writer John Uttley talks as regards the religious and political beliefs he explored in his new book The Dove Is Dead.
I interviewed John Uttley as regards his life and career, his animation from contemporary politics and righteous beliefs, and the creative writing process that went into his new book, The Dove Is Dead.
Tell me who John Uttley is:
John Uttley. I am 77 years old, originally from Lancashire and now living in North London with my wife. I have three children who have long been flying to the nest but remain close by. A student at Northern Grammar School, I studied Physics at Oxford before pursuing my main career in the electricity industry.
I was CFO of the nationalized CEGB during the miners’ strike, Sizewell investigation, and privatization for which I received an OBE (Other Buggers’ Efforts) before taking on the same role at National Grid. After forgoing a dividend that I didn’t think the directors were entitled to, I left Grid and embarked on a non-executive portfolio career. One of these took place in Los Angeles, the experience which I detail in my first novel, Where’s Sailor Jack?
At this point, I was studying externally at Divinity in London. What I learned from that and my physics degree fifty years ago appears occasionally in No Precedent and The Dove is Dead, the other two volumes in The Unholy Trinity trilogy.
When did you first want to scribe a book?
I had a passion for writing when I started devouring novels as a teenager, but it wasn’t until I was sixty that I began to delve into the plot of a family saga.
When did you decide to start writing?
I only started writing after I graduated. The first draft of Where’s Sailor Jack? It was too long and I improved my writing skills by shortening it. Then I got recommendations from an editor who made different suggestions but told me I was a good writer. I persevered.
How long did it take thou to complete the first book, from notion to publication?
From two to three years.
How tall did it take thou to complete your latest book, from initial idea to publication?
Eighteen Months.
You are focused on the latest release. What drew you to write The Dove Is Dead?
I wanted to make a trilogy of the saga after I finished the first book. I wanted to analyze the questions already raised from the point of view of others and continue to develop the plot up to the death of the two protagonists. What have I done? Being able to tell the story with different voices was an important factor for me. In this latest book, I wanted to overcome the sense of hopelessness of the early Baby Boomers and “awaken” Generation Z to a state of Western civilization.
What were the biggest challenges writing The Dove Is Dead?
During the eighty years covered in the books, I wanted to use contemporary politics as a background. I know I’d have to take a step back later to focus on my characters’ deep religious feelings before the final curtain falls, but it hasn’t been easy to do so in the bewildering turmoil of British politics’ final years. Luckily I left before Liz Truss showed up. And he’s gone!
BY GAd
Who or what stimulates thou to create The Protagonist?
I have two heroes. Bob is a power engineer in search of meaning. He has to come to terms with what his career has done for the environment. However, he is a religious person and has enough knowledge of quantum physics to know that the world is stochastic and non-deterministic. Richard is a banker turned lay reader. Their plague is the deterioration of faith and the stubborn beliefs of many members. I wanted to write eulogies for both characters, voices of decency in a world hopelessly lost.
Who or what inspired thine to create The Antagonist?
My antagonist in The Dove is Dead is the unfocused faith of a conservative evangelical minister, but also a lack of faith in the world at large. You lack a comforting story.
How tall did it take thou to complete thine latest book, from initial idea to publication?
Eighteen Months.
You are focused on your latest release. What drew you to write The Dove Is Dead?
I wanted to make a trilogy of the saga after I finished the first book. I wanted to analyze the questions already raised from the point of view of others and continue to develop the plot up to the death of the two protagonists. What have I done? Being able to tell the story with different voices was an important factor for me. In this latest book, I wanted to overcome the sense of hopelessness of the early Baby Boomers and “awaken” Generation Z to a state of Western civilization.
Did you plan “The Dove Is Dead” in advance, or did you fly out of your pants and write freehand?
I need both. The main storylines were known in advance, but the characters have to write subplots.
Did you get help with the editing and how many runs did The Dove Is Dead take?
As I said, I used the publisher for the first book and also read the other two as comments. There were few of them. He describes my writing as meticulous. I hope this doesn’t mean boredom.
What is the maiden piece of writing advice thou would give someone that inspired thou to write a story?
Write it down, read it, and then rewrite it if you want.
Can you tell me which other books you would like to write?
At this advanced age, he wrote three to suggest more arrogant tones to the patience of the Almighty. I’ve also written a few short stories and will be writing some as I prepare for bigger things.
And finally: Are you proud of your result? It was worth it?
Pride comes before a fall. And no doubt I could have written them better. But I’m glad I wrote a trilogy at my age, and a trilogy that so many people found inspiring and entertaining enough to make it worthwhile.
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