Ask the Author: A. Umaz
Answered Questions (6)
A. Umaz
Amagon: The Book of Man is the result of the constant tension I feel between a religious heritage and my scientific enlightenment. Whereas current arguments suggests the two are antithetical, I argue for a true synthesis. I would argue that whereas science is the tool man uses to subdue and master the external world, religion is the tool man uses to subdue and master the internal world. I believe our present and future success must be based in our ability to use both.
A. Umaz
I believe that what passes for "inspiration" is the result of the digestion of all my experiences, whether first hand or transmitted to me by all who have come before me. I don't pretend to say anything "new", but hopefully I am able to connect these varied experiences in new and more meaningful ways.
A. Umaz
Though I prefer to work along story lines that represent real possibilities, my next work addresses the idea of individuality in the face of the infinite, and employs a rather fanciful character named Ptatkurapki. Though not a scientific or evolutionary impossibility, Ptatkurapki's improbable existence asks the reader to grant some literary license. The work itself is a musing over the relevance of the individual in the vastness of the cosmos. Ptatkurapki (translated: one of many) engages with a human protagonist, and finds it hard to understand the human sense of "me."
A. Umaz
Write for yourself. Having said that, it is obvious that most "writing" is a directed effort, designed for a particular audience, and in anticipation of some sort of reward. And in truth, that is the best "recipe" for success. But to truly find one's voice - to become truly extant on a written page - write what you feel, what you think, what you believe. If the persona you create on the page takes on a life of its own, a personality whose company you enjoy, then you can conspire to appeal to the marketplace.
A. Umaz
Writing gives one the opportunity to compose and review ideas, and then to transmit them directly into the mind of the reader without any of the distracting interactions or prejudices that afflict other forms of human communication.
A. Umaz
I don't think in terms of "writer's block." I consider such instances to merely be interludes in the conscious creative process - while the unconscious mind remains highly engaged. What we consider to be instances of "inspiration" are merely the unconscious mind reporting its progress to the conscious mind.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more