As a storyteller I am often asked how I
arrive at the subject matter of my novels. The answer may be as simple as
something popping up in my mind which I immediately recognize as a topic that
would make an interesting book. As per the quote on my website, authors do not
choose a story to write, the story chooses us.
At other times, it is more
complex and many elements come into play. It can be because of an overheard
conversation or a bit of news heard or read. A combination of the latter is
somewhat how the petroleum industry became the subject of The Hell of It All.
Many
years ago, a young man told me that he knew of someone who had invented an
amazing car engine that ran without gas, and that the patent and prototype had
been bought by a large oil company. I wasn’t sure if that were true, but the
premise was intriguing to me and I kept it somewhere in the back of my mind. As
the price of oil and gas continued to escalate, I began to wonder if petroleum
companies were protecting their interests at all costs, including doing all
they could to prevent competition in the form of new engines, electric or
otherwise. From there, I saw that integrating that element within a family saga
would be a most interesting project. And it certainly was for me.
So,
is the story based on facts or is it pure fiction, I was asked recently.
Somewhat tricky question to answer because while The Hell of It All is fiction, I am aware that like most writers my
work is influenced to some degree by my beliefs. In this case, my conviction
that we have an urgent need to reduce our dependence on oil.
However,
I think my novel is garnering great reviews because the characters show their
humanity through their flaws in their interactions, something we can all relate
to. Their vision may not be above reproach, but to them it is the only road to
follow even if they don’t always win. How it all comes together makes the story.
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