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Goodreads asked Roderick Chapman:

What mystery in your own life could be a plot for a book?

Roderick Chapman Growing up in Bermuda, I was always drawn to the old forts that dotted the island—imposing structures weathered by time and cloaked in mystery. These relics of history, with their shadowy halls, hidden rooms, and commanding views of the sea, felt alive with stories waiting to be told.

One of the most captivating mysteries was the unexplained shifts and echoes within the forts. I’d notice objects seemingly moved from where they had been, strange noises that carried an air of purpose, and the undeniable feeling of being watched—though no one else was there.

A plot could follow a young explorer uncovering that these forts guard secrets not meant to be disturbed—perhaps a connection to ancient, forgotten forces or a hidden truth about the island's history that others have tried to erase. These forts, to me, have always been more than just remnants of the past; they’re a doorway to something larger, something unknown, waiting for the right moment to be uncovered.

That lingering sense of wonder and mystery has stayed with me and might someday find its way into the heart of a story.

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