Authorpreneur Dashboard – David Callinan
An Angel On My Shoulder
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
ONE MAN, ONE ANGEL, ONE PROPHECY, ONE QUEST Paul is an ordinary man, with an ordinary family and a pretty ordinary job. Why such a man should be chosen by an angel group to fulfill a quest that will help transform the world is anyone's guess. Convinced he is going mad or sinking into schizophrenia Paul plays along with the angels who tell him he has been chosen to transcribe the words of the new Messiah, Mahdi or Light Of The World – alive on Earth today but who cannot read or write. Paul is attacked by dark forces as his odyssey takes him from Europe to Greece, India and Nepal finally reaching the high Andes of Peru and the Monastery of the Seven Rays. And his own life and the lives of his family are put in mortal danger.
Book Bubbles from An Angel On My Shoulder
Evil possession is real after all
Paul learns the first and awful truth about spiritual possession.
The pendulum gateway
Despite all the false prophets, scams and pseudo spiritual systems that fascinate people, despite all this, perhaps there is a way of contacting the original mind, existing in the timeless now.
Can you really clear the debris of your past lives
One of the features of this book is to challenge the commonly held preconceptions about terms such as karma, reincarnation, angels, demons, gods and God itself (not himself). And to do it in the guise of a spiritual thriller or adventure. The real sages and immortals (you see, already you have questions) don't need board games or pendulums to access the reality of reality. But our hero, Paul, finds himself facing some astonishing and disturbing spiritual truths – and lies – as he is about to enter a time of ultimate danger with the risk of his own self being extinguished.
The board game of life – and past lives
I came across this so-called board game in reality. Much of what you read here actually happened (but not to me). A pendulum is a particularly powerful tool for investigating both physical and psychic phenomena. For instance, a pendulum will rotate a set number of times and in different directions when held over metals and chemicals. So, my protagonist Paul is about to open the floodgates to the spiritual worlds. But are they 'real' or hallucinatory?
The creation of an immortal light body
There is so much fanciful information in the world about the real purpose of the human race, angels, immortality, science being the new religion etc that it is almost impossible to sift through to find nuggets of real wisdom and insight. This book is an exploration. But it is not an easy read. It is still a thriller or adventure. Think if Dean Koontz had written The Celestine Prophecy.
God, angels, demons, messiahs, & religions
Preconceptions are the issue. This is a book like no other, partly a true story. Someone I knew. The problem: Words like God, angel, devil, demons, afterlife etc etc have been so distorted and subject to a million and one interpretations; founded entire religious edifices and caused both ecstatic joy and immense suffering. What if they meant something else entirely? Something hidden from the human race until the veil is swept from its collective eyes? As though the Earth itself was moving into a kind of spiritual and galactic influence. And, what if the word messiah did not mean the messenger of God but an individuality that would sweep away all known religions and cause mankind to transmogrify into a higher plane of existence? And what if that 'messiah' could not read or write. Somebody needs to be chosen to write down the words of the 21st century book of wisdom – don't they?
Bodyswitch
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Jack Madigan is young, fulfilled and about to become a father. Ernie Mason, just released from prison, is a walking time bomb, a black kid from the Bronx brutalised by a lifetime of abuse. Mason goes a on drunken joyride and hits Jack's six month pregnant wife Kerry killing her instantly and killing himself. Then the mysterious Abraham makes a distraught Jack an offer no human being has ever received. The chance to say goodbye to Kerry 'on the other side'. But there is a price to pay. A recently departed soul must be given a chance of redemption by occupying Jack's body. Guess who?
Book Bubbles from Bodyswitch
Jack enters the spiritual world
Separated from his earthly body Jack finds himself in a strange dimension – a world where spirits are prepared for their next incarnation. He must find Kerry before she passes beyond his awareness. And then try to get back into his physical body - wherever it was.
The cosmic switch clicks
The crux of the first part of the story. Jack is made an offer he can't refuse. To see his wife again beyond the grave. But there is a price to pay. Is it too high a price?
What is it like to die?
