Ask the Author: Aran Jane
Answered Questions (7)
Aran Jane
For pure reading enjoyment, I'd have to say the two Texas Rangers in Larry McMurtry's "Lonesome Dove": Captain Augustus "Gus" McCrae, and Captain F. Woodrow Call. They embody the gulf between the serious and the comic in life, where we all seem to live. Their's is a story of loyalty and devotion, of fierce courage under fire, unwavering sense of justice and fair play, of intrepid nature and self-sacrifice, of human pride and human foibles. Their authenticity and greatness of spirit is what I love most. I laughed out loud and I shed tears reading that book. Magnificent! I missed those two guys as soon as I finished the book and I miss them still.
Aran Jane
Living the life of the imagination is extremely rewarding, whether you’re a creative artist, or an entrepreneur. I’ve been both and can aver that the challenges, the ups and downs, and the potential risks and rewards, are very similar. “Entrepreneur” comes down from the French “entreprendre”—to undertake. When you put everything aside, and undertake to focus all your abilities on giving life to something that did not exist before you—and could not exist without you—free from all the distractions of your superiors or colleagues or whomever; when you’re willing to truly stand alone in the silence of your thoughts and to either sink or swim, living by your own wits; well, there’s nothing quite like it. It’s not for everybody, I admit, but for those who find they have to write, who feel compelled to write, I can’t imagine a more enviable way of life—dancing with the muse.
Aran Jane
MONDRAGON came about as a result of my interest in what it means to be human, and the intersection of the imagination, science, and philosophy, especially where it pushes the boundaries of ethics and morals. The notion, currently en vogue, that A.I. could lead to a “Black Swan” event for humanity, suggests all sorts of interesting arguments to the contrary. So I thought I’d explore that in the context of an epic story built around a protagonist who, as one reviewer recently put it, is “deeply dedicated to his loved ones … guided not just by a sense of honor or justice, but also by lust, friendship, loneliness, and compassion.”
Aran Jane
Life inspires me to write; I’m a big fan. Things that I read, people I meet, situations that develop. I get goosebumps … a lot, and when I do, I know what that means—Hurry up, man! Write it down!
Aran Jane
I’m writing a follow-up to my SciFi/Biopunk Action Adventure novel, MONDRAGON.
Aran Jane
Read everything you can get your hands on. Open your mind and try to keep it open. A biochemistry professor I met over a few glasses of wine recently asked me how we, as living organisms (given our five senses), interact with our environment? We have five inputs, he said, what are our “outputs?” The answer is: “muscular” and “glandular”. Hmm, there’s something to that, I remember thinking. With that in mind, try to develop the habit of close observation: learn to really think while you’re listening—both to what is said, and to what is not said. Get some schooling, if you can. If that’s not practical, then do everything you can to educate yourself on the craft. Read, study, look, listen, learn. Press on through whatever adversity you face, and try to stay open to constructive criticism from thoughtful readers. Finally, recalling the words of my professor friend, if you want it to be real, make sure your writing is both “muscular” and “glandular”.
Aran Jane
I’m reminded of the oft-quoted line attributed to Gertrude Stein, who famously said of struggling writers in the Lost Generation: “They had the syrup but it wouldn’t pour”. I think that serves as a pretty fair description both of writer’s block and its remedy.
The question is: How does one get the “syrup” in the first place?
Short answer: Have something to say.
Shorter answer: Think critically.
Here’s an example from my own writing experience: When I began thinking about MONDRAGON, I became aware of the growing concern out there, provoked by a few leading scientists, about the perils of unchecked artificial intelligence. I asked myself: If gloom and doom is the consensus scenario, then “What if” the opposite were true? “What if” unchecked artificial intelligence were to lead to a more … optimistic outcome? "What if" the doomsday scenario had more to do with something native to human cognition? "What if" it had nothing to due with machine cognition, whether artificial or otherwise? "What if" something mysterious and profound were buried deep within our genes?
With that, I had something I could work with—i.e., a topic. So I picked up my pencil and started scribbling, making statements, expressing my own opinions on the matter.
But, as we all know, novels aren’t op-ed pieces. So as my statements and opinions began to accumulate and clarify, I assigned them to various characters, careful to “cast against type” to keep my story original and fresh. Once you have your topic and a few characters to take it forward; once you’re armed with even a basic knowledge of Aristotle’s Poetics, you’re on your way. My experience is writer’s block quickly dissolves in the ensuing flood of ideas and conflicts that fight for inclusion in a story that, if you've done your homework, by then almost writes itself.
The question is: How does one get the “syrup” in the first place?
Short answer: Have something to say.
Shorter answer: Think critically.
Here’s an example from my own writing experience: When I began thinking about MONDRAGON, I became aware of the growing concern out there, provoked by a few leading scientists, about the perils of unchecked artificial intelligence. I asked myself: If gloom and doom is the consensus scenario, then “What if” the opposite were true? “What if” unchecked artificial intelligence were to lead to a more … optimistic outcome? "What if" the doomsday scenario had more to do with something native to human cognition? "What if" it had nothing to due with machine cognition, whether artificial or otherwise? "What if" something mysterious and profound were buried deep within our genes?
With that, I had something I could work with—i.e., a topic. So I picked up my pencil and started scribbling, making statements, expressing my own opinions on the matter.
But, as we all know, novels aren’t op-ed pieces. So as my statements and opinions began to accumulate and clarify, I assigned them to various characters, careful to “cast against type” to keep my story original and fresh. Once you have your topic and a few characters to take it forward; once you’re armed with even a basic knowledge of Aristotle’s Poetics, you’re on your way. My experience is writer’s block quickly dissolves in the ensuing flood of ideas and conflicts that fight for inclusion in a story that, if you've done your homework, by then almost writes itself.
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