Struth Mate! Is This Hell? is a mad, cosmic ride through a metaphysical reality where life, death, religion, science and philosophy collide. What was the inspiration that created the fantastic journey these characters go on?

I guess as we all age, we start to wonder what life’s journey was all about and seek some reassurance that it was worthwhile and that we leave behind some lasting legacy. To put this another way, I guess to be fully content we need something to believe in, some form of religion, however that may manifest itself.

On my own journey in search of a religion, my initial approach was to delve into science and established religions, believing that answers were already established. But unable to find solace and any meaningful connection, I eventually decided to start afresh and develop a sort of personal religion based on known facts and logic. “Struth!” at its core, is really the outcome of this search, with all the workings included, but wrapped up in a novel to provide drama and intrigue. I decided to publish it in the hope that it would provide others with an alternative perspective that may help shape their own views.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

Having previously revealed the core model in the first book in this series, this second book took those ideas and extrapolated them to predict the future. The fate of mankind and the Earth is revealed by applying the model to the Bible’s Book of Revelation, decoding its meaning and creating a whole new literal translation that provides some thought-provoking insights. Furthermore, it attempts to consolidate the seemingly conflicting views of religion and science.

I have always been puzzled by the strange multiple personality disorder of the Christian God, who appears to have extreme mood swings. In this book the form and existence of Gaia, or Mother Nature, is revealed. It is she who has been the prime controlling influence over Earth’s development for millions of years, even aiding the rise of mankind … although she now believes that to be a mistake!

What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?

Without any doubt, becoming a father (x3). The miracle of birth and parenthood never failed to amaze me and brought with it a sense of awe and wonderment at nature. It certainly starts you questioning whether there truly is a God and how life began.

Turning your question around, the experience of writing has certainly impacted my life. Before embarking on this journey, I would have describe myself as an agnostic bordering on atheism. With my journey now nearing its conclusion, I would still describe myself as an agnostic as the ideas I have generated, although being logical and rational in my own mind, are still fictional and unproven. But perhaps now with a greater appreciation of the spiritual, my views have certainly shifted a little towards the religious.​

When will book three be available? Can you give us an idea of where that book will take readers? 

The third and final book in the series will focus on the very meaning of existence and provide plausible answers to those ultimate questions of life, the universe and everything. As to when it will be published, I can’t say. This is my retirement project and things move slowly these days.

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