Ask the Author: David Walton
Answered Questions (5)
David Walton
Yes, it's an intentional play off of Asimov's laws, with some discussion in the book about how those laws apply to modern day systems. The book also includes "three laws of warfighting AIs" considering military AI that is intentionally made to do harm, and the dangers inherent in that. The title "Three Laws Lethal" is a play off of the "Three Laws Safe" mantra used in Asimov's robot stories.
David Walton
Thanks for asking! I'm working on the second draft of The Gray, a novel about an alien takeover with a unique twist. The alien in question is a gray growth that takes things apart and remakes them new and better! But is better good? According to whom? We can't communicate with it, and we don't even know if it's alive itself or programmed by aliens elsewhere. When it takes apart buildings and remakes them better, we might be pleased. When it takes apart people... not so much.
David Walton
For me, it's usually science. Whenever I read about some new and amazing discovery, it makes me want to write a story about how it's going to change people's lives, for better or worse. I love how science can challenge our ideas about ourselves.
David Walton
Just keep writing. There's no magic formula, and everyone's experience is different, but all of us experience a lot of rejection along the way. I filled boxes with rejection letters before I sold my first short story for little more than pocket change. There's always somebody more successful than you, and jealousy is an easy trap. Enjoy each little success, and don't let the disappointments stop you.
David Walton
One of the coolest things about being a writer is all the people I've had the chance to meet. I've met authors who I read and loved when I was young, some of whom have even read my books now. I've met lots of other authors and artists and editors and publishers, all of whom are enthusiastic about books and what they can do. I've seen other people--artists, editors, translators, even screenwriters and directors--apply their skills to make my stories better or to bring them to a new audience. And I've met hundreds of fans, many of them in other countries, who have read and appreciated my work. It's been an incredible experience.
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