I used to write short stories with twist endings for my own amusement. Sometimes, I would submit them to writing contests and would receive some positive feedback.

My novel Seven Manipulated Minds is about Alfred's struggle to get respect, not only for himself, but for others on the autism spectrum. It is also about fighting bullying, even when the sources are from unexpected origins. The story begins with Alfred, a super-intelligent Asperger's sufferer, finding revenge against his six worst tormentors in high school. He uses a machine to hijack their minds and transporting them to a cyber-space room for proper adjustment. He then convinces them to join him in re-educating prejudiced movers and shakers in Society.

Inspiration doesn't always have a reason. When I was a kid and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said a writer. I have no idea where that idea originated. It seems like I was born with it.

"Baseball, Birthday, and Ten Cent Beer" is a coming of age novel set during the infamous Ten Cent Beer riot at a Cleveland Indians baseball game in 1974.

I have worked with children for many years. I understand their psychology, needs, families, and their joys and hardships. My books guide elementary school-age children on how to step into their lives and what they need to become well-adjusted people.

I wrote, illustrated, and published eleven children's books on Amazon with The Arts Archive New York. I wrote them all between 2022 and 2025. My last book is My Friends Are Little People of America. The book is about the community of short-statured people who live in New York. We respectfully call them the Little People of America. The story is about Heidy, a short girl and one of the best students in class, who likes to say that "a small needle sows a delicate fabric." She proves that height is small compared with a person's ambitions, and she becomes a famous lawyer in the country. The story shows a long-term friendship with Mary, their deep devotion, laughs, and sorrows. The book is a great example for children on how to create a real friendship, keep it, and share thoughts and ideas. It's good not only for a class reading but for a family circle reading as well.

Reading. It has always been one of my favorite past times, and after years of reading just about everything I could get my hands on, I decided I wanted to try it myself. I started out with short stories, and eventually gravitated to novels. Long series are my favorite reads, and that is why I now work on the EthiaVerse. It's fun creating a large epic world.

Right now I am working on Hidden Empires. It's the fourth book in the Adar saga, and it's main focus is him being presented to the Empire as the Emperor's successor. It's been a lot of fun bringing Adar into the Empire. Someone who grew up on Earth, not knowing that he was heir to an Empire. We get to see the Empire from his point of view as he slowly makes this major identity change.

As a former professional actor I had to perform in new plays which were almost always rubbish. I thought "surely I can do better than that". It turned out I was right which led me to writing scripts for British television (under a different name) and eventually to writing my first novel.

Ben Braddock, a struggling actor and playwright, is celebrating his fortieth birthday. His friends hire a psychic off the internet for the party who makes two predictions. First, that Ben will win the lottery and second, that he will probably die before his next birthday. Ten minutes later, Ben wins a million on the lottery. Fearing he has less than a year to live, Ben looks for love among the luvvies and learns how to write a novel along the way, opening with the words “By the time you read this I may or may not be dead...”LUVVIE: a humorous term for an actor." (Oxford English Dictionary) One reviewer compared it favourably to JP Donleavy's modern classic, "The Ginger Man". Others (not my family, see next question) said lovely things about it on Amazon reviews which was very kind of them.

I've always loved storytelling, from since I was a child. I was fascinated by what made the stories I loved work, what made them engage and resonate with me? I was then lucky enough to work in storytelling professionally for over 25 years as a TV producer and learnt a huge amount about planning serial stories featuring long-term character arcs, development and story integrity. I took that experience from TV production to writing novels and learnt a whole new skill. I'm still learning.

The second in the Galileo thriller series is another crime mystery set on Mars fifty years from now. Set 14 months after the first book some characters have moved on, some less so. The first book was about corruption; how the rich and powerful can, with enough money and influence, seemingly get away with murder. This second thriller is about extremism - how people can take words meant for peace and unity and weaponise them for their own ends. It's also about the search for life beyond Earth - which is always a fun thing to explore. Available from 31st August 2026.

Because it's not wrong! Seeriously though, there is a long list of answers to this question and they can be found at https://dmmcgowan.blogspot.com/2026/08/why-write.html

All my stories contain some history. For example, the history included in "The Great Liqauor War" is identified at https://dmmcgowan.blogspot.com/2026/05/from-authors-note-for-great-liquor-war.html In the novel "Partners"

I love to write because it lets me express my love for writing. I love to create characters that have a meaningful impact on the story.

Eh. Not always. But I try my best to get people to love my work. I can’t force them to like anything, right?

