Six Questions with Truly Owen Free: Creator of Hidden Pirate Treasure Worth Thousands

What an adventure! While searching out clues to find a Hidden Pirate Treasure inside TrulyOwenFree’s treasure hunt, readers get caught up in real life escapades. TrulyOwenFree provides an exciting account of his life not only on board a Treasure Salvage Boat bringing up precious Spanish artifacts lost at sea for centuries, but also shares his exploring of ports and lands where those sunken Spanish Fleets, filled with gold, silver, and life’s other extraordinary luxuries, originated.

His passion and love for what treasure really is flows out of the pages and takes you on an incredible journey. All of this, along with the fact there are clues hidden within all those thrilling pages to use towards finding a real life Hidden Pirate Treasure, is lots to enjoy!

Let’s learn more about it all! And Thanks TrulyOwenFree for taking time out of Treasure Hunting, and your adventures, to answer the following Six Questions!

Six Questions with TrulyOwenFree:

1Q) Sprinkled all through your book are not only clues to a real life Hidden Pirate Treasure for anyone to find, but also snippets of wisdom—which if realized, are treasures too. The greatest treasure to find, as you state, is discovering what you are born to do. Which brings me to my first question, what inspired you to create this Hidden Pirate Treasure Hunt? Do you feel it is part of what you were born to do?

—–Thank you Jenny. I’m really honored to be here on your site, and yes…I do feel like this is part of what I was born to do, because it all ties together. Especially treasure and helping people. I was inspired to make this hunt because I have gotten really really lucky in my time as a professional treasure hunter, so I wanted to share that experience with others. That one-of-a-kind feeling of finding something lost and ancient and beautiful. Because its a feeling that does not fade quickly, and finding big treasure on the shipwrecks changed my life forever!

However, in my travels and studies I also realized that a certain country’s brutal and relentless quest for gold (Spain) also changed entire cultures, and those people are still struggling to recover even now; almost five centuries later. So that’s why I have pledged to donate half of the profits from this game to help build reading schools for heavily impoverished kids in Peru. Which, if you’ve done your homework, is where a bunch of the treasure we all seek came from, and reading/education is the greatest tool for change that I know about. So helping people learn to read is the best thing I can think of to make everyone’s world a little better.

I know it may seem odd to offer help to people in other nations when we have so (very) many people suffering right here, but we really do have a bit of an immigration problem here in America (too), so I feel like the best way we can do anything about that…is to go back to the source…and help other people change their countries. That way they don’t have a reason to migrate, and that helps them…and us.

I’m sorry to be so political, and I am definitely not into, or in favor of, any kind of repression or segregation (and racism is just plain stupid) but I meant what I said about it all being connected, and we definitely should help the people who are already here before we add any more. Simple math. Plus, those brave and amazing people beating down our southern door ARE the Incas and Aztecs. They never went away, and their countries and cultures would not be in the desperate states they are in….if it were not for the love of treasure.

Think about it…..

None of those people wanted to leave their homes and family just to find a decent job…they HAD to. Plus…the kids from South America are really cute, funny, and humble, so I would probably teach them all to read and write anyway. For free. And just to make them smile and laugh. It definitely can’t hurt.

2Q) I love your style of writing. It’s refreshing. You have the knack to make the reader feel as if he is just sitting across from you and you’re just sharing stories straight from the heart. Your experiences reveal how wonderful life can be if you learn to appreciate all the treasures surrounding you. Was this type writing difficult for you? The sharing of innermost thoughts or fears can be the scariest thing for some people. Was it for you?

—Not really. For all my tough-guy-rough-and-tumble-adventurous ways, and they are rather considerable (ahem), I’m really just a bookworm type at heart. I was lucky enough to have friends who were tough brave and strong too, but who also considered reading and education to be cool and admirable, so I usually read at least 50 books a year, and it’s been that way for quite some time. So then when I decided to start writing seriously, and not only for school, it just kinda came out like that. I write like I talk, or at least as much as I can. And it’s true…personal openness can definitely be uncomfortable sometimes, but it is also very healthy and comes natural for me too. I probably got that from my Mom. She always taught me to say what was on my mind, and to never be ashamed of what’s inside my heart. It’s all that really matters.

