SF Writer/Fan Interviews

1.Why do you write Sci-Fi

As a Sci-Fi writer, you can create an entire universe full of beings and technology. That gives you enormous freedom. If you write historical fiction, for example, you have to check your data.

In do force myself to provide logical/scientific explanations for the technology that is used in my stories. I feel that’s a necessity. If you don’t want to do that, don’t write SF, but go for Fantasy. Then you can explain everything with ‘magic’. That, fellow writers, is not the Sci-Fi way.

2. You have written a few short stories within the genre. Is there an underlying reason for the fact that they’re shorts, or is that simply your preference?

A few reasons. First of all, I like to come up with ideas and what if’s. Most of the time, such that only needs a small setting and a short narrative. My stories are no more than set-ups to a punch line, a (hopefully) original idea that can be told in one or two sentences.  If I would make my stories longer, I’d just be milking it.

For instance, the whole idea behind my short story “Smoking Kills” is:  What if, in some weird situation, smoking proves to be actually good for you? When could that be the case? That is a nice idea for a short story and it will provide a plot twist for the reader, but it isn’t enough of a premisse on which you can base an entire novel. 

Also: I’m from an obscure country where English is not the native tongue. Too many typos and grammar mistakes would creep into longer stories.

Lastly: I’m lazy and very easily distracted. If I don’t get an idea out of my system quick enough, nothing will come of it. I’m not one to write an entire novel, let alone a Sci-Fi trilogy. I’ve tried and failed. There are at least 5 unfinished novels on my hard drive.

3. Of your own Works, which is your favourite and why?

“When Universes Meet”, because it’s true to my own style, while being funnier than the rest of my stories.

4.  Who do you consider to be the best of your created characters

Well, since I write short stories, the narrative and the idea is more important than the characters. I use them as a means to present an idea. I don’t flesh them out that much. I’ve reused a character named Johnston a few times. He features in “The Eye” and “Smoking Kills”. He’s the ultimate tragic anti-hero.

5.  There are many Sci-Fi stories on Wattpad. Which is your favourite?

 For the moment “Exchange” by JohnHStyles

6.     Let’s move away from Wattpad. Who is your favourite Science Fiction author and why? Which of their Works would you say is your absolute favourite?

To me, Fredric Brown will always be the master of SF short stories. The unexpected endings he could come up with will never be equalled. He’s a major influence on my own writing. If you happen to like what I write, then check out Fredric Brown’s collected short stories. I promise you: he can blow your mind with half a page of text.

Also Frank Herbert. I’ve read the entire Dune-series, a long with all the new prequels, sequels and interquels.  Can’t get enough of the universe he created. Great prose, massive is scope,  with philosophical, political and psychological layers. Not your ordinary SF space opera.

I know I’ve already picked two, but I would like to sneak in yet a third: Philip Palmer.  He uses B-movie themes, but written in AA+ quality. He hits you in the face with over- the-top Sci-Fi.

7.  Excluding whomever you mentioned in answer to question asked above, who do you feel has influenced your writing most.

Well, I’m actually a song writer. I learned to write down ideas in concise form from my favourite songwriter,  Lou Reed. In a few words, he can show you things, put you in places. His style is not that obvious when you read my stories, but I did learn that less is more from him.

8. If you’re anyting like us then you enjoy Sci-Fi show. Tell us your top five.