#technothriller #thriller #politicalthriller #futuristic #mysticism
Today we are thrilled to welcome Ian Cawley, author of Gnosis, a thriller which blends big business and politics with world events, climate change and ancient mysticism. I was fortunate to meet Ian (pictured above) when he visited Tamworth Literary Festival in March this year and I am very much looking forward to reading Gnosis.
Scroll down to read the interview Ian with and find out about Gnosis. 🙂
Book Blurb
How far would your conscience take you?
In a world increasingly disturbed by the Climate Change Phenomenon, and with overwhelming economic refugee migration, Max Harrington’s conscience led him to create GNOSIS; a computerised management system to regulate energy and fuel consumption around the globe.
His vision was of a cleaner, fairer and healthier world. What he didn’t see, however, was that the big data created would become a far more valuable prize to those less bound by conscience.
This political thriller, set in the digital age, follows a trail of murderous clues, running from the academic fields of Cambridge, through the powerbrokers of Westminster and into the war-torn desolation of the Holy Lands.
Q & A
1. Tell us about yourself
Born in the Manchester area, I’ve worked in jobs that have ranged from loading fruit & veg vans to running a film school, but mainly in the graphics and the audio-visual industries. I wrote my first screenplay in 1989, shortly after graduating, which gained the attention of Channel 4, though the project was scuppered with all the others thanks to Lady Thatcher selling off the TV franchises at that time.
Since then, encouraged by a year’s MA of Scriptwriting at Film School, I have endeavoured to continue my writing of unique stories with some success through independent fiction films and documentaries.
Now living in the Midlands, I’m married with two children.
2. Tell us about GNOSIS.
I had become tired of trying to get writing and film projects up and going, so I decided on a different approach to getting my work out there.
The advent of Amazon’s self-publishing option came as an obvious outlet; a relatively easy way in which to get your work out to a wider public and see how it’s received. It was also a fresh challenge since I had never attempted to write in the novel format before.
The idea for GNOSIS came about, I think, after watching Tobias Churton’s documentary series on ‘The Gnostics’ whilst at the same time reading up on some of the ideas of two scientists – Fritjof Capra and James Lovelock. Capra was postulating theories of connectivity of all matter in the universe whilst Lovelock was expounding his Gaia Theory – the earth being a self-regulating organism.
I found myself intrigued by these philosophical ideas and pondered the prospect of weaving them into a fictional story using conventional narrative devices. These creative musings, however, have taken twenty-five years to come to fruition.
The story
Gnosis is the story of Max, a digital engineer who wants to save the world.
How far would your conscience take you? In a world increasingly disturbed by the Climate Change Phenomenon, and with overwhelming economic refugee migration, Max Harrington’s conscience led him to create GNOSIS; a computerised management system to regulate energy and fuel consumption around the globe. His vision was of a cleaner, fairer and healthier world. What he didn’t see, however, was that the big data created would become a far more valuable prize to those less bound by conscience. This political thriller, set in the digital age, follows a trail of murderous clues, running from the academic fields of Cambridge, through the powerbrokers of Westminster and into the war-torn desolation of the Holy Lands.
3. I understand that one reviewer has called it ‘The Da Vinci Code meets Big Data’?
Yes. I can see why that may have occurred to the reader since it is a traditional mystery plot involving the lust for power and control (information being the asset) whilst having undercurrents of possible supernatural forces at work, the use of codes and mysticism.
4. Lots of people have also said that they can see GNOSIS as a film
Absolutely. GNOSIS is really a movie script hiding in a novel. Given that my first love is cinema and all my previous writing has been for the screen, it was inevitable that that style would surface in the way it came off the page. It is also structured very much like a movie.
5. How long did it take you to write the novel?
The idea for GNOSIS had been kicking around for over 25 years, but I only really started writing it up in anger (as a novel) in 2011 and published it in the summer of 2016.
6. It’s extremely topical, and in that respect I am talking about the political, EU, terrorism, climate change, big data and hacking themes. Readers have called GNOSIS ‘an uncanny prediction”.
Are you psychic?
Well to quote Bob Dylan “You don’t need a weather man to know which way the wind blows.”
7. What kind of research did you do?
As I went through the story, the technical details were served purely though the internet. For example, YouTube showed me the drive from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The internet is a wonderful tool for the writer and it can allow you to do neg checks as well before releasing the story.
Characters
8, Which is your favourite character in GNOSIS, and why?
