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The Lightning Rod for the Unusual and Unexplained
Author of the fantastic novel A Force of Nature, Dan McEwen takes some time out of his day to discuss his work with The Monster.
Claire lost both her parents when she was young, she escapes death several times in uncanny ways, and she’s lost lovers to death and divorce. She is far from the average thirty-eight year old. How did you create such an imaginative character? Is there any inspiration pulled from real life?
Claire the PR guru is a composite of several very savvy women I enjoyed working with/for during my career as a freelance writer. As well, her narrow escapes are based on actual events that happened to people I know. Beyond that however, Claire “the lightning rod for the unusual and unexplained”, is entirely a figment of my imagination.
Claire meets Tom Katz, a veteran bush pilot, familiar with the dangers of the wilderness he flies over. What was your inspiration for his character?
Many years ago, as a program producer for a northern Ontario TV station, I had numerous opportunities to fly with Rusty Blakey, one of Canada’s most renown bush pilots. I was in awe of him – he inspired me to get my pilot’s license – and I soaked up every bit of his wisdom about the wilderness. I tried to reflect that expertise in Tom Katz.
Discovery and justice were highlighted themes throughout the book. What were you hoping your readers would take away from A Force of Nature?
I would love to claim that my novel has at least some small literary aspiration, some bigger meaning or hidden message but I’m not there yet as a writer. With this first novel, my only goal was an entertaining read. What I want readers to take away from the novel is a strong sense that they got good value for their money.
Where do you see your characters after the book ends? Laying on a beach in Maui?
Interestingly, one reader-reviewer has suggested that I have deliberately set up the ending for a sequel. No way. I have too many other stories I want to tell. I’m content to leave Claire and Tom canoeing the Upper Amazon, fly-fishing in New Zealand, climbing Mount Kilimanjaro or….maybe just laying on a beach in Maui.
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Dan McEwen’s other works
Earth drifts through the tail of a passing comet, the most spectacular celestial event humanity has ever witnessed. In it’s wake, every man on Earth is left utterly devoid of a sex drive, a condition doctors name Arrested Libido Syndrome (ALS). Tsunamis of divorce and domestic violence sweep across nations worldwide, swamping legal systems, bankrupting social services and engulfing societies in sudden, radical upheaval. Plummeting birth rates place entire cultures on the Endangered Species list. Governments fall, fanatics rise. And yet its a personal rivalry between two women that ultimately decides mankind’s destiny.
A Force of Nature
Good books are as hard to find as good help. A Force of Nature by Dan McEwen is set in the 90’s, in Toronto. The book takes you on a journey that begins with writer, Claire ‘Voyant’ Chandler, the protagonist. After setting out to make an admission and vacation with longtime friend and former boss, Iris Saunderson, Claire finds herself entangled in the dark history of Iris’s beau, Victor Redstone. As the writer’s ‘special ability’ begins to unravel old mysteries of disappearing girls, Indian spirits and murder, it also brings to light startling truths about Victor’s past, unexpected romances, death and lost treasure.
Claire Chandler, former writer for Canadian Woman magazine, and script editor turned writer-for-hire, lost both her parents at a very young age and escaped death herself several times, in very uncanny ways. She lost lovers to death, divorce and indisputable job offers and was far from the average thirty-eight year old. In addition to escaping death, she had what seemed to be the gift of insight. A gift that would take her on the vacation she would never forget. Claire’s daily cyclical pedal, run, write, repeat, lifestyle was broken by three encounters of coincidence that pointed in the direction of her former boss and the dreadful secret she left behind. Claire would leave the city and vacation with Iris to confess her secret, but she would not have expected the outpouring of revelations that would follow. During this time, themes of fear and uncertainty were dominant about Claire. As Claire entered Bay Harbor; where Iris lived, the description of the buildings and scenery are very detailed and brought out clearly, the narrative style of the writer. A local officer, Ben Shipley, would however warn Claire to be careful of animals while on the island. Bears were the Redstone family totem, it’s also the animal that has taken the life of Ben’s parents, uncle, nephew and daughter. The generational rivalries between the Shipley’s and the Redstones, local officers and Ojibwe Indians have resurfaced. Iris’ failing health, the discovery of dead bodies, ghost sightings and a mystical wolf, all weighed on Claire’s mind. Local pilot, Tom Katz, would refocus his energies from chasing criminal Lou Scoggins, and would find himself in the middle of dangerous unknowns with Claire and her ghosts. In a closer analysis, Claire and Iris represented a strong feminist perspective throughout the book. The Canadian Woman represented their voice against prejudice ideologies. The theme of prejudice was also evident among the Redstones, as they were isolated because of their nativity. Discovery is another important theme that was displayed; it embodied discovery of facts and discovery of self. In the end, the main underlying theme was that of justice. Each detail of the story was an important element that desperately tried to inform justice. Although it took a while to climax, A Force of Nature is a good read for persons interested in mildly paranormal mysteries.
Pages: 196
ASIN: B011JFOC6C
LITERARY TITAN 