Ask the Author: James R. Hardin
Answered Questions (4)
James R. Hardin
Well, I wanted to post it here too, but I didn’t see any option for an author interview on my Goodreads page, so I had to cheat--I mean, “adapt.”
James R. Hardin
I've been an amateur musician and composer about as long as I've been writing. I play mostly keyboard, usually solo, occasionally in a little band. I decided I might as well let my hobby help my avocation, so I put a few free songs with science fiction or fantasy themes on my website, www.jamesrhardin.com.
James R. Hardin
Science fiction, or any speculative fiction, gives us the opportunity to look at real life from a different perspective. That's the origin of my writing motto "Reality is best seen from Elsewhere." Bringing up issues and ideas in new ways can help us look at them anew and maybe gain some different insights.
Besides the deep, theme-related reasons, it's just fun. I like getting out of Reality and going Elsewhere for a while, just to experience something new, and I hope readers will enjoy coming along on the ride.
Besides the deep, theme-related reasons, it's just fun. I like getting out of Reality and going Elsewhere for a while, just to experience something new, and I hope readers will enjoy coming along on the ride.
James R. Hardin
Why, it's totally unique and exciting and not like anything else! Okay, we've gotten the fluffy, marketing answer out of the way; now let's get down to business.
I write high commercial science fiction. It includes themes and ideas for the thoughtful reader to consider, but interesting characters and plots come first--I want readers to enjoy my work. My writing tends to be somewhat optimistic. Not "gee-whiz-ain't-life-great" optimistic, but showing examples of believable (I hope) characters improving through their experiences.
I think readers who enjoy works by Timothy Zahn, John Scalzi, or Brandon Sanderson (even though he writes fantasy instead of science fiction) are likely to enjoy my writing. (And vice versa: if you haven't read these authors, you should go have a look!)
I write high commercial science fiction. It includes themes and ideas for the thoughtful reader to consider, but interesting characters and plots come first--I want readers to enjoy my work. My writing tends to be somewhat optimistic. Not "gee-whiz-ain't-life-great" optimistic, but showing examples of believable (I hope) characters improving through their experiences.
I think readers who enjoy works by Timothy Zahn, John Scalzi, or Brandon Sanderson (even though he writes fantasy instead of science fiction) are likely to enjoy my writing. (And vice versa: if you haven't read these authors, you should go have a look!)
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