UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

Hi all,
Let me tell you about Foehammer and then a little about myself.
Firstly - and unfortunately, Foehammer is impossible to classify.
The closest 'genre' is urban fantasy, but it is a thriller with elements of sci fi and horror blended together.

Here is the blurb;
Twenty years from now a virus breaks out in a couple of Arctic naval bases, and then, even more strangely, inside the White House. The guards become animated corpses, and rescue teams are rendered helpless by a mysterious trance effect. Underpaid academic Dr. Weaver has documents that refer to something similar happening in the time of Christ, and a group of billionaires seek him out and immediately set him to work. With the help of a super-hacker, he manages to track down a veteran who’s not susceptible to mind control. But this Sean “Jester” Solberg character is a wild card—an aggressive loner who lives with the immigrants outside the cities. The next recruit is even more unusual. Curtis Ferguson is the son of a couple of anthropologists and reportedly the world’s most powerful witch doctor. Into this bizarre, dysfunctional group is thrust Jodie Goodwin, a down-to-earth Texan girl with exceptional shooting skills. The newly formed team creep into the bunkers deep under the capital and encounter mankind’s ancient enemies. They end up fighting for survival and soon discover that their lives depend on the powers of the young, but untested, shaman.



Here is a short interview that gives you an insight into the book and my writing process

1. Can you tell us a little bit about your writing process?

I write lots and lots of drafts. This allows the story and characters to develop slowly and gives me lots of reflection time. Most people don’t believe it, but there were more than eighty drafts of Foehammer before I was happy. This took eight years. It’s a very personal story and reflects strong beliefs that I hold – so it was worth it.

2. Is the story over?

No, not at all. It has just begun! There are two more books. Unfortunately only a few characters survive!

3. Which Foehammer character do you relate to the most?

It has to be two. I am half Jester and half Curtis! In fact if you want to go into psychological depth then Curtis represents my super ego and Jester my id.

4. What’s your least favorite part of the writing process?

Getting stuck on a single sentence to describe something.

5. Who’s your favorite author?

When I was a boy I read The Lord of The Rings about twelve times – so Tolkien.
As an adult, I rate Iain M Banks and Cormac McCarthy


6. Can you give us a little hint of the inspiration behind Foehammer?

I can give you loads! Strangely, the tone of the book is inspired by the sound of the post punk band Killing joke. Many of the scenes contain subtle Killing Joke references. I wanted to capture the intensity of their music and gigs in written form (an insane goal – but there you go).
Politically Foehammer is also an angry statement about social complacency, politicians profiting from war and increasing global wealth inequality. Jester and Curtis will never allow themselves to be sub-dermaly chipped and tracked by the government! Foehammer are my small army of resistance. Crooked politicians and corrupt corporations beware, there are only six of them – but they will find you and nothing can stop them.
I am also inspired by classic graphic novels and sci fi. Some reviewers have spotted a hint of Alien and Aliens, and I hope there’s some Bladerunner in there – as I adore that film.

thanks
best wishes
Duncan