Herb asks: I know you’re a big fan of cycling for revision, but what about retyping. Lawrence Block in his book on writing novels, which is from the 70s, spends some time discussing how retyping to make a clean copy for submission is a great way to add polish. In …
Tim asks:Have you ever developed ancillary materials for one of your stories? The Man in the Rain
Nichole asks: What are your Editorial pet peeves? Resources Mentioned: All You Zombies and The Door in to Summer, by HeinleinBack to the Future trilogyThe Time Machine by HG WellsDonnie BrascoStar Trek IVThe Big Sleep Crudrat Open Vistas Anthologies My Luck, by Mel Todd
Tim asks:What kind of pressures work best for you creatively? Deadlines? Self-imposed or other consequences? No pressure at all?
Nichole asks: What are your favorite 80’s TV shows and why? Any that work especially well from an adult’s and writer’s perspective? Quantum LeapThe Greatest American HeroMagnum PIWiseguyDallasThe A TeamBattlestar Galactica (original)Buck RogersThe Real GhostbustersBabylon 5Murder She WroteDuck Tales (original)RevengeScarecrow and Mrs. KingMoonlighting
Tim asks:I remember you telling Dave Robison on the Roundtable, when discussing one of his story ideas, that he should ‘try to stay interested, rather than obsessed’ and I’m curious if you could elaborate on the difference between the two states of mind. Resources MentionedRoundtable Podcast: First Anniversary Episode
Caine asks:What would the world be like if AI could make and remix film/tv/novels to your tastes and preferences, on demand.
Caine asks: I’d be very interested in hearing your thoughts regarding the theory about “ancient aliens” directing and interacting with early humans. Resources:Chariots of the Gods by Erich von DanikenAt the Mountains of Madness by HP LovecraftBattlestar Galactica (original series)Stargate film and seriesThe Book of MormonExodus story of the Rod …
Tim asks: I’ve looked back to the first novel I ever wrote – when I was 14 – over the last week. I was surprised to find it had a stronger theme than most of my books. What kind of value do you place on the theme, whether discovered or …
Indiana Jim asks:In Secrets of the Heinlein Juvenile, chapter 18, you write about the protagonists making adult moral choices. Can you go a little deeper into specifically how modern YA fiction manifest the “native idealism, flippant _fait accompl_i, and/or deep self-seriousness,” and how to avoid it? Resources MentionedThe Secrets of …
