Brian Dungan


About Author
Irish author and cameraman Brían Dungan introduces his debut novel Wintour's Game, a time-twisting, action-packed adventure for Alex Rider fans.
Born in Dublin, Brían splits his time between his family, his day job in film and television and his passion for writing. As a camera assistant, Brían has worked on television projects like Game Of Thrones, Derry Girls and Black Mirror. Now he's turning to novel-writing.
He lives in Skerries with his long-suffering wife, three daughters and their rescue dog, Ronnie.
Interview
Wintour's Game (Little Tiger)
August 2024
In this action-packed, time-twisting adventure, Alex Wintour lives - and steals - by her wits. But when a heist goes wrong, she is drawn into a word where people can change time itself. This is a perfect read for Alex Rider fans looking for a fast-paced adventure.
We've been talking to Brian Dungan about Wintour's Game, which he introduces here with a short reading:
Q&A with Brian Dungan: Wintour's Game
"This story, and the way I chose to tell it, goes back to those influential books and movies from my youth:
high adventure and bombastic action."
1. Hello Brian, thank you for joining us on ReadingZone. Can you start by telling us a little about your 'day job' as a camera assistant, and what kinds of films you've worked on?
I went to film school *ahembackintheninetiesahem* and started working as a Camera Dept trainee very soon after leaving. On one of my first days on the job I was in a tiny café with Colin Farrell and Cillian Murphy, who were only a little older than me, but definitely stars on the rise. They called "Action!" and I was just hooked.
Obviously I'm immensely proud of working on things like Game Of Thrones, Derry Girls, World War Z and Black Mirror, but often it's things that people might not have even seen that bring back the fondest memories; an incredible production of Anna Karenina in 2012 directed by Joe Wright, or the crew of complete strangers who became great friends during the height of Covid on A Very British Scandal in 2021. Though watching Ridley Scott direct The Last Duel was a highlight. He's a true master of the form.
"I wouldn't say that my work in film has informed the way I write necessarily,
but the way films are written certainly has."
2. What brought you into writing for young people - have stories always been part of your life? And has your work on films influenced your writing?
Writing, and specifically writing for young people, has always been a passion of mine. I tried writing my first book when I was twelve and I don't think my tastes have changed much!
When I was younger there wasn't the same enormous choice of media that bombard young people today. Video games were very basic. Television was low budget to put it kindly and if you wanted to watch Star Wars, you had to wait until Christmas!
But there were always books, and they became my means of daily escape. Tolkien, Pratchett, Douglas Adams and Philip Pullman could transport you at the turn of a page and one of my favourite things as I grew out of playing with action figures was bringing my own characters to life through writing. And stories for young people are just so much more fun!
I wouldn't say that my work in film has informed the way I write necessarily, but the way films are written certainly has. Star Wars, ET, Indiana Jones and The Goonies were all massively influential on me early on and continue to be now, cause they're great! The fact that I saw them less when I was younger probably meant they left even more of an impression on me. And since those are the kinds of stories I've found myself drawn to write, their impact on my writing looms LARGE!
3. What happens in your new book, Wintour's Game, and what inspired the story? Why did you choose this title?
Wintour's Game tells the story of Alex Wintour, a young thief with an uncanny ability to see glimpses of her future. When she meets Colman Reece, a teen millionaire who shares her gift, he introduces her to a world of Temporals, people with the ability to influence or manipulate time, who live all around us. Colman needs Alex to pull off a heist he thinks only she can, and before she knows it, Alex is propelled into a race to save the future of the Temporal World itself.
The story, and the way I chose to tell it, goes back to those influential books and movies from my youth: high adventure and bombastic action in a heightened but familiar reality. But told by a grounded cast of characters with real, relatable problems that would probably prefer to be having a nice cup of tea than be involved in a high-speed car chase!
Once I had the character of Alex Wintour in my head, the title came really quickly actually. It was perfect because it needed to be simple, catchy and tell the story in two words or less!
"I really made a rod for my back when I chose Time as my sandbox!
I had NO idea what I'd let myself in for."
