I had hoped to get this posted a couple days ago, but got busy doing other stuff and fell behind in updating it. I hope your 2013 ended on a high note and that 2014 is a great one for you. And now, on with the questions...
One of the perks of being a writer is getting to meet some of the most interesting people. Whether it is at conventions, store signings, through the Earth Station One podcast, writer’s groups, on social media, and sometimes just from people I run into on when I venture out of the cave I call my office, and they have questions. Sometimes they are about writing or what I’m working on. Other times they’re out of left field. I thought it would be interesting to share some of them along with a few answers. Regardless of where they come from, here’s a few of the latest.
Check out past installments of Sometimes I Get Asked Stuff... Part 1 here, Part 2 here, Part 3 here, Part 4 here, Part 5 here, Part 6 here, Part 7 here, Part 8 here, Part 9 here, Part 10 here, Part 11 here, Part 12 here, and Part 13 here.
That’s a tough one. Not to mention very subjective. I liked several things I wrote this year, although most won’t see print until 2014. Of the work I wrote this year that was published this year, I’d put my novel, Fight Card: Barefoot Bones for Fight Card Books up for that honor.
You cab learn more about Fight Card: Barefoot Bones here.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
Q: What is your antagonist's political leaning?
I should start by pointing out that of all the topics out there, the one I like discussing the least is politics. I don’t belong to any political party, which usually is enough to start an argument with some folks. My characters, on the other hand, sometimes do
Q: How did you finish the novel? I mean starting is easy, but ending is not.
You're absolutely right. Finishing is tough. I started to slow down around the halfway point. You just have to know where the story is going and work to get there. Aim for small goals, a chapter at a time, and with each goal reached you're that much closer to the end.
Best of luck with your writing.
Q: What’s your Favorite Steve Buscemi Movie?
There is something fun about Con Air. He owns that role. I also love him as Mr. Pink in Reservoir Dogs and in Armageddon.
Q: What’s your Favorite Cuba Gooding, Jr. Movie?
Not a movie, but I loved his two appearances on MacGyver. A Few Good Men and Jerry Maguire are good flicks too.
As few or as many as are necessary to tell the story. Since not all stories are the same, some may need more characters than others. I take it on a case by case basis.
Q: What does your antagonist fear?
In Deadly Games!, Darrin Morehouse fears losing. He’s a master manipulator and games player. Sometimes those games turn deadly, but no matter what game he’s playing,
Q: What are your New Year’s Resolutions?
I generally avoid things like resolutions, but my plan for 2014 is to write more, sell more work to publishers and readers, and hopefully have a better year than 2013. I want to keep having fun as a writer, do more screenplays, and see if I can do a little more with this acting thing too. That's been more fun than I originally thought it would be.
“Dismissed. That's a Starfleet expression for ‘Get out.’”
Q: What are your favorite Starfleet uniforms from any Star Trek series/movie?
I love the movie uniforms that debuted with Wrath of Khan. I also love the uniforms that debuted in First Contact and were also used after that on DS9. Those are my favorites.
Q: What do other people like best about your antagonist?
Q: How do you decide a novel’s name?
A novel’s title is very important. There’s no right or wrong way to come up with a title. Sometimes I go into the story with a title already in place. That’ happened with my novel, Earthstrike Agenda. I had the title first and then crafted a story around the title.
There are also times when the title is the last thing you come up with. My Deadly Games! novel was originally called Games! I was in talks with a publisher about the novel and it was
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| Lance Star |
This is one of those questions that is very difficult to answer because it changes from character to character. Some characters come to me fully formed, as if they were a real person. Others, I have to piece together as I go. People watching is a great way to learn how people talk, act, dress, and interact with one another. Go out to a mall or a theater and just watch people. That is a good starting point. Once I find a voice for my characters, I can hear them talk to me. Once I get to know the characters, they will tell me what they will or will not do. Once a character feels real to you as the writer, that character will feel real to the reader as well.
Q: At every stage in novel is the twist necessary? I mean, are too many twists necessary?
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| The twist... |
Not really. Some novels have twists. Some don’t. The best advise I can give you is to write the story you want to tell. Don’t go into the writing process trying to write to what you think will sell or what you think a publisher will want. That way lies madness. Write the story you want to tell. You can worry about selling it later.
Q: What do I do after finishing the novel? I mean, do the publishing house print it in one go?
These days there are many different options open to writers. There are all manner of publishers from the large New York publishers to medium sized publishers, small press, and even self publishing. It is up to you to decide which route is the best one for you as a writer and for your novel. Research potential publishers and agents. A good resource is the Preditors and Editors website, which you can find at http://pred-ed.com
Q: Can you read my story?
No. I’m sorry, but I can’t.
It’s nothing personal. Over the years, many writers have been sued because they read something and then, years later, wrote something similar. It isn’t that those writers stole the idea or anything like that, but sometimes things stick in the back of your mind. Years later, the writer may get a story idea and not even remember reading your story. To protect ourselves, most professional writers don't read stories for this reason, especially from people we don’t know personally.
Q: What was your favorite film of 2013?
Q: Which movies are you looking forward to this year?
Captain America: The Winter Soldier tops my list. The new Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit looks interesting. Plus, Guardians of The Galaxy.
This was probably my best writing year in terms of picking up work from publishers. Most of that work will hit shelves in 2014. I've met some wonderful new people at cons, on-line, through the Earth Station One podcast, and in my assorted travels. I also filmed my first speaking role in a movie (Fat Chance) and had a nice small featured extra part in an upcoming TV pilot and was an extra in a couple movies too. More on those in 2014. I also got to visit the Starship Farragut Studios, which have rebuilt the sets from the original Star Trek series (I also got to see a rough cut of the episode I wrote for Starship Farragut called “Conspiracy of Innocence” that will premiere on-line in 2014). That was a magical experience.
Q: How are YOU celebrating this New Year's Eve?
No plans. I generally just stay at home on New Year’s Eve, which is what I did this year. It was a very exciting time. I was watching an episode of Arrow on DVD as the clock struck midnight. I do lead a madcap lifestyle, don’t I?
Q: What is your personal theme song?
I've never really thought about it before, but two themes I like that would make for a cool personal theme song are the themes to Magnum p.i. and Matt Houston. I quite often find myself hearing one of those tunes in my head. I considered Airwolf for this, but I always equate the end of that theme with a plane being blown up. HA! HA! It's great to listen to when writing Lance Star: Sky Ranger.
I need to get better about avoiding the interruptions and distractions that plagued me often in 2013. Writing and typing faster would be nice too.
I also have several open projects that I really need to finish up this year. Lots of work ahead of me.
I write under deadlines. While it's true that can sometimes cause pressure, I absolutely love what I do. I feel very blessed to be as busy as I am. I do take on too many things at times, but that's my fault. I don't look on being a writer as a drag at all. I just have to get better about scheduling time off for myself.
I certainly hope my posts don’t convey that I am not happy as a writer. Far from it. I have worked for several years to reach this stage. I still have a long way to go to get to where I ultimately wish to be, but I wouldn’t trade this journey I’ve been on for anything.
First off, thank you for asking that. It is always a great thrill to see someone talking about my book or sharing my website. I do see that happen from time to time. Certainly, word of mouth is a great thing. If you like my work, this website, the Earth Station One podcast, or any of the other things I’m involved with, please tell your friends who might also find them of interest.
Also, please sign up for my mailing list. Drop me an email at bobby@bobbynash.com and I'll happily add you to the list.
Thanks.
Bobby
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