Interview with Thriller Writer Eric J. Gates
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Eric J. Gates has had a curious life filled with the stuff of thriller novels. Writing Operating Systems for Supercomputers, cracking cryptographic codes under extreme pressure using only paper and pen and teaching cyber warfare to spies are just a few of the moments he’s willing to recall. He is an ex-International Consultant who has travelled extensively worldwide, speaks several languages, and has had articles and papers published in technical magazines in six different countries, as well as radio and TV spots. His specialty, Information Technology Security, has brought him into contact with the Military and Intelligence communities on numerous occasions.
Eric is also an expert martial artist, holding 14 black belt degrees in distinct disciplines. He has taught his skills to Police and Military personnel, as well as to the public. He now writes thriller novels, drawing on his experiences with the confidential and secret worlds that surround us. |
What term would you use to best describe your work?
“Difficult to pigeonhole” is probably the most accurate I have heard used to describe my novels. The underlying structure is very much fast-paced, suspense thrillers yet I introduce elements of fantasy (for example: a device capable of altering Destiny in the hands of a professional assassin, the existence of genetically mutated vampires, the use of weather as a weapon etc.), social comment and dark humor thus breaking the traditional boundaries. Some have described the result as Urban Fantasy, even Sci-Fi, though anyone who has ever read a Bond novel will recognize the exaggeration of facts that Ian Fleming used. In two word, I would describe them as ‘cinematically entertaining’. How do you like them apples?
When you first started writing, was it a conscious decision?
Yes, though I first started writing at fifteen; are we conscious at that age? Now I am much, much older, and a little wiser, the constraints on my time have magically evaporated and I was able to return to my first love, that of engaging readers in complex, adrenaline-pumping tales of mayhem and mystery.
When you were a child, what did you imagine doing for the rest of your life as a career?
It certainly was not becoming a writer; everyone kept telling me “there’s no money in that”. I did aspire to being a geologist, with dreams of using my affinity to learn new languages to travel the world. Of course, Life came along with a wake-up call and I ended up writing Operating Systems for supercomputers, about as far removed from being either a novelist or rock hound as you can get. Fortunately, there were more surprises in store that served to fill my ‘Experiences and Memories’ folder with plenty of fodder for my thriller novels.
Do you read your reviews and how do they affect you?
Yes I do. Honestly, I doubt there is a writer anywhere who, if they are being honest with themselves, will not admit to reading what others think of their work. I love constructive criticism and always take note of what people say. I am very disappointed in the fact that, although my books have been sold in their thousands, so few readers have taken the two minutes needed to write a review, especially after I’ve worked for months (even years) to entertain them for several days. It seems so unfair when you consider reviews are an author’s primary source of feedback. When they tip their waiters after a good meal, readers should remember that a review is the tip they give to the writer of the book they have just enjoyed.
If you could make one of your books into a movie, which one would you choose and who would portray the main characters?
When writing a novel I often find images of people on the Internet to help me define my characters. Most of the time these are anonymous strangers that exhibit ‘something’ which I feel is right for my character. However, when I wrote ‘Outsourced’ I had a clear idea who the protagonists were before putting pen to paper (or finger to key) and based them on movie and TV actors. So if ‘Outsourced’ makes it to the big screen, I would love to see James Frain as serious, methodic Nic Styles, Denzel Washington/Cuba Gooding Jr as the conspiracy-obsessed Phil Beasley, and Zoe McLellan IS Bridget Mason. When I wrote the sequel, ‘Primed’, I also included a fourth protagonist, New York Homicide detective Kristoffer ‘Great Dane’ Hansen, and he is modelled on one of my favorite actors, Christopher Heyerdahl. As with Bridget Mason, I cannot imagine any other actor in this role when I write. They will all be back in a third book in the series next year.
What is your ultimate goal for your readers when writing a story?
That’s easy. I want to entertain them. I want them to enjoy the time they have dedicated to reading one of my books… then I want them to write a review…
Where can the curious find you?
