Books: Interview with Science Fiction and Fantasy writer Mjke Wood

Today on the blog we have the pleasure to introduce writer Mjke Wood. Read on to find out more about his fascinating books.

Where are you from and what's your background?

I was born on the Isle of Man but I’ve lived most of my life on the Wirral, in the UK. I worked as a Finance Manager for a large public transport company, but last year I took an early retirement deal to concentrate on writing full time. I’m also a musician, playing alto sax and clarinet in bands around the North West. I love playing in pit orchestras for amateur shows, too. It’s a great way to see lots of hit musicals without having to pay to get in.

What a great way to attend shows! When did you realize you wanted to write and when did you start writing?

I’ve always loved reading, and about thirty years ago, after a bad commuting experience, I wrote to the local newspaper. It was a full on rant, but I injected humor into it, and when it was published as the star letter, and I began to receive feedback, it got me thinking. I decided to try writing humor pieces and sending them to magazines. They were rejected of course. They were bad. But it didn’t stop me because I’d fallen in love with the whole process of writing.

That’s great that you didn’t give up after being rejected. What genre do you write and what's your target audience?

It’s strange that while I was sending these random humor pieces out to magazines, I’d never thought to try writing science fiction. I read a lot of science fiction, and have done since I was eight or nine years old. My dad used to bring home stacks of short story anthologies from the library, and I read these because they were way better than the stuff I could get from the children’s library. So I took a break from the humor stuff and started writing science fiction short stories. I sent them to magazines, and when these rejections came back, they were different. They were rejections from America, from magazines like Analog and Asimov’s, and the editors were names that I knew, and they were writing letters to me, and sometimes they even included comments that made me realize they’d actually read some them. I’d found the thing I wanted to write. There was still humor in a lot of the stories, but also some serious stuff was coming through. So for the most part, my target audience was these editors. I wrote for them. If ever I were to sell a story it would be because I’d written something that appealed to a particular editor.

It’s quite an interesting take on your audience. And how many books have you published so

far? Were you ever accepted to be published in any other publications or journals?

My focus stayed on short fiction for many years. I wrote occasional novels and sent them out to agents and publishers, but always my passion was for writing short fiction, and I’d begun to sell some of it. In 2007 I won the Jim Baen Memorial contest with a short story, and then a year later I won Writers of the Future, and that was cool because part of the prize was a week-long paid-for trip to Los Angeles for a workshop and for the award ceremony. I’d never been to America. I’d never even flown, and that’s a whole other story in itself. Okay, I’ve strayed from the question, so I’ll try and get back on track. Before writing any novels I had maybe two dozen short stories published in sci-fi magazines and anthologies. I put together a collection of my own short stories, called ‘Power for Two Minutes and Other Unrealities’, and indy published it on Amazon, and I have now, at last, published a novel-length science fiction story, ‘Deep Space Accountant’, which is the first of a series. Book two will be out later this year. In the meantime I followed a parallel thread, writing a humorous travel memoir called ‘Travelling in a Box’. It’s very niche, very UK focused, so I’ve been surprised at how well it’s done.

You have a lot of interesting adventures to tell, that’s for sure. And congrats on your winnings. What is your favorite quote and who wrote it?

I don’t have a quote, so much as a set of rules, coined in 1947 by the sci-fi writer, Robert Heinlein. They’re designed for short fiction writing but you can make them work for long form, too.

1                    You must write

2                    You must finish what you start

3                    You must refrain from rewriting except to editorial order.

4                    You must put it on the market.

5                    You must keep it on the market until sold.

Rule three seems a little strange but what it means is don’t keep going back over something you’ve finished, polished and edited. Concentrate on the next thing. So I also like to include a sixth rule that was added much later, by Robert J Sawyer:

6          Start working on something else.

This is important. It’s too easy to sit back after one story or book and decide that your work is done. It isn’t done, you have the next book to do, and then the next.

Indeed, the job of a writer is never done… Do you have a favorite author? Who? Has this author or his book(s) influenced your writing in any way?

