If you know me, you know that I also write sci-fi fiction. I love it when I come across one that keeps me entertained. Please enjoying learning about "VanWest The Past (Book 1) by Kenneth Thomas.
VanWest The Past Kindle Edition
Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I grew up in Royal Windsor, UK. The home of Windsor Castle, and
the Queen. Coming from modest means, a single-parent home, in a very wealthy
area of the UK, there was always such a contrast between rich and poor.
The great thing about Windsor though is the amount of green parks and spaces, many belonging to the crown estate. Protecting places of wildlife is really important to me and this is reflected in my book series, VanWest.
I used to work in Los Angeles, US, briefly working for the Hollywood Film Studios on a student visa. And after that returned to the UK to work in London.
Currently, I reside in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with my lovely wife. And use all my spare time to write and go on long walks.
I used to work in Los Angeles, US, briefly working for the Hollywood Film Studios on a student visa. And after that returned to the UK to work in London.
Currently, I reside in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, with my lovely wife. And use all my spare time to write and go on long walks.
What inspired you to author this book?
The book was written in 2012 when green issues such as climate
change were slowly becoming more talked about (pre Greta Thunberg). VanWest,
set in the year 3000, is a reflection of a world where we have not protect our
home, planet Earth; and looks at the consequences, the effect on society, such
as forced migration, food shortages, loss of flora and fauna, authoritative
regimes and wealthy individuals (oligarchs) who take advantage.
Beyond that, I wanted to write a book with broad appeal; most importantly, one that was entertaining. Working in the movie industry a couple of years, including 20th Century Fox and MGM Studios, I wanted to create something that thrilled and was full of action. Without a movie studio's budget, I thought a great way to achieve this was through writing; from a screenplay, it developed into a book.
Beyond that, I wanted to write a book with broad appeal; most importantly, one that was entertaining. Working in the movie industry a couple of years, including 20th Century Fox and MGM Studios, I wanted to create something that thrilled and was full of action. Without a movie studio's budget, I thought a great way to achieve this was through writing; from a screenplay, it developed into a book.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book's cover?
The book cover had to say dystopia, ruined Earth, it also had to
say time-travel. Without revealing any spoilers, the position of the clock in
the eye is meant to match that of a pivotal character in the book. I'll let you
guess which one it is!
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally
and as a writer?
My mother is perhaps the influence, someone who is very
determined and motivated, with a lot of energy. As a writer, you need to work
long hours sometimes, not to let things get you down or indeed slow you down,
to stay focused on achieving your goals. As a writing style, I love science
fiction movies and books that are out of this world and original, that could be
'Inception,' 'Fifth Element,' and 'What
Happened To Monday.'
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get
this book written?
The hustle and bustle of being in one's mid-20s and trying to
get (and stay) on the career ladder (combined with a 3-hour daily commute into
London) kept me from finishing this book. I began writing the first book in the
series 8 years ago. Only in my 30s did I start to demand my personal time back.
In the end of the day, jobs come and go, personal achievements such as writing
a book is something you can keep with you forever and be proud of.
Tell your readers about your book.
The Past is the first book in the VanWest series, about an
Enforcer who lives in a dystopian Earth of the year 3000 and works for an
authoritarian ruler called the Universal Council. Tasked with traveling through
time to stop a renegade sect that seeks to change Earth's past, he comes to
learn about his dark origins and his unique ability.
Falling in love with the daughter of its leader, Mad Newton, he returns to the present to face a difficult choice, whether or not to save her. And be part of the New Beginning.
The book very much looks at scientific events in the 20th Century, this renegade sect, called the Utopians, blames technological advances in this period as ruining Earth, and they want to travel back in time to stop it from happening.
Falling in love with the daughter of its leader, Mad Newton, he returns to the present to face a difficult choice, whether or not to save her. And be part of the New Beginning.
The book very much looks at scientific events in the 20th Century, this renegade sect, called the Utopians, blames technological advances in this period as ruining Earth, and they want to travel back in time to stop it from happening.
Who is your target audience, and why?
Adult and Young Adult, I think the book has broad appeal and
crosses several genres. Those who love Dystopian and Time Travel Fiction will
be particularly happy. Those too who like futuristic action thrillers with a
little bit of romance will enjoy this book also.