Oh gosh, that’s hard – like saying who is your favourite child. That’s a tough one. If I had a few I’d pick – Max of course, but I do have a soft spot for Brent McGregor. He’s an utter buffoon. I also like the character of Francois because he cares and doesn’t care in the same measure.
9. Are any characters like you?
Of course. Max. In my fantasies. 🙂
10. When you were writing it could you see certain actors as the characters?
It was only towards its completion that we began to fantasise about potential actors. Kevin Spacey I thought would be excellent for Joe Green. Emily Blunt for Georgina.
And for Max…? I never really came up with one for Max. My wife came up with several. 🙂
Clifford? Maybe Derek Jacobi as Clifford…
11. Are any of the characters real life people – politicians for example?
There are elements drawn from people who I have never met but know of, and there are elements of people I know and have known quite well.
12. Your favourite football team has made its way into GNOSIS. You support Manchester City. Tell us more.
It just seemed a fun thing to do for City fans. Some of the in-jokes are a bit obscure and you would have to be a City fan of some long standing to get all of them. I’ve supported Man City since leaving primary school.
13. You have several films featured in GNOSIS (Night of the Demon etc.) – are they your favourites? Why were they included….
The 30’s horror films tend to be a motif for my childhood. The reference to Jacques Tourneur’s 1957 film ‘Night of the Demon’ has two significant elements to it – firstly, I saw it as a kid and it had me absolutely captivated. Secondly, I saw it when I was older with a group of mates; it being part of a BBC 2 double bill with The Ghoul starring John Hurt.
Night of the Demon is a bizarre collaboration of a European director using American money for a British production. Without going into all the politics behind the film, the mix of the American star Dana Andrews, the perverse American view of what “English countryfolk” are and the types of dwellings they live in, along with a stunning performance by Niall MacGinnis as the evil Dr Karswell, it’s an utter delight to watch. I would suggest the séance where they all sing “Cherry Ripe” together to be a moment of cinema legend.
Some of the motifs throughout the film seemed to marry so well with some of the elements and ideas in the story. It just seemed fitting to put it in. Also, it might tempt readers to search out the film and watch it.
14. How do you pick character names? Do they have any special meaning to you?
Yes. Because they have need to suit the characters and there is always an opportunity to play an in-joke. For example, Colleen Bell – is one of the major characters to survive into the sequel. Those who can make the link with the other characters in the book will find the entire MCFC 1969 FA Cup winning side appearing here, there and everywhere.
Writing
15. Do you ever surprise yourself with what you’ve written?
Yes. When it’s a good gag and you are the first one to hear it.
16. What’s the best and the worst thing about being an author?
The hardest thing is filling white spaces with words. I don’t think it ever gets any easier. However, once you are through the process having produced what you believe to be a credible novel, there is a sense of achievement and legacy that stays with you. There’s also nothing better than to receive a glowing review from a complete stranger.
17. Where do you most like to do your writing?
In solitude and silence but that is very difficult with a growing family and several pets.
18. Do you ever get writer’s block? How do you tackle it?
No. I just get ‘lazy-itus’.
19 What is the best writing tip you have ever been given? How has it influenced you?
Alan Plater, acclaimed writer (who mentored me in the early 90s) corresponded with me frequently. To be honest, I learned more from Alan, in a few sentences amongst the paragraphs, than a whole year studying at film school.
Diana Hawkins, Film Producer. She advised me on the importance of structure. She encouraged me to get my stories into a proper structure and from that point on I understood how important it is to make your story really work.
20. How much of your own life experiences appear in your writing?
I think it’s inevitable that your own daily experience of living will find a way into some aspect of the stories, plots, characters, settings and dialogue. Writers often start writing from a point of something they already know or have an interest in.
21. What’s your usual writing routine?
My usual writing routine is to steal what time I can and promise myself that unless I write at least two paragraphs City will lose at the weekend.
Is that true? – Yes.
Self-publishing
20. You self-published GNOSIS. Why, and how easy did you find it – the process?
As I said earlier, I just wanted my work out there, read and enjoyed.
In retrospect it was fairly easy, but having my own design and computer skills helped the process immeasurably. Someone who isn’t tech savvy might need to seek help or buy the service in. For example, I designed and created my own book cover using Photoshop and After Effects with some photography. I also handle my own Social Media accounts.
The sequel
21. You are presently writing a sequel. Care to tell us anything?
The sequel picks up the story where GNOSIS left off. It is a time for justice to be meted out and certain individuals to get their comeuppance. A lot of readers have already got in touch with me, and asked what’s going to happen to the ‘baddies’… Hopefully soon they will find out, and they might even get a happy ending. 🙂
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