TheCO: Can you introduce us to some of the people we'll meet
within the pages of Targets?
MZW: Kyle Monroe and Wade Curtis, experience and professional Army snipers. My goal was to keep the story exciting but try to be realistic as far as operations. There aren't firefights on every page, and their goal is to be discreet. They start out barely knowing each other, but by the end, Kyle with his professional pessimism and determination, and Wade with his sarcastic sense of humor are good friends and work well together.
TheCO: Do you find writing the sequels more or less fun than the
original books in a series?
MZW: There's usually another story behind everything. The trick is to tell THAT story and not rehash what's been done already.
TheCO: What three words best sum up Targets?
MZW: Sheesh, most editors ask for a 20 word description.
TheCO: How do the politics differ, or over lap between the
Scopes/Target world and the Freehold/Weapon world?
MZW: The Freehold universe is more libertarian. I can't make all my
characters that way, nor is it realistic for most contemporary
characters. Kyle and Wade have a strong streak of American
independence but are more on the traditionally conservative side.
TheCO: How many more installments can we look forward to in this
world?
MZW: Just the three for now. If you all buy copies, the contract can be extended and I'll write more. Hint, hint.
The CO: And last, thank you for the interview, and is there
anything you'd like to say to your current and future fans?
MZW: Thanks for the trip so far. It's been a hell of a ride.
And that ladies and gents is MadMike Williamson. A man I’ve now met in the flesh twice, played with his kids, met his wife, and had the pleasure of buying both books and blades from. Mad Mike is “good people”. Until next time, stay casual, you know I will.
(edited to add link to The Hero)
Article comments
1 - Aaman
Nice interview - would've appreciated a brief writeup/intro to the person, to set some context for the interview.
The universe as a reflection of Americana is too common a thread of scifi to be considered terribly imaginative, but it sells.
2 - Eric Olsen
thanks Co, very nice, agree with Aaman that a bit of context would be helpful. Being ignorant, I had no idea who the guy was
3 - TheCO
Danke gents, the point is that you read anyway. Besides its over 1500 words as is and i didn't want anything much larger.
4 - Mike Williamson
Aaman, I'm curious as to where the "Americana" comment comes from? I'm British born, Canadian raised, and an immigrant. And Freehold is a composite of the US, feudal Japan, the Icelandic Republic and Switzerland. So it's hardly "Americana."
Besides, I believe most of my comments were regarding character and interaction, not any specific background.
If you're referring to something specific you read, please do elaborate. I find feedback from readers useful to improve my writing.
Thanks much
Mike
5 - Aaman
Mike,
No offense meant - great books, and I lumped the entire 'universe as a macrocosm of sociopolitical Earth events" into 'Americana' - as opposed to, say, 'cephalopods ruminating on the gustatory pleasures of Medakis'.
As for specifics, I will post some constructive comments shortly - bit busy
6 - Eric Olsen
thanks very much for the interview Mike, best wishes
7 - Mike Williamson
Understood, Aaman, but that sort of Americizes the rest of the world, don't you think?;-)
Actually, one of the things from my experience that cropped up in Freehold is the cultural assumptions one makes based on societal experiences. Identical words with identical meanings can be perceived differently. For example:
When I first moved to North America (Toronto area), we went to an A&P grocery store. It was totally alien to me. Here was fresh food, lying around so you could help yourself and bag it, no need to haggle and barter for better price or quality than the crap the shopkeeper was trying to push on you. And 100 feet of meat. Entire aisles of fresh fruit.
I'd never seen anything like it before. Yet most Americans take it for granted, and some even despise the system that makes so much food cheaply available.
The term "Alien" applies to foreigners because it fits.
I think you're referencing things like Piers Anthony's Bio of a Space Tyrant, and I agree. That's not the type of thing I'm trying to write.
I appreciate the discussion. Do feel free to continue or drop me an email.
Thanks much.
Mike
8 - Eric Berlin
TheCo - You might want to consider breaking up longer posts into two or more installments -- that way you would be able to fit in all the background that you wanted, etc.
9 - TheCO
Thanks for the suggestion, i do have a tendancy to go a wee bit overboard when talking about books, so this is probably as good a format as any.
10 - Eric Berlin
We're all about the overboard up in here, so have at it!
11 - theCO
Eh, i try not to take up to much of the authors time. There's also plenty of MZW's information and views on his site, and he's one of the habituates over at www.bar.baen.com:8080. I'll be doing some more of these interviews with others as the weeks go on. Convieniently for the authors i'll be posting them around the time they have a book out (hint! hint!). But since i've yet to meet an author with 'spare time'...
12 - c.whitehead@xfactordates.com
Stylish UK Speed Dating events with Xfactordates.com in exclusive venues with several events per week. FREE drink & 20+ 3 minute face to face dates at each speed dating event for a great singles night out & chance to meet new people.
13 - Ramona
Great book!!!