How does Veterans of the Psychic Wars differ from your other published books?
‘Veterans
of the Psychic Wars’ is an epic science fiction story that takes
the reader from London, England, to a distant galaxy known as the
Cosmic Sea. It is my most extensive work of fiction, both is scope
and scale. And, as far as I know, it is also the only classic space
opera to feature protagonists from the Caribbean.
What
do you think makes a good story?
I
think good stories feature memorable characters in well-chosen
settings and employ skillfully developed themes and engaging plots.
During
my writing process, inspiration came from a wide range of sources.
However, I would list ‘Dune’ by Frank Herbert and ‘Lord of the
Rings’ by J. R. R. Tolkien as the books that were most
inspirational.
What
are your ambitions for your writing career? Full time? Part time?
My
ambition is to write memorable, engaging books, whenever time
permits, for a perceptive and appreciative audience.
When
did you decide to become a writer?
I’ve
been writing for most of my life, but writing is just one of several
creative, professional interests. I first started writing short
stories when I was 6 or 7-years-old. In the late 80s and early 90s, I
wrote screenplays including ‘Ashes to Ashes’ in 1995. And, in
2006, I began writing ‘Veterans of the Psychic Wars’, my first
novel.
‘Veterans
of the Psychic Wars’ took 3 years to write, largely because of the
research, which was challenging, enjoyable, and highly informative.
The novel contains a ten-page glossary of terms, and there are many
historical, cultural and linguistic references. In fact, there are
words and phrases from over 24 languages including Ancient Egyptian,
Swahili, Armenian, Sanskrit, Japanese, Indonesian and Swedish. I
researched weaponry, propulsion systems, religion and myths, ancient
astronaut theories, battle strategies, the meaning of names, human
physiology and the way different injuries affect the mind and body.
Writing ‘Veterans of the Psychic Wars’ involved a lot of reading
and a lot of learning.
A
light-hearted conversation I had with my mother when I was nine or
ten, inspired ‘Veterans of the Psychic Wars’. I’ve always been
a dreamer. Throughout my life, I’ve been told that I think too
much, and as a child, I often felt alienated. One day, I complained
to my mother that I felt that I didn’t belong.
I
told her, “I think I’m an alien, from another planet.”
Without
hesitation, she replied, “Yes, you’re an alien.”
We
laughed and the conversation quickly moved to other things. However,
as I grew older, I frequently thought about what she said. I didn’t
actually believe I was an alien, but I never forgot the conversation
or its possible implications.
I
started thinking: what if a young man grew up believing he was a
normal human being, only to find out one day that he was actually an
alien from another galaxy? Wouldn’t that explain his feelings of
alienation; and wouldn’t that make an interesting story? ‘Veterans
of the Psychic Wars’ started its life as a film script. I had
already written the script equivalent of the book’s first chapter
when a friend suggested I write a novel instead. So, I wrote the book
with a film firmly in mind.
What
do you like to do when not writing?
I
have a wide range of other interests including travelling, history,
culture, philosophy, photography, cooking, music, films, martial
arts, chess and most creative pursuits. I am dedicated to constant
learning.
How
can readers discover more about you and your work?
For
official
information,
please visit www.redmoon.co.uk
or www.waynegerardtrotman.com.
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