A.C. Adams is the author of the new novel Chasing Shadows. A.C. Adams is a pen name for Anthony Leigh Adams and Christina Adams. They are writers, producers, and developers of film and television projects, and they are based in La Jolla, California.
Q: How much was Chasing Shadows inspired by your family history?
A: Most of it. The novel wouldn’t exist without our quest to find Christina’s father and learn why he deserted his children after years of being a loving and supportive parent. Sofia’s international search was based on our global efforts to unravel the mystery of his disappearance and secret life.
Q: How did the two of you collaborate on the novel? What was your writing process like?
A: After delving into the mysteries of Christina’s family, we realized that our search had reached an impasse and that we couldn’t verify crucial details about her father. At that point, we decided to write a novel inspired by actual events.
To protect our sources, we changed the names and locations in the book while preserving many incidents from his life and our search. Our goal was to remain true to his essence while revealing the dramatic truth of the story.
We created a detailed outline and began writing, with Christina responsible for the first half and me for the second. Next, we read the manuscript aloud and made extensive notes for the second draft. Afterward, we swapped chapters and revised each other’s work.
Outlines are merely a starting point for us, and we always allow ourselves the freedom to let sudden inspiration guide the story in new, unexpected directions, including adding or deleting scenes and creating new characters. We continued this process countless times until we were both satisfied.
Q: How did you research the novel, and what did you learn that especially surprised you?
A: Chasing Shadows required more research than our screenplays and teleplays based on true stories. Christina’s father was a respected scholar and college professor, so we began by meeting with his colleagues, students, and friends. We also obtained his military records and studied his published writings.
Gradually, we uncovered contradictory fragments about his life and travels, which took him to Canada, Japan, Latin America, India, and Europe. Ultimately, we discovered that he had a secret life and relatives he never mentioned to his children.
The research involved trips to Boston, Montreal, Paris, and various locations in Ireland and Italy.
To our surprise, what we learned about his past unraveled everything Christina believed she knew about her family history. For years, her father had led a covert life as a Catholic priest and a member of an elusive, powerful society operating in the shadows of world affairs.
Despite interviewing many of his friends and colleagues, the details of his extraordinary life remained a Gordian Knot that was impossible to fully untangle.
We also discovered that Christina’s estranged mother had a hidden past of trauma and deceit, and one of the most significant outcomes of the journey was their reconciliation.
Q: How was the novel’s title chosen, and what does it signify for you?
A: At times during our search, it felt as if we were chasing shadows, just out of reach and impossible to grasp. Doors were slammed in our faces, and many people we attempted to interview claimed they were sworn to secrecy.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous quote also inspired us: “Everything we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.” Our guiding principle is to question everything, as perceptions of reality are limited, and there is always more to see and understand. This idea reflects one of the themes in our book.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: A sequel to Chasing Shadows. The first volume ends on a cliffhanger, and there’s more of the story to tell. It’s going to be a very exciting and satisfying conclusion to Sofia’s story.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: We appreciate your interest in Chasing Shadows and hope readers enjoy it! For more information about Anthony Leigh Adams & Christina Adams (A.C. Adams), please visit our website: https://adamsentertainment.com
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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