3Q) Currently, only two books of the three have been released. When will you be releasing the third book? And is all a searcher has to do is solve the clues to the Puzzle Code to discover the hidden treasure? What’s this about a two part copper map to find too? Can you describe the process a bit more?

—Good questions! The third book (Thirteen Fathoms and a Dead Man’s Sweater) is definitely required to find my hidden pirate treasure, but I have not released it yet for a couple of reasons. The first is that this whole thing is really to benefit others (see Question 1), so I don’t want to release it before enough people have bought it to have a righteous economic effect. I’m sure some people will not like that answer but I’m just being honest here. Travel and building materials are expensive, and books and teaching supplies too, so I may not release the third book until I reach a certain number…though of course that can change as well. Especially if enough people whine about it (grin), or I figure out a better way to raise the money.

I’m also trying to secure traditional publishing for the release of the third book, since releasing it in stores would be way more fair to all the players…instead of everyone receiving their copies at different times through the mail. That way everyone can start the ‘race’ at the same time. And since traditional publishing houses only pick up self-published authors after they show a seriously dedicated audience, then the quicker everyone starts buying these Bad Boys up…the quicker I can get all that stuff rolling.

Hint, hint.

And I guess there are actually three reasons, because I am also still putting treasure in the chest (see below) every chance I get. Though to be even further honest….traveling back to where I buried it and digging it back up again has gotten a bit expensive and time consuming here lately. Luckily I love that part of the country, and you will too, but you probably do not want to wait until I release the third book to get started on the first two parts. None of this is easy, and the quicker you get started, the better chance you will have. Ask any five-year-old to help you, too. They know everything.

And yes…there are THREE locations to be found once a reader cracks the code. The clues inside the coded final message are not super easy, but definitely not vague either. Then once you figure out what and where I am talking about, you’ll have to locate two halves of a copper map…then locate the third place and use the map to find the chest. This is armchair treasure hunting to the max! Definitely an advanced hunt, but the stories themselves are also one of a kind fun too…in case all that real adventure stuff is too much for you. There’s even some coloring pages, some 3D pictures, and a jigsaw puzzle—and after the treasure is found I will probably even figure out how to convert the hunt to a geo-cache, since where I hid all the parts is a place that will make you want to move there once you see it. It’s really beautiful.

4Q) It seems your Treasure Chest continues to grow! How awesome! Can you share some of what’s included in the treasure now? Can it be found without the third book? Is it buried?

—Yeah, I really want whoever finds it to be completely Over the Moon when they finally get it open, so I have continued to add items. Either as I find them, or sometimes they are even donated.

Just recently I was offered a donation of a bunch of Sea Coins, which is a treasure-backed crypto-currency developed by a company called Galleon Quest. I will leave it to the readers to look all that up for themselves, but as the salvage companies they fund find treasure, the value of these coins will go up.

AND they were donated to me by none other than E. Lee Spence, who is basically the top Shipwreck Archaeologist on the planet, so the chances of all this turning into something really big is very very likely. I went to college for shipwreck archaeology myself, and we used to read Dr. Spence’s books in class, so you can probably imagine what an honor it was for him to show his support for all this. I’m not sure how many coins he is giving us yet, but Lee is a very generous and amazing person, so I’m sure he will hook us up….and of course I will post on my treasure adventure blog all about it…as soon as I have them buried.

PLUS…I have been adding in all the random shiny stuff I find with my metal detector…and I am also trying my best to dive on a shipwreck site this summer here in Florida. So I will also be putting a nice chunk of MY share of whatever we find into the chest. I do not have permission just yet to say what crew or site I am applying for, but as soon as I get clearance I will be showing our finds on my site. So everyone can join in the action.

