I invited John J. Cannon onto Fiction Favorites since it has been a while since we’ve talked. I would normally have a conversation with him in private but decided that it is about time for him to step out of his comfort zone and share some details of his life. As you may be aware John Cannon is the protagonist of the Trilogy that bears his name. So without much more introduction I present John Cannon.
“Thank you, sir. It is a pleasure to be here.”
“You call me sir. Any reason?”
“To be honest just two. One you are way older than me and two you are my creator.”
“Uh oh. Going to slip the fourth wall are you?”
“It’s pretty hard not to since everyone knows I’m a figment of your imagination.”
“I suppose you are right. John, you have been described as an everyday kind of guy. Do you see yourself that way?”
“I would love to believe I’m a superhero but have to be practical. I am more comfortable simply being myself.”
“Describe you.”
“Boy, pretty direct aren’t we. Well, I’m thirty-eight years old. I have practiced law for over ten years. I have, to be honest, and describe me as pretty typical of someone looking for something different?
“How so?”
“I worked all those years and finally took a vacation. I fell in love with the sea and as a result decided to take a leave of absence.”
“To become a charter boat captain, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Didn’t happen, though.”
“Those of us who have read the books know what did happen. I want to stay away from spoilers and ask you how you felt being a typical person thrust into extraordinary circumstances.?”
“I’m not sure what you mean but let me say, I always felt a little ill at ease being the central character.”
“Why is that?”
“I think there were expectations put on me that kept me in the spotlight when there were times I would have been just as happy in the background. Besides, I don’t have superhero skills.”
“Yes but I recall a serious discussion we had where you wanted to be more of an action hero.”
“I remember. In your wisdom, you gave me a taste of that, and I decided I wasn’t particularly fond of that role. Of course, I never had a position in the background so who’s to say I would like it.”
“What have you been doing in your spare time?”
“Spare time? You know there is no such thing in your books.”
“I’ve been told that before. I have a question about one of your quirks in each of the three books.”
“I can imagine it is about the coffee right?”
“You amaze me sometimes, John. Yes, tell us about this thing with the coffee.”
“Well, as you know, the antagonist Matt Jacobs has searched the world for the finest coffee beans. He has them roasted and blended into a unique cup of coffee. He continually offers me a cup, and I continually accept even if he is thinking about killing me.”
“Sounds a little odd.”
“You would think so except this is a way for Matt and me to meet on neutral ground and the whole idea of the coffee is just a way to maintain a level of contact. Matt is very pleased when I enjoy his coffee, and so I’m able to use this feeling to try to get an advantage.”
“I’m surprised he falls for it.”
“I think you know from writing the books that it is a little more subtle than simply falling for a scheme. I’m surprised you made that comment.”
“Let’s just call it a journalistic license. So what would you say to anyone who hasn’t read one of your adventures?”
“I think I would hint that they are missing out on some fun times.”
“Fun times?”
“Yeah. I think anyone who reads the books has a fun time.”
“That is an interesting way to put it. Thank you, John, for joining me today, and perhaps we can do this again sometime.”
“It was a pleasure.”
