Ask the Author: Adam Bender
Answered Questions (8)
Adam Bender
These books really could take place anywhere, so I kept location vague by design. That's why I didn't name the nation or capital in which most of the action takes place. Government surveillance is taking place to various degrees in many countries and I didn't want We, The Watched to become a critique of any one specific country. Rather, it imagines where things could go in any nation around the world.
My next novel -- which is not a sequel to WTW -- takes on a more specifically American issue -- Second Amendment rights -- so I've decided to say clearly that it takes place in the state of Arizona in the USA. However, for similar reasons to WTW/DWF, I mostly chose not to use real town names because I wanted to create a feeling that the book's events could happen anywhere.
My next novel -- which is not a sequel to WTW -- takes on a more specifically American issue -- Second Amendment rights -- so I've decided to say clearly that it takes place in the state of Arizona in the USA. However, for similar reasons to WTW/DWF, I mostly chose not to use real town names because I wanted to create a feeling that the book's events could happen anywhere.
Adam Bender
Great to hear you found my novels and enjoyed them! I've written a screenplay based on We, The Watched, but no movie in the works yet...
Those are good questions. I was inspired to write these novels by that helplessness one can feel when reading about all the ways a government can track its people. On one hand, some of the surveillance happening seems so invasive of personal privacy. But it's difficult to fight against that when the government says these are tools to protect the country and keep people safe. I wrote We, The Watched in the decade following 9/11, when there was a lot of debate about how much power do we give the government in the name of protecting us.
A similar conflict is growing now with big businesses like Google and Facebook. I'm an Android guy and love the innovation and convenience of these technologies, but the truth is that these companies track what websites we visit so that they can sell us targeted ads. Trying to figure out how much to let the government or businesses know about us can be a tricky question, and it's easy to just brush it all aside.
With Seven, I liked the idea of a character who could come into all this with fresh eyes and immediately go, "Hey, this is obviously wrong." But of course, he's just one guy against a country that's mostly either on board with the surveillance or frightened to do anything about it. He has to figure out what he can realistically do to help, and if it's even worth it.
One idea I wanted to convey, especially in Divided We Fall, is that people from different sides are going to need to come together if society is going to change. I think that's especially relevant in today's divided times. It can feel good to tear apart the other side and call them names on Twitter, but exacerbating the division just makes us weaker as a whole and more vulnerable to outside forces. Without open communication, there will never be change.
Those are good questions. I was inspired to write these novels by that helplessness one can feel when reading about all the ways a government can track its people. On one hand, some of the surveillance happening seems so invasive of personal privacy. But it's difficult to fight against that when the government says these are tools to protect the country and keep people safe. I wrote We, The Watched in the decade following 9/11, when there was a lot of debate about how much power do we give the government in the name of protecting us.
A similar conflict is growing now with big businesses like Google and Facebook. I'm an Android guy and love the innovation and convenience of these technologies, but the truth is that these companies track what websites we visit so that they can sell us targeted ads. Trying to figure out how much to let the government or businesses know about us can be a tricky question, and it's easy to just brush it all aside.
With Seven, I liked the idea of a character who could come into all this with fresh eyes and immediately go, "Hey, this is obviously wrong." But of course, he's just one guy against a country that's mostly either on board with the surveillance or frightened to do anything about it. He has to figure out what he can realistically do to help, and if it's even worth it.
One idea I wanted to convey, especially in Divided We Fall, is that people from different sides are going to need to come together if society is going to change. I think that's especially relevant in today's divided times. It can feel good to tear apart the other side and call them names on Twitter, but exacerbating the division just makes us weaker as a whole and more vulnerable to outside forces. Without open communication, there will never be change.
Adam Bender
I'm two-thirds of the way through my next novel, The Wanderer and the New West.
It’s a mix of the western and dystopian genres with lots of action, and I can’t wait to share it with you all. Whereas my first two books focus on a nation where the government and church have united in a totalitarian force, my new novel imagines an America where things have swung entirely in the other direction. The government is weak and individuals use guns to make their own justice. It’s a real return the Wild West.
The Wanderer is a lone vigilante in this New West, travelling from town to town fighting for what he thinks is right.
It’s a mix of the western and dystopian genres with lots of action, and I can’t wait to share it with you all. Whereas my first two books focus on a nation where the government and church have united in a totalitarian force, my new novel imagines an America where things have swung entirely in the other direction. The government is weak and individuals use guns to make their own justice. It’s a real return the Wild West.
The Wanderer is a lone vigilante in this New West, travelling from town to town fighting for what he thinks is right.
Adam Bender
I have a great explanation when I'm caught day dreaming.
"Oh, I'm just thinking about the book I'm writing!"
"Oh, I'm just thinking about the book I'm writing!"
Adam Bender
I like to have multiple projects on at the same time so that when I'm not feeling one I can move on to another.
I also find that taking a walk outside can help clear the mind!
I also find that taking a walk outside can help clear the mind!
Adam Bender
My two novels We, The Watched and Divided We Fall came from my feeling somewhat helpless in the wake of 9/11 as the US government passed a series of national security laws to increase surveillance called the PATRIOT Act.
I was fascinated not only by the surveillance itself, but the rationale for it. Everyone was feeling pretty vulnerable and so it was hard not to accept anything that was pitched as preventing another terrorist attack. Besides, how could anyone be against something called the PATRIOT Act?
With Divided We Fall, my most recent book, I wanted to set a love story against this backdrop. The story follows two government agents who were romantically involved but have fallen apart after one changes his beliefs and turns against the government. I liked the idea of having a double conflict -- the love story and the broader political conflict over surveillance.
I was fascinated not only by the surveillance itself, but the rationale for it. Everyone was feeling pretty vulnerable and so it was hard not to accept anything that was pitched as preventing another terrorist attack. Besides, how could anyone be against something called the PATRIOT Act?
With Divided We Fall, my most recent book, I wanted to set a love story against this backdrop. The story follows two government agents who were romantically involved but have fallen apart after one changes his beliefs and turns against the government. I liked the idea of having a double conflict -- the love story and the broader political conflict over surveillance.
Adam Bender
I'm a technology journalist and am frequently inspired by innovative new gadgets and tech trends. Reading news also tends to get me fired up about issues I'd like to write about.
Besides that, sometimes I get inspired observing everyday interactions among people. My short story "Smokers Corner," for example, was inspired by a snippet of conversation overheard out of context on an elevator!
Often I get ideas when I'm commuting or somewhere else away from my computer. My memory isn't great, so whenever that happens I jot it down immediately in Evernote and come back to it later.
Besides that, sometimes I get inspired observing everyday interactions among people. My short story "Smokers Corner," for example, was inspired by a snippet of conversation overheard out of context on an elevator!
Often I get ideas when I'm commuting or somewhere else away from my computer. My memory isn't great, so whenever that happens I jot it down immediately in Evernote and come back to it later.
Adam Bender
A lot of writers seem to have trouble finishing what they've started. My advice is to set a weekly writing goal. Since I have a day job, the weekends are my main time to write. I like to set myself a goal of 1000 words per sitting, or, if I'm mainly making edits, work for at least an hour. It might not be as quick as writing full time, but if you keep to a regular schedule you'll reach the end!
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