12 Oct, 2012 The Readers’ Writers: kja by DA Kentner

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12 Oct, 2012 The Readers’ Writers: kja by DA Kentner

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http://www.enterprisenews.com/lifestyle ... J-Anderson


The Readers’ Writers: New York Times bestselling author Kevin J. Anderson
By DA Kentner




Kevin J. Anderson is a No. 1 internationally bestselling author with over
120 books to his credit. A multi-award-winning writer, he has been called
upon to write spin-off stories for “Star Wars,” “Dune,” “The X-Files,”
“Batman” and “Superman,” “Titan A.E.” and “StarCraft.” Comic book fans
may be familiar with Anderson’s “Star Wars,” “Predator,” “Justice Society”
and “Star Trek” comics.

Though Anderson has co-authored several books, such as “Frankenstein:
Prodigal Son” with Dean Koontz, “Clockwork Angels: The Novel” with Neil
Peart from legendary rock group Rush, and the new “Dune” novels with
Brian Herbert, Rebecca Moesta can lay claim to the greatest collaboration
with Anderson, as she not only has co-authored nine novels and/or series
with him, but agreed to marry him. They just celebrated their 21st wedding
anniversary.

“Death Warmed Over” is the first in a new series introducing private
eye/murdered zombie Dan Chambeaux, “Dan Shamble” to his paranormal
clientele. Dan takes nearly every case that enters his “Unnatural Quarter”
office. From witches suing their publisher for a misprinted spell that went
horribly wrong, to a mummy wanting the museum to release him, to a
werewolf ensnared in divorce proceedings, Dan tries to help his clients, all
while trying to solve his own murder. The story is witty, original, and
presents readers with an unbelievably believable world as only Kevin J.
Anderson can.

Watch for the original novelette “Stakeout at the Vampire Circus” in
November and the next Dan Shamble novel “Unnatural Acts” this January.






Q. In 1988 when “Resurrection, Inc.” was published, you had little
knowledge of what becoming famous would be like. Today, you readily
attend conferences to meet established and potential fans. Thank you for
that. What has been the greatest joy of becoming a famous author, and
the greatest detriment?


A. Authors are the “invisible” sort of famous. I do know many truly famous
people, from rock stars, movie and TV stars, producers and directors — but
nobody recognizes me on the street. That’s fine with me. Part of the job is
to interact with fans directly, whether by Twitter (@TheKJA) or Facebook
(The Official Kevin J. Anderson Page), or at numerous conventions, book
signings, library talks, etc. I grew up as a fan and attended many such
conventions as a fan, and I still feel at home there.





Q. Your wife Rebecca enjoys mysteries.
Did she influence “Death Warmed Over”?


A. Rebecca influences everything I write; I talk with her about my projects
as I’m thinking about them in the planning stages, she brainstorms with me
as I develop the story and characters, and she critiques the draft
manuscripts as she reads them. We watch many mystery TV shows, and
know the expectations of the convoluted cases as well as the interesting
characters. And what can be more interesting (or funny!) than a zombie
private detective?





Q. Obviously, you savor the genres you write in. Still, writers frequently
have a genre they would love to explore that their established fans might
not be so keen about. What’s yours?


A. I’m well known for my big complex science fiction and fantasy epics,
such as the “Saga of Seven Suns,” my “Terra Incognita” fantasy trilogy,
the “Dune” and “Hellhole” books with Brian Herbert. Those are like “War
and Peace” with gigantic stories and casts of characters … and I love
sinking my creative teeth into them. BUT, in books like that I never get a
chance to have fun or just be silly. I do have a good sense of humor (well,
at least I think so), and the Dan Shamble series, as well as my “Blood Lite”
anthology series of humorous horror, gives me a chance just to be funny,
and it’s so liberating. And ridiculous … but in a serious way.





Q. During your early struggles to be published, you once received a trophy
as “The Writer with No Future.” Do you still have it?


A. Definitely. It’s right in my office. (Actually, it’s on the toilet tank in the
bathroom of my office.) I received it when I was able to produce more
rejection slips, by weight, than any other writer at a large conference. I
keep it to remind me of the value of awards — what matters most is what
the fans and readers think.





Q. Your epic world-building enthralls readers. Yet, in an interview, you
alluded to your preference to smaller scale and personal stories involving
time travel – the “what ifs.” Will we see more of those types of explorative
tales from you?


A. I don’t think it’s an either/or proposition. I love to create a large canvas
and a well thought-out original world, where all the details fit together and
all the questions are asked. But a giant world in itself isn’t interesting; you
have to put interesting people [sic] with interesting problems into the story.
I like looking at the whole thing from both the big picture and the small
picture. Some of Dan Shamble’s cases involve the possible extinction of
monsters everywhere, but he still has to worry about spending enough time
with his girlfriend (even if she is a ghost) and pretending to laugh at the
really bad jokes his BHF (Best Human Friend) Officer McGoohan tells him.
It’s a good balance.




Q. Any parting comments for your readers and those who haven’t yet
read your work?


A. I have a lot of different stories, from big space operas to sprawling
fantasy epics, to these very funny and light zombie PI novels. I write very
quickly, and I keep myself interested by switching gears and writing
different things. Try my steampunk “Clockwork Angels,” or my epic “Saga
of Seven Suns” … or, for a good time, try “Death Warmed Over.” I’m amusing
myself, and I hope to amuse readers as well.







...
When a brand knew urinal puck showed up in the bathroom of my studio, I knew what I had to do.
-AToE
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