Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with J. Porteous

What inspired you to write “The Gamekeeper”?

Porteous: I've always had a fondness for sci-fi, whether it's some far-flung fantastic future amongst the stars or a hellscape here on Earth. A lot of what went into The Gamekeeper is a mixture of my own anxieties for our society (both on a local and global scale, from war to changing climate) and the implications of the potential future we bring our children into. I'm far from a pessimist, however I think as a parent and a human, it's easy to see what's happening around the world and for these worries to be lodged in our subconscious.

How did you come up with the names of your main characters?

Porteous: The name of The Gamekeeper (David) made sense to me from the start. He's a man detached from what fragile remains there are of society, merely existing in this new world than truly living. With his history of loss during the end of the government response, having him simply let any semblance of his past life bleed away until he is just known as his job made sense. As for his real name, I wanted something simple and grounded. I didn't want this massive reveal when Jessica finds out his name, I wanted just a man rediscovering his identity, a return of his humanity in that moment. As for Jessica, I went for a name which I thought would suit her as a naïve child, while also being something that could be shortened and 'toughened up' as she grows up in the subsequent books. Plus, I just like the name!

Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?

Porteous: I think the main thing I'd like to bring to readers about the book is that although the events and situation that the characters are in are pretty dire, the story is not one of dread and despair. The whole thing was written around the determination and burning of the human spirit, that we are adaptable and can and will change ourselves to survive. If there was a message that I'd like for the book to convey, it would be that our strength is in coming together, to pooling our skills and resources.

Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?

Porteous: The one thing I can say has most definitely been said by countless other writers (and probably better too). All you can do is put one foot in front of the other. Even if it's only fifty words a day, that's still fifty words which weren't there the day before. All movement forward is progress, and some days you will be a marathon, other days it's just a casual stroll. Either way, it's progress.

What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?

Porteous: My favourite genre has to be science fiction, of all types. Picking an absolute favourite is difficult, but I'd have to go with Rendezvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clarke. There's such an infectious air of excitement and exploration that it's hard not to get caught up in it all as the crew explore the alien object. I haven't felt something like that since.

What are you working on next?

Porteous: Next in the works is my follow-up to The Gamekeeper, The Promise Keeper, which is currently with beta readers at the moment and should be available towards the tail end of the year. Lurking in the background is the third and final book in it's draft form, The Peace Keeper.

Learn More About the Author and The Gamekeeper here:

Twitter: @jpscrawlings

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