When you conceive an idea for a story, is there ever a point where you struggle to decide if it should be an adult or young adult story?
Not usually at the point of conception. Sometimes I'll write a novel that is intended for adults and, because a main character happens to be a teenager, certain people will think it's intended for teens. Not all novels featuring teens are aimed at teen audiences, but out in the marketplace, sometimes it's hard to make that distinction.
In a typical year how many books do you write or co-author? How do you avoid burnout?
If you include books I write solo and those I co-author, probably about four. That sounds like more than it is. That might be 1100 pages in a year, which averages less than three pages a day. As for burnout...I don't necessarily avoid it. When I finished the tie-in novel Uncharted: The Fourth Labryrinth in March [set to be released this October], I was definitely burnt out. Over the last few months I've taken it much easier. I've written some sample chapters for a new novel, and Tim Lebbon and I have started writing a new book together, and Mike Mignola and I are working on our second book for St. Martin's, though that's a novella, so it's much shorter. I've also had some health issues, so I've been kind of letting the creative well fill back up.
You have several series that you have written over the years (Body of Evidence, Prowlers, etc) with no current plans for new installments (but you have left the door open for the possibility of more). Have you see an increased interest in some of your older books via ebooks/Kindle sales?
Actually, I own all the rights to those series, and there'll be some major news regarding e-books this fall.
What's on the creative horizon for you in 2011 and 2012?
Lebbon and I are doing The Secret Journeys of Jack London: White Fangs [Book One of this Young Adult series was released in March] right now. [Mike] Mignola and I are doing our novella, and we're still writing Baltimore comics for Dark Horse. Over the next year I'll be doing a new Peter Octavian novel, a brand new original YA novel, and a trilogy of graphic novels with Charlaine Harris called Cemetery Girl. More than enough to keep me busy.
Article comments
1 - Little Willow
Wonderful fellow, wonderful author, wonderful interview. Thank you!