“My motivation is creativity. I just like to be able to get the stories out there and for people to enjoy them”, he told The Portugal News. “I didn’t think I could do it. I suppose like everything, you then find that you can.”

“The stories write themselves in my head, the outline is there, then you embellish it, and build it”, John elaborated on his writing process. “When you have an idea of a start, ending, and what’s going to happen along the way, it just flows.”


For Indoor and Outdoor Use Only

His first novel, “For Indoor and Outdoor Use Only”, which he wrote under the pen name John Beverley, is a humorous romantic tale based upon a cruise around South America. “I had a couple of ideas in my head for a long time, but the trip was the motivating factor for my career as an author”, he shared.

The book was written in the style of a travelogue and features a significant love affair between a couple throughout different destinations – an irreverent and informative glimpse of mature living and reflections on life. “During the cruise, I wrote as I went, the travelogue part and locations are as they happened, but I wanted to add something to it, so I created a story around it”, John recalled.

“For Indoor and Outdoor Use Only” presents perceptive and sometimes thought-provoking insights of a mature male on a journey around South America, observing the minutiae of life on board ship as well as the wider world beyond. The protagonist, Marc, makes genuine connections with his fellow travellers while relishing the opportunity of reflecting on experiences, relationships and events which have shaped his life so far. However, when he least expects it, he meets someone who will change his life forever…

“What was elaborated on is some of the characters in there, which were linked to the exotic locations”, he explained. “It was a truly fascinating and wonderful experience.”


The Pondlife Stories

Welcome to the fascinating world of small creatures living in and around a garden pond as they enjoy their far-from-ordinary lives.

“The Pondlife Stories” is John Gaulton’s second novel, aimed at children between the ages of three and six, a change of style from his first book. “I wrote this one based on my own children, locations and events. The dog and cat were real, but I personalised them alongside other animals in the book.”

These stories introduce readers to charming animal and insect characters who will entertain children with their experiences. All of them contemplate something of life’s big mysteries from a remarkably human perspective.

“I did a lot of research on the animals, environment, and biology. I wanted it to be educational and informative”, he continued. “I wrote it so that they could enjoy a story and learn a few things along the way.”


Saturnalian

John Gaulton’s third novel, “Saturnalian”, presents a sci-fi theme that questions eternal life as a gift or a curse, following the story of an unusual boy who is observed, unseen, by forces seeking to discover the truth – to exploit or to bury it?

Credits: PA;

An apparently chance meeting leads to life-changing events for young couple Philippa and Justin. But is the meeting as random as it appears? And is their life-changing event even more far-reaching; perhaps even posing challenges for the future of humanity? Ultimately, are there justifiable or ethical reasons why the truth should not be told?

“Saturnalian was pure fabrication, it’s about adventure and the exploration of the universe”, he described. “I often wonder what’s out there, I don’t think we’re alone. I look to the sky in fascination.”

“There’s a lot of references as well, such as music and culture, things I thought would captivate people”, John added. “I’m not in any way informed about the planets, I just find it remarkable to watch shooting stars, sunsets and sunrises.”


Inspiration

“I’ve run myself into a corner a couple of times, just written something tricky that’s just come to mind, and I think how do I get out of this? But it just pops up, I had probably already in my subconscious solved it, but in my conscious mind started to panic a bit”, he mentioned.

“You hear things about some people having a muse, it sounds very profound but it’s something which you tap into”, John stated. “I think it’s probably there, creative things in humans as a whole, we probably all are able to do far more things than we know we’re able to do.”

“I believe there’s great potential in humans”, he concluded. The world of John Gaulton is filled with imagination and content for various tastes, encouraging readers to branch out within differing genres.

If you would like to purchase a copy of any of John Gaulton’s fascinating books, they are available online from https://www.waterstones.com/, https:// www.amazon.com/, https://www.worten.pt/ and https:// www.worldofbooks.com/en-ie?cfabt=1.

Author

A journalist that’s always eager to learn about new things. With a passion for travel, adventure and writing about this diverse world of ours.

“Wisdom begins in wonder” -  Socrates

Kate Sreenarong