4. How did your ideas around time and the ability to manipulate time develop? Is it difficult to write and plan a story in which so many characters can predict what will happen?
Oh, wow! I really made a rod for my back when I chose Time as my sandbox! I had NO idea what I'd let myself in for. It wasn't something I'd seen in many other books or movies. And now I know why!
I knew early on that I wanted to avoid 'magic'. As fantastic as the Temporals abilities are, I wanted to ground them in the physical world. And these abilities exact a physical toll on their user. I wanted them each to make a certain kind of sense, and to limit it to only four disciplines that would be distinct from one another.
What I hadn't thought through at the beginning though was how to keep Alex, Cole and the reader guessing about what was going to happen next! I had a few tricks up my sleeve, but you'll have to read it yourself to find out what! All I'll say is that every ability has its limits. (Especially mine!)
5. Your main character, Alex, is a tough teenage girl who you wouldn't want to mess with. What did you enjoy about writing her? You have daughters - did that help?
I loved writing Alex from the get-go. I loved that she has no filter. She says it like she sees it, regardless of who she's talking to, and that punk attitude is great fun to write cause it's probably the way we'd all like to be sometimes! Of course she uses it like armour, but she also uses it like an axe.
Thankfully none of my own daughters have taken on any of Alex's more acerbic qualities, but I've certainly been on the receiving end of some less than impressed looks that readers might recognise!
6. There is a range of great characters in the book - have any of them been inspired by films you've loved? Who would you have play the leading roles in a film of Wintour's Game?
Ooooh, that's a good question. I actually 'cast' the main characters in my books when I'm getting ready to write them. I have headshots of people by my desk that I think resemble the characters as I've imagined them. It helps with description, but I find it really helps me keep their individual voices and personalities in focus over the time it takes to finish a book. So I actually have some very clear ideas of who would play who. But that's just who I think would fit. I prefer leaving it to the reader to conjure the characters in their mind's eye the way they see them.
"Quantum physics was never my forté. I had to employ some artistic license there."
7. Did you need to do any research while writing Wintour's Game, for example into its London setting or on ideas about time?
Thankfully my work brings me to London quite a lot, so I'm familiar with it and had a clear sense of the places I was setting the story. But online Maps certainly played their part in filling in some of the gaps in my knowledge!
As for researching the realities of the temporal aspects of the story…quantum physics was never my forté. I had to employ some artistic license there.
8. What do you have lined up for Alex next?
That would be telling! All I can say is that she's only scratched the surface of the Temporal World and that it'll get worse for her before it gets better!
9. Would you want any of these characters' skills in manipulating time? How would you use them - other than for predicting the lottery numbers!
I don't think I'd like to be an Oracle, actually. It's very definitely a blessing as well as a curse. Ignorance is bliss I think. I'd probably be a Stasist so that I could freeze time. Apparently it's quite handy for slipping out of parties.
10. What do you watch or read in your downtime, and what are your recommendations?
I'll use any excuse to go the cinema, though we're really spoiled for great TV right now. Shōgun, The Bear and Mr. & Mrs. Smith are my standouts this year, but they just keep coming!
I'll always have a couple of books on the go. There's a pile by my bed and audiobooks in the car. I'll pick up anything by David Mitchell and Patrick Ness as soon as they come out. The way that both of them can marry reality, fantasy, fact and fable with characters that are so real and relatable is a huge inspiration.
I'm also rediscovering the Booker list, having gone through Prophet Song and Seven Moons of Maali Almeida just recently. I'm on A Brief History of Seven Killings right now.
I still read to my youngest daughter and we're devouring Robin Stevens' Murder Most Unladylike series. So brilliantly, unapologetically dark and funny. She never talks down to her reader or softens the blow when it comes to the realities of a murder mystery. And we love her for it. We're on the last one, and bedtimes will be a lesser experience without the Wells & Wong detective agency waiting for us on the nightstand.
With whatever time I have left (not much) I love to listen to and play music. I play a couple of instruments (badly) but the drums are my go-to. Unfortunately, l'll never be at Murray Richter's level, but it's still fun.