This interview is part of a series, introducing the members of Australasian Christian Writers, to give you the opportunity to get to know us a little better. Today we’re interviewing Ian Acheson. Welcome, Ian!
Fast Five
Long black or flat white?
Both actually. Flat white first thing in the morning, Long black post lunch.
Cricket or rugby?
Definitely cricket. And especially Test cricket. Sorry I’m a bit of a purist when it comes to Australia’s national summer sport.
Hobbits or Mad Max?
Both again. But the Mel Gibson Mad Max. Ahead of its time in apocalyptic ‘steampunk-esque’ drama.
Books or TV?
Books in all forms.
Plotter or pantser?
I wish I was a plotter, I tried it a few different ways, but it just doesn’t seem to work for my characters. They don’t trust me enough to tell their stories.
Getting to Know Ian Acheson
What’s something interesting or unusual about you that not everyone knows?
Many may not know that I am a twin. My brother, Peter, has lived in Melbourne for the past 30 years. We’re fraternal. I’m the older one by 20 minutes …
Where are you from?
Sydney, NSW. I live in a suburb that’s 20 minutes from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
What is your town or city most famous?
The members of INXS went to the local High school as did David Koch (as in Sunrise’s Kochie).
What books are set in your town/city?
Too many to mention. But I read the other day that the setting for Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies, was based on Avalon just south of Palm Beach.
About Your Writing
What do you write?
Currently I’m writing a non-fiction book that is focused on intimacy with God. It had a working title but the agent I’m in discussions with about it doesn’t like the title so I guess I’ll be changing it. Its intended audience is the Christian male, however, women will also gain significant benefit from it.
I’m also two-thirds of the way through The Chronicles of the Angelguard series. The third instalment, Relentless Purusit, will have to wait until I get this non-fiction one out of the way.
Who or what are your main writing influences?
I write to explore questions that fascinate me. So Angelguard was exploring the thin veil between the supernatural and natural worlds. Its follow up, Wrestling with Shadows, explores how the supernatural world impacts the individual in dealing with ingrained habits/behaviours. The third instalment will explore how an indiviudal who is ‘on fire’ with the Lord grapples with the powers of darkness, both natural and supernatural, to save the world.
And my non-fiction project is exploring why Christian men look, act and sound so like non-Christian men in many respects and I explore why this is and possible solutions to change it.
Do you have any books published?
Angelguard was published but I now have the rights back as my publisher changed their direction (after going into administration and being bought out) and didn’t want the sequel.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote as a kid then took a 20 year hiatus before starting back again in 2002.
What inspired you to start writing?
Peretti’s “Darkness” series. It captured my imagination and I couldn’t get this angel out of my head for years afterwards. He wanted his story to be written so that’s what I did.
What’s your favourite part of the writing process?
Research. I’m a “learner’ and have an over active curiosity so I’m always ferreting down an internet dark hole for information on some topic or other.
What’s your biggest writing challenge?
I’m not very good at writing. I’ve always enjoyed telling stories since I was a kid but have always found writing them challenging. I must have been sleeping when my English teachers taught us the basics of sentence construction and grammar.
How does your faith impact your writing?
As I mentioned above I write to answer a question to do with faith. I love reading great stories involving one’s faith and I believe there is such a great opportunity in the Christian market to write stories of men and women who are living lives focused on becoming more like Christ. We need more of those stories.
Finally, where’s the best place to find you online?
Probably Twitter. It helps feed my learning instincts.
Ian can be contacted at: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Great to learn a little more about you, Ian!
Thanks, Katie. BTW, I love your new site. Well done. It’s a beauty.
Ian, great to learn a bit about you. I am excited for this non-fiction book you’re writing as I know many males that would love to learn more about intimacy with God!
Thanks, Lays. It’s been interesting how many wives have said how much their husband needs this book I’m writing. I’m excited.
Hi Ian, It’s great to hear more about where you’re up to with your writing. I watched the Big Little Lies series which they set in California. I’d heard Liane Moriarty’s book was set in Sydney and an Avalon setting makes sense. A beautiful part of the world. Thanks for sharing with us. 🙂
Now you’re a Northern Beaches girl, aren’t you, Narelle. So you probably know Avalon well. Thanks for popping by.
What fun to meet the angel you write about Ian. There’s sure to be one who’ll identify. 🙂
And all the best for your book for Christian men. It sounds as if it will be very helpful.
It was fun, Rita. Tagan is still around too. He’s agitating for his human, Jack, to get back in the game. There’s some significant global trouble brewing that only Jack can fix.
Thanks for popping by, Rita. Appreciate it.
Great interview, Ian. Thanks for sharing.
I love research as well. I often go down research rabbit holes and forget to write!
Thanks, Elaine. I expect you’ve been able to lots of research while you travelled the globe last year. Excited to see how this is reflected in your stories. Bless,
Glad I came across this interview, Ian! You are a twin. Great name in Peter and living in Melbourne! You can tell I am biased!! LOL
Glad also you are working on the Angelguard trilogy. Remember, you have a guest appearance on my blog when the next instalment is released.
I am intrigued with the non-fiction book on Christian men. You raise a good point and one I have noticed too. I look forward to seeing what you have to say about this, causes and how to change this culture/mentality, if at all!
G’day Pete, good to ‘see’ you again. Trust all is well. As you well know, Pete, it’;s really only the Lord that can change people;’s hearts and just hope to present a picture of Him that is sufficiently compelling that readers will want to meet Him in a way they perhaps didn’t realise was possible.