Held captive by an unknown group
New book
East Grinstead author Stephen J Willis is in print with By Order of the Shaman (Filament Publishing, £15) – a book based on a true event where a young man is invited to meet a spiritual Shaman.
Stephen, aged 52, explained: “When he arrives, he suddenly finds himself locked in a room with him and all his devout followers, with no way out.
“I think if people like true psychological dramas, this will be just for them. The subject matter tends to catch people’s imagination because of the threat of brainwashing from these unknown groups, not really knowing if they are good or bad, until they experience it for themselves. People are so quick to jump to conclusions about various religious or spiritual groups that this book helps to explore such goings on.
“I think it's such a fascinating story. It kind of seemed a waste not to write it. During the process, I noticed how there are similarities in tension, like one would see in the film Eyes Wide Shut with Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, directed by Stanley Kubrick.
“The book is primarily aimed at adults. So I would imagine at least 18 years and upwards. Of all my books this has been the one that's taken the longest to create. It was quite a long and arduous journey at times as I slowly layered the story so it could find its voice.
“But there were some definite fascinating story arcs that I really enjoyed writing between the various characters. And I'm happy with the responses from people that say that the book lingered with them long after they had finished reading it – fantastic!
“As it is based on a true event, I was only planning to write the one book. But many who have read it have asked if I could write a sequel as they want to know what happens to the character in the future. I could write a sequel; however, given that the original story is based on a true event, I feel reluctant to fabricate the second.
“This is not my first novel. In fact, I've written quite a few books. Prior to this new launch, I had written a dark psychological chiller and various novellas which have now been put into a new anthology called A Season of Hauntings. I am also in the middle of writing a fourth book for a teenage adventure series called The Christopher Daring Adventures, which will be released later in the year.
“The first story I tried to write was when I was around 13. But I was mocked and ridiculed to such an extent that I stopped writing. I carried on over the next 20 years, going to courses and tinkering with ideas but never really started until about 30. First thing I wrote was a short script about a corrupt drug rehab which has since won multiple awards. In one day, I told a friend of mine very unusual story, and he was so fascinated that he made me promise I would turn into a short book. Which I did. It in turn received such interest that people asked me to write another one, and so I continued. The first book I wrote, was called: What's the Time, Mr Wolfdog?, which is a dark twist on the original children's game.”