Today, Feathered Quill reviewer Trix Lee-Rainwater is talking with Gary D. McGugan, author of When Power Fails.

FQ: As an author with a background in business, how did your professional experiences inform or inspire the corporate intrigue and organizational dynamics at the heart of When Power Fails, or Multima Saga as a whole?

MCGUGAN: Working at senior levels of large global corporations for about 40 years surely influenced my perspective on the organizational dynamics I created for When Power Fails and the other seven titles in the Multima Saga. My travel and the people I interacted with over those years, also played significant roles feeding my imagination. When I retired from corporate life to start writing, my Contacts list in Outlook totaled more than 10,000 names. Just thinking about some of those real-life characters always stimulates my brain to create plausible scenarios for my stories.

FQ: This is the 8th novel in your "Multima Saga" series. How has your approach to writing this series evolved over time? What new creative challenges did you face with this latest installment?

MCGUGAN: My fundamental approach remains relatively constant, and I write for three hours every morning, then walk for one to two hours every afternoon. While I walk, I think about my writing, test dialog, fine-tune the plot outline, and sort through potential flaws in the plot. My creative challenges are usually the same—keeping a story believable for an average reader. I try to keep my imagination in check, but I've also learned that readers sometimes also find 'real' events and occurrences challenging to believe. So, I focus on keeping things "plausible."

FQ: The book deals with themes of greed and the dangers of unchecked power. As an author, do you see these as universal cautionary tales, or are you making specific commentary on our current sociopolitical landscape?

MCGUGAN: Organized crime is far more prevalent in our society than many people realize, and it's far more damaging than most people realize. In each story, I show how a nefarious criminal element I call "The Organization" might worm its way into a large publicly traded company. In each case, readers will find that greed and power were at the root of The Organization's quests.

FQ: Technology and cybersecurity play a critical role in the story. What kind of research did you undertake to make the technical elements authentic and engaging for readers? As an author, how important was it for you to ground these technical elements in authenticity?

MCGUGAN: I like to talk with technical experts. I read stories that feature technology. And I read business articles that deal with real-time technology crises in a real-world environment. Again, I try to ensure my writing passes the "plausible" test. Something that hasn't yet occurred may crop up in the real world before I finish and publish my story!

FQ: The ending leaves the future of Multima and its leadership uncertain. Was this an intentional choice to hint at more stories to come in the Multima Saga? Do you already have a set plan on how many installments Multima Saga should have?

MCGUGAN: Senior business leaders question their appetite to continue in their roles far more often than people might realize. So, I think it's reasonable that Suzanne Simpson questions her desire to continue or not in her role. We'll need to keep readers guessing because I never plan a new story before I finalize and release the one I'm currently working on. When Power Fails will release soon, and my process to determine if there's another part to the Multima Saga will soon be underway.

FQ: Gordon Goodfellow's moral descent, from trusted Multima executive to criminal accomplice, is a key narrative arc. He is presented as a devout Christian who betrays his faith and moral principles. What were your key intentions and considerations in crafting this character? 

MCGUGAN: Studies show that about 1/3 of the American population identifies as 'devout' or 'evangelical' Christians. I gave Gordon Goodfellow that religious bent because he comes from the southern USA, where a higher percentage of the population may be Christian. My goal with Gordon was to create an interesting character with plausible values and challenges. All people are tempted by 'opportunities' or circumstances that test their values. While Gordon's might be somewhat exaggerated, they remain plausible yet entertaining.

FQ: As an author, how challenging was it to craft characters who make compromised choices, yet still resonate with readers on an emotional level? What did you learn about character development through this process?

MCGUGAN: For me, every story is an adventure in character development. To some extent, I rely somewhat on my personal interactions with those 10,000 Contacts I accumulated over my career. I draw bits and pieces from those real characters and my guesses about how some of them might react in the circumstances I create. If I keep both the character and the circumstance plausibly 'real,' I think readers relate to the possibility I describe and remain emotionally invested.

FQ: In what ways does Suzanne Simpson's evolution over the course of the Multima Saga reflect your own perspectives on leadership, ethics, and the challenges of navigating today's complex business landscape?

MCGUGAN: I think Suzanne reflects my personal concerns about the influence of organized crime. Criminals impact our lives far more than most people realize. Leading and navigating today's complex business landscape requires multiple styles and often results in compromises to values and ethics. I think my stories reflect the ease with which those compromises can occur. But I also want my stories always to leave hope for a better future.

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