Ask the Author: T David Loy
Answered Questions (6)
T David Loy
Thanks for mentioning that! I've just added my second book today, and since my editor's keen critical eye is needed at full capacity, I'm extending the next book's publishing into later this month. The manuscript is complete, though.
T David Loy
It's mostly curiosity for fractal types I rarely use, or those new to me, and the drive to explore what I can do given the available settings for each type. I often hear of previously unknown types, and on seeing a glimpse of the possibilities, dig into them to see what I can get away with. Sometimes, a new way to tweak a fractal pops into my head, and wonder what it would look like if I did, say X rather than Y with it, when option Y is the status quo for that fractal type. Often, I try things out at random, and sometimes get something passable which I keep and improve on. I rarely start out with a full idea of what I'm looking for with a new piece, so it's a little like a lottery, but with better odds!
T David Loy
Right now, I'm working on an anthology of short fiction in different genres. Some of those include weird tale fiction, savage horror, and SF. Without giving away spoilers, some have already been written, and some I've yet to get beyond the conceptual stage.
T David Loy
I often work for 5 minute or 25 minute timed blocks, just writing on anything, whatever comes to mind, and take what's best out of the mess of random ideas to develop further. It certainly helps to remove the worst sources of distraction while writing. When nothing worth expanding upon is forthcoming, I just quit, give myself a long break and take on other tasks while my subconscious mind does the work of generating ideas. It doesn't hurt to keep a notepad and pen handy, or my tablet, to put things down when ideas start to flow again.
T David Loy
I read, as often as possible. I watch animation, live-action movies as well. And I give myself lots of quiet time listening to music. It doesn't hurt to take walks of up to 20 minutes to an hour or more, and pay note to what happens with my thoughts as I go.
T David Loy
I think that it all goes back to the first Star Wars movie, before any of the sequels and prequels, that I saw when it first came out at the theatres in 1977. The character of the Mirus was inspired in part from characters in the Americanized anime series Star Blazers, and in part from the Doctor Who reboot beginning in 2005. The alien Suthidruu were inspired by the Cthulhu mythos of the original Lovecraft circle, as was the character of the King of Shards. Dasaelos Gurao was a hat-tip to my favorite Japanese kaiju movies. I'd been developing the idea for Dirge from a currently suspended role-playing game sourcebook on my Gods of Terra universe. After toying with a few ideas and some false starts, I began work on it to bring it up to date, hitting on the idea of a short story in six chapters, finally getting it to its current form.
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