John Insight, a novelist and college English professor, is a skilled writer with a unique writing style that engages the reader. He has a way of taking you on a journey, immersing you in the story, and keeping you engaged till the end. Insight’s book explores depths of wisdom, challenges the reader’s brain to venture into the mystery to find answers. This interview wishes to explore John Insight’s work, his writing style, and the core elements that make A Magi’s Destiny an excellent read.
What is the PRIMARY benefit, above all others, that your potential reader will gain from reading this book?
Two factors play into this question: story and writing.
If I spend hundreds of hours writing a book, I want that experience to mean something to me and my readers. An end of the world mystery-thriller needs to speak to something larger than catastrophe. It needs to speak to humankind and their responsibility to Mother Earth. Here we are not just talking about the environment or ecology. It is also about the actions of nations, people, groups, etc. So, I fashioned events and characters to reflect that. But the story has to be interesting with new and different perspectives and characters. And there needs to be something to think about, to ponder, or wonder about—for the future.
Now, about the writing itself. Personally, I want the reader to control the story, so I write action-dense 1–4 page chapters. Easy to start and stop. I write with high readability in mind so the actual words and sentences flow. And I want to inject strong imagery and scenes into the novel. Around the world scenes. Both famous and obscure location scenes. Goal: maintain high interest.
If you had to compare this book to any other book out there, which book would it be?
My writing style and story sense is a bit different than other writers. Dan Brown’s story sense is similar to mine. My focus, however, includes an inner consciousness perspective, a wisdom perspective you could say. So, often, I veer off in that direction. James Rollins’ story invention and plot diversity are similar to my story directions, but my perspectives are different. And I always include a little Rumi for inner illumination. Both of these authors have the same one or more characters from novel to novel. I have a new set of characters, for now, for each novel.
Hundreds of thousands of books come out every year. Why should someone buy THIS book?
Simple. In this book and the novels that follow, there’s going to be something to discover. About legend, myth, history, and life on planet earth. There is much to learn from exploring these different elements of civilization. Can the ancient past save the future? Maybe. Are there lost answers buried in a tomb, a desert, or a mountain—somewhere? Perhaps. And fiction is one of the best ways to explore and look for answers. It’s a great journey—into the known and unknown.
Who is your target audience?
A mystery-thriller with an age range of 21 and up. All genders. America, Canada, England, Australia, South Africa.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage?
My father was a Disney animator (Hugh Fraser)—one of the best, so my world as a youth was an imaginative ride through story. The first writing I ever sold was a Donald Duck comic book story. Then I sold a Popeye cartoon script. Then I went off in another direction. Like life. For example, I was an International Courier Officer for the U.S. Army stationed in Europe. I also worked for global organizations in Customer Service and Distribution Management. Then went on for a Masters in English Literature and finished my work career as an English Professor at a community college, where I still teach part time. Why? Because I enjoy teaching. Especially teaching writing.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since publishing your work.
Just finished a document called The Perfect Essay System (writetheperfectessay.com). It’s for University, College, and High School Professors, Instructors, and Teachers. And for students at all levels.
20+ years of writing techniques and strategies unavailable as a single source document anywhere. I’m using it right now in my current college classes. Students need all the writing help they can get.
How would you describe your writing style?
As both a copywriter and a novelist, my style is efficient. Clear. Easy to read. And both dynamic and cinematic.
Are your characters pure fiction, or did you draw from people you know?
Both. And from characters I have read about. For example, in A Magi’s Destiny there’s a character named Tabriz–a Magi Master. Not exactly, but similar to an Obi-Wan Kenobi type character. However, this character is in the role of history’s Event Witness, fictionally created from the historical fact that the Magi witnessed Christ’s birth. Now, he’s present to witness the potential end of the world.
Are you more of a character artist or a plot-driven writer?
Plot-driven with interesting characters with a higher purpose.
What do you hope to accomplish with your book other than selling it?
I love writing, so my hope is readers will learn about different life perspectives while they enjoy the novel’s journey, which sets the stage for my recently completed new novel manuscript The Valley of Souls.
How can our readers get in touch with you?
jinsight@gmx.com
Where can our readers purchase your book?
Amazon and Barnes & Noble
