AFNWC worker awaits release of novels Published Dec. 5, 2016 By Bud Cordova Nucleus writer KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- An author who works at the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center is releasing his second book next month, with a third following in March. “Writing started as a challenge to put a story together, but now it’s an obsession,” said Charles Martinez. He was previously enlisted in the Navy for six years as an electrical technician. Now, he works as an electrical engineer for nuclear compatibility and surety at the AFNWC. “I want to encourage other people to write, because a lot of people can and the only thing stopping them is themselves,” Martinez said. He added there are multiple ways to write, including blogs or journals, and journaling can be a form of therapy to get rid of negative thoughts and stress. Martinez said one of the times he creates stories is during long-distance running. “I think about the book and the next scene, let it brew for two to three hours and then when I write, it just pours out,” he said. As a word of advice to new authors, Martinez suggested setting a goal of a daily or weekly word count. “I found with writing that, when inspiration is there, you have to take advantage of it and can’t stop, but when inspiration is not there, you can’t force it,” he said. He added he wrote the draft for his third book in 14 days. “I was in the flow with it,” he said. He said next comes the most painful part of writing, the editing. “It is painful but it is necessary to have a good product,” Martinez said. His first book, “The Jungle Within,” was released in March and self-published to Amazon. For Martinez’s second book, Deep Anchor Publishing has picked him up. His second book is titled “The Light in Her Life,” and the third is “The Details.” “The Jungle Within,” falls under the drama genre with spirituality mixed in as a couple learns to cope with tragedy, both moral and physical. His books will be available in most Albuquerque bookstores and online at Amazon. To connect with Martinez, follow his page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/charlesmbooks or his website at www.charlesmbooks.com.