A. Wayne Gill, Author THE RUNNER |
Lawyer A. Wayne Gill has authored THE RUNNER, a Christian
legal thriller with “a good, intense storyline” according to reviewers. The
first of a series, THE RUNNER features Michael Knight, a lawyer trying to
figure out his life.
Head of his own successful law firm, Wayne has
experienced the life of an attorney, but he claims his lead character is
different from him. In addition to
writing and practicing law, Wayne has received numerous business and
humanitarian awards. He is involved in many enterprises and when he has spare
time, he prefers spending it with his family or reading.
Q:
What inspired you to write THE RUNNER? Given that you have a successful
law practice, why start to write? Who or what influenced you to write?
Wayne Gill: I have always loved to write. My first
experience with writing was when I was 6 years old. I entered a poetry contest
at my elementary school and ended up winning first place. I wrote the poem on
Martin Luther King. He has always been an influence on me not just in writing
but also in my overall life.
Q:
THE RUNNER has been described as “A legal thriller filled with excitement and mystery” and also as a novel
that “will interest those wishing to intersect the Christian faith with
law.” Was it your intent to write a thriller or deliver a message about
Christianity?
Wayne Gill: My
intent was for it to be a combination of both. Initially, the concept was to
speak about people running away from God. Then when I sat down to outline the
book, I wanted to keep the readers enthralled so I went in the route of
suspense.
Q: How much of you, the lawyer, is incorporated
in Michael Knight?
Wayne Gill: There
certainly are similarities between Michael and myself. However, Michael is a
fictional character and his experiences beginning law school are different than
mine.
Q: How did you make your characters engaging,
especially Michael Knight? Why do readers care about him?
Wayne Gill: I strived to make the characters relate to
everyone in some degree. In Michael’s case, I think readers understand where he
is coming from and have been through a similar experience that he has.
Q: What makes a good villain? Can you say who is
the villain in THE RUNNER?
Wayne Gill:
Villains have to be multi-dimensional. The reader needs to find them
relatable and surprising or your story is going to be dull. You know I want the
readers to develop their own ideas on the villain.
Q: “THE RUNNER delivers suspense, thrills,
romance, mystery and excitement.” How do you create suspense, thrills and
excitement?
Wayne Gill: I
think the key to creating these elements is by producing these multidimensional
characters. Without a strong character, your story just can’t go anywhere.
Q:
Who are your targeted readers and what are they looking for in your
books?
Wayne Gill: As a spiritual work of fiction, the Christian
community is certainly a “targeted” audience but with that said the messages of
THE RUNNER are for everyone. I think that many young adults will find this book
extremely relatable to their everyday lives.
Q:
If your book became a movie, who do you envision playing Michael Knight?
Wayne Gill: I
would say Tom Welling. He was the actor on the TV show Smallville. That is the
physical appearance I had imagined when creating Michael. He would be an
overall good fit for Michael and his small town appeal.
Q:
What’s next?
Wayne Gill: Well the tales of Michael Knight have just
begun. I am right now in the middle of writing the second book in the Michael
Knight series. Michael is in for quite the journey!
Q:
What do you like to do when you’re not practicing law or writing? (although
it’s hard to believe that you have time for much else!)
Wayne Gill: Haha!
Yes, I tend to always have a full schedule. In my spare time, I love to
read and also spend time with my family.
About Wayne Gill
When he isn’t crafting legal dramas, Wayne
Gill serves as CEO and Managing Partner of Gill Law Firm, a law firm with
offices in Florida and Georgia that serves some of the top companies in the
world, including AT&T, Hilton Hotels Corporation, SunTrust Bank, and JM
Family Enterprises.
A husband and father, Wayne is the recipient
of numerous civil, professional and humanitarian awards, including Northwood
University’s Arthur E. Turner Award for Outstanding Commitment to the
Betterment of Mankind. He is also the co-founder of the Oasis Compassion
Agency, a ministry to the disadvantaged in the community. THE RUNNER
is the first book in the Michael Knight series.
Wayne has been recognized among the 50 Most
Powerful Black Professionals in South Florida and the Who’s Who in Black South
Florida. He’s received Macy’s Crystal Award for Outstanding Minority Business
Advocacy, and he’s received several honors from NMSDC affiliates and the local
Bar Associations. In 2002, he received Northwood University’s Arthur E. Turner
Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award for Outstanding Commitment to the
Betterment of Mankind. He is a board member of the Black Chamber of
Commerce of Palm Beach County and Secretary of the Board for The Southern
Florida Minority Supplier Development Council.
About THE RUNNER
Welcome to THE RUNNER.
THE RUNNER is the first book in a seven-part
series that follows the life of Michael Knight, a young man who is conflicted
about his future and who embarks on a long journey of self-discovery. In that sense,
Michael is like many of us. I don’t think anyone ever just “arrives.” We all
have to go through things in life in order to learn and grow.
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