Born and raised in South London, Diesel Elkins spent a lot of time reading and watching science fiction, and listening to Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds whilst marvelling at the double-album’s beautifully illustrated book.
Joining the Air Cadets as a teen, he spent his formative years, ironing, model-making, drawing, keeping fit, and sofa-surfing. Cadets helped to develop a taste for flying and adventure, as well as a penchant for writing convoluted military exercise scenarios.
Ditching the opportunity to study A-level computing and pursue pilot training, he struck out into the big wide world with a toothbrush, imagination, and a determination to become an elite soldier.
Some time later, an unfortunate incident led to a posting to a medical bed in Aldershot’s Cambridge Military Hospital. After much head scratching and body part removal, Doctors decided that the best course of medicine was an honourable medical discharge.
Diesel contracted to undertake engineering research and development for the Ford Motor Company, and telecoms and I.T systems design for the M.O.D.
Utilising a varied background, he set-up a company handling legal and personal matters. His experience led to consulting on lone worker protection for organisations such as the N.H.S, and training police officers and private companies to track and recover missing goods and assets.
Plagued by health problems and forced to work more from home, Diesel turned his hand to copywriting. Working from home also allowed him to draw on his experience of being a Soldier, Close Protection Officer, Engineer, Private Investigator, and Instructor to underpin a pursuit of his old love of story creation.
Age 13, he wrote a story that began with an surgeon finding a nano-chip deep inside a patients brain. Inspired by the Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt, it was an immature examination of free-will and the question of purpose. Unfortunately, the original writing became misplaced in the mists of time, but he hopes to resurrect the flavour of that original intention.
Diesel lives with his long suffering wife and inspirational young children. Inextricably linked with Justin Hayward’s Forever Autumn, Diesel will eternally lament the loss of his departed, but forever beloved, black Labrador.
Diesel Elkins is currently writing one scifi fantasy saga called MESH.