‘The Extraterrestrial’

Inspiration

(Note from Peter)

Writing my debut novel, The Extraterrestrial, was primarily an experiment. Having previously authored several books on scientific subjects, I was curious to see if I could successfully write a novel. I chose a theme and storyline that I would personally find compelling if another author had explored them. Completing the first draft took about fourteen weeks, and the experience far exceeded my expectations. What made those weeks particularly exhilarating was the process of developing the characters, their interactions, and the underlying plot—all vastly different from writing a scientific text.

The Extraterrestrial was inspired by my wish to explore what might happen if someone could assist the police in fighting crime with the extraordinary abilities to become invisible and travel at high speeds in an aircraft. While this may sound far-fetched, it’s actually closer to reality than many might believe. As I’ve discussed elsewhere on this site, research into invisibility technology is advancing, and designing an aircraft capable of incredible speeds, driven by an unconventional propulsion system, is more plausible than one might think. It seemed only fitting that the individual possessing these abilities should be an extraterrestrial.

I envisioned my protagonist as a sensitive, compassionate man who consistently puts others first. He also needed to be drawn to women with charm and an engaging smile. One of the novel’s central themes revolves around his internal conflict: balancing his growing feelings for such a woman with the need to keep his identity and origins a secret. This emotional tension adds depth to the story, blending human vulnerability with the challenges of living an extraordinary life.