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ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN VORAKA
Article Published on 07 September 2024 by Celine Ramelli | www.vorakamag.com
“Beyond the Veil of Shadows” is a novel steeped in repressed love between two people for nearly ten years. Emily had a boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend who was threatening, abusive, and possessive. He can’t let go of Emily as he believes that she belongs to him. Sean was her former teacher and her mentor, takes her in to give her safety after the breakup. However, the ex-boyfriend won’t let her go without a fight. Sean and Emily fight repressed feelings for each other they have had for years. The story has all of the elements of a page turner, dysfunctional relationship, sex, violence, and love.
AUTHOR'S BACKGROUND
T.S. MacGregor, a debut novelist, has skillfully navigated a diverse and accomplished career that encompasses both education and business development. His professional journey includes significant roles at Dialog Information Services and Dow Jones News, where he honed his skills in analysis and leadership. With a strong academic foundation, MacGregor holds degrees in political science and secondary education from Indiana University. He furthered his education by earning both a Master’s and a Doctorate, reflecting his commitment to intellectual growth.
MacGregor's career has taken him to over 30 countries, where he has gained invaluable experiences. He has mentored aspiring professionals in Ukraine, provided leadership in Louisville, and managed an international high school in Hong Kong. These experiences have enriched his understanding of diverse cultures and educational systems.
Apart from his professional accomplishments, MacGregor has background in teaching and has served as an Adjunct Professor. This extensive array of experiences has profoundly influenced his debut novel. Through this work, he offers readers an engaging and enlightening journey that blends educational insights with an international perspective.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR T.S. MACGREGOR
What inspired you to transition from a diverse career in education and business development to writing your first novel?
I was retiring from teaching high school and wanted something creative to do with my life. I had always enjoyed writing from an early age and had written a few things over the years. I really missed the classroom, but as I became more serious about writing, it eased the transition. How has your global career, spanning over 30 countries, influenced the themes and settings in your debut novel? In this, my debut novel, a couple of the settings, for sure. For the most part, I am taking situations and experiences that I have heard from people I met in my travels and putting them into fiction. London, England, and Scotland play roles in Beyond the Veils of Shadows.
Can you share an experience from your time mentoring in Ukraine that significantly impacted your worldview?
My doctoral colleagues and I were there shortly after the Orange Revolution. I saw people who were inherently proud of their culture and country. As a group, we mentored graduate students in business and entrepreneurs. We were all inspired by their positive attitudes and desire for success. How did your roles at Dialog Information Services and Dow Jones News shape your approach to storytelling?
It goes back to developing the crucial skill of active listening. I discovered far more about my competition by listening to client concerns and how I could help. They were all situational stories—corporate, but stories all the same. I would also listen to clients tell me their stories about their careers. I have a very detailed memory bank.
What were the biggest challenges you faced while balancing your career and advanced studies, including earning your Master’s and Doctorate?
It really came down to time management and not much sleep. I took a unique approach and did a mixed-method study group and a case study group on emotional intelligence and leadership. I filmed a documentary along with my research called Serviam. I interviewed individuals like Terry Waite (Beirut hostage negotiator and hostage), Carl Wilkins (the last American to remain in Rwanda during the genocide), and Major Jeff Struecker (the man the film Black Hawk Down was based on). How did your experiences leading in Louisville and heading an international high school in Hong Kong contribute to the characters or plot in your novel?
All my writing is influenced by situations and cultural implications. I observe and listen to the challenges individuals face in personal relationships and work environments as well. Culture plays a huge part in how challenges are dealt with in different societies. I learned not to be ethnocentric in my views. I listen, observe, and store the stories in my mind for future use. In what ways has your background in political science and secondary education informed your writing style or subject matter?
Being aware of events and political situations that occur in the world is often key and part of a storyline. More importantly, it’s about being able to place yourself in their situation. We all want the best for our spouses and children, no matter where we are in the world. For me, it is about seeking to understand the impact on individuals. How did teaching and being an adjunct professor influence your decision to become a novelist?
They were two more great positions that gave me even more opportunities to learn from my students. As an adjunct professor, my students were professionals returning to school to earn their degrees (undergraduate and graduate). I learned about their jobs and challenges. What are some key lessons you've learned from your career that you hope to convey to readers through your novel?
Certainly, to be curious about life, different cultures, and individuals. Never judge or discount someone. Listening is infinitely better than talking. People have to know that you are actually hearing them. How do you incorporate educational insights into your storytelling to engage readers on a deeper level?
I believe that students don’t necessarily remember, for the most part, the details of the subjects that you teach. I have kept in touch with a lot of my students over the years, and for them, it was how I treated them as individuals. How I actively listened and did not judge them. That I treated students equally and as young adults (high school), validating their concerns and problems. What challenges and surprises did you encounter while writing your debut novel compared to your previous professional roles?
Personally, it was with family members who wanted a glimpse of what I was writing. While I had friends react to certain passages and chapters and accepted their ideas, I had a fear of criticism from family. I was afraid of letting them down.
Can you give us a glimpse of what readers can expect from your novel, especially regarding its international and educational aspects?
I can tell readers that the story takes place in the U.S., Great Britain, and Scotland. A main character is a trusted teacher and mentor whose guidance over a period of years had a surprising and hidden effect on the student.
How do you feel about Voraka Magazine featuring your novel, and how do you think this recognition will influence your future storytelling projects?
I am honored to be interviewed and featured by Voraka. I am hoping for feedback from your readers, and that will most certainly provide ideas for future novels.
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