As a sci-fi writer Arthur C Clarke is perhaps my biggest early influence. I think I’ve read every novel he wrote, and most of his short fiction, too. Clarke’s ‘A Fall of Moondust’ was the first Sci-Fi novel I ever read. The memory of reading that book, waiting for the rain to stop while on a camping holiday near Minehead in Somerset, is still vivid in my mind. I was eleven or twelve years old. ‘A Fall of Moondust’ just blew me away. If Arthur C Clarke was my gateway drug to sci-fi, then Stephen King hooked me with the full-on addiction for writing. Around about the time when I was sending off those daft little pieces to newspapers and magazines, I read Stephen King’s ‘The Stand’, and then ‘It’. I felt rocked back on my heels. I’d encountered real magic. How could a few squiggles on a page transport me, mind body and soul, into another world? I wanted more and I wanted to be able to perform that magic.

I can see why they can influence any writer! If you could be a character from any book who would you like to be, and why?

This is hard because most of the characters from my favorite books are put through hell and back. It’s something writers do, they create characters you love and then they do horrible things to them. But if I may return to Arthur C Clarke, and his 1974 Hugo-winning ‘Rendezvous with Rama’, then Jimmy Pak is my choice. He’s a crew member of the exploratory mission to Rama, a massive rotating cylindrical starship that enters our solar system en route to an unknown destination. Jimmy Pak gets to skybike along the axis of Rama, and he sees the whole of this artificial world rotating around him. Ever since reading that book I’ve been fascinated by the whole concept of generation starships built as giant cylinders with artificial gravity. What a fabulous thing to explore one and see it from such a vantage point. And Jimmy Pak gets through the whole book without getting maimed or mutilated or anything else of a discouraging nature.

Wow, that’s true. Hard to find a character that doesn’t go through a horrible experience, but the adventures are worth it! What are you working on now?

I have a first draft for the second Sphere of Influence novel all ready to start knocking into shape. It’s called ‘The Lollipop of Influence’. I envy those writers who can get a first draft that’s more or less good to go. My first drafts need a lot of work to iron out all the bugs and plot holes and clunky writing, and I have to make sure it’s consistent with the first book. I’ll only send a ‘final’ draft to my editor when I’m sure it’s clean. And then, for sure, it will come back marked up with another month’s work for me fix all the things I missed. I’ve also written a follow-up to my travel book, called ‘Two in a Box’, which is sitting in the queue waiting its turn to go through the second-draft factory. Beyond that I there’s a third travel book to come, provisionally titled ‘Flying in a Box’, and at least one more book in the Sphere of Influence series. And I’m still doing short stories at the rate of about one per month, just for the fun of it.

You’re keeping very busy, and that’s great. Where can we find out more about you and your writing?

My website is www.mjkewood.com and I have a separate website for my travel books, www.travellinginabox.com.

You can find me on Twitter as @MjkeW and my Facebook page is www.facebook.com/mjkewood/

Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Well, just to mention that one of my short stories has been optioned for a movie. The story is ‘The Last Days of Dogger City’ which first appeared in the April 2015 edition of Analog. Right now it’s being turned into a script by the producers, First Enterprise Productions. This is a turn of events that I most definitely wouldn’t have predicted a few years ago. As I say, it was only a short story so the movie will need more plot material than in the original, so I’m dying to see what comes out of it.

That’s about it, only to say, thanks, Andrea, for the interview. I’ve very much enjoyed doing it, and I wish you every success with your own writing endeavors.

Congratulations, Mjke! That’s absolutely fantastic and I hope to be watching the movie based on your story soon. Good luck and thank you so much for your time telling us about you and your books! 

To puchase Mjke's books, visit his page on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Mjke-Wood/e/B00IA4HJCA

Books: Interview with Author and NASA Engineer Terry R. Hill - Science Fiction

During one of this year's book signing events I participated, I had the pleasure of meeting fellow Texan writer Terry R. Hill in person. His science fiction book was amongst the 50 Most Worth Reading Self Published Books of this year's Indie Author Land list. I'm excited to introduce Terry R. Hill!

Terry, tell us a little bit about you, where are you from, and what is your background?