When is death not death? Jack Madigan has been made the offer of a lifetime – or of a deathtime. He is about to relinquish his body. But his body remains alive on Earth while his spirit has gone beyond. So, who or what is about to occupy his body?
The beginning of the body switch - two people die
The inciting incident. The build-up of the characters of the main players leads to a pivotal moment of no return in the story. There comes a time when the die is cast; when the roulette wheel slows to a stop and the fate of our lead characters is set in train. Jack's pregnant wife is tragically killed. Ernie Mason is killed himself but soon he will live again. That's the nature of 'Bodyswitch'
Christmas is a racist ploy
When a bad guy/gal or antagonist is nasty...then make him or her really nasty. Ernie Mason has no time for a white Christmas, or anything white (except maybe some easy to lay caucasian ladies). The story is driving towards the first and most important plot point. More on that in the next insight.
If you think your body belongs to you, think again
I was fascinated by the notion of a man being offered the chance to travel the spiritual realm to find his dead wife. And equally fascinated by the idea of a black guy waking up as a white man. Jack Madigan must allow his body, his temple, to be occupied and once Ernie Mason realises he has been given a second chance at life, albeit in a different body there is no way he is going to give it up. That is, until Jack wants his body back.
The Vanishing
Teens
Morgan Lane (15) has a superhuman memory and a gift for designing amazing 'gizmos'. Together with his sidekick, the Chinese American Lin Rainbow, who has the power of prophecy; and their pet orangutan Winston – transformed by magic and science into a genius with the power of speech – he is catapulted into a cosmic adventure across the multiverse to the dimension where time and space are one. The comet Cygnus Hyperbole heralds an amazing event: the sudden disappearance of all animal life on Earth. This coincides with Morgan's scientist father perfecting a microbe that can eat pollution and reverse climate change. The mysterious Guardians choose Morgan to memorise 'The Cosmic Algorithm', the key to all creation as a power-crazed scientist (controlled by cosmic parasites known as the Shadix) designs replacement animals, nanosaurs (air sharks, perfumed cats, flying dogs and a plethora of weird, bizarre and unstable creatures) including Taurus, a seventeen-feet tall minotaur – the first of a nanosaur army destined to control all mankind. Morgan must protect the 'Cosmic Algorithm' and the super microbe from the clutches of the scientist at all costs. But the world is descending into chaos as Morgan and his friends battle across a dystopian landscape to locate the Guardians (they occupy a breath propelled starship inside Mount Everest) as they race against time to the next stage of their quest.
Book Bubbles from The Vanishing
The cosmic adventure begins
The trio of adventurers are formed. Morgan with his superhuman memory. Lin with her gift of I-Ching prophecy. Winston the orangutan who is about to be transformed by science and magic.
An orangutan becomes the missing link
One of the central twists of the story is the transformation of Winston, the orangutan into a genius with the power of speech. He is the only animal left on the planet. Why? What message can he give to humanity?
The animals vanish from Earth
The time is now. Right now. As you read this. But extraordinary things happen to the Earth. The comet causes weather havoc but then, in light storms that circle the world and with Mount Everest pulsating with fiery rainbows, every animal on the planet, from the African plains, to abattoirs and from birdcages to zoos and under the earth – all animal life vanishes. Where to? How? And why has Morgan been chosen?
When remarkable science meets magic
The essence of this book, I mean one of the major underlying dynamics, is to blend leading edge science like nanotechnology with angelic power, alien magic and artificial intelligence into one completely contemporary, here-and-now story. Let me know if you think it succeeds. This is the first time these elements start to coalesce and come together. Much, much more is to come.
Introducing Lin and Winston, the orangutan
This story set in the contemporary world that we all know, but one in which extraordinary events are about to take place. This is the point where Morgan meets up with Lin Rainbow and is reunited with his pet orangutan, Winston who is destined for an extraordinary transformation. I needed to start building the relationship between Morgan and the sparky Lin, who has the gift of prophecy using karmic I-Ching. Underlying the scientific and celestial events about to befall the world is the edgy affection that builds slowly between Morgan and Lin.
