Ask the Author: Terry Montlick
Answered Questions (8)
Terry Montlick
Tralfamadore, where I'd probably play a lot of German Batball.
Terry Montlick
Don't Panic.
Don't force your plot or characters. Be prepared to make changes in your story if you need to.
Don't force your plot or characters. Be prepared to make changes in your story if you need to.
Terry Montlick
I accept it as being perfectly normal and I stop beating myself up over it. I put away my writing and do something else. I'll probably get an idea with a good night's sleep.
Terry Montlick
I was watching a video lecture by a professor at MIT, my old alma mater. She was quirky, engaging, and unpredictable. She was the inspiration for my Alice character.
But I needed a foil for Alice. This became my grad student narrator, whose name had to be Bob. Alice and Bob are stick figures universally scrawled on a physics diagram to represent participants in a thought experiment. The labels A and B were originally used, but actual names are so much friendlier! Charlie pops up when you need a third participant. Charlie's in my book as well.
So my science fiction novel is actually one big physics thought experiment.
But I needed a foil for Alice. This became my grad student narrator, whose name had to be Bob. Alice and Bob are stick figures universally scrawled on a physics diagram to represent participants in a thought experiment. The labels A and B were originally used, but actual names are so much friendlier! Charlie pops up when you need a third participant. Charlie's in my book as well.
So my science fiction novel is actually one big physics thought experiment.
Terry Montlick
I think up characters that I find really interesting, and I get to know them well. I put them together in challenging situations that, when connected up, sketch out some sort of satisfying story arc. Then, it's just a matter of listening to what my characters say to each other and what they do.
My job is mostly to observe this and write it down in some coherent and engaging way.
My job is mostly to observe this and write it down in some coherent and engaging way.
Terry Montlick
I looked in the mirror.
That thing looked back at me.
That thing looked back at me.
Terry Montlick
The sequel to Alice's Universe. There is a mystery or two left hanging in the first book. The answers will be revealed in the second book.
Terry Montlick
It's a creative activity that requires nothing other than the computer you already have.
I self-financed some short narrative films that I wrote and directed. Cast, crew, equipment, sets. The works. Writing fiction is just a wee bit cheaper.
I self-financed some short narrative films that I wrote and directed. Cast, crew, equipment, sets. The works. Writing fiction is just a wee bit cheaper.
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