How would you describe your creative process while writing this book? Was it stream-of-consciousness writing, or did you first write an outline?

Outlines for me are about as useful as an Indiana Jones sequel dealing with aliens. I go into writing a novel knowing where I want it to begin and where I want it to end. How I get there from Point A to Point B is where the magic happens. As scenes or ideas pop up, I’ll write down dialogue or whatever bits come to mind, then figure out if they’re going to work when I get to them. Some of it will be used, some of it won’t, but the ideas that don’t will often inspire others that do.

Also, I have absolutely no expectation that the first draft will be anywhere near perfect. That’s not going to happen. I love having way too much in it because it’s easier to go through during editing and see what works best versus what doesn’t work at all. Any and every idea will usually make it in.

And this may sound a little odd, but for me, writing a book is a lot like listening to a Jim Steinman song. While there’s still structure, it’s just a little bit different than the norm and there’s a huge emphasis on melody intertwined with lyrics and music that sets him apart from other songwriters. That’s what I strive for.

Describe your working environment.

When at home, I tend to write surrounded by a number of film posters (Big Trouble in Little China, Metalstorm: The Destruction of Jared-Syn, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai, The Ice Pirates, Battle Beyond the Stars, Streets of Fire, Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone, Nightflyers and Megaforce to name a few) hung on the walls, my CD collection at my fingertips, a DVD collection (if I’m taking a quick break) and constant access to the Internet. Oh, and an answering machine. I will also frequently make a CD consisting of music I feel best represents parts of the book so that as I continue to listen to it while I’m writing, I can always put myself back into that same frame of mind whenever I sit down to work.

My partner once thought a few years back that it would be “fun” to move his main computer into the same room as myself… for the company. He was mistaken. “Fun” lasted only a few minutes as he started listening to his MP3s, tapping his finger on the desk, his foot on the floor and playfully interrupting me. It was no longer “fun”. And I don’t feel that my needs are particularly complex. I’m not Tom Cruise. I’m not waiting for the Mother Ship. Aside from the posters, music and DVDs, I apparently require a little solitude. See? Simple.