Samuel
asked
James Swallow:
Hello James. Having finished reading and reviewing Exile, I have a question. Solomon. Founder of Rubicon who rose from war torn West Africa to become one of the most powerful men on earth. While an enigmatic figure, hated by nation state intel services and mistrusted by Marc Dane, he seems to be imbued with an old world nobless oblige. What ideas were you exploring when coming up with his characterization?
James Swallow
Great question, Samuel.
I'm planning to parcel out some more of Ekko Solomon's backstory in future novels, so I won't reveal all - but essentially I wanted to write about a guy who had come from nothing, a former child soldier, someone who had done questionable things in his past and now finds himself in a position of power. Solomon has a strong moral code and in many ways he's looking for redemption, so his actions in the present are his attempts to balance the scales.
In terms of Solomon the man, I was very heavily influenced by the actor Colin Salmon, and I've always considered him the "model" for the character.
I'm planning to parcel out some more of Ekko Solomon's backstory in future novels, so I won't reveal all - but essentially I wanted to write about a guy who had come from nothing, a former child soldier, someone who had done questionable things in his past and now finds himself in a position of power. Solomon has a strong moral code and in many ways he's looking for redemption, so his actions in the present are his attempts to balance the scales.
In terms of Solomon the man, I was very heavily influenced by the actor Colin Salmon, and I've always considered him the "model" for the character.
More Answered Questions
Samuel
asked
James Swallow:
Dear Mr Swallow. I'm back and I have written a review of NOMAD. A question, Marc Dane. Was he inspired by the protagonist of Three/Six Days Of The Condor? Both are not trained field officers, they have technical backgrounds (Condor repaired telephones before joining the CIA) and they both lose colleagues motivating their revenge missions https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1780058992
Samuel
asked
James Swallow:
Dear Mr Swallow, I'm delighted to inform you that I have managed to read 14 chapters of your first "original" (non tie in with existing media franchise) spy novel NOMAD and I'm loving it immensely. I've written half the review. A question, I detect a lot of spiritual similarities with Three Days Of The Condor. Were you inspired that film when writing your own book?
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