Ask the Author: Lawrence M. Schoen
Answered Questions (10)
Lawrence M. Schoen
That was part of the intended charm. Bedfellows was to bring the three characters together. The genie is an alien criminal on the run, the tiny alien was an intergalactic copy in pursuit of the criminal, and so on.
This was another example of my coming up with some fun characters, but not having a fully realized plot for them to run off and do.
This was another example of my coming up with some fun characters, but not having a fully realized plot for them to run off and do.
Lawrence M. Schoen
Andrew, ah yes, BONELESS FISH. That was fun. I learned a lot writing that piece. You can clearly see that I'm wandering around in those pages, trying to figure out what story I want to tell. That's another reason I released the book of unfinished openings: it shows me where I've been and how far I've come (and how much further still I have to go) as a writer.
Maybe one day I'll be able to tell you where that story is going and I'll write the next part. :)
Maybe one day I'll be able to tell you where that story is going and I'll write the next part. :)
Lawrence M. Schoen
Years ago I actually started a sequel entitled "Bottling the Walrus" and wrote large sections of it, but I never figured out how to end it, so the story has languished.
The opening 2500 words of it were released in my collection OPENINGS WITHOUT CLOSURE, a book of the beginnings of stories.
Will I ever go back and finish it? I don't know. Will Walrus Gideon show up in some other series set in the Conroyverse? That's likely, if I can ever catch up with the multiple books I'm working on now.
The opening 2500 words of it were released in my collection OPENINGS WITHOUT CLOSURE, a book of the beginnings of stories.
Will I ever go back and finish it? I don't know. Will Walrus Gideon show up in some other series set in the Conroyverse? That's likely, if I can ever catch up with the multiple books I'm working on now.
Lawrence M. Schoen
I'm neuroatypical. To a very large extent, everyone effectively looks alike to me unless I've met and engaged with them multiple times. The thing is, I didn't know this about myself until well into adulthood.
An example: my parents sent me to religious school when I was a pre-teen. From my perspective, it seemed like there was a new teacher and a completely new class of kids every week. It didn't make sense to me, but hey, if that's how they wanted to run their school, who was I to make a fuss? As a result, it never occurred to me to mention this to anyone (hint: I'm guessing my analysis was wrong and in fact it was the same teacher and class every time).
In hindsight this explains a LOT about my adolescence and the nature of relationships I formed (and didn't) with peers. But again, I just assumed that's how everyone went through life.
I learned about my difference from other folks after I'd decided to study cognitive psychology and become an expert in the areas of language and memory (oh, the irony!) and during my professor years I would explain to my students that they shouldn't be offended or upset if I didn't recognize them.
I've since learned to fake a lot of this with various strategies, but it's clear to me now that I'm not inhabiting the same world as most other people.
An example: my parents sent me to religious school when I was a pre-teen. From my perspective, it seemed like there was a new teacher and a completely new class of kids every week. It didn't make sense to me, but hey, if that's how they wanted to run their school, who was I to make a fuss? As a result, it never occurred to me to mention this to anyone (hint: I'm guessing my analysis was wrong and in fact it was the same teacher and class every time).
In hindsight this explains a LOT about my adolescence and the nature of relationships I formed (and didn't) with peers. But again, I just assumed that's how everyone went through life.
I learned about my difference from other folks after I'd decided to study cognitive psychology and become an expert in the areas of language and memory (oh, the irony!) and during my professor years I would explain to my students that they shouldn't be offended or upset if I didn't recognize them.
I've since learned to fake a lot of this with various strategies, but it's clear to me now that I'm not inhabiting the same world as most other people.
Lawrence M. Schoen
Hi, Abby, thanks for the question.
The answer depends somewhat on the book. The BARSK books are intended for adults, but that's mainly because they deal with some weighty philosophical ideas (discrimination, death, free will). My AMAZING CONROY series, or more recently the ADRENALINE RUSH series (co-authored with Brian Thorne) have a lighter tone and are less "thinky".
I don't believe any of my books have any overt or explicit sex scenes (I'm more of a "fade to black" writer). I think everything is appropriate for an intelligent adolescent and on up.
The one exception is my collection of poems, CREATURE ACADEMY which is very much aimed at younger readers.
The answer depends somewhat on the book. The BARSK books are intended for adults, but that's mainly because they deal with some weighty philosophical ideas (discrimination, death, free will). My AMAZING CONROY series, or more recently the ADRENALINE RUSH series (co-authored with Brian Thorne) have a lighter tone and are less "thinky".
I don't believe any of my books have any overt or explicit sex scenes (I'm more of a "fade to black" writer). I think everything is appropriate for an intelligent adolescent and on up.
The one exception is my collection of poems, CREATURE ACADEMY which is very much aimed at younger readers.
Lawrence M. Schoen
It's in the works. Right now I'm splitting my time between what will be (I hope) a traditionally published new series (that's the one about lost cities) and several new projects that I'll be releasing via the Indie press.
