Our wonderful readers have sent us questions about Pandemic-19 and our author has agreed to answer those that can be without spoiling the book! So if you have not yet read the released chapters, then wait to read the responses until later. We will post them with the specific question and the interview with our author.
Q: The book mixes politics and current news as part of the story. Does the U.S. election and current events around it change your writing in any way?
A: Great question! That can be answered in so many ways. First, this is a fiction book, so taking certain liberties is a natural part of the story development and writing process. While grounded in what is and has happened in politics and the news, there are certain leaps taken to create a picture that fits into the overarching thoughts and underlying dynamics of the book. Politics and news are a small part of the puzzle, adding background and foundations from which to jump off and take you the reader along for a ride. The book takes place three years in the future, so while current events have played into things, we do not really know what will happen yet, do we?
Second, if you read the first chapters you can see how they set up the rest of the book. I already have the framework of the story from beginning to end in mind. It’s the details and specifics that are being filled in to solidify everything. Some are hard and fast, others have some nuisances and potentially could be subject to revision. And how should I say this carefully, without revealing things? Given all of the fake news and misinformation thrust upon all of us, what do we really know what is true or fabricated? The fodder thrown around from all sides of the equation makes for some great ideas and information to extract and manipulate into the story. Intelligent dissection and meaningful conversation can separate fact from fiction in the real world. But specifically, given all that has played out and what has not yet, you could insert any politician into this or news as a backdrop and go with it. The present tweaked a bit and extrapolating or letting creativity go wild and you can create a nexus, or a bridge, between a reality and an idea of what could become, the what if, that is the unknown for all of us.
So I guess the biggest thing to take away from this book is take certain things with a grain of salt and not dwell on whether it is a fact or fake. It’s a book designed in a creative mind around a premise, written to entertain and take you on a journey. Placing absolute truths against ideas or concepts in this book that have been used takes you down a rabbit hole. Don’t assume you know anything or anything written is right. Remember, fiction novel. Story by a writer with quite the imagination. While certainly as chapters are written and prepped to be released, there is the possibility of some event that transpires that I simply have to morph into the story. You know, go back and rewrite some things to align in just the right way. Since I am sharing the process as it develops and moves, that is something that could happen. I just simply cannot say for sure. And that’s the fun part of this! You get to read along and if I change something, re-read it and see if it adds to a compelling storyline.
As a writer I always want to present the best and polished work, so doing it this way is a bit weird for sure, but at the same time, I find so much joy in it and seeing and hearing what you think. So, just sit back and relax and place yourself out of the now, and into the when. Tomorrow brings a whole new day, and that’s the scary part. We don’t know what we don’t know. Insert absolutely creepy music and turned down lights my friends!
Q: As I read it, you seem to be using the current COVID-19 virus as a component of this story. Can you elaborate as to why and what it means since the book takes place in the future?
A: A very interesting question to ask. I’ll try and tip toe a bit around the answer while offering some insight.
The world has had a deadly virus thrust upon it. Millions upon millions affected and millions of deaths across the globe. The common flu does not have a similar devastating history in over a hundred years, if you take the last major outbreak and pandemic that occurred in 1918. Since that time there have been vaccines developed, health education programs to promote getting a shot and what you can do to limit exposure, all positive things that have decreased the amount of deaths per year. Then, COVID-19 comes and creates a new deadly pandemic. And all of the history the world should know and have put in place seems to have gone in one ear and out the other.
We are in strange times and it really provides, for better or worse, content for a novel.
If you have read the first few chapters, you can see how some of this year’s events offer parallels to the story. The lack of adequate response to combat the virus, leadership in a vacuum, and foot dragging on both sides of the political aisle and in many cases, around the world. The amount of newsworthy material to read and digest from so many countries is a treasure trove. So, it that vein, there has been ample fuel to develop this story. Throw some petrol or gasoline on it and watch the flames shoot to the sky. I do not have a crystal ball, or at least, I cannot confirm or deny I possess or have access to one. My plausible deniability.
