Ask the Author: Greg Spry
Answered Questions (17)
Greg Spry
I would have to say I'd most want to live in the world of Star Trek, particularly TNG, DS9 and Voyager. I was always a believer in Gene Roddenberry's positive vision of the future, and the 24th century world and captains best embodied that ideal. Can't wait for the new Picard show!
Of course, once I stepped inside a holodeck, I might never come out, so that might be dangerous...
Of course, once I stepped inside a holodeck, I might never come out, so that might be dangerous...
Greg Spry
Bot spams human with canned question. Human hangs head.
Greg Spry
It's no bother, Viel. I've looked into your situation and sent you the details in a Goodreads message. Please respond and let me know how things turn out. Thanks for contacting me!
Greg Spry
I would first start by checking meetup.com for writing groups in your community. I kicked off my writing career by joining a Meetup group in St. Louis. After that, I participated in about ten or so different critique groups in the various cities in which I've lived.
I strongly that beginning writers join a critique group. Not only is the feedback invaluable, but reading the work of other writers is just as helpful. It's far easier to see areas for improvement in someone else's writing than in your own work. Author bias--the fact that you know far more about your story than what's on the page--can only be overcome by sharing.
Critique and general writing groups can also be found on Facebook, G+, Twitter, and other social media outlets. I've heard Wattpad can also be a source of feedback, although I've never done it. And don't hesitate to share your work with friends, family, and coworkers. The opinions of people both in and out of your target audience as well as people both very knowledgeable and less knowledgeable about the art of writing are all important.
I hope that helps.
I strongly that beginning writers join a critique group. Not only is the feedback invaluable, but reading the work of other writers is just as helpful. It's far easier to see areas for improvement in someone else's writing than in your own work. Author bias--the fact that you know far more about your story than what's on the page--can only be overcome by sharing.
Critique and general writing groups can also be found on Facebook, G+, Twitter, and other social media outlets. I've heard Wattpad can also be a source of feedback, although I've never done it. And don't hesitate to share your work with friends, family, and coworkers. The opinions of people both in and out of your target audience as well as people both very knowledgeable and less knowledgeable about the art of writing are all important.
I hope that helps.
Greg Spry
Honestly, my favorite books are the Robotech series by Jack McKinney. In middle school and high school, I read the 21-book series at least three times. I loved Robotech, especially the first generation Macross saga, because of the real characters and plot. The books are actually based on the Anime TV series, which was surprisingly mature and way ahead of its time. I think Macross was primarily responsible for me gravitating towards things of greater substance. There is absolutely no comparison between Macross, a space opera that could easily have been live action, and the other simplistic cartoons I watched as a kid like He-Man, Transformers, GI-Joe, and more.
Greg Spry
Awesome. I'm glad you received the book, and I hope you enjoy it. Sometimes, I worry about whether or not the books I ship internationally ever make it to their destination. I'll be eager to hear about what you thought of the novel after you've finished reading it.
Greg Spry
Honestly, I don't have a reading list. I need to read four books annually for the Rave Reviews Book Club, and those four will likely be all I read through the end of the year. I might squeeze in one more at best. In general, I struggle to find time to read these days.
Greg Spry
This is a fun one. My favorite fictional romance doesn't merely feature a couple but rather a love triangle. In Robotech/Macross, the beautiful celebrity singer Minmei/Minmay Lynn and the intelligent-but-plain flight controller Lisa Hayes/Misa Hayase vie for the attention of the pacifist-turned-military pilot Rick Hunter/Hikaru Ichijo.
Despite the story's Anime origins, the theme underlying Rick's dilemma between the two women is incredibly real and adult. Who's he going to choose? The celebrity that everyone wants--the dream woman from his fantasies? Or the less exotic woman with whom he has a deeper connection and shares the same convictions? It's not such a straightforward choice because both women genuinely care for him and have redeeming qualities.
Whenever I watch a bad rom com where a nice protagonist wrestles a down-to-earth beauty away from an obvious jerk, I think of how a romance from an old cartoon from the early 80's was so much realer than most big budget Hollywood flicks.
To this day, Robotech/Macross remains my number one favorite work of fiction.
Despite the story's Anime origins, the theme underlying Rick's dilemma between the two women is incredibly real and adult. Who's he going to choose? The celebrity that everyone wants--the dream woman from his fantasies? Or the less exotic woman with whom he has a deeper connection and shares the same convictions? It's not such a straightforward choice because both women genuinely care for him and have redeeming qualities.