Boy jumps from 200 foot cliff
I'm creating a visionary world in a contemporary setting – blending leading edge science like nanotechnology with alien magic; angelic power with artificial intelligence. But despite this story setting it's about a boy, a girl and their pet orangutan who are cast upon a cosmic journey. With so much content it was vital for me to anchor the story within the feelings and actions of the lead characters. Have I succeeded? Only the reader can tell me.
KNIFE EDGE
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Ella Fallon is ugly and hates herself. Her lover Ed Leeming is disfigured and ashamed. But they love each other; the real thing. Behind the surface appearance both Ella and Ed are brilliant and original. They are tormented at college in California by Scott Stockton, heir to one of America’s biggest industrial conglomerates and leader of ‘ The Beautiful Elite’ – a rich, egotistical Adonis figure who delights in humiliating them. But for the disfigurement, Ed could have been Stockton’s younger twin. But no one notices. Yet. When Ed challenges him, Stockton hurts him – puts him into a catatonic coma. Ella snaps. Why wouldn’t she? Goes on the road, wins a million dollars in Las Vegas and meets body remodeller extraordinaire, Thomas Startz. He transforms her into a cross between Katy Perry and Jennifer Lopez – she is sensational. Despairing of Ed’s recovery she has Startz transform him into someone beautiful while still in a coma. Then Ed wakes up, a dead ringer for Scott Stockton, the man he hates. Now, there’s only one game in town. Ella and Ed plan to take over Stockton’s life, career and fortune with Ed masquerading as the egotistical spoiled brat. But first they have to get rid of Scott Stockton permanently. Will they get away with it? And will Ella know who she’s having sex with?
Book Bubbles from KNIFE EDGE
Why Thomas Startz will recreate Ella
Thomas Startz is a futuristic body remodeller who is destined to transform the lives of Ella and Ed. And he has the motivation. His top model sister Holly was raped in a stormy night by the Deadhead gang while he was forced to watch. Can he recreate Holly by turning Ella into beautiful creature?
Scott exacts revenge on Ed
Ed, the ugly loser, takes part in the annual Winfield cross country. This is where Scott gets his revenge for Ed challenging him in public. And it's where Ed's lights go out and he falls into a deep, dark coma where the death dreams begin.
Beauty and the two beasts
Ella's worst nightmare. To be picked out as ugly by the beautiful elite. Scott Rockport has it all but still can't resist tormenting her. Until Ed, who secretly loves her, faces up to him.
The second character, another ugly loser
Ed Leeming is another ugly duckling, anxious not to have the spotlight turned upon him. This is where Ed's journey starts. Soon he will realise he is in love with Ella and volunteer for a test of courage that he is painfully ill-equipped to take. But his journey takes him further than he would ever have dreamed possible.
Make me beautiful, Ella makes the big wish
Who likes their body image? What woman would not want to look like a goddess but with her own spirit and personality. If you are born an ugly loser how do you live your life? If you have a brain like a laser maybe you can overcome the physical deformities. Or maybe you live in hope that one day something will happen to you. Maybe somehow you will be transformed.
The Immortality Plot
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Ex US government assassin and Hong Kong Police martial arts enforcer Mike Delaney is kicked out of the force on a trumped up charge along with his partner Bob Messenger. Delaney drops out and joins a reclusive esoteric monastic brotherhood while Messenger forms confess-confess.com – a global crime busting website where ordinary people fight back against injustice, each with their own code name. Delaney falls in love, leaves the monastery and marries. One year later his investigative journalist wife is brutally murdered by a contract serial killer known as 'The Priest'. She is one of many. Delaney vows to track down 'The Priest'. He discovers his wife was about to expose a global plot known as The Renaissance Project involving the richest and most powerful people on the planet who pay huge sums to attain true immortality. The 'Priest' is their tame assassin (but Lucius Gynt is not as tame as they think he is). On the confess-confess website Delaney's code name is 'The Monk'. His search for 'The Priest', and uncovering the labyrinthine Renaissance Project will test his skills to the limit and put his life on the line.
Book Bubbles from The Immortality Plot
Delaney is captured
Proof that Delaney is on the trail of his wife's killer happens when heavies attack him in a parking lot. He is about to take them out when his skull collides with an iron bar and the lights go out.