Now, leave the present and take the ride in my story and fast forward a bit to find a world in decay, existence metered on living day to day and avoiding death from a variety of sources. This is where fiction and creativity begin to run rampant and diverge from basis on a real virus and development of a fictionalized version. Extrapolate on what you know or think you know today and go wild with creating “facts” or “realities” that could happen, might happen, or will happen tomorrow. If a real virus cannot be contained, what happens? Could my “vision” become reality? I really hope not. However, the writer takes advantage of creative license and uses snippets of information to crochet something of interest, that is compelling and with enough meat to it that makes you think of the possibilities. If COVID-19 cannot be reigned in, will the world collapse? If a vaccine cannot be developed, is the world headed for an apocalyptic event? If society falls, what is left and what is going on? Does Pandemic-19 turn into our next reality show? Right now you just have to read the chapters as they come to find the answers to all of these questions. Our future has not been written, but Pandemic-19 has charted a course and the ship is on its way!
Q: I am really enjoying the this book as you release chapters. I have to ask though, why are you keeping yourself anonymous and not telling us who you are yet?
A: Thank you for enjoying the book! It is nice getting that kind of feedback and more chapters are coming, I promise.
You ask a legitimate question and I appreciate it. A lot of thought went into the decision and the reasons to do Pandemic-19 in this format. Let’s throw caution to the wind and just go for it. I’m actually Stephen King and you know my works. Trying a different approach for my readers and decided to do it this way. My agents and publisher weren’t on board so I did it my way. Free book to get interest and drive for the next in the series. Something new for me, so why not. I can do things my way.
Wait, I can’t do that to an author friend. I am really John Sanford. You know my works in the Prey series and others. Hold on. That is not true. My name is Kathy Reichs and you know my work in the Temperance Brennan books. I tried to remain silent but must let everyone know. So not true either. Karin Slaughter here. Will Trent and Grant County fame. Hope you like those books and are enjoying this new work.
I could be one of those listed above, or another on the top list of fiction writers across the world. I have sold millions of copies and have a following of devoted readers like you who enjoy my novels. If you knew my name, would that make a difference in whether you chose to read or not?
I could be famous or someone seeking to get published. Does it matter which one? Would you read me no matter what if you knew me, buy my work, even if it was crap? If I was an unknown, would you take a chance and read, or ignore me, even if the writing and content was great and thrilling to keep you wanting to know more about the story and where it takes you?
Those are the questions and some of the reasons behind going it this way. I want to take any preconceived notions about me off the table. My goal is for the writing, the content, the characters, the story, to draw you in and let you as the reader come along for the ride. If you like the novel, then maybe for the next one in the series you will become a fan and a follower. All too often we see, and I can say this, certain agents and publishers stick with what they know. They want the next so and so, a copy of someone else, instead of really finding someone new who has talent and an original work. They also sometimes want authors to keep to the same old script, writing the same stuff, draining every last bit out of a character or story, way beyond its life, even when it starts to turn to crap. Readers and the faithful will keep buying because it’s their famous favorite. It’s a cycle I want to break.
A work should stand on its own. If you do not know at the beginning who wrote it, the desire is for this process, reading chapters as they come alive, to draw you into my world. You become part of the writing and really a partner in it. I get great feedback and comments and that enlivens me in my environment to then sit and do my best to construct a novel worth your patronage and connection. If we develop that relationship naturally and without bias, then we become paired free of all of the distractions of popularity and me being famous, or not. The book speaks for itself first and foremost and name has no play in the game.
Usually a pseudonym takes care of that once published and in book format. This takes a step back, uses technology and social channels, and puts it front and center while bypassing the old norms. Plus there is an added caveat of putting a new character in front of you to try out and see if he gets traction. If he works, then maybe getting him free first will get you to buy him in the next book. So many possibilities!
I will reveal myself at the end. You may know me, or you may not. I hope that we can build a long-lasting and wonderful friendship if we do not already have one. Writing has been my life and this new novel a fascinating jump into a completely different way of writing and presenting itself. I hope you relish in it as much as I do.
Jason McDonald 