The Truth Behind “The Bystander” — Media, AI, and Real-World Influence (John David)

Send us Fan MailEPISODE 27 — John David on Writing Thrillers, Media Narratives, and AIIn this episode of Across The Table, James Finochio sits down with author John David to talk about his transition from public relations into novel writing, and the real-world inspiration behind his thriller The Bystander.John shares how a combination of personal experiences, conversations around gun rights, and a real-life incident helped shape the foundation of his story.The conversation goes beyond writing and into bigger topics — including media narratives, the role of AI in modern work, and how storytelling is influenced by real events, bias, and perspective.They talk about:🏛 transitioning from a career in PR to writing fiction📖 the inspiration and themes behind The Bystander✍️ how novels are structured, written, and edited🎭 building realistic characters with flaws and depth📰 media influence and how narratives are shaped🤖 the benefits and risks of using AI in writing and research📚 the challenges of publishing and promoting a book today🎯 why real-life experiences often shape the best storiesJohn also shares insights into the publishing world, the importance of having a strong editor, and what it actually takes to go from an idea to a finished novel.If you're interested in writing, media, storytelling, or how real-world events influence fiction, this is a conversation worth listening to.👤 Guest Info — John David🌐 Explore John’s work, books, and updates⁠https://byjohndavid.substack.com/⁠📺 Watch more episodes⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AcrossTheTablePC⁠📲 Follow Across The Table📸 Instagram⁠https://www.instagram.com/acrossthetable.pc/⁠🎵 TikTok⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@across.the.table⁠📘 Facebook⁠https://www.facebook.com/across.the.table.podcast.2025⁠💬 Support the showIf you enjoyed this conversation, consider following the podcast, sharing it, or sending it to someone who’s interested in writing, media, or storytelling.Support the show