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When Truth Meets Fiction:
Interview with Ian A. O'Connor
By Carin Chea
Just like his writing, Ian O’Connor’s words in-person are articulate and direct.
A retired United States Air Force colonel turned full-time thriller novelist, O’Connor’s presence mirrors his protagonist’s: Both are smart, purposeful, and assured.
Though he is an expert in the field of national security management, O’Connor’s facility for words on paper is effortless.
Given his compelling and gripping storytelling style, it is hard to believe that the author had a full-fledged career prior to settling into writing upon his retirement.
His gift for writing has not gone unnoticed, as his novels have not only gained the admiration of the military community, but has made him an award-winning author as well.
O’Connor’s latest book, The Pegasus Directive, is a clever re-imagining of one of history’s most shocking events that is sure to satisfy the reader’s imagination.
Which came first, the writing or the military service?
Definitely the military service. I am a full-time writer now, and have been for the past several years. A lot of my stories were based on the things that happened to me in the military, though I also write stories on a larger, geo-political order. My military service was a wonderful background to segway into that career.
What made you transition into writing?
You write what you know. We can’t fool our audience; they’re smart. I’ve always (since I was a teenager) been interested in writing, though I was an avid reader. Starting from the age of 13, I’d read everything I could get my hands on.
Who were/are your favorite authors?
Growing up, I would have to say the biggest influence was Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. I was 13 or 14 when I read a copy of Casino Royale that my dad happened to have in his library at home. I was fascinated.
As I got older, the British thrillers were the ones that were dominating the market.
Tell us about your latest book, The Pegasus Directive, and what inspired it.
The subtitle of the book is: The Top-Secret Kenny Assassination File. That lets the reader know where the story is going.
Year after year, the world’s frequently most asked questions seem to be: Who killed John F. Kenny, how was that accomplished, and why was he killed?
Even 60 years later, 70% of the people believe that Lee Harvey Oswald didn’t act alone. I say the answers are found in the Pegasus Directive, which is an international thriller and set to coincide with the 60th anniversary of JFK’s assassination.
Would you say your books can be categorized as political thrillers, or would you even go so far as to call them non-fiction?
To get the story right, it was a combination of both. 85% of the information in the book is based on 100% fact, and maybe 15% is fiction, which serves to weave the story together.
I’m hoping the reader will say, “I remember that incident”, when in fact that’s not possible because I made it up.
As they read, they’ll think “maybe what I’m hearing is true.” But, it’s not true. It’s a thriller; it’s made to entertain. But, I think many will say, “I think this is the best explanation we can think of.”
What do you want readers to feel as they’re reading The Pegasus Directive?
This book is about a Soviet spymaster seeking sanctuary in the time frame of the Nixon presidency, and he’ll only report to an agent by the code name Pegasus.
This is a high-ranking Soviet spy who defects to the Americans, and also happens to be the individual who masterminded the Kennedy assassination. He is telling the story from the Russian point of view.
The readers have to keep in mind that it’s fiction and entertainment. I can hope I can thrill a bunch of thriller readers worldwide. The fascination of the Kennedy assassination still holds the mind of people everywhere.
Primarily, I want readers , when they get to the last page, to say, “This was one heck of a story. It held up from page 1 to the last sentence on the last page.
Ian O’Connor has written a book that explained the Kennedy assassination in a way that has never been explained before.”
What was your inspiration behind this story? Was there a moment in your military career that sparked this interest?
I started this story in 1974. I wrote this story way before any of these other books or movies [surrounding President John F. Kennedy] came about saying, “maybe it was the CIA” or “maybe it was Castro “or “it could’ve been the Russian mafia.”
Given political climate of the time (which was around the time of Watergate) publishers in New York said it wasn’t the right time for it. So, I put it on the shelf.
I would revisit it every few years, and every time I decided the time wasn’t right. Early last year, something told me it was time for this story to be told.
I had no idea this had been percolating for so long. How satisfying to finally have it out and published!
It’s very satisfying. The release of The Pegasus Directive coincides with the 60th anniversary year of Kennedy’s assassination.
Out of all your characters in all your books, which one do you relate the most to?
I relate to a character called Justin Scott, a retired FBI agent who gets involved on an international scale to help solve crises. He’s a character in my other books and he’s also in this one.
I also identify with the main protagonist, Andrew St. James, who’s code name is Pegasus.
Who would play the leads if The Pegasus Directive were made into a movie?
I’ve thought about this a lot.
At the end of the day, I think I would follow the lead of the Jack Reacher series, where they went with an unknown.
Another good example is the book back in the late 80s, The Hunt For Red October. They decided they’d have the lead agent be played by an unknown and it was Alec Baldwin.
So, I’d have to say, these are pretty smart people in Hollywood. They know what they’re doing. I’d lean toward an unknown.
You know, in all the years I’ve asked this question, not one person has ever given me this answer.
Really?
Yes, but I totally see the value in what you’re saying. With an “unknown” actor, the audience doesn’t have any expectations. They go in with an open mind when they’re introduced to a character.
Exactly.
The Pegasus Directive is a blank canvas. If this were made into a series, I trust Hollywood to know what they’re doing.
For further information, please visit https://IanAOconnor.com.
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