When I first started writing The Utopia Conspiracy, I knew I wanted to open the book with a scene that immediately threw readers into the deep end—literally. A small aircraft plunging into the Pacific, three survivors fighting against the ocean, and an island that isn’t on any map. It had to be dramatic, intense, and immersive. And for that, there was no better setting than Hawaii.
Having been lucky enough to visit the Hawaiian Islands twice, I was completely captivated by their raw, breathtaking beauty. There’s something almost otherworldly about them—the lush greenery, the towering cliffs, the endless blue of the ocean. They hold a sense of mystery and adventure that made them the perfect launching point for a story that would unravel into something much bigger than anyone expected.
Why Keykey Mattered to Me
Amidst the chaos of the crash and the uncertainty of survival, one character stood out in my mind from the start—Keykey. He wasn’t just a pilot; he was a family man, a soon-to-be father with everything to live for. His presence in the story grounded the action with something deeply human: love, responsibility, and the desperate need to return home.
I loved creating Keykey because he represents something so many of us can relate to—that pull of family, the weight of being someone others rely on, and the unimaginable fear of being taken away from them. He doesn’t see himself as a hero, but when faced with the impossible, he steps up in ways he never expected. And that, to me, makes him one of the most relatable and compelling characters in the book.
Drawing from Real Experiences
Another aspect of the story that was deeply personal was the scuba diving element. As a trained scuba diver, I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean—not just its beauty but its unpredictability. That was something I wanted to bring into the book with Lauren and Sam, who, like me, have a passion for diving. There’s a certain peace that comes from being underwater, but there’s also an edge of danger, an awareness that nature is always in control. That duality—serenity and survival—played a huge role in shaping the opening sequence of the novel.
Keykey’s crash into the ocean, his fight to survive, and the unknown world waiting for him on the shores of Utopia all tie back to this idea of being thrust into an environment beyond your control and having to adapt. His journey is as much about emotional endurance as it is about physical survival, and that’s what makes his story so powerful.
A Character That Stays With You
Keykey’s story isn’t just about being lost—it’s about holding onto hope, no matter how impossible things seem. As a writer, he became a character I truly connected with, one whose struggle felt real. And I hope that when readers meet him, they feel that connection too.
After all, who wouldn’t fight to get back to the people they love?
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