The first clue
Delaney needs to be a sympathetic character. While he is obsessed about tracking down his wife's killer he responds to Lena Maclean whose daughter is also a potential victim of The Priest.
Delaney begins the quest
From experiencing an almost helpless acceptance of his wife's brutal murder Delaney is now filled with new determination.
Are evil characters totally evil?
Bad guys and bad girls are just born evil – aren't they? Perhaps not. There are those who work hard to reshape and rebuild their characters but, at heart, is an apple rotten at the core ever likely to be made whole again? Lucius Gynt, while twisted within his soul, has ability and talent. In this regard, he is similar to many people throughout history who have proven themselves to have saving graces – but not quite enough grace to overcome their primary driving urge. This has never been more true than in the case of Lucius Gynt.
The plot point – or how the action unravels
They say that when you watch a conventional movie (as opposed to an art house flick) you usually know if you are drawn in or have lost interest after the first ten minutes – almost to the dot. Most screenplays have a plot point around page ten, or ten minutes in roughly. The plot point is an action that spins the story off in another direction or heightens the drama. It's similar with a book. In this excerpt, Delaney really starts to dig down deep into his dead wife's partly burned papers and journalistic articles. And he comes up with the first clues.
The truth of his wife's murder hits home
When a man like Mike Delaney makes himself a promise, if not a vow, not to take another human life it's going to take something immense to make him go back on his pledge. His journalist wife's appalling slaughter is the major inciting incident that drives the rest of the book. Her death is too much to bear. Despite his spiritual leanings and time spent at the monastery Delaney makes another pledge – to track down and exact vengeance upon The Priest – a killer who has become an overnight internet sensation.
The antagonist - further development
When I created Lucius Gynt the character just seemed to run away with me. Even the creepiest antagonists need to have more substance than just being Neanderthal hit men/women. Gynt's ambivalent sexuality and his belief that the murders he commits are sanctioned by God – and by his collection of teddy bears gives him a terrifying edge. It is the edge of the controlled fanatic. And his belief that his artistic talent has found expression in 'New Brutalism' just reinforces this.
The antagonist - a transvestite serial killer
Nothing in my background points to the development of a predilection for nasty, tortured, subversive or thoroughly bad fictional characters. Many actors will tell you they love playing bad guys (and bad girls). So maybe the creation of the antagonist is where I (and other writers, I guess) can dig deep into the dark recesses of my psyche to touch base with some primeval memory. It may also be because I spent many years writing near-the-knuckle screenplays. 'The Priest' is well named. But Lucius Gynt is not just your average, run-of-the-mill bad guy. He has depth and artistic talent and hides his sociopathic tendencies. And he hungers for immortality which is why he does what he does for the clandestine organisation he works for.
If you've sworn never to kill again...
This is the first inciting incident in the book. The former assassin and Hong Kong police operative who becomes a novice monk knowing he cannot commit to a lifetime in the monastery, faces a severe test. His wife was brutally murdered. Now someone has confessed. A killer like no other. 'The Priest' is about to be revealed.
The assassin who became a monk
The qualities that make an effective assassin may be quite similar to those of a dedicated monk in an esoteric order – The Brothers of Light. They both exist on a higher level of sustained but controlled fervour. This particular order protects the most extreme fighting disciplines, secrets handed down from the ancients. Mike Delaney's combat abilities are taken to an altogether higher level under the tutelage of the monks although he will always remain a novice. But it is his inner conflict between never harming another human being and avenging his murdered wife that delivers the emotional tension.
Creating a new kind of hero
It took me quite a while to create the character of Mike Delaney. I wanted an action hero but with deeper, more spiritual, even metaphysical traits without those characteristics being so pronounced so that they overwhelmed Delaney's main persona. The idea of making an ex assassin a monk on the rebound from a traumatic experience and then giving up the monastic life because he falls in love ticked all the boxes. I realised it was a solid creation – one that would stand the test of time and allow him conflicts of confidence, a desire never to kill again battling with his instinctive desires to avenge the murder of his wife.