Whenever I watch a bad rom com where a nice protagonist wrestles a down-to-earth beauty away from an obvious jerk, I think of how a romance from an old cartoon from the early 80's was so much realer than most big budget Hollywood flicks.
To this day, Robotech/Macross remains my number one favorite work of fiction.
Greg Spry
I'm definitely more of a Trek fan, although I enjoy Wars as well. I grew up with Star Trek: The Next Generation, so for me that was the real Star Trek. The Original Series was that old, barely watchable show on which TNG was based. In recent times, I've come to appreciate TOS a lot more. I like but don't love the new movies.
My writing is mostly futuristic, although book 3 of the Beyond Saga, Beyond Yesterday, also deals with the historical.
My day job keeps me from writing as often as I'd like, especially when I've just spent 8-9 hours at my computer on a given day prior to getting anything written. American football season will also consume my time during the fall as I cheer for the Badgers and Packers.
My writing is mostly futuristic, although book 3 of the Beyond Saga, Beyond Yesterday, also deals with the historical.
My day job keeps me from writing as often as I'd like, especially when I've just spent 8-9 hours at my computer on a given day prior to getting anything written. American football season will also consume my time during the fall as I cheer for the Badgers and Packers.
Greg Spry
Thanks for your question, Tanya. Yes, I was born in the year between the first Star Wars and Star Trek movies. Was it a sign? In my day job, I'm a computer programmer that helps businesses implement software to improve their processes and increase efficiency. Super sexy, I know. I'm lucky enough to work for an awesome company that supports my writing. Still, I'm working toward the day when I can sell enough books to write full-time.
Greg Spry
Thanks for your question, Joel. Off the top of my head, I don't recall interacting with or receiving any reviews specifically from Filipino reviewers prior to you. I welcome questions, comments, and reviews from anyone anywhere around the globe--and beyond. I am writing sci-fi, after all.
Greg Spry
You must have great passion for your work or you won't have the motivation to achieve success. Do your research and learn how to write at first. Attend critique groups. Know that the real work begins only after you've finished writing and published each novel.
Greg Spry
I wrote the initial draft of Beyond Cloud Nine, a prologue and chapter 1, my senior year of high school in creating writing class. I loved an Anime series called Macross/Robotech, and BC9 first started with the question, "What would Macross Plus be like if the main protagonist fighter pilot was a woman instead of a man?" Drawing major plot elements from Macross II and an old video game I used to play for the Sega Genesis called Target Earth plus other shows and books, the initial premise for BC9 was born.
BC9, Beyond the Horizon, and the rest of the Beyond Saga is my attempt to create my own grand-sweeping space opera series. I've built it on foundation of hard science while still trying to make it accessible to a wider audience. Every plot involves ethical conundrums with no easy answers (no cliche good versus evil) but still manages to be fun and exciting and move at a fast pace. I draw elements from Star Trek, Robotech/Macross, Arthur C. Clarke, Peter Hamilton, and many more to create my own unique world.
BC9, Beyond the Horizon, and the rest of the Beyond Saga is my attempt to create my own grand-sweeping space opera series. I've built it on foundation of hard science while still trying to make it accessible to a wider audience. Every plot involves ethical conundrums with no easy answers (no cliche good versus evil) but still manages to be fun and exciting and move at a fast pace. I draw elements from Star Trek, Robotech/Macross, Arthur C. Clarke, Peter Hamilton, and many more to create my own unique world.
Greg Spry
I draw inspiration from the shows, movies, books, and video games I've loved since I was a kid as well as from new stuff. From time-honored novels by Arthur C. Clark to Anime to new shows like The Expanse, there's lots of great science fiction out there.
Greg Spry
Writing the third book in the Beyond Saga, Beyond Yesterday.
Ten years after the events of book 2, Beyond the Horizon, Maya Davis takes command of the Yesterday, humankind's first vessel built for time travel.
The fulfillment of her lifelong dream of earning a captaincy leaves Maya overjoyed. But her elation is crushed when she learns her first command is a suicide mission from which she can never return.
Ten years after the events of book 2, Beyond the Horizon, Maya Davis takes command of the Yesterday, humankind's first vessel built for time travel.
The fulfillment of her lifelong dream of earning a captaincy leaves Maya overjoyed. But her elation is crushed when she learns her first command is a suicide mission from which she can never return.
Greg Spry
Creating characters, worlds, and concepts that move and inspire.
Greg Spry
I find that switching creative modes helps. If straightforward writing isn't working, I switch to outlining and write out all the different possibilities that come to mind, no matter how silly. I might also plop down on the couch and do some thinking. Or I go looking for ideas and inspiration in the sci-fi shows, movies, and books that I love.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more