Inspiration can come from anywhere.

John Carswell drew the inspiration for his new book, The Big One, from a dream.

The 67-year-old lifelong Comox Valley resident started writing the book in 2008, during his fatherB次元官网网址檚 final days.

B次元官网网址淢y father was dying of pancreatic cancerB次元官网网址�, so in the times that dad was out of it, I just started writing,B次元官网网址� said Carswell. B次元官网网址淚 had a repeated dream that he and I did one last adventure together, and decided to kayak around Vancouver Island. So thatB次元官网网址檚 sort of the premise of the book. My father is in the book a lot, and along the trip they encounter all kinds of adventures.B次元官网网址�

The latter part of the book explains the title. B次元官网网址楾he Big OneB次元官网网址� means the same thing to most Vancouver Islanders - a reference to the next big earthquake to hit the Island. Experts have been saying for years that itB次元官网网址檚 not a matter of if; itB次元官网网址檚 a matter of when.

In the book, the main characters are viewing whales three kilometres off of Flores Island, when the predicted massive earthquake hits Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e sort of always been, I guess morbidly interested in what would happen if the 1700 giant earthquake happened again on the West Coast here, so these guys survive it because they are way out there,B次元官网网址� said Carswell. B次元官网网址淭hen they come back andB次元官网网址� everything is wiped out. So thatB次元官网网址檚 why it is called The Big One.B次元官网网址�

Carswell said the story should have broad appeal on Vancouve Island. Much of the research done for the novel is based on lived experience.

B次元官网网址淢y target audience, I guess, would be anybody that has spent any time on the West Coast, or has kayaked around any of these places,B次元官网网址� said Carswell. B次元官网网址淚n my life, I worked as a deck hand on a troller, and I have spent time, or kayaked, or boated to most of the places mentioned in this book.B次元官网网址�

His due diligence has already been noticed by a fan.

B次元官网网址淚 had a phone call from someone who just finished reading an e-edition of the book. They were born and raised in Tofino, and they said, B次元官网网址楤oy, you really captured what itB次元官网网址檚 like to be there. You obviously know this.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

The cover art was done by former Comox Valley resident Dana Statham.

B次元官网网址淥ne worry I had was that the cover might be better than whatB次元官网网址檚 inside,B次元官网网址� said Carswell. B次元官网网址淏ut the review I got yesterday was, B次元官网网址極h no. WhatB次元官网网址檚 inside is more than worthy.B次元官网网址� That made me feel better.B次元官网网址�

The book is available online at as well as a and

And whatB次元官网网址檚 up next for Carswell?

B次元官网网址淲ell, the way the story ends, there is a way a sequel can come out of it, so I have a sequel in my brain, barely started, but this would have to sell pretty well before I would pursue doing it,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 had an editor from Friesen Press do an evaluation of it from before we decided to go ahead with the whole processB次元官网网址� and they compared the beginnings of it to Tuesdays With Morrie. They really encouraged me, B次元官网网址榊ou need to publish this.B次元官网网址� So who knows?B次元官网网址�

In other words, heB次元官网网址檒l sleep on it.

terry.farrell@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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