My educational journey has always been driven by a belief in lifelong learning. Every stage of my studies has contributed to the way I think, counsel, lead, and ultimately write. I completed my Grade 12 (Senior Certificate), which laid the foundation for my academic and professional development. Early in my career, I pursued a Computer Operations course through Technikon SA and QwaQwa Computer College. That training gave me practical technical skills and taught me the importance of structure, precision, and disciplined problem-solving, qualities that continue to influence my approach to both writing and research. As my calling became clearer, I shifted my focus toward ministry and counseling. I completed Christian Counseling and Theology in Ministry through Faith Bible College, where I received formal training in biblical counseling, theology, pastoral ministry, and Christian leadership. Those studies deepened my understanding of human nature, relationships, emotional healing, and spiritual growth, all of which have become central themes throughout my books. Learning has never been a destination for me; it's a lifelong pursuit. I am currently studying toward a Bachelor's Degree at Faith Bible College, continuing to expand my knowledge in theology, biblical studies, ministry, and leadership. When readers ask what shapes my writing, I tell them it's the combination of education and experience. My background in technology taught me to think systematically. My studies in counseling and theology taught me to understand people beyond their behavior. Combined with my work in ministry, counseling, organizational consulting, and everyday life within my community, these experiences enable me to write stories and non-fiction that are both emotionally authentic and practically relevant. I want every book I write to leave readers not only entertained but also challenged, encouraged, and equipped to build stronger lives, healthier relationships, and communities founded on truth, accountability, and hope.

Above all, I hope my readers leave each book with a renewed sense of hope and responsibility. Whether I'm writing a psychological thriller, a relationship guide, or a Christian living book, my goal is never simply to entertain. I want readers to examine their own lives, relationships, and decisions with honesty. Many of my books explore difficult subjects because life itself is often difficult. But I believe every challenge also presents an opportunity for growth. I want readers to understand that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can choose how we respond. Accountability, integrity, forgiveness, wisdom, and faith are recurring themes because I believe they are essential to lasting transformation. If someone closes one of my books feeling encouraged to have a difficult conversation, restore a relationship, make a wiser decision, deepen their faith, or simply become a better person, then I believe my work has fulfilled its purpose. That, more than sales or recognition, is the legacy I hope to leave behind.

My journey as a writer began in an unexpected way. During my second year at Bible college, I was preparing a written response for one of my assignments. As I studied, I found myself making small notes that went beyond the assignment itself. Around the same time, I started writing down observations about relationships under the title "Issues That Kill a Marriage." As I developed the manuscript, I suddenly realized I had skipped an even more important step. I was writing about the problems that destroy marriages before I had written about how to build a strong marriage in the first place. That realization led me to pause the project and go back to write a foundational book for engaged and aspiring couples titled "A Guide for Young Couples Preparing for Marriage: Building a Strong Foundation for a Lasting Relationship." Only after completing that book did I return to finish "Issues That Kill a Marriage." It was important to me that readers first understand how to establish a healthy, God-centered relationship before learning how to recognize and overcome the challenges that can threaten a marriage. That experience taught me an important lesson as an author: sometimes the order in which we write is just as important as what we write. What began as a few personal notes quickly grew into something much bigger. I realized that writing gave me a way to organize my thoughts, explore real-life challenges, and offer practical and biblical insights that could help others. Those early notes became the foundation of my first published manuscripts. As a Christian counselor and ministry student, I have always believed that words have the power to educate, encourage, heal, and inspire. Writing became an extension of my calling, not simply to tell stories, but to address real struggles, challenge perspectives, and point readers toward hope and transformation. Looking back, I never imagined that a simple Bible college assignment and a few handwritten notes would mark the beginning of my journey as an author. Today, every book I write traces its roots back to that moment when I discovered that even the smallest ideas, when nurtured with purpose, can grow into something that impacts lives.

The Winter Rose of D'Angelo is a psychological romantasy that explores the tension between love, duty, identity, and redemption. Set against the cold grandeur of the powerful D'Angelo dynasty, the story follows Alessio D'Angelo and Elara, two people brought together by an arranged marriage that begins not as a love story, but as a contract born out of obligation. At its heart, this novel asks a timeless question: Can love heal a soul that has been shaped by generations of pain, power, and silence? As Alessio struggles under the crushing weight of family expectations and a legacy built on control, Elara refuses to let her circumstances define her. Rather than surrendering to the darkness around her, she becomes a catalyst for transformation, challenging long-held beliefs about strength, vulnerability, and what it truly means to be free. Although the novel contains romance, it is far more than a love story. It explores themes of generational trauma, emotional healing, identity, sacrifice, forgiveness, and the masks people wear to survive. Readers will encounter suspense, psychological depth, family conflict, and moments that invite them to reflect on their own lives long after they have turned the final page. The central message is captured beautifully in the book's tagline: "Some loves are not meant to last forever. Some are meant to save the soul." One aspect that makes this book especially meaningful to me is that I co-authored it with my daughter, Nicole Motaung. It was a unique creative journey that allowed us to combine our perspectives and imaginations into a story that examines both the darkness and the hope found within the human heart. My hope is that readers don't simply finish The Winter Rose of D'Angelo feeling entertained. I hope they finish it asking questions about love, identity, healing, and the courage it takes to become the person we were created to be.