldiers deemed "expendable" by the Pentagon.
• Writing Craft & Process: Darrell’s advice on why you should "just sit down and do it," even if you only have a rudimentary outline.
• New Horizons: The challenges of adapting a novel into a screenplay and why Darrell is considering the world of audiobooks.
• Character Research from the Driver’s Seat: How Darrell uses his time as a Lyft driver to develop a fascinating "character base" for his next project.

About Our Guest:

Darrell Berry is a retired Army officer with over 22 years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. Drawing on his background in medical intelligence, Darrell writes mysteries that are both technically accurate and emotionally resonant. His debut novel, Early This Morning, is available now.

Connect with Darrell:

• Website: dberrybooks.com