Second book on its way for local publisher
Local author Dave Francis is eagerly working on the sequel to his first book, Hit them with what you've got, which was published in November, last year.
Francis hopes Return to Orion, which continues the story of the adventures of SA soldiers during the Angolan War, will be published early in 2016.
“With the first book I left the readers hanging on a thread, asking ‘what’s going to happen next?’,” said Francis, who has a degree in law.
Most of the proceeds of the sale of Hit them with what you’ve got went to the South African Legion of Military Veterans, of which he is a past vice-president.
Francis, who is still actively involved in the organisation, was having dinner with Maj-Gen Gert Opperman in 2011, when he shared his thoughts on wanting to write a book on the Angolan war.
“He (Opperman) told me to go for it and that I should do it; he’s going to check on me,” he said.
Francis got up one morning and did something similar to what author Jeffrey Archer did.
“I had a tin with pencils inside it and I just started writing,” he explained.
“I would then type it on the computer and my wife (Deborah) would patch it up.”
And so the first book slowly began to develop.
Eventually he took the manuscript to a young Swedish woman, Susanne Blendulf – a military historian at the War Museum in Johannesburg, who also proved to be an editor extraordinaire.
According to him, he had positive feedback from everyone who was involved in and contributed to the process of writing Hit them with what you got in some way.
He has received orders from as far afield as Australia and Saudi Arabia, as well.
The book tells the story of seven brave South African soldiers who, during the Angolan War, are cut off from the South African forces.
“It is a war story, a love story and a book full of mystery and intrigue,” said Francis.
“I believe this is a story that will not appeal only to those who have a fondness for the military. This book is full of action, adventure and surprises and, the best of all, it is easy to read!”
He said the writing process of Return to Orion proved to be much easier the the first book, as all the research and groundwork was already done.
While it took him almost four years to complete the first book, the second one will reach fruition in half that time.
“I’m still busy with the conclusion; I’m just waiting for that sting in the tail to come to me,” he said.
Francis said that he mostly gets his ideas early in the morning, at around 4am.
“It’s very funny, because I’ll get inspiration for like two consecutive days – I’ll see someone at a shopping centre and think I have a part for that person in my book,” he explained.
“Then, suddenly, for two weeks I’ll wake up in the morning with no ideas or inspiration. There’s nothing – it’s all packed away. And then, again, it will come to me.”
Francis, who feels he is getting into the groove of writing, wants to tackle a non-fiction book on relationships in the near future.
“I want to make relationships between people work, because the divorce rate is shockingly high,” he said.
To order a copy of Hit them with what you’ve got, or for any further information, contact Francis on 082 811 1327. –
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dave Francis was born in Natal, educated at Christian Brothers College and matriculated at Wordsworth High School, Benoni.
He did his military service in the South African Air Force, doing various musterings, including tactical support command.
Besides having qualifications in psychology and theology, he completed his LLB in 2014 and wants to enter the legal field.
He also does counselling work and helps people to empower themselves and claim back their lives.
Francis has owned his own successful business on the East Rand for almost 20 years, and is a past vice-president of the South African Legion of Military Veterans, an organisation that assists military veterans and their families in need.
One of his passions is being a Comrades Marathon coach, having run 11 Comrades himself.
On at least three of these occasions, he has piloted a blind runner to the finish of the race.
Dave has been married to his lovely wife, Deborah, for over 30 years.
They have three sons and live in Parkrand.
