Interview by Edward Frank
My questions are for Angus H. Day. His responses when completed can be found
on his blog here:
http://grindingforward.blogspot.com/
1) I see you have three books available through Amazon Kindle listed on your
Author's Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Angus-Day/e/B009AM45MS/ All are
science fiction. Do you consider yourself primarily a science fiction writer?
Yes I do.
I particularly am attracted to writing plots which involve how
technology dependence can sometimes cripple our basic sense. I avoided the use of the word common because
that would imply that it is in abundance which I just don't see. Science Fiction, as a genre, has motivated
some of the most outstanding developments of the last century. Some one has to keep that pipeline fed and it
might as well be me.
2) How did you get started as a writer?
I got started writing novels as a form of therapy
and as kind of a middle years checklist.
I wasn't getting younger and as I kept reading more books I would
reflect that I could do that or my plot would have been. Every body needs a creative outlet of some
form and this seems to be mine. In short
I ran out of excuses not to write.
3) Are there particular authors or books that have influenced your writing
style, approach to writing fiction, or subject material?
There are a lot of authors that deserve mention
in this answer but I will keep to the most contributing to my delinquency. Joe Haldeman, Phillip K. Dick, Ray Bradbury,
Peter Hamilton, Isaac Asimov, Robert Heinlein, Harry Harrison, Douglas Adams,
Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlem, Frank Herbert, Ben Bova, Arthur Clarke and many
others.
For plot development I would have to say that I
have learned the most from Star Trek tie in writers such as Dayton Ward, Kevin
Dillmore, David Mack and Keith DeCandido.
A lot of my subject material comes from science
as I am a scientist and this is science fiction. Who knew?
I am a manufacturing synthetic biochemist.
4) What do you see as the role of sex in science fiction stories as opposed say
to romance novels?
The role of sex in science fiction is to ground
the character and make them more real.
The idea that someone can just run around shooting ray guns, planting
cyber or real viruses, fight off hoards of blood thirsty aliens without taking
a break every once in a while to get laid according to their preference would
definitely convince me that I don't even want to visit that world.
In romance the whole point of that genre is to
generate emotion in the reader and make them feel empathy for the main
characters. That is also the best use of
sex in science fiction, it's just better for the genre if you remember to add
some science.
5) How would you describe your writing process?
I start with an overall idea for what I want the
story to be about. I'll spend a couple
of hours developing a mind map with all of the satellite ideas I would like to
work into the story. Then I begin
writing with occasional glances at the map, maybe once every two weeks. The story unfurls in my minds eye and I try
to keep up with it.
6) What aspects of a science fiction story do you feel is critical to have in
the story to hold the reader's interest? Or conversely what would ruin a story
for you if it was present?
Subtle hints leading up to a larger plot work for
me. I like to tie in multiple plot
lines. What sometimes ruins it for me is
the plot device known as the "Data Solution". The situation is dire, we've run out of
ideas, all is lost--In steps Cmdr. Data or Wesley Crusher with a solution so
simple that all others involved should just be fired.
7) How has being a writer changed your life (especially now that you are rich and
famous because of this blog interview series)?
Writing has given me something creative to look
forward to doing. I enjoy it and it
gives me a sense of accomplishment to tell a story.
8) I am sure that as a science
fiction author, you are at least casually familiar with Star Trek. What one
guest character among all of the others stand out in your mind, and why? (If
not Star Trek, a character use an example from some other popular series.)
I don't have the character's name handy but there
was a Romulan Admiral who had defected and was fed false secrets to mislead the
Federation in an episode of TNG. I'm
pretty sure he committed suicide because he had been made into such a
fool. For some reason that one sticks
with me.
9) What is the most difficult hurdle or problem you have faced when trying to
complete a book, and how do you overcome it?
My most difficult writing hurdle is balance. As a self-published author you have to commit
more time and effort to self-promotion.
This I am very inefficient at and it eats up a lot of the time I would
prefer to use for writing.
10) What one question were you hoping I would of you ask during this interview
and did not, and what would have been your answer?
"Why self-publish?"
I have waited very late to begin my writing
career and I don't wish to wait to swim to the top of somebody's slush
pile. Self-publishing can be done well
without bankrupting the author and the author retains control.
Bonus question for thirty points: I am handing you this metaphorical green rock
and asking you "What color is this green rocK?" (Don't spend all of
your points in one place.)
This green rock is not a rock at all but a baking
potato that stayed in a moist environment for way too long. Where are your glasses?
