Dave Wickenden is a Canadian thriller author known for drawing on a life packed with real‑world intensity. Before becoming a novelist, he served in the Canadian Armed Forces and later spent 31 years in the Fire Service, eventually retiring as Deputy Fire Chief.
He’s as comfortable handling emergencies as writing about them—having saved multiple lives using CPR and a defibrillator. Outside of writing, he enjoys cooking, reading, and drawing, and even ran a custom art business specializing in pyrography; one of his pieces of former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien hangs in Rideau Hall.
His books often reflect the high‑stakes environments he knows so well, blending action, crisis, and human resilience.
10 Questions for Dave
If they were making a movie from one of your books, who would play the protagonist?
I have adapted by vigilante story, IN DEFENSE OF INNOCENCE, into both a feature film script and a TV pilot. Both are in the market currently, so if you know any producers… (nudge, nudge, wink, wink) Laura Amour is a Canadian PTSD therapist who begins a crusade, killing child exploiters worldwide. As part of my pitch package, I chose Alexandra Daddario as my main protagonist.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a pantser. Most times, I start with a story idea, and I may or may not have an ending in mind, but I allow the story to follow its own path during the first draft. I love being surprised where a character takes me and why should the reader have all the fun. I do a ton of research for my books, so often the research will lead me into totally unfamiliar ground.
In my screenwriting, I use an outline as this is the way I was taught thought the courses I’ve taken. I can see where it helps guide the writer, but I don’t like being contained when I’m being creative and usually allow the story to find its way, especially during the first draft.
Has a real person ever inspired you to kill them (in your book)?
Yes. In HOMEGROWN 2018, my antagonist, an ISIS terrorist, kills Putin and his entire government during the Victory Day parade in Red Square. Ukraine should not be having all the trouble it is facing today.
In my original draft, I had Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton facing off at an election debate, which is then threatened by terrorists. I had studied Trump’s speech patterns and body language and wrote what I thought of as an accurate scene of how he would act under a real threat. My publisher warned me that if I kept it as it was written, Trump would sue me as he has everyone who has ever stood up to him. Consequently, I changed the ending. I now avoid using real people.
If you could only choose one, would you rather be a wealthy writer or a famous author? (ie, you can write and sell e-books and make over $400K/year, but your neighbour doesn’t even know you’re a writer or win lots of awards, but for some reason, it doesn’t translate into book sales)
I, for one, would never turn down money. I have no interest in fame. I am a real stay - at - home person. Rather than attending ceremonies, I much prefer driving across this fantastic country and soaking in the beauty. I can sit in a boat for hours on end without speaking. Catching a fish is just a bonus. It’s the peace and quiet I covet.
Not that I do not enjoy being with people. I look forward to getting together with friends and meeting new ones. I spend at least half the year attending markets to sell my books, and I love meeting my readers. Their enthusiasm for my stories is all the motivation I need to keep writing.
What is your goal as a writer?
My long-time goal is to find an agent to help me move into the bigger leagues. I would much rather do more writing and less time selling and marketing, not that I would give it up entirely. It would also get my books to more people through better distribution.
The other goal is to see one of my books made into a movie. For those of you who do not know, I have taken screenwriting courses for years now and have adapted several of my books into feature scripts and have placed in screenwriting contests, which is one of the major ways to gain recognition in the movie business. My TV pilot, Defending Innocence, which stems from my vigilante series recently placed as a quarterfinalist and we should know by the end of the month if it advances to the semis.
What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most? (ie, first draft, outlining, editing)
I love it all. Of course, the first draft is the freest and exciting as a writer. The re-writing can be daunting at first, but I know the end result will make the book better. For my last two novels, I worked with an editor who is a joy to work with. We have become friends and send jokes back and forth, even when we are in-between projects.
Who is your favourite Canadian author (live or dead, it doesn’t have to be mystery)?
That’s a tough one. I’ll be honest, until I joined the CWC, I never paid attention to where the author originated. I read anything that fell my way. After joining CWC, I saw an interview with Louise Penny. This was around the time she released STATE OF TERROR. I was impressed with her interview so gave the story a try and fell in love with her writing. I have read quite a few of her Inspector Gamache stories since.
I met Rick Mofina the same way, through a CWC interview. He was so laid back and easy going that jumped into his books with both feet. The first thing I read from Lynwood Barklay was Ford AbomiNation and I laughed out loud more times than I recall. I have been a real fan since including his first horror, WHISTLE.
Outside of the CWC, I love almost all of Scott Overton’s books. Scott is a Sudbury author and we have sold books together at different events for years now. Although his first novel is a mystery, his heart is in the SciFi genre. His books are action packed similar to Michael Crichton.
What is your favourite book?
That’s a hard one. I think it’s a toss-up between Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Identity and Robert R. McCammon. I have read both multiple times.
What is your favourite movie?
Another tie. Shawshank and Stand by Me. Both Stephen King adaptations.
Who was the best James Bond?
What kind of question is this? Everyone knows that there was only one true James Bond. Sean Connery.