Helen Hynson Vettori

My inspiration to write stories steered by black swan events was a direct result of my professional experiences and knowledge, but the concept of writing one novel much less a trilogy was not immediately on my radar. Before I retired in 2018, I was an award-winning federal government emergency manager who planned, prepared, mitigated, and responded to major incidents. A black swan is a catastrophic event that no one could have foreseen or imagined because of its unprecedented impact, and although pandemics are generally predictable, COVID-19 proved to be disastrous to me as it played out. I turned to writing “Black Swan Impact” as a cathartic measure to dispel my disappointments over the confusing official messaging and suboptimal responses. Finding solace and satisfaction in that refuge, the idea of the black swan trilogy thriller novel series occurred to me. I felt that the characters needed to live on. Both they and I had more to say about them and black swan events, so the next two books will continue to address concerns related to disasters via thrilling scenarios.

A lifetime of studies and related careers prepared me to imagine a virulent and novel virus that caused the calamitous pandemic in “Black Swan Impact”. First, as an EMT/paramedic I responded to crises large and small. They provided firsthand experience of how they affected individuals and groups. Then, as a senior medical intelligence analyst and an emergency manager, I received education and dealt with actions and events that helped me to envision the fictitious pathogen.

My recipe for captivating readers while also delivering harsh scientific and political truths is to combine them in a calculated construct. Since black swans are the cause of the horrific scenarios, they must be presented straightforwardly. Understanding that the vivid descriptions could unsettle readers, I juxtapose human aspects to relieve the weightiness. When characters encounter conflict and strife individually and within communities, they also find altruism, strength, and hope. Such qualities ring true, keeping readers intrigued while also being immersed in challenging scientific and political elements.

My typical writing routine usually starts in the morning. At times, I let the creative juices take the plot in an unplanned direction via organic means. Other times, I set out to develop specific ideas. In either case, after my day’s work, I ruminate over it that evening. Then on the following day I may completely rewrite everything or enhance specific passages.

Maintaining continuity and momentum across the black swan trilogy thriller novel series has been increasingly challenging because I wish to avoid formulaic plots and predictable characters. By allowing established characters to grow and introducing new ones from one book to the next, I strive to sustain readers’ emotional attachment to them. Additionally, I hope to keep readers intrigued by immersing them in heart pounding catastrophes that are so disparate that they will eagerly seek to discover how the new disasters affect the characters and their world.

To create compelling characters, I like to begin with a broad vision of them and then develop aspects of personalities from my professional and personal past. No one character is the exact replica of a specific person, rather an amalgamation of personalities and other features. For example, Siya, the protagonist in “Black Swan Impact”, was a direct result of my visits to Nepal. I found the name as exotic as the country and then blended attributes several medical colleagues. Traits I observed in a few former senior US officials may be seen in Marla Estes, and Will Leeland is the combination of US Secret Service and US Park Police personnel who I used to work with. By creating characters in this way, readers connect with endearing and loathsome characters because they like to love the appealing characters and love to hate the nasty ones.

Whichever character assumes the protagonist role in the black swan trilogy thriller novel series, each must fight for resilience. Not only do they find themselves physical victims of major disasters, but they also encounter true social or ethical dilemmas. For example, in “Black Swan Impact” Syia is frustrated by political hurdles like the challenges I occasionally faced during my years of government service except her difficulties were magnified. Via paramedic Bridgette Miller readers will learn how I revived a lifeless infant and treated patients during an active shooter incident in “Black Swan Shock”. Such transferred memories provide credible descriptions of responses to massive disasters in my books, compelling readers to realize that we are vulnerable and fragile beings. However, the strong and compassionate characters enable readers to conclude that action and adaptability combined with compassion and hope will lead to fruitful resilience.

Writing “Black Swan Impact” was not difficult for me conceptually; however, it was difficult emotionally. During my career at the Department of Homeland Security, I specialized in planning and preparing for biological threats to include pandemic influenza, so I knew the assumptions and scope of risks that could occur. Therefore, the plot for “Black Swan Impact” fell into place quickly. In fact, I wove many elements into the storyline before they actually played out in the subsequent weeks and months of 2020, leaving me bitter. Internalizing that compounded by the despair everyone felt during the lockdown eroded my spirit. Once I realized that, I focused on the world I could control. I turned my attention to my family, friends, and hobbies like writing and painting, lifting my morale.

