Writing
ECHELON - A NOVEL
ECHELON - A NOVEL
Writing became something of a relaxing hobby for me over the years. Nothing to be taken too seriously, because that was never my intention. My life was entangled mainly with the fine arts. Had been, since forever. But from time to time, it just became essential for me to jot down sketches and ideas in words, rather than with drawing or painting implements.
Writing became something of a relaxing hobby for me over the years. Nothing to be taken too seriously, because that was never my intention. My life was entangled mainly with the fine arts. Had been, since forever. But from time to time, it just became essential for me to jot down sketches and ideas in words, rather than with drawing or painting implements.
Over time, many of those sketches and ideas formulated themselves into bigger pictures. It was my wife who convinced me that I should pull some of the myriad of ideas together, into one story. ECHELON is the culmination of those ideas.
Over time, many of those sketches and ideas formulated themselves into bigger pictures. It was my wife who convinced me that I should pull some of the myriad of ideas together, into one story. ECHELON is the culmination of those ideas.
When I had ‘finished’ the original manuscript, the story was twice the length it is now. I was convinced by people in the industry, that as it was, it would be an unacceptable size of document for the genre. So began the lengthy and frustrating job of editing and shrinking the story without compromising the plot. This was the biggest headache of all. Who said writing was easy? Remember, this started as a form of relaxation for me.
When I had ‘finished’ the original manuscript, the story was twice the length it is now. I was convinced by people in the industry, that as it was, it would be an unacceptable size of document for the genre. So began the lengthy and frustrating job of editing and shrinking the story without compromising the plot. This was the biggest headache of all. Who said writing was easy? Remember, this started as a form of relaxation for me.
As I closed in on finishing the work, something unexpected occurred. I began developing personal relationships with my own characters in the story. An overpowering urge to expand the story and their lives took over and before I actually finished the original, I was writing the sequel.
As I closed in on finishing the work, something unexpected occurred. I began developing personal relationships with my own characters in the story. An overpowering urge to expand the story and their lives took over and before I actually finished the original, I was writing the sequel.
Writing suddenly became my drug of choice. I was fashionable. I had an addiction.
Writing suddenly became my drug of choice. I was fashionable. I had an addiction.
In writing ECHELON I deliberately veered away from the single character hero. I find life is more like the “butterfly effect”. Personalities in a multitude of situations, continuously colliding and ricocheting off each other.
In writing ECHELON I deliberately veered away from the single character hero. I find life is more like the “butterfly effect”. Personalities in a multitude of situations, continuously colliding and ricocheting off each other.
The book is promoted as an Adult Fiction Thriller. My characters are streetwise and rough around the edges. Some of the dialogue and scenes strongly reflect that. It is something that I will not apologise for, as I consider the integrity of the story and characters that make it, to be paramount.
The book is promoted as an Adult Fiction Thriller. My characters are streetwise and rough around the edges. Some of the dialogue and scenes strongly reflect that. It is something that I will not apologise for, as I consider the integrity of the story and characters that make it, to be paramount.
I sincerely hope that you give yourselves time to relate to the characters and the story line in ECHELON. They, and several more, are waiting for you in the sequel CHAPTER AND VERSE. (Planned release early next year)
I sincerely hope that you give yourselves time to relate to the characters and the story line in ECHELON. They, and several more, are waiting for you in the sequel CHAPTER AND VERSE. (Planned release early next year)
ECHELON is scheduled for world wide release in September 2017 and is now available for pre-order as an e-book through the Smashwords publishing platform/ bookstore and most other e-reader platforms.
ECHELON is scheduled for world wide release in September 2017 and is now available for pre-order as an e-book through the Smashwords publishing platform/ bookstore and most other e-reader platforms.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Adrian and John at 'ebook launch' <team@ebooklaunch.com> for doing a great job of formatting my book. A fantastic professional attitude. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to publish on ebooks.
I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Adrian and John at 'ebook launch' <team@ebooklaunch.com> for doing a great job of formatting my book. A fantastic professional attitude. Highly recommended for anyone wishing to publish on ebooks.
ECHELON - THE STORY
ECHELON - THE STORY
Set initially in the UK, it all begins with the mystery woman, whose dangerous endeavours are seriously disrupted by two roughly hewn individuals, who inadvertently become entangled in her web of intrigue.
Set initially in the UK, it all begins with the mystery woman, whose dangerous endeavours are seriously disrupted by two roughly hewn individuals, who inadvertently become entangled in her web of intrigue.
Her nemesis, Sir Adrian Woolbeck, is a high ranking British public servant, whose impeccable reputation is shattered, when caught in a lewd act with an under age boy in a railway public toilet. One discovers he is the epitome of evil; dangerous, perverted, ruthless, highly intelligent and thoroughly Machiavellian.
Her nemesis, Sir Adrian Woolbeck, is a high ranking British public servant, whose impeccable reputation is shattered, when caught in a lewd act with an under age boy in a railway public toilet. One discovers he is the epitome of evil; dangerous, perverted, ruthless, highly intelligent and thoroughly Machiavellian.
The story weaves into a complex tale that travels widely, with all levels of authority involved, from International Government Agencies, the Metropolitan Vice Squad, to petty criminals. All in pursuit of proof against a man, whose plans turn out to be far more sinister than any one could have imagined.
The story weaves into a complex tale that travels widely, with all levels of authority involved, from International Government Agencies, the Metropolitan Vice Squad, to petty criminals. All in pursuit of proof against a man, whose plans turn out to be far more sinister than any one could have imagined.
ECHELON is a Bloody Mary of a cocktail. Liberally blended with equal measures of hidden identities, secrecy and subversion. Shaken vigorously, not stirred. Chillingly embellished with a generous dash or two of gratuitous sex and violence and garnished with a little acidic humour.
ECHELON is a Bloody Mary of a cocktail. Liberally blended with equal measures of hidden identities, secrecy and subversion. Shaken vigorously, not stirred. Chillingly embellished with a generous dash or two of gratuitous sex and violence and garnished with a little acidic humour.
Book cover design from an original painting by P.J. Spooner