Ray Chapman Author Interview

1. What first sparked the idea for your book, and did the story change much from that first idea to the finished version?

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The book was never meant to be a book. I started writing my memoirs because, after years in the Army and the Ambulance Service, I found myself forgetting exactly what I’d done and when I’d done it. I wanted to get my memories down on paper before they were lost. As I wrote, I realised I had a story worth telling. It grew from a collection of personal memories into the story of my journey from a lad growing up in Hull, through the Army, to becoming a Specialist Paramedic.

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2. Which character, scene or moment in your book stayed with you the most while writing it, and why?

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Without a doubt, the people who stayed with me the most were my Nana and my mum. They taught me the values that shaped my whole life including hard work, honesty, respect and always doing the right thing. Those lessons stayed with me throughout my Army career and my time in the Ambulance Service. Looking back while writing the book made me realise just how much I owe them.

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3. What do you hope readers will feel, think about, or remember after they finish your book?

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I hope readers finish the book feeling inspired. Life doesn’t always go to plan, and mine certainly didn’t. There were setbacks, disappointments and difficult times, but I never gave up. If my story shows anything, it’s that with determination, resilience and hard work, it’s possible to achieve things you never thought you could. If even one person is encouraged to keep going because of this book, then it’s done its job.

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4. Every author faces challenges along the way. What was the hardest part of writing your book, and how did you push through it?

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The hardest part wasn’t remembering the events. It was turning them into a book people would actually want to read. As a paramedic, it would have been easy to fill it with medical detail, but I didn’t want to write a textbook. I wanted to tell the human story behind the uniform. I kept reminding myself that this book was about people, experiences and life lessons, not medical procedures.

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5. For readers who are discovering you for the first time, what would you say to make them want to pick up your book and begin reading?

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I’d simply say this. Every word in this book is mine. There has been no ghostwriter, no embellishment and no made up stories. These are my genuine memories and honest reflections of a life that has taken me from a council estate in Hull, through the Army and into a career as a Specialist Paramedic. If you enjoy true stories about resilience, service, family and never giving up, then I hope you’ll enjoy Becoming a Specialist Paramedic.