I am an East Texas native, was trained with two degrees in aerospace engineering. I have worked for NASA since 1997 with a very satisfying career as an engineer and project manager spanning programs from the international space station’s navigation software, to next generation space suit design, to exploration mission planning, to mitigating the health effects of space on astronauts. While supporting the manned space program has been a lifetime passion, writing of different worlds, alternate futures and the human condition has filled my spare time.

Always looking to maximize what life has to offer, I have found myself singing on stage, helping to house the less fortunate, skydiving, hammering away at the Berlin Wall, wearing space suits, ice swimming in Finland in the dead of winter, bathing in the hot springs of Japan, and forging into the unknown as a parent and author. Life is too short to let opportunities pass us by, as we only get one chance to ride. But mostly, it's all about the people in our everyday as we experience this thing we call Life.

Seems like you've been - and are- very busy! With your demanding career, and family life, when did you decide to write and why?

Well like many major decisions in life, all the right things had to fall into place at the right time. I won’t go into those in detail, but let’s say that one day in 2011 I accepted the fact that I probably had fewer days ahead of me than behind – as we all do at one point or another, and that I had best get to writing if I was to get serious about it. I had always enjoyed writing and had received encouragement from friends and co-workers over the years, but never took the time to indulge myself with writing. So one day I realized I needed to add more Awesome to my daily life, and writing was my preferred way.

What a fantastic way to put it! Adding more awesome to your daily life! So, what genre (or genres) do you write and what is your target audience?

So far I have been writing in the genre/style of Science Fiction – Dystopian / Space Exploration because they say “write what you know” and I know the business of space travel and exploration.

My target audience is from the later teens through mature adult for people who like a little intellectual stimulation served up with their science fiction. While personally a huge fan of Heinlein and Clark – to name two of the greats – I strive to serve up similar stories with deeper meat to sink your teeth into. And therefore I am hoping that my work appeals to individuals who also like the style of writing of these authors.

I try to serve a modern approach to science fiction with respect to the sexes so that there are enough elements such that both can enjoy the stories. Everybody likes adventure. Everybody likes a little sex. Some like a little romance. Some like a little graphic violence. Some like appropriate rough language. Some like character building and development of relationships. If done right, I think it can be quite effective and enjoyable to all.

Great approach to writing, there's a little bit of everything! Do you incorporate your expertise and background working at NASA in your books?

One of my original goals was to provide science fiction to the masses that was firmly grounded in real physics, real space flight operations, real experiences of being in space and using the hardware, etc. Another current NASA scientist and celebrated author, Geoffrey Landis, has also written a few books that maintain as much of realism in the stories as possible from someone within the spaceflight community.

It sounds odd to say that one would want to maintain realism in their fiction, but that is exactly what I desire. We have learned a lot about living and working in space since the greats – even Asimov – started writing. Some things they got right, some they didn’t. So now I want to offer up stories and themes that are re-anchored and extrapolated from today’s reality of space travel and science.

It makes sense, a lot of space reality does seem like fiction and can be hard to grasp, anyways. Do you have a favorite quote - who is it from and why you love it?

“Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” – Anonymous but also has been attributed to Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens quotes (Archbishop of Malines-Brussels 1904-1996)

I received it from an aunt in my early teen years and for many years it sat on my dresser looking back at me as something that seemed to make sense, but nothing profound. And I guess at the time it felt a little sad knowing that getting what you wanted came at a price.

Then as I got older it took on more meaning as I understood that following your dreams would take some commitment and sacrifice and what that really meant in terms of educational time commitment, relationships, job possibilities, etc.

Now in the second half of my life, it still takes on new meaning for me. Now having friends and peers also in the later parts of their lives and careers, I can see that those who have truly followed their dreams – and were willing to pay the price and the sacrifice – are truly happier over all. Unlike as a youth, I now appreciate the wording in that if you willingly make the choices to follow your dream, the price you willing bear and is in no way regrettable. But more importantly, you can make your dreams happen!

Very motivational and inspirational, thanks for sharing it! Since you mentioned Landis, Asimov, Heinlein and Clark, who is your favorite writer/author? Has she/he influenced your writing in any way?

