Ask the Author: Gregory S. Close
Answered Questions (5)
Gregory S. Close
The best thing about being a writer is crafting a world, character and stories to share with other people. Having the stories locked up inside your head is no fun (in fact, kind of the opposite). Sharing is half the battle! Or something like that...
Gregory S. Close
The characters and plot of GREYSPACE all derived from a science fiction/fantasy writing course that I took back in 2010 or 2011. We were asked to come up with three story ideas and then pick one to write about. Truth be told, I already knew what I wanted to write about, as I had a semi-humorous FTL story from high school that I wanted to rework into something a little sophisticated.
But it was one of the throw-away ideas that I included just to be finished with the assignment that stayed with me. I couldn't stop thinking about it. And then the professor (novelist John DeChancie) chimed in and basically said "That FTL thing has been done before, in one form or another, but this other idea has a lot of promise."
The other idea was simple. Instead of Scotty in the engine room, you have Merlin. Take a fairly traditional science fiction environment of fusion reactors, lasers, battle armor and nanobots, but throw in the wrinkle that FTL can only be accomplished through arcane means - magic. That's the central conceit of the story.
From there, ideas started come fast and furious. What kind of magic? What kind of wizards? What power source would be used? Who has this power, and how does it change the nature of politics, entitlement etc.
GREYSPACE is currently under consideration at Hodderscape as part of their Open Submission period. If that doesn't work out, I'll be launching a Kickstarter to see it through to publication sometime in 2016.
But it was one of the throw-away ideas that I included just to be finished with the assignment that stayed with me. I couldn't stop thinking about it. And then the professor (novelist John DeChancie) chimed in and basically said "That FTL thing has been done before, in one form or another, but this other idea has a lot of promise."
The other idea was simple. Instead of Scotty in the engine room, you have Merlin. Take a fairly traditional science fiction environment of fusion reactors, lasers, battle armor and nanobots, but throw in the wrinkle that FTL can only be accomplished through arcane means - magic. That's the central conceit of the story.
From there, ideas started come fast and furious. What kind of magic? What kind of wizards? What power source would be used? Who has this power, and how does it change the nature of politics, entitlement etc.
GREYSPACE is currently under consideration at Hodderscape as part of their Open Submission period. If that doesn't work out, I'll be launching a Kickstarter to see it through to publication sometime in 2016.
Gregory S. Close
There is no such thing as "writer's block." There are simply times when a writer is more/less creative. It's harder to write when you are feeling less creative, or distracted, or if you are sitting in a tub of lime JELLO. This is a fact. Calling it "writer's block" as if it's some mystical hindrance to the work of writing and creating is just an excuse not to work through the hard times as well as the easy times of pure inspiration. You have to do both. I've never been able to leave my day-job early for experiencing "benefits consultant block," so I can't stop working on a book or story for "writer's block" either. Fair is fair.
Gregory S. Close
I am currently working on a science fiction/fantasy entitled Greyspace. It's about 50% done now and I hope to launch a Kickstarter soon to see it through to publication.
Also, working on the sequel to In Siege of Daylight as well as several short stories set in the world of Light, Dark & Shadow.
Also, working on the sequel to In Siege of Daylight as well as several short stories set in the world of Light, Dark & Shadow.
Gregory S. Close
Don't ever assume you will have time to write later. Whether it's later in the hour, later in the day, or later in your life, in all cases you probably won't.
Write when you can, while you can. You still have to make time for friends and family and life, but that balance between life and writing must be made consciously, and not under a careless assumption.
Also, accept critique graciously and with an open mind. A good editor is your best defense against crap writing.
Write when you can, while you can. You still have to make time for friends and family and life, but that balance between life and writing must be made consciously, and not under a careless assumption.
Also, accept critique graciously and with an open mind. A good editor is your best defense against crap writing.
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