I was not kidding when I say I have been very lucky. Even by right of the guys I get to to dive for sometimes. So there is a very good chance of this whole thing being completely over-the-top before it’s all over. Which is another reason (besides the thrill) that I made my hunt so challenging. If it all turns out like I hope, my readers will be hunting for one of the fattest treasure out there in armchair land…AND be helping other people too. So hurry out and buy a couple copies! And tell your friends too, because you might even be helping yourself….

5Q) I don’t want to spoil the story about the ‘Underwater Ghost’, but that had to be extremely scary, and yet fantastic at the same time! Can you share any other life thrilling moments with us? (besides of course the cab driver in Peru who was playing the cruel joke or had a change of evil thoughts for you)?

—Yeah, that was pretty crazy, and if somehow your readers have not caught on yet, I only write true stories. The kind of spooky awesome tales that make you want to write them down. Just so you can get some perspective on it all. So many amazing things have happened to me in this life…which I just simply could (can) barely believe…that I don’t have any shortage of material.

I’ve sat in Peyote ceremonies with Native Americans, traveled with a roadside carnival, played music in a Punk Rock band, been a professional spear-fisherman in Hawai’i, climbed rocks, ridden waves and snow, and even hunted for Bigfoot, aliens, and lost treasure out West, so I don’t think I will ever run out of hair-raising stories to tell my grand-kids…if I ever get married. I’ve always been the kind of person who would rather see what’s over the next ridge than sleep in a comfortable bed, and I learned fairly early on that the universe responds to Courage (in case you didn’t know), so as a result…I’ve had so many adventures….that I barely even know what the word ‘Home’ means anymore.

And I feel like I just got started.

6Q) From your journaling, you prove adventures await for each of us if we only get out to seek them. You’re inspiring. What other dreams have you planned to pursue, or other hobbies you want to take up and enjoy? Where or what do you think you will explore next?

—Well, right now I’m just trying to concentrate on finishing this project and making it through treasure season with all my toes and fingers intact…and of course being as successful as possible in those endeavors. But I have always wanted to find one of the lost treasures out there in the mountains.

Land hunting is really tough compared to digging sand with a boat and diving with a metal detector, and getting through the private property barrier is especially challenging, but that would be amazing I think. To do all the research and work to find one of those old bandit, or pack-train hordes. Though I definitely don’t want to end up one of those lonely crazy old prospector types, so maybe I’m not dedicated enough to ever land one of those (ha). Not yet anyway.

And beyond that…I want to go around the World! At least once, right? I mean, what kind of true adventurer would I be if I died without circumnavigating the globe at least once? I almost went last year, and even had the money saved up, but then I realized I should stay here in The States and finish what I started with this whole thing. Which is exactly why I went on that seven city promotional (train) tour last winter. To try and get the word out about my hunt…and to slake a bit of my wanderlust…at the same time. Two birds, one stone, and a whole lot of time on the rails.

Believe me, if any of you ever start feeling too big for your britches, as they say, then try writing a couple books and going out on a self-funded, self-booked, unknown first-time author tour. The world will be more than happy to show you just how small and unnecessary you really are. I thought for sure if I printed a bunch of posters and stickers to push people to my website (trulyowenfree.net), then traveled around and handed out fliers in the nation’s leading libraries, and told everyone all about it, I would be really rich and famous by now (more laughing), but not so much. In fact, I spent about ten thousand bucks to sell like a hundred and fifty books. Not much of a return,huh?

At least I got to see the occidental half of the country by train though, and nobody can ever take those memories away. I got to see my favorite band (Fishbone) a bunch of times too, and even met some celebrities (Johnny Knoxville) and a whole bunch of other really awesome people along the way. So I guess it wasn’t a total loss…though I do still wonder sometimes if I made the right choice…and regret is the harshest of all companions. I was gonna go see the Philippines, Nepal, Egypt, Spain, and like six other places (sigh)…but there’s probably still time I guess. As long as I’m really careful and don’t eat too many chocolate donuts between now and then. Those things will kill you!

Thanks so much for your answers and sharing your treasure hunt, adventures, and dreams with us, TrulyOwenFree! I agree that the world is an amazing place to discover, and that Treasure is around every corner. You just need to get out and enjoy life to realize it.