Current working title is The Lost City of Altinum, but who knows what it will be called when it comes out. I have the first book all mapped out and now I'm filling in the pieces. I was supposed to have a finished draft by the end of 2018, but that didn't happen. Maybe in another month? Then, once I have a draft, I'll tear into it from beginning to end, reworking the bits, fleshing out sensory details in the various chapters, making sure that continuity works as I'm juggling three main characters and another half dozen supporting characters.
This series is going to be another set of books with multiple POVs (though I'm trying to limit it to no more than one per chapter). It will span at least four continents, and about six thousand years of human history. It will not be as literary/philosophical as my BARSK books, but won't be as light as my AMAZING CONROY books or the new, Indie projects I'm doing.
One teaser for you: one of of the supporting characters is Gilgamesh (and he's still alive in our time).
Current working title is The Lost City of Altinum, but who knows what it will be called when it comes out. I have the first book all mapped out and now I'm filling in the pieces. I was supposed to have a finished draft by the end of 2018, but that didn't happen. Maybe in another month? Then, once I have a draft, I'll tear into it from beginning to end, reworking the bits, fleshing out sensory details in the various chapters, making sure that continuity works as I'm juggling three main characters and another half dozen supporting characters.
This series is going to be another set of books with multiple POVs (though I'm trying to limit it to no more than one per chapter). It will span at least four continents, and about six thousand years of human history. It will not be as literary/philosophical as my BARSK books, but won't be as light as my AMAZING CONROY books or the new, Indie projects I'm doing.
One teaser for you: one of of the supporting characters is Gilgamesh (and he's still alive in our time).
Lawrence M. Schoen
Hey, Alex,
I always intended this portion of the series to be a trilogy, and I have a third book outlined. Unfortunately, my publisher has expressed no interest in paying me to write that book.
The current plan is that in the second half of 2019 I will run a Kickstarter to fund the next book in the series, with an eye toward publishing it in early 2020.
I always intended this portion of the series to be a trilogy, and I have a third book outlined. Unfortunately, my publisher has expressed no interest in paying me to write that book.
The current plan is that in the second half of 2019 I will run a Kickstarter to fund the next book in the series, with an eye toward publishing it in early 2020.
Lawrence M. Schoen
Hi, Efrona,
First, my apologies for taking six months to reply. I had no idea you'd sent me a question.
I'd recommend you start with BARSK: THE ELEPHANTS' GRAVEYARD. It's my latest book, and while I'm working on a sequel right now, the novel is intended to stand alone. I hope you enjoy it.
First, my apologies for taking six months to reply. I had no idea you'd sent me a question.
I'd recommend you start with BARSK: THE ELEPHANTS' GRAVEYARD. It's my latest book, and while I'm working on a sequel right now, the novel is intended to stand alone. I hope you enjoy it.
Lawrence M. Schoen
Hi, Tina,
First, my apologies for taking so long to respond. On the one hand, if Goodreads sent me a note indicating you'd posted a question for me, I never saw it. Then too, I have been doing an insane amount of travel (because of BARSK) for the last three months. April is my "catch-up" month, and lo, I've found your question.
I'm pleased you really liked BARSK. Me too! :)
As for who I think should play Pizlo, I'm still working on that (and the rest of the cast too). Almost a year ago, I was approached by the folks at the IF LIST who wanted to set up a "Cast Barsk" page. Sounded like a fun idea to me and I gave them the go-ahead. I even started a discussion thread for the thing here on Goodreads but it's not taken off. Maybe you'd like to share your ideas? Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
First, my apologies for taking so long to respond. On the one hand, if Goodreads sent me a note indicating you'd posted a question for me, I never saw it. Then too, I have been doing an insane amount of travel (because of BARSK) for the last three months. April is my "catch-up" month, and lo, I've found your question.
I'm pleased you really liked BARSK. Me too! :)
As for who I think should play Pizlo, I'm still working on that (and the rest of the cast too). Almost a year ago, I was approached by the folks at the IF LIST who wanted to set up a "Cast Barsk" page. Sounded like a fun idea to me and I gave them the go-ahead. I even started a discussion thread for the thing here on Goodreads but it's not taken off. Maybe you'd like to share your ideas? Here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Lawrence M. Schoen
Hi, Lee.
I'm going to have to pass on reviewing your novel. My "To Be Read" list is already more than 100 books deep, with more getting added to it every month, and as you can see from my profile page I barely manage to find the time to get through 50 books per year.
If you want something light and fun, I'd recommend you start with the short story collection BUFFALITO BUFFET from my Amazing Conroy series. If you want something a bit heavier and more serious, my latest novel, BARSK: THE ELEPHANTS' GRAVEYARD would be a good choice.
I don't know John McWhorter personally (I've been out of academia for more than a decade) but I have read some of his work. Good stuff!
I'm going to have to pass on reviewing your novel. My "To Be Read" list is already more than 100 books deep, with more getting added to it every month, and as you can see from my profile page I barely manage to find the time to get through 50 books per year.
If you want something light and fun, I'd recommend you start with the short story collection BUFFALITO BUFFET from my Amazing Conroy series. If you want something a bit heavier and more serious, my latest novel, BARSK: THE ELEPHANTS' GRAVEYARD would be a good choice.
I don't know John McWhorter personally (I've been out of academia for more than a decade) but I have read some of his work. Good stuff!
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