The British novelist Allen Walker spent more than two decades summoning up the courage to write The Strength of Wills. As his acclaimed debut hits the shelves this week, Walker reveals the personal battles he overcame to finally complete his magnus opus.
Allen Walker's new book is out now
In fact, it took me over twice that time when you think that I first came to know “Jedrek” in 1982 when he gradually, over eighteen months, carefully explained to me how he escaped Poland. I was 24 at that time and had led a country-boy type of sheltered life, detesting a private school in Dorset I was obliged to attend, finally leaving the establishment with a few useless qualifications. However, my earlier boarding school days in a school in Buckinghamshire was a total contrast. Then, with the nickname of Pixie (a character in the second part of my book), I always had a head full of tales and yarns, whether told to me or created by me. At the ripe age of eight, I was frequently asked to tell adventure stories to the other boys at night in the dormitory.
Jedrek’s story was so amazing, I didn’t have to take notes. I had various attempts to write the first few chapters on a clunky old typewriter, finally giving up by the mid 80s. I craved encouragement and good advice. I received neither, losing what confidence I had. In 1987 I attended Bournemouth Film School for three years leaving with a distinction in Lighting Camerawork. During my time at the college, I met a ‘friend’ whom I respected, especially for his superior knowledge of English language and literature - we spent considerable time together; he taught me a great deal, though also gnawed away at my true character, weakening my state of mind.
My filming career, which I enjoyed, took me to various European countries; south as far as the Canary Islands and north to the Orkney Isles. In the quieter periods, I would make further attempts into putting pen to paper. I eventually produced, after much rewriting, the first few chapters of ‘The Strength of Wills’ on a quaint Mac Classic. This computer was used by me and this friend, mainly for letters and accounts. Later in our friendship, he became obsessive and controlling, the result of which made him root through my personal files. At this paranoid time, he came across a few chapters and proceeded to read them. This caused further friction between us and in a heated argument months later, he blurted out that he’d read the book describing it as ‘Janet and John’ and that I shouldn’t waste my time continuing! Devastated by this, I left the book for many years, believing I was not good enough to relay Jedrek’s story.
I worked as a cameraman until 2006, when my mental and physical health began to deteriorate. I had ended the ‘friendship’ that had so adversely affected me and when I was offered a sedentary job in a local company, this gave me more time to research and continue writing the book, albeit very slowly.
From 2006, a dear, close friend of mine very patiently helped me through the depths of my depression and recently diagnosed health problems, to where I am today. After reading several chapters of a more recent draft – this time with my permission – she gave me confidence, encouraging me to complete the book before my sixtieth birthday. I achieved this with weeks to spare.
All these years, it’s been my intention to honour this man’s early life amidst the turmoil and destruction of a terrible conflict. It’s always been my goal to impart his story to many. I pray that I will have achieved some form of success in this and that when people read the book, they will witness the power of the human spirit – The Strength of Wills.
The Strength of Wills, an historical novel based on a true story, is available now on Amazon priced £12.90 in paperback and £4.99 as an eBook. For further information, visit www.allenwalker.me.
Exclusive Q&A with author Allen Walker
Find out more about the inspiration behind Allen Walker’s new book, The Strength of Wills, in this exclusive Q&A with the author…
Female First (FF): Tell us about The Strength of Wills and who it will appeal to.
Allen Walker (AW): My mum would’ve described the book as a great ‘Boys’ Own Adventure’.
If she had been around to read it, she would have appreciated my humour and the relationship that I’ve created between the two protagonists. I believe it will appeal to people of all ages who enjoy WW2 adventures. Because of the strong relationship that is the backbone of the book, I’ve been told that it would appeal to females between 35 - 70 and as the book is set in WW2 it will be of interest to men from 50 – 70.
FF: How difficult was it translating Jedrek’s real-life story into a fictional written narrative – and what made you decide against a non-fiction account?
AW: Obviously, I didn’t know everything about Jedrek – just the highs and lows. I decided to write his experiences up in a journal fashion – this lent itself to the remarkable journey they made and the time it took. It was essential to me, that I wrote the events in the order they were told and tie them in with that period in history throughout the book.
FF: Did your background in TV (Walker was a lighting cameraman who worked on shows including Time Tourists, The Shroud and the award-winning documentary Guernica Children, amongst others) help you in the crossover into fiction writing?
AW: I’ve been told by various people that my style of writing is much like a screenplay; possibly like the book of a film! I’m certain this does have a lot to do with my camerawork and the way I set a scene. I would liken my imagination to looking through a camera viewfinder - a window onto the world I’m creating.
FF: What was the single-most challenging aspect of writing the book?
AW: I would have to say the research was the greatest challenge; trying to link all the situations to the actual events, characters; the history of the period.
FF: To what extent did writing help with or hinder your struggle with depression?
AW: In the early noughties, when I was suffering the most, I would spend time at my home in France, often becoming dangerously depressed. I’m a single man and have always been happy in my own company until that point. Establishing a recent close friendship, gave me the confidence and enthusiasm to become more involved in researching and writing the book. Now my time in France and most weekends here in England are normally fine. I can’t wait to spend more tranquil and content times in France – alone – writing the second instalment!