Ask the Author: Robert Freese
Answered Questions (10)
Robert Freese
I don't know that I have any mysteries in my life that could be turned into a plot for a book. Unless you want to read about a guy who watches movies and writes stuff.
Robert Freese
My most recent book is the novelization for cult filmmaker Brett Kelly's latest film Galaxy Warriors. I've always been a fan of novelizations. I grew up reading them. When I was young I knew what my mom would not let me watch movie wise, but she had no problem with me reading the book based on the movie. I cherished the novelizations to films like The Fog, the Halloween series, The Car, Fade to Black, Scanners, The Boogens, there were so many of them. I always wanted to write one. I interviewed Kelly for Galaxy Warriors and was able to see a preview of the film when it was ready. It blew me away. It is his homage to all the great movies and TV shows that came out after Star Wars in 1977, stuff like Star Crash, Battle Beyond the Stars, Buck Rogers, Battlestar Gallactica, Flash Gordon. I really connected to all that. It reminded me that people of a certain age are all connected to the era they grew up in through what was popular at the time. I wasn't alone in my love of these movies. I approached him about writing a novelization and he liked the idea. He sent me the original script and I worked from that, including little pieces that ended up in the movie too. Kelly let me to run with the material and give all the characters back stories and flesh everything out, as well as graciously allowed me to fill it up with references to all those films and TV shows he was paying homage to, and sci-fi comics and music from the era too. It was one of the most fun projects I've had writing.
Robert Freese
I wake up looking forward to have my time at the keyboard. Before I go to bed, if I'm working on a big project, I know exactly what I'm going to work on in the morning. It's a juggling act. If I have three deadlines, I know how much time I'm going to spend on each project every morning until they are done and turned it. Just knowing that some people get a kick from what I'm writing is an inspiration to give them a little bit more.
Robert Freese
I am currently working on a secret novelization, a new novel, a collection of short stories that have never been collected before and future editions of It Came From Hollywood. Along with magazine stuff.
Robert Freese
Get into a writing routine as soon as possible. Whether you wake up three hours before you go to work to have quiet time to write or stay up late to write, figure out what works best for you. Make it a part of your daily routine, like exercise, sleep and food. And use the time wisely. Two hours every day equals fourteen hours a week. You can get a lot accomplished in fourteen hours. Discipline is key.
Robert Freese
I can get ideas out of my head by putting them down on paper for others to read. Once those ideas are out of my head, I don't have to think about them any more. Sometimes those ideas entertain someone who reads them, which is always thrilling.
Robert Freese
Good question! There was a time when I would have told you writer's block was never a problem. That changed in 2010 after my first wife passed away. I was devastated by the loss. She had been a huge part in my creative process and when she was gone, I lost my focus and drive. I continued to write for various film magazines and would occasionally write a short story, but for the most part I was unable to write fiction. I had to get focus in my life and it took a long time. I did not write any substantial fiction for nearly ten years. This is probably the most extreme case of writer's block, but sometimes life throws you a curve ball and you just don't know how to deal. The important thing was, I kept writing, something, all the time. I wrote what I could focus on. Short movie reviews worked magic. Then I worked up to bigger pieces. A regular bout of writer's block not brought on by such an extreme situation I conquer by moving on to a different project. Because I am currently writing for many different publications in addition to fiction, I can always bounce around from one project to another and stay productive. That usually gets the juices flowing for whatever project I'm temporarily stalled on.
Robert Freese
After months of self doubt and procrastinating, I finally asked the prettiest girl in school out on a date. She laughed at me.
Robert Freese
The world created in Joe Lansdale's The Drive-in parts 1 and 2. I'd watch movies, eat blood corn and try to survive!
Robert Freese
Although this question came in a while ago (two years!), it is worth noting that this summer I am reading a lot of film novelizations. So many are coming out for older films I love and giving them new life, I love them! I'm also reading the Creepy Archives, the Warren horror comic magazine as well as reprints of the EC Horror Comics from the 50's.
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