What sparked the idea for Atlas?
Being a lover of all things sci-fi, it seemed natural for me to write a story set amongst the stars. Stories such as Star Wars proved to be a great inspiration. Dealing with protagonists who face seemingly insurmountable odds—meaning that not only will they be put under great physical pressure, but emotional as well—offers them the chance to grow throughout their journey and become more relatable for the reader. It’s these action-packed stories that I love the most and wanted to share with readers.
Tell us about your research and writing process for Atlas.
There wasn’t too much research involved with this story. The main sources of research came from getting my astronomical facts right when discussing the planets and the natural events that occur within them. One aspect I take very seriously with the story is the concept of family. Having a younger brother myself, the dynamic between the two brothers in Atlas somewhat mirrors the relationship I have with my own brother, and this is greatly reflected within the story, especially during some of their lighter moments.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became a writer.
Not being the most academic person, in truth, my love for writing came from when I was completing my English A-level at college and then my English undergraduate degree at the University of Brighton. For me, writing academically ensures one stays with the source material, both understanding it, and having the bravery to challenge it. Having completed my undergraduate dissertation on the language of salesmen, this gave me the freedom to put my own creative spin on some of their colloquial and sometimes crude language. When free writing, my favourite aspect is the chance to treat the paper as a blank canvas where I can put whatever weird and wonderful ideas pop into my head. I also think creative writing allows you to get lost in your work, letting you escape what may have been a rather dull day, and turn it into an action-packed thrill ride. This aspect of escapism is really what caused me to fall in love with writing.
What writers are you influenced by, and how are those influences reflected in your novel?
My main inspiration comes from the work of Dan Brown. For me, learning about some of the historical discoveries Robert Langdon makes in the books is as fascinating as the capers he gets himself into. I greatly admire both the attention to detail Brown shows when discussing his historical destinations, and the sense of intensity throughout the story. I am also a big film fan. Films such as Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan inspired me to write stories where I could place my own unique set of characters into an already chaotic world filled with action.
What do you hope readers take away from reading your debut?
I simply hope that readers take away the same feeling from reading the book as I did when writing it: allowing themselves the chance to briefly escape everyday life, to delve into worlds beyond their wildest dreams, and to be captivated by a great story with larger-than-life characters.
What are you currently reading, and what books are you recommending to your friends?
Apart from repeatedly reading my own work back for spelling mistakes, I continue to enjoy the work of Dan Brown, but also more autobiographical works from some of my favourite football players and coaches.
What’s next for you? Any preview you can give readers?
I’m currently almost finished with Atlas Part II, and aim to begin the third and final instalment in the summer of this year. Enjoying the work more and more with each passing page, I hope the readers enjoy the thrilling climax to the trilogy as much as I do.
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