Shawn
asked
Jay Allan:
Just wanted to say first...wow, thank you, amazing series both Crimson Worlds, and Refugees. My question is kinda a 2 part question. First when you start a series do you know how it will end?..is it set in stone?...or do you find that it changes as you put the story together?...and second what would be your favorite character that you have written in the Crimson Worlds setting?
Jay Allan
Shawn,
First, sorry it took me a week to answer this. I've got a lot of deadlines too close for comfort right now.
So, do I know how something is going to end? The answer there is sort of a combination of yes and no. I am a "pantser," which means I do a lot of my writing by the seat of my pants, so there are definitely changes that occur while I'm writing and ways the story veers from what I originally had in mind. However, that said, I do usually have a pretty good idea what a whole series will be about, so while a lot of things may wiggle (and someone who might have lived might feel the icy hand of me thinking, "maybe he doesn't make it out of here..."), the basic overall story pretty much stays the same.
As far as characters are concerned, the answer to that question might vary on the day you ask it. They're all my children in a way (even the baddies), but I will pick out a couple. Obviously Erik Cain. People who know me would say he's my alter ego in many ways. No, I'm not an invincible Marine hero, but I incline to be cynical and a little grim sometimes. I am a very skeptical person, disinclined to believe in anything not proven to me, and I think a lot of that went into Cain.
Admiral Garret is another favorite, one that grew on me as the series went on. If you've read the Bitter Glory novella, you know he carries some pain and guilt with him, and I am happy with how he developed. A total creature of duty, who will do what he must...but as a man, he's sacrificed much of what mattered to him. It's not a cheerful thought, perhaps, but it makes him feel real to me, that his heroism came at such a personal cost. He's revered everywhere, but we think maybe he'd have given all that up to have taken a different road long ago (I told you I was grim).
Lastly, I have to add Blackhawk from my newer Far Stars books. I know you asked about Crimson Worlds, but I figured I tack this on. Blackhawk is a redemption story, but one different than most. He's a man who has done terrible things, but under the effects of conditioning and brainwashing, and he must constantly fight with himself to keep moving away and not to slip back into what he was. I find him very interesting to write.
Thanks!
First, sorry it took me a week to answer this. I've got a lot of deadlines too close for comfort right now.
So, do I know how something is going to end? The answer there is sort of a combination of yes and no. I am a "pantser," which means I do a lot of my writing by the seat of my pants, so there are definitely changes that occur while I'm writing and ways the story veers from what I originally had in mind. However, that said, I do usually have a pretty good idea what a whole series will be about, so while a lot of things may wiggle (and someone who might have lived might feel the icy hand of me thinking, "maybe he doesn't make it out of here..."), the basic overall story pretty much stays the same.
As far as characters are concerned, the answer to that question might vary on the day you ask it. They're all my children in a way (even the baddies), but I will pick out a couple. Obviously Erik Cain. People who know me would say he's my alter ego in many ways. No, I'm not an invincible Marine hero, but I incline to be cynical and a little grim sometimes. I am a very skeptical person, disinclined to believe in anything not proven to me, and I think a lot of that went into Cain.
Admiral Garret is another favorite, one that grew on me as the series went on. If you've read the Bitter Glory novella, you know he carries some pain and guilt with him, and I am happy with how he developed. A total creature of duty, who will do what he must...but as a man, he's sacrificed much of what mattered to him. It's not a cheerful thought, perhaps, but it makes him feel real to me, that his heroism came at such a personal cost. He's revered everywhere, but we think maybe he'd have given all that up to have taken a different road long ago (I told you I was grim).
Lastly, I have to add Blackhawk from my newer Far Stars books. I know you asked about Crimson Worlds, but I figured I tack this on. Blackhawk is a redemption story, but one different than most. He's a man who has done terrible things, but under the effects of conditioning and brainwashing, and he must constantly fight with himself to keep moving away and not to slip back into what he was. I find him very interesting to write.
Thanks!
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