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jpskewedthroneContrary to popular opinion, I have not been sucked into the vortex of Civilization IV (yet). I spent most of yesterday after buying the game loading it onto my computer . . . and then had to grade quizzes and write lectures. But I did bring up the opening screen of a game. Bwahahahahaha! But don't fear. I remember Civilization II, so I know how addicting the game can get, and how much time it can suck up because there's no real convenient stopping point. I certainly don't intend to let it affect my writing schedule.
But we'll see. *grin*
For now, here's an interview with David J. Williams for the paperback release of his debut novel, MIRRORED HEAVENS. I met David at Balticon. Very nice guy. I've also already read his book and I can honestly say that it's a rollercoaster ride. Once you start, you won't have a chance to take a breath, let alone stop. Definitely a book I'd recommend, especially for the sci-fi lovers out there. But I'll let him explain in his own words:
*******************************
A tale of 22nd century espionage, David J. Williams' MIRRORED HEAVENS has been described by Stephen Baxter as "Tom Clancy interfacing Bruce Sterling", and is in bookstores now.
1) Tell us a little about MIRRORED HEAVENS.
My agent sold it as "John LeCarre on SF crack"; I've never managed to get my
hands on any such drug, but I suspect if one took it one would see visions
of spaceplane hijacks and maglev train chases while various spies, handlers,
and agents ran desperate missions and double-crossed/triple-crossed each
other.
2) Who are your antagonists?
The mysterious terrorist group Autumn Rain. They blow up the world's space
elevator about ten minutes into the book, and vow that further strikes are
imminent. It becomes evident pretty quickly that their real goal is to
infiltrate the U.S. government, replace the president, and give orders in
his name: i.e., they're takeover artists. Someone's gotta stop them, and
that leads us to . . .
3) Who are your protaganists?
It's complicated:
*-Claire Haskell,* the data-thief who gets reunited with wet-ops specialist
Jason Marlowe, her first love--even as both of them start to suspect that
their spymasters are manipulating their memories for reasons unknown . . .
*-Strom Carson*, the operative assigned to hunt down his onetime mentor, Leo
Sarmax, a legendary assassin believed to be in league with Autumn Rain and
last seen on the Moon, deep in the wastelands of the lunar South Pole
mountains.
*-Lyle Spencer,* the mercenary who escapes from the ultimate prison with the
secret of the Rain and a price on his head.
4) Who's your biggest inspiration?
That's easy. Judge Dredd. I grew up on him: not the lame-ass Sylvester
Stallone version, but the original, cool-as-hell British comic icon. Dredd
took on everybody from aliens to the mafia, dispensing deadpan witticisms
while he was doing it. Little did I know, but he was also educating me in
how to write SF the whole time. . .
5) What are you working on right now?
Well, I've been finetuning my website at www.autumnrain2110.com, which
features all sorts of cool geopolitical and military data about the world of
the early 22nd century. And I've turned in the sequel THE BURNING SKIES to
Bantam, so now it's on to the last book of the trilogy. Which is a very
weird feeling. . . .
But we'll see. *grin*
For now, here's an interview with David J. Williams for the paperback release of his debut novel, MIRRORED HEAVENS. I met David at Balticon. Very nice guy. I've also already read his book and I can honestly say that it's a rollercoaster ride. Once you start, you won't have a chance to take a breath, let alone stop. Definitely a book I'd recommend, especially for the sci-fi lovers out there. But I'll let him explain in his own words:
*******************************
A tale of 22nd century espionage, David J. Williams' MIRRORED HEAVENS has been described by Stephen Baxter as "Tom Clancy interfacing Bruce Sterling", and is in bookstores now.
1) Tell us a little about MIRRORED HEAVENS.
My agent sold it as "John LeCarre on SF crack"; I've never managed to get my
hands on any such drug, but I suspect if one took it one would see visions
of spaceplane hijacks and maglev train chases while various spies, handlers,
and agents ran desperate missions and double-crossed/triple-crossed each
other.
2) Who are your antagonists?
The mysterious terrorist group Autumn Rain. They blow up the world's space
elevator about ten minutes into the book, and vow that further strikes are
imminent. It becomes evident pretty quickly that their real goal is to
infiltrate the U.S. government, replace the president, and give orders in
his name: i.e., they're takeover artists. Someone's gotta stop them, and
that leads us to . . .
3) Who are your protaganists?
It's complicated:
*-Claire Haskell,* the data-thief who gets reunited with wet-ops specialist
Jason Marlowe, her first love--even as both of them start to suspect that
their spymasters are manipulating their memories for reasons unknown . . .
*-Strom Carson*, the operative assigned to hunt down his onetime mentor, Leo
Sarmax, a legendary assassin believed to be in league with Autumn Rain and
last seen on the Moon, deep in the wastelands of the lunar South Pole
mountains.
*-Lyle Spencer,* the mercenary who escapes from the ultimate prison with the
secret of the Rain and a price on his head.
4) Who's your biggest inspiration?
That's easy. Judge Dredd. I grew up on him: not the lame-ass Sylvester
Stallone version, but the original, cool-as-hell British comic icon. Dredd
took on everybody from aliens to the mafia, dispensing deadpan witticisms
while he was doing it. Little did I know, but he was also educating me in
how to write SF the whole time. . .
5) What are you working on right now?
Well, I've been finetuning my website at www.autumnrain2110.com, which
features all sorts of cool geopolitical and military data about the world of
the early 22nd century. And I've turned in the sequel THE BURNING SKIES to
Bantam, so now it's on to the last book of the trilogy. Which is a very
weird feeling. . . .
