Ask the Author: Eric Haggman
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Eric Haggman
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Eric Haggman
A month-long trip to Vietnam with my wife and muse, Emily, sparked the idea to write The Apology. To visit a place that my country was once at war with and to feel the warmth and generosity of the Vietnamese people was unforgettable. As we explored, stories started to pile up and I started writing them down. Eventually, I was writing a novel. When the story led our main character, Christian, to Japan, Emily and I booked our next trip. Fans of the book have commented on how real the sights and sounds feel in the story, and I believe it’s because Emily and I were really right there while I was writing it.
Eric Haggman
Two forces that inspired me to immerse myself in The Apology are a love of history and travel. I’m deeply fascinated by the history of Vietnam, and how the global conflicts of the 20th Century have shaped modern life for millions around the world. My own research at home sparked this interest, but travel gave me an intimate sense of the haunting impact of the war, for veterans and civilians alike. We heard the story of a pilot who visited a small village that he was ordered to bomb during the conflict. Upon going back to the village to visit, meeting the relatives of survivors, and facing his own past; the sadness and loss initially consumed him, but the power of reconciliation and forgiveness may have saved his life.
Eric Haggman
Don’t give up and be open to taking lessons from writers you admire. I’ve been a writer my whole life. I wrote short stories in high school and college. As an advertising executive, I’ve written thousands of commercials, but never felt like I was smart enough to see through the whole arc of a story. One thing that really helped my process was trying out James Patterson’s MasterClass. He addressed every insecurity I had with writing, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. It’s perfect for those interested in writing thrillers, but can be applied to other genres as well.
Eric Haggman
When you’re someone with an active imagination, like me, the idea of giving form to your own wild stories, of creating new worlds, is the most seductive aspect of writing. Reading touches on this for me and so many others, but writing gives you the power to create something that appeals to your own imagination. It’s a remarkable thing when you’re creating something, and one day, your story characters come to life right in front of you.
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