Launch for Darrell Bain's Latest Literary Luxury!
Unless you've been hanging out on the moon, you've heard of Darrell Bain. I was lucky enough to be published with him at Double Dragon Ebooks. He, of course, exploded well beyond DDP and on to brilliant things. You've heard of him, especially if you're into tight plots, fun humor and a rolling good time. The multi-award winning author is back with another jewel of a story. This one's title, Savage Survival available from Twilight Times Books.
Here's a brief blurb about the story: An eleven year old girl grows up as a captive of aliens in the most brutal and horrible conditions possible, with no parents or guardian to help. Only her innate bravery, her quick mind and her unwavering belief in the goodness of most humans, sustains her until she reaches maturity and discovers the purpose of all the suffering.
I was even so lucky as to be able to interview this maverick and writing magican. Read on for insight and revelations from a successful sf writer.
1. You were the 2005 Fictionwise Author of the Year. Do you believe electronic books will eventually be the standard mode of reading? Why or why not?
DB:In the far future, yes. Not in the near future, though. The E-book reading public is growing faster than print readers at present though, just not fast enough to suit me.
2. What research or personal experience did you draw upon to write THE SEX GATES?
DB:The original novel, which I wrote without a collaborator, was simply an attempt to show what it might be like from the other side of the fence, so to speak. I had some help from my wife but most of it was done singly. It did require a LOT of thinking, for sure! Most people wonder occasionally what it would be like to be the opposite sex, but very few really try to consider all the implications. I did, as much as possible. Sex change wasn't an original idea, of course, but I think I was the first to come up with instantaneous sex change on a mass scale. The idea formed from somewhere in my subconscious, like any other idea for a story. I tried it first in third person but that didn't work well and I abandoned that manuscript after about 20,000 words and started over in first person and finished the novel in a month. By the way, the original novel is now available in print, updated and re-edited under the title "The Original Sex Gates". It has more characters and a much different outcome than the collaboration.
3. Where do your ideas come from?
DB:I think any writer's ideas come from the sum of their experience, then anything at all might spark an idea for a story from them. A good habit to get into is to write your ideas down when they occur to you or some of them will escape!
4. What in your opinion is the biggest problem with science fiction titles currently on the market?
DB: I personally like the kind of novel that leans more on action and characters than on detail. Too many science fiction novels spend way too much time going into descriptions that many readers are going to skip over. Fans have told me this, too, by the way.
5. You've written scores of novels. Who is your favorite character and why?
DB:Lyda, in Savage Survival, is my favorite. I've always liked coming of age novels but this is the only one which used a young female character. Lyda has so much courage and integrity that anyone has to love her, especially given the horrible environments she has to grow up in. She never loses hope.
6. If you were a color, which would it be and why?
DB: Red, for action and adventure.
7. For my readers who are aspiring writers, what is the best writing advice
you've ever received?
DB: Robert A. Heinlein said it best. Finish what you write! I could add that to become a good writer you need to write and write and write and….
DB:In the far future, yes. Not in the near future, though. The E-book reading public is growing faster than print readers at present though, just not fast enough to suit me.
2. What research or personal experience did you draw upon to write THE SEX GATES?
DB:The original novel, which I wrote without a collaborator, was simply an attempt to show what it might be like from the other side of the fence, so to speak. I had some help from my wife but most of it was done singly. It did require a LOT of thinking, for sure! Most people wonder occasionally what it would be like to be the opposite sex, but very few really try to consider all the implications. I did, as much as possible. Sex change wasn't an original idea, of course, but I think I was the first to come up with instantaneous sex change on a mass scale. The idea formed from somewhere in my subconscious, like any other idea for a story. I tried it first in third person but that didn't work well and I abandoned that manuscript after about 20,000 words and started over in first person and finished the novel in a month. By the way, the original novel is now available in print, updated and re-edited under the title "The Original Sex Gates". It has more characters and a much different outcome than the collaboration.
3. Where do your ideas come from?
DB:I think any writer's ideas come from the sum of their experience, then anything at all might spark an idea for a story from them. A good habit to get into is to write your ideas down when they occur to you or some of them will escape!
4. What in your opinion is the biggest problem with science fiction titles currently on the market?
DB: I personally like the kind of novel that leans more on action and characters than on detail. Too many science fiction novels spend way too much time going into descriptions that many readers are going to skip over. Fans have told me this, too, by the way.
5. You've written scores of novels. Who is your favorite character and why?
DB:Lyda, in Savage Survival, is my favorite. I've always liked coming of age novels but this is the only one which used a young female character. Lyda has so much courage and integrity that anyone has to love her, especially given the horrible environments she has to grow up in. She never loses hope.
6. If you were a color, which would it be and why?
DB: Red, for action and adventure.
7. For my readers who are aspiring writers, what is the best writing advice
you've ever received?
DB: Robert A. Heinlein said it best. Finish what you write! I could add that to become a good writer you need to write and write and write and….
I couldn't agree more. Get out there and snag this wonderful book!
