Marcus Wynne (20/3/08)
Question
Let me get things rolling with this question for you as an author.Authors often put a lot of themselves into their hero, I am quite sure that many portray their hero as the man that they would like to be, what I am wondering is how much of yourself does an author base his villains on, is there a touch of the alter ego gets played out in books and novels.
Marcus
Actually, I think the most interesting writers put themselves into both their heroes and their villains. Writing a villain really gives us the opportunity to explore our Shadow selves; the part of ourselves that we don’t often want to acknowledge, the part that might in violence, criminal behavior, whatever.
I know that in my books, my villains represent a Shadow aspect of myself (the sometimes scary truth is that I liked them better than the heroes, LOL)!
Question
just wondered out all the things you have achieved and done(paratrooper, bodyguard, federal air marshal, close combat instructor ,cook, writer etc)
which was the most challenging and also the most significant.
Marcus
My most challenging and most significant achievement was surviving a three year bout with colon cancer and subsequent massive infection and complications that killed me (literally) once, and left me completely shattered physically. At the same time my life came completely apart: divorce, illness, legal hassles, writing career stalled, financial ruin…
…and the only thing that really saved me was the strength of Spirit and God, and the love and support of good friends and family. BTW, I was literally supported financially, spiritually, emotionally, and physically by my friends for almost three years — I’m just now to the place where I can begin to repay them…they literally fed me and I will always be forever grateful for that.
Question
How would you teach a child or even an adult for that matter how to proceed against bullies nowadays?
And have you ever been on the brunt of bullyism?
Marcus
I loathe bullies. And that being said, a Shadow aspect of myself was the almost-bully. I went through a period where I enjoyed intimidating people, but I got more satisfaction out of intimidating would-be tough guys than other folks.As for teaching a child, first and foremost they must be strong in their own self-esteem — self protection starts from the inside out (though you can grow the inside from the outside in with good training and instructors — people like Geoff T, or Alan B, or Dennis Martin).
That core of self-confidence will enable them to stand up and apply powerful presence (and if necessary technique) to defuse/defray/defend against bullying.
Question
My question is whether you have developed a personal philosophy towards life throughout your experiences, and if so would you be prepared to share it with us?
Marcus
I sure have. I can sum it up in six words.Do Good.
Shut Up.
Go Home.
Simple, huh?
Question
Do you find it more productive to focus all your time on achieving one goal or balancing your time between two or three different personal goals?
Marcus
I’m a stone multi-tasker. I nevere work on one thing; I always am working on at least 5-7 things simultaneously. Just the way I am, maybe I’m a bit ADD/ADHD, who knows. I get bored easily and so I enjoy mixing it up. Seems to work for me!
Alan Beckett & Marcus Wynne at a neural based instructors programme.
Question
Can you tell us a bit about your future books and projects? I believe you have a book that has gone to the publishers? What’s it about?
Marcus
The book I was working on over my long illness has not sold. I wrote another one that I set aside, and I’m now working on a new one that is quite intense and signficantly longer than my other books. I’ve also had to get my first “straight” job since 1993 to get a regular pa check and health benefits! Quite a change for someone who has been self-employed for so long!
Question
know you’ve done some Q&A sessions for thriller writers etc to try to put them in the picture on ‘reality’.I’d be very interested in your thoughts on what you think went well and what you’d do differently to make it better.
Marcus
Great to hear from you. When dealing with thriller writers, you must remember that they have several different “realities” they have to juggle. While to some it’s important to have all the facts correct on combatives and technique and firearms etc., the truth is that there are millions of avid thriller writers who have no clue about “street reality” whatsoever. And so some writers lean on the side of telling a compelling story and to hell wtih the fine details of street combat or otherwise.
I think the best writers balance the demands of the story with hewing to the reality of a world that most readers will only experience through the written word.
Question
Where do you look for inspiration for each of your projects, or is it something that just seems to come to you when you least expect it. or do you have a specific idea in mind before starting on a project?
Marcus
For book projects, it’s normally something that has been percolating for a long time. It’s very viisual for me — I see an opening and closing scene, and then I just have to write my way from one to the other. I keep a file full of ideas, and every once in awhile I rummage through there to see what I find. Shortage of ideas isn’t the issue…shortage of time is, LOL!
Question
I am a qualified NLP Practitioner (yet to do master practitioner)and I use NLP quite extensively in some areas of my life (usually in the work context).I am very good at using the NLP to build rapport and to lead work situations and to positively influence others and help them reframe to get out of negative mindsets.
However, the one area I struggle with is actually applying it to myself to elicit positive change.
I was wondering if you had any advice on performing NLP on yourself.
Marcus
Good point — hard to calibrate yourself from the inside, isn’t it, LOL?
Self-hypnosis and trance work is the ticket to utilizing NLP technology on yourself; also working with a good fellow practitioner or even just someone to give you some mirroring and pacing back would be useful.
Question
Hey Marcus Just for fun, which of these characters would you back in a fight :-Charley Payne.
John Rain.
Jack Bauer.
Jason Bourne.
Mitch Rapp.
Jack Reacher.
Marcus
LOL!Well, Charley Payne and John Rain are buddies; they both knew Jason Bourne back in the day; Jack Reacher doesn’t want help and Mitch Rapp is kind of a shoot first and ask questions never kinda guy..Jack Bauer is a Jack Come Lately…
I know all those authors (Barry Eisler, Lee Childs, Vince Flynn and Robert Ludlum *deceased* and Eric Von Lustbader, who took over for Ludlum) — and they are fine boon conversation companions.
As for me, beat up as I am, I’ll still back *any* good guy in a fight, though I may be the one holding the door, LOL!
My money would be on the two gray hairs in the crowd: Payne and Rain…