KJL: I knew I wanted to write a thriller involving a photographer as I've been taking photographs for many years, both as an amateur and semi-professional. The light bulb moment came however when the Euromaidan protests kicked off. Regrettably I can say no more, as to do would give away a big element of the plot. Sorry!
It may seem an odd mix, but Annie Proulx and [[:Category:Stieg Larsson|Stieg Larson|Steig Larsson]] were the main authors in my head when I was writing The Cossack. Annie Proulx, for her magical ability to describe people, place and situation, and Larsson, for his plotting, drama and pace. Whether I've come anywhere close to achieving a blend of those authors' talents is for others to judge, but my aspiration was to write a thriller that would be a pleasure to read for the language used to tell the story as much as for the excitement and drama of the plot itself.
* '''BB: I think you've achieved that, KJ. I thought that you brought out the situation in Ukraine brilliantly - it felt like a political football to be kicked around by the superpowers as they wished - and I suspected that you were personally invested in the fate of the country. Do you agree?'''
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[[Category: K J Lawrence]]