Concept

After the success of my previous novel, "One Way Roads," I was planning to embark on a new writing adventure. However, my readers had expressed a strong interest in learning more about Dr. Erik Függer’s background and his relationship with Jamie Anderson. To satisfy their curiosity, I decided to delve into the intriguing story of this enigmatic character. 

The first step in creating Dr. Függer’s backstory was deciding on a compelling novel title. While brainstorming ideas, I stumbled upon a captivating song called “You Know My Name” by Chris Cornell. The moment I heard the lyrics, I knew this would serve as the perfect inspiration for my novel. 

To develop Dr. Függer’s backstory, it was necessary to explore his origins, upbringing and what makes him unique. I embarked on creating the personality for an ordinary individual, non-military, non- and ivy league school graduate. I wanted him to exhibit exceptional intelligence and a thirst for knowledge. He should also have a knack for problem-solving and a keen analytical mind for seeing things differently. In short, he doesn’t just think outside the box, he doesn’t see a box. 

Realizing these skills in Erik, Admiral Bonesteiner offered him a job as a junior analyst in the US Navy shortly after Erik graduated high school. Seven years later, Bonesteiner became a prominent figure in the intelligence community and recruited Erik to work for the CIA, which changed Erik’s life forever. 

I figured my readers would want to know about his training and what skills one would acquire at the training at the CIA's training facility, known as “The Farm”. My readers will learn that his training was intense and rigorous, which honed his skills as an intelligence officer. These skills provided him with the necessary training to navigate the shadowy world of international espionage, which is referenced throughout the Project Pegasus Series. 

Another intriguing aspect that readers wanted to know was the backstory of how Dr. Függer met his girlfriend, Jamie Anderson. Their relationship began in a powerful moment which created an unbreakable bond. I placed chance encounters throughout the book including fateful connections, which formed an unlikely romance that would shape their future together. 

In addition to building a compelling love story, it was crucial to introduce unique antagonists who would challenge Dr. Függer and complicate his world. These antagonists would come from various backgrounds, each with their own personal agenda and vendetta against him. For those who read One Way Roads, Admiral Cole and Brigadier General Plackett appear in this book. However, there is a real political figure who has a keen interest in Dr. Függer. Their motives would be both understandable and twisted, creating a complex web of deceit and betrayal.as the lines between friend and foe becomes increasingly blurred.   

In conclusion, I had to establish strong ties between the characters and their stories in both books to align the prequel to One Way Roads. Dr. Függer’s journey would need to intertwine with the events of the previous novel, creating a cohesive narrative that spanned in all the books in the series. This connection would deepen the readers' understanding of the characters’ motivations and set the stage for the rest of the books in the series.