Ask Bob Mayer - December 11, 2012 discussion

Welcome to the group! Bob will be answering questions on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. In the meantime if you have a question for Bob or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

I'm super excited both about the new book AND the chance to get to ask Bob questions! I was just about to start 'Atlantis' so this is perfect timing. I've read all of the Area 51 books at least twice and this one has been long awaited by all of us! I always hoped he would give us at least one more Area 51 book because at the end, each one just leaves you wanting more. See you on the 11th!

I'm really looking forward to this book coming out-- it not only has the action I always write, it also has humor and snark. And a bit of social commentary. Looking forward to chatting with everyone, and feel free to ask questions beforehand as I'll be checking this every day.
Thanks!

This books sounds a bit different than the other books in the Area 51 series. How closely tied is this book to the previous in the series? Another way to ask is this book more a sequel to Area 51 books, or a new series just kind of set in the Area 51 universe and using that as a background?

This book is separate from the other Area 51 books in story. It's about the Special Operations unit that investigates the things that go bump in the night and screw ups by scientists. I'd call it The Unit meets Warehouse 13. This is the first book in a new series and I'm currently finishing the second one. Like all my books, this series will be heavy on action, but I've also added deeper characters and a pinch of snark and social commentary.

When you created your characters for the Area, how did you choose their preferences? Did you feel "it`d have been right if he/she had acted like that" or did you deliberately construct the scheme of the character`s attitudes and personality previously and thus his/her behavior towards the represented situations?

The characters came to me as we developed the team. We knew we needed unique individuals. Part of the key was showing how a new member, Kirk, gets recruited, tested and named. This will let the reader know how the team is constructed.

The book is now available in eBook and print on Amazon.

Thank you. :)

What was the end game of Psychic Warrior if you were to do more books?

I loved the Area 51 series. Book 1 is more "realistic" and less "sci-fi" than the others. Was that the plan?

Did the way the Area 51 series turn out the way you wanted? Anything you would go back and change.

I also wanted to say thank you for signing an Area 51 cover I sent you about 4 years ago...it sits in my prize collections. Thank you for some great reading time!

Patrick-- I didn't plan a series with Area 51. I wrote the first book, then added that epilogue. Which became the prologue of The Reply. And honestly, I didn't know where the series was going until about book four.

I think I'd work more on the characters, but it's easy to say that now. In fact, if I'd done more work on them, the twists that came about for Duncan and Turcotte at the end wouldn't have worked.

With Nightstalkers, my focus is more on the team. I'm writing the second book now and it's focused on a totally different problem than the first. Let's just say nukes, a truth serum that gets used in the wrong place, and we've got a lot of trouble in the White House.

Will we see another book in the series started by the Jefferson Allegiance? I enjoyed the first book and its use of history.

I have one outlined: The Kennedy Endeavor. It's a question of finding the time to write it.

Well hope we get to see it eventually, be great to see.

Do you think we would ever see Turcotte either in the original Area 51 series, since just now looking back at Area 51: The Truth you leave it open to continue or have him pop up in the Nightstalker series?

I hadn't considered that. BTW-- Turcotte was named after a Sergeant Major I served with in the army who was one tough son-of-a-bitch.

The main problem was that the timeline in the original Area 51 series changed the planet so much and I'm using our current world in Nightstalkers. No sure how they would mesh-- although, maybe a younger Turcotte? Pre-Area 51 series. Interesting.

Cool on where the name came from.

Have not read the series in awhile so hard for me to remember all of what happened to Earth. Makes sense then for you to reset Earth, and just use Area 51 title more as the over arching brand since people know it.

Also don't mean to be taking over this thread just enjoy asking questions.

I figure likely not since have not had a book in it for 8 years, but think you might ever go back to the original Area 51 series and do a new book?

Is there anything supernatural or sci-fi like in this new book? That's what I've enjoyed from the Area 51 and Atlantis series. Have you ever thought about expanding on the beings in the Atlantis series like you did with the Area 51 series with Nosferatu and Legend (and according to wiki-Nightstalkers, though you say it's a new series)? I liked how you showed the aliens side of things and soooo wanted to know more about the creatures in the Atlantis series.

Also, you mentioned Turncotte was based on a person you actually knew. Do you find yourself often basing characters on people you've encountered in life?

Sorry on being AWOL a little here-- had to get drivers license as we just moved to TN.

I don't think I'll be going back to Area 51 series for more material-- the Atlantis series holds more options. But we're working on a new series, Burners, which is the best high concept my wife and I have ever had and hope to have that out Spring 2013.

As I just mentioned, I think Atlantis has possibilities. I always liked Ragnarok, the Viking, in the one Atlantis book. And Falco the gladiator. Maybe tell the story of the legion that marched off into history and was never heard of again.

I think every author uses people they know to some extent. Thus a lot of my characters are former Spec Ops, since that's what I know.

Purchased the book today for kindle now just have to find the time to read it.