I incorporate political themes pointedly, not euphemistically in my black swan trilogy thriller novel series because politicians, policies, and opinions help to progress the plots. However, there are also inconspicuous political themes at play, as well. Think how two or more people interact. They share ideas and influence one another to maintain interdependence. That’s politics at play, and it is those personality dynamics that foster acceptance of provocative political themes.

I enjoy living vicariously through characters like Mitch Rapp and Jack Reacher. Their scrapes with danger help me to envision similar thrilling scenarios for the characters in my novels. Claire and Jaime Fraser transport me to a different fantasy world because their romance takes place in the past. While none of the characters in the black swan trilogy thriller novel series have the intense romantic foundation that defines the Outlander plots, the couple displays compelling emotions in a different era. Similarly, I strive to portray a plausible distant period for the readers to envision and accept that the characters belong there. Finally, Alice from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” was the first strong and independent female protagonist who I admired. Certainly, Syia and other female characters reflect that sentiment in my black swan trilogy thriller novel series.

Artistic pursuits other than crafting prose do play a big role in my life and likely influence my storytelling. Nonetheless, I don’t believe it’s a one-way enhancement. There must be a complementary stasis because when I paint, draw, craft, or write, I transition to a creative world that swirls inwardly then spills out onto paper or canvas almost supernaturally. If I find the creativity waning on one project, I transition to another to reinvigorate that which I will need to complete the first piece. In short, my writings are stimulated by other forms of art, but not at their expense. All of them intertwine reciprocally, making me more inspired.

Winning a Mystery/Thriller award and earning praise from Kirkus Reviews for “Black Swan Impact” not only validated my efforts but buoyed me to enrich the second book more confidently. Further, I will carry that confidence forward as I write the third in the series.

“Black Swan Shock” begins 28 years after “Black Swan Impact” ends. Marla Case has become an elite decathlete who is Olympic bound. However, she finds her devotion to competition fading and chooses to step away. She considers becoming a medical responder and learns about the profession from a paramedic friend. Before committing to the rescue service, Marla accompanies her mother on an academic tour that ends abruptly when a massive earthquake strikes. The athlete reacts to save victims with her physical skills and newly acquired understanding of some emergency medical actions. She becomes a beacon of hope for the citizens of St. Louis, Missouri. However, personal tragedy affects Marla, as well, and she struggles to find catharsis herself.

“Black Swan Terror” picks up where “Black Swan Shock” leaves off. The elite decathlete, Marla Case, is Olympic bound as a cathartic way forward after her horrific experience from the previous year. Alex Everhart, a Homeland Security agent, suspects that the detonation of an ESHICON Implant in a Moon employee’s head is a harbinger of a terrorist plot that could threaten the first ever Interstellar Olympic Games. He, his paramedic wife, Bridgette, Marla’s mother, Dr. Syia Case, and a returning beloved character from “Black Swan Impact” rally to support the Olympian while joining the intelligence community to actively or unwittingly thwart the attack on the historic event.

Being retired means I get to choose adventures every day while also keeping cornerstone routines. Currently, my husband and I are training for an upcoming hiking experience in the desert southwest, but even if that was not on the horizon, exercise is a steadfast commitment. With respect to my creative processes, I dedicate time to this every day. That could be writing, painting, crafting, or even experimenting in the kitchen. I find if I limit myself to one specific creative discipline, I inevitably stifle them all and do not derive the joy out of whatever it is I set out to do. My creative boosts are not limited to those, either. I find inspiration while spending time with family and friends, sipping wine at one of my favorite wineries, or traveling to new places. Keeping an open mind is also very important to me and when combined with the other elements, I can draw inspiration from the many fascinating aspects of everyday life.

AllAuthor has showcased my sci-fi political thriller beyond my expectations. The company creates striking banners and tweets about “Black Swan Impact” regularly. Those actions have grown my followers. AllAuthor has been a great partner for spotlighting “Black Swan Impact” and I believe will continue to bring attention to my next novels as I roll out “Black Swan Shock” and “Black Swan Terror”.