Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest Gary D. McGugan author of the Three Weeks Less A Day, The Multima Scheme and Unrelenting Peril.

Norm: Good day Gary and thanks for participating in our interview. Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.

Gary: Hello, Norm. Thanks for your interest! On a personal note, I’m a husband, father, and grandfather with a wonderful extended family, living in a small community a short drive north of Toronto  I worked with large multinational corporations around the globe for 40 years in positions of senior leadership and as a consultant.

I’ve done business with companies in 35 different countries and have traveled extensively for business and personal enjoyment. Since retiring from corporate life, I co-authored one work of nonfiction titled NEEDS Selling Solutions before writing three suspense novels, with another book to be released in 2020. And I still travel, but now it’s entirely for pleasure!

Norm: Was writing always a career move for you or did it grow into one?

Gary: Writing has always been an interest. Starting out as the kid in high school who actually enjoyed writing essays, my roles in business always involved using words to get results.ma

Norm: Are you a full-time or part-time writer? How does that affect your writing?

Gary: I consider myself a full-time author. That doesn’t mean I work on a story every day, although I spend most days researching or writing my next book. As an emerging author, I recognize any commercial success I achieve is my responsibility, so I also spend two or three days per week promoting my work with personal appearances, social media, and interviews.

Norm: In fiction as well as in non-fiction, writers very often take liberties with their material to tell a good story or make a point. But how much is too much?

Gary: Great question! I think what is too much is subjective. Readers, reviewers, and critics each will have the final say about the stories they read. For works of fiction, I use a simple test. I ask the question, “Is this plausible?” If it fails that test, it’s probably too much. But, what’s plausible is also a moving target as our society evolves!

Norm: What has been the best part about being published?

Gary: The best part about having three suspense novels in circulation is an opportunity to meet and interact with new friends. Having my work exposed to readers around the world generates dialogue in person, through social media and by communication. I meet many interesting people, and it’s satisfying to get feedback from readers about their reaction to stories or answer their questions about what will happen next!

Norm: Do you write more by logic or intuition, or some combination of the two? Please summarize your writing process.

Gary: My primary objective is to tell an entertaining story. I use a corporate backdrop because it’s an environment I know most intimately. I develop a plot and sub-plots over several weeks and know where I want to take a story before I actually start writing. When it’s time to start processing words, I follow a disciplined regime. I write each morning, and most afternoons walk outdoors.

When I walk (for about 2 hours each session), I think about the specific chapter planned for the following day, think back about specific details, look for inconsistencies, and resolve issues. That’s when I also consider unexpected twists and turns to make the story more exciting or build suspense.

Norm: What did you find most useful in learning to write? What was least useful or most destructive?

Gary: Feedback from editors, proofreaders, and beta readers is always valuable to hone the skill. I welcome it! Nothing comes to mind that was not useful or destructive.

Norm: Why did you decide to write a trilogy about a fictitious company, Multima Corporation?

Gary: Originally, I didn’t intend to write a trilogy. My intention with Three Weeks Less a Day was to write one entertaining novel with the highest quality possible. As I fine-tuned the ending, I decided to finish the story in a way that laid a foundation for a second book.

With The Multima Scheme, I started with the same intention, but early in the process realized I’d need a third book to complete the story of an era in Multima Corporation’s evolution.

The great thing about using a multinational company as a back-drop is the life-span. If a business is well-managed, it can continue for generations! While Unrelenting Peril is the last story I plan for Multima Corporation, in the future I can return with further books and create a series should I eventually choose that path.

Norm: How much research went into writing your debut novel in the series, Three Weeks Less A Day?

Gary: A lifetime of research went into the book. I might be considered a “poster child” for continuous, life-long experiential learning. I started my career working in a large supermarket chain and learned much about how they work. I made multiple trips to Japan as an executive of the company’s Canadian subsidiary.

During my stint living in Europe to create a new business for a German bank, I learned extensively about western European countries. And, commuting to Asia to develop a new venture for one of America’s largest financial companies, I acquired first-hand knowledge about cultures, countries, and industries that underpin characters and plots in Three Weeks Less a Day.

Norm: What was the time-line between the time you decided to write your book and publication? What were the major events along the way?

Gary: Three Weeks Less a Day was a 4-year process. Writing the book took a few months. Most of the time was devoted to editing because I established two fundamental objectives beyond writing an entertaining story.

First, I wanted the quality of my first novel to be the highest possible. I also wanted it to be broadly appealing. Recognizing we all have biases and different perspectives – including editors – I engaged 4 different professional editors including the publisher’s resource. By design, I chose editors of both genders and different ages. As expected, each provided insights and tips that helped me tweak my story and broaden its appeal. I’m proud of the result.

Norm: How did you go about creating the various characters in the novel and which one was the most difficult to create?

Gary: The most challenging character to create was Howard Knight. I have no first-hand experience with organized crime, so I had to research different criminal elements to better understand some of the circumstances and motivations that lead people to a life of crime. I think readers will enjoy how their view of this character changes over the three stories of the trilogy.

Norm: Did you write the story to express something you believe or was it just for entertainment?

Gary: The overriding objective with all my novels is to entertain. I hope readers will enjoy reading these stories as much as watching a movie or some other form of entertainment. But I also hope to share insights into the most senior levels of company management few readers get to see. I also hope to share values and impart concerns through the dialogue and actions of the characters.

Norm: What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish Three Weeks Less A Day?

Gary: “Everlasting” is a long time! I don’t take myself or my work too seriously. I don’t expect to shape readers’ views of life. However, I believe organized crime is a curse our society treats too lightly.

From the terrible social consequences of human trafficking to subtle ways billions of dollars evaporate from our legitimate economy for the illegal benefit of an unscrupulous few, organized crime touches us in many different ways. I hope readers become more vigilant and concerned as I show how easy it is for criminal elements to infiltrate and control even the largest of publicly-traded corporations.

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and your novels?

Gary: MY WEBSITE

Norm: What is next for Gary D. McGugan?

Gary: Book promotion is a primary focus for 2019. Commercial success is integral to long-term writing, and I intend to make my writing successful. Canada’s largest bookseller is very supportive, so I’ll make personal appearances to promote my novels in 75 Indigo/Chapters/Coles locations in Ontario and Montreal this year.

Upcoming dates and locations are on my website at the “Events” tab. Personal appearances take time from writing, but novel #4 is already underway and it will take a different form and style. Even though the new story won’t continue to tell stories about Multima Corporation, a few of the characters readers have come to know will reappear. I’m confident readers will like the story when it’s published in late 2020!

Norm: As this interview comes to an end, what question do you wish that someone would ask about Three Weeks Less A Day, but nobody has?

Gary: I’m curious no one has wondered why Multima’s board of directors wasn’t more diligent about having a succession plan in place. I love to have an opportunity to rant about how lax many boards of directors really are!

Norm: Thanks again and good luck with all of your future endeavors

Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of Three Weeks Less A Day,