Website: www.ericjgates.com
Blog: my-thrillers.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eThrillerWriter
Amazon Author page links:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0030H3Y3A/
US: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0030H3Y3A/
In addition, readers can always sign up for my newsletter (competitions, insider news, freebies and special offers) – visit either my web or blog and wait five seconds for the pop-up, or email me eric@ericjgates.com asking to be added.
“Difficult to pigeonhole” is probably the most accurate I have heard used to describe my novels. The underlying structure is very much fast-paced, suspense thrillers yet I introduce elements of fantasy (for example: a device capable of altering Destiny in the hands of a professional assassin, the existence of genetically mutated vampires, the use of weather as a weapon etc.), social comment and dark humor thus breaking the traditional boundaries. Some have described the result as Urban Fantasy, even Sci-Fi, though anyone who has ever read a Bond novel will recognize the exaggeration of facts that Ian Fleming used. In two word, I would describe them as ‘cinematically entertaining’. How do you like them apples?
When you first started writing, was it a conscious decision?
Yes, though I first started writing at fifteen; are we conscious at that age? Now I am much, much older, and a little wiser, the constraints on my time have magically evaporated and I was able to return to my first love, that of engaging readers in complex, adrenaline-pumping tales of mayhem and mystery.
When you were a child, what did you imagine doing for the rest of your life as a career?
It certainly was not becoming a writer; everyone kept telling me “there’s no money in that”. I did aspire to being a geologist, with dreams of using my affinity to learn new languages to travel the world. Of course, Life came along with a wake-up call and I ended up writing Operating Systems for supercomputers, about as far removed from being either a novelist or rock hound as you can get. Fortunately, there were more surprises in store that served to fill my ‘Experiences and Memories’ folder with plenty of fodder for my thriller novels.
Do you read your reviews and how do they affect you?
Yes I do. Honestly, I doubt there is a writer anywhere who, if they are being honest with themselves, will not admit to reading what others think of their work. I love constructive criticism and always take note of what people say. I am very disappointed in the fact that, although my books have been sold in their thousands, so few readers have taken the two minutes needed to write a review, especially after I’ve worked for months (even years) to entertain them for several days. It seems so unfair when you consider reviews are an author’s primary source of feedback. When they tip their waiters after a good meal, readers should remember that a review is the tip they give to the writer of the book they have just enjoyed.
If you could make one of your books into a movie, which one would you choose and who would portray the main characters?
When writing a novel I often find images of people on the Internet to help me define my characters. Most of the time these are anonymous strangers that exhibit ‘something’ which I feel is right for my character. However, when I wrote ‘Outsourced’ I had a clear idea who the protagonists were before putting pen to paper (or finger to key) and based them on movie and TV actors. So if ‘Outsourced’ makes it to the big screen, I would love to see James Frain as serious, methodic Nic Styles, Denzel Washington/Cuba Gooding Jr as the conspiracy-obsessed Phil Beasley, and Zoe McLellan IS Bridget Mason. When I wrote the sequel, ‘Primed’, I also included a fourth protagonist, New York Homicide detective Kristoffer ‘Great Dane’ Hansen, and he is modelled on one of my favorite actors, Christopher Heyerdahl. As with Bridget Mason, I cannot imagine any other actor in this role when I write. They will all be back in a third book in the series next year.
What is your ultimate goal for your readers when writing a story?
That’s easy. I want to entertain them. I want them to enjoy the time they have dedicated to reading one of my books… then I want them to write a review…
Where can the curious find you?
Website: www.ericjgates.com
Blog: my-thrillers.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eThrillerWriter
Amazon Author page links:
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B0030H3Y3A/
US: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0030H3Y3A/
In addition, readers can always sign up for my newsletter (competitions, insider news, freebies and special offers) – visit either my web or blog and wait five seconds for the pop-up, or email me eric@ericjgates.com asking to be added.
