Date: 2025 December 1
HIDDEN MEANINGS
If hindsight is 20/20, how do we improve our vision in the now? In many cases there are clues that lead up to big reveals in life and in fiction (after all good fiction draws on the parallels to life). I have been involved in countless investigations where clues were glossed over because they had no relevance until another piece of the puzzle was added, only then could we see the relevance. My novels are very much the same, dropping miniature clues along the way.
Getting to know the inspiration for the man behind the name – APOK aka Miguel Mejia
My goal when writing these novels was to produce a compelling story that draws people into the APOK world quickly. There are several clues placed throughout the novels foreshadowing upcoming events and person revelations. These clues hidden in plain sight seem innocent enough but designed to give the repeat reader a new fulfilling experience as they tie the clues together.
Tucked within the covers of each APOK novel are several hidden meanings, both within the story itself and many tying back to me. Considering that my novel writing began as a stress reliever allowing me to express myself unvetted or controlled by outside influences, it is natural that many aspects of the novel are my own, some more fictionalized than others.
- Miguel Mejia – The main character was a derivative of my Colombian biological father’s name, or the name I believed him to have at the time.
- Beyond that, I liked the alliteration, and it bore my same birth initials.
- Having never met my biological father at that time, it wasn’t a tribute to him, but a way that I thought would assist in finding him or at least a family member.
- And to my surprise, 11 years after publishing APOK, this thought process definitely assisted in finding my father.
- APOK – Miguel’s nickname had several meanings, for the character, and for me and the story itself.
- While deciding on what to call the novel, I spent hours contemplating, researching and various names.
- One evening, my mind was continuing its process and became fixated on the word APOCALYPSE. After saying it several times aloud, I shorted it to APOC and liked it so much I decided to dive in deeper. I searched for any other novels written using that title seeking something unique. During my deep dive I found the word, APOKALUPSIS which originates from the Ancient Greek word meaning “revelation”, “disclosure” or “unveil”.
- Further contemplation on the word APOK as a potential novel title, solidified it as the title.
- My novel was already written, and this meaning suited the contents of the novel, but it also suited my own situation. Sidelined from a near death accident where a car hit me while I was on my bicycle; the doctors didn’t think I was ever going to recover. Writing gave me hope that I could help support my family, but in order to do that I believed that in order to give my novel any chance, I had to unveil myself as a police officer, something I let few people know about me due to the types of cases that I worked. It was a huge step forward into the light, much like what happens within the APOK Series.
While these are only a couple of examples showcasing the hidden nuggets within the novel series, there are a lot more.
Next week I’ll explain why Conspiracies are in fact real.
Review of the Week:
APOK CROSSFIRE – “A soldier on the run strives to save humanity in Walton’s intense conclusion to an action-packed trilogy…Walton’s nonstop action, which will carry even newcomers along…A closer whose gunplay satisfies…” Kirkus Reviews
**SWAG Reminder** – If you post a review online, please share it with me and we can discuss getting you some APOK swag.
Upcoming Events:
Enjoy supporting local, love reading, or interested in writing, come out and meet and greet various authors from different genres showcasing their art at the Barrie Library this weekend.
I was recently added to the list bringing The APOK Series. If you’re out and about and interested to see what local authors have to offer, or looking for some great gift ideas, I am sure there will be a book for everyone.
Barrie Library – Local Author Event
Location: Barrie Library
Address: 48 Dean Avenue, Barrie, Ontario
Date: Saturday December 6th, 2025
Time: 10am to 4pm
Website: https://barrielibrary.ca/programs-events/local-author-book-market
Thanks for dropping in, and until next week.
Mike