Oh wow, I don’t think it’s possible to name just one. But I think each one endeared themselves to me uniquely and each taught me different things.

For example, Heinlein taught me that science fiction can be the vehicle by which you can explore new “big ideas” and that it’s not just about aliens and laser guns.

A. C. Clark taught me to think like a futurist. S. Hawking gave me eyes on the galactic scale. V. Vinge exposed me to the world of post-dystopian futures. O. Butler placed me in the minds of alien species and their motivations. P. Anthony taught me about the humors side of the world of fantasy and J. Rosenberg let me experience that realm first hand with the grit and gore that made it real. Certainly not last is A. Rand that introduced me to objectivism that has dramatically shaped my ideas in many areas of my life.

So as you can see, with so many great teachers out there, it is very hard to name just one.

That's very true. And how many books have you written? What are your plans for the future of your writing career?

To date, I have published “Third Exodus” which is the first volume of the series “In the Days of Humans”. At the time of this article I have the second volume in the hands of the beta readers and have begun writing the third volume. And in my moments of distraction, I am fleshing out the outlines for a few other books that I am quite excited about – one is even ventures into the world of religious text, which is very unusual for me not being a religious person. I guess I find this story concept interesting because I consider myself more spiritual being having a human experience, rather than the corollary.

But my goals for my writing career are to continue writing quality stories that leave the reader changed and hopefully with something extra – however long that takes.

Great to know your second book is coming soon! Good luck with all the projects. Are you optimistic/hopeful/romantic?

Yes! To all of those. While it might not seem so on the surface on the books that I have written / am writing, but underneath you will see that I always give the reader the ray of hope and resolution. I guess this is where my writer influencers come in to play. Most of them write about the contagiously exciting future and possibilities. And at NASA we ask the question “How do we make it happen?” not “It can’t be done because …”.

While I do not manage my teams using hope as a motivator as I feel that’s unfair and to some extent deceptive. However, I do feel that in the course of a story, that is what you need to get you through hard times. And that I think is fair so long as it manifests itself in something positive once you are through the trial’s gauntlet.

Life is hard. You have your good times and your bad. I think the world is, and is shaped, by your perceptions and your viewpoints. So being an optimists, and a romantic, I present my stories in a similar light.

That's really interesting. So, now that we're so excited about your book, where can we find it?

Network links:
Website: http://terryrhill.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/t.r.hill.author
Twitter: @terry_r_hill
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7348871.Terry_R_Hill

Sale links:
•    CreatSpace.com: https://www.createspace.com/4446863
•    Amazon (Kindle):  http://www.amazon.com/In-Days-Humans-Third-Exodus-ebook/dp/B00FLW1T0W 
•    Barnes & Nobles (Nook): http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-days-of-humans-terry-r-hill/1117116233
•    Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/in-the-days-of-humans-third-exodus
•    Also available on Apple iBooks – just search for In the Days of Humans


Perfect. Thanks, now we know where to go to find out more about you and your work. Is there anything else you'd like to share today?

For those who might be interested in my writing or style thereof, I offer up the following two snippets from “In the Days of Humans: Third Exodus”

One tick of the clock passed. The President exhaled. How had their well-meaning efforts led them here? The hope and fate of the world likely was held on the point of his decision. It wasn’t supposed to work out this way. “Unless there are any better ideas...?” He paused but was not met by any reply, “Alright, go make it happen!”

The crowd quickly began to disperse. The phone rang. Everyone stopped in place as if rehearsed and slowly turned to face the President as he answered.
“Hello?” The muffled sounds of an excited voice came from the other end of the line. Sinking into his chair, the President’s face paled and turned graven as he ended the call. Oh God…

“Sir?”

The President spoke quietly and with great effort. “We no longer have control of our nuclear arsenal. There are reports of at least fifteen domestic launch signatures. The preliminary trajectories will take them to D.C. and fourteen of the largest cities in the US. The same is being reported by all of the other countries with nuclear strike capability.”

The lights flickered and went out. The room erupted with action as all bodies mobilized in an effort to come up with evacuation plans for all the major cities, including their own.

A rather frantic staffer approached the President. “Sir, we need to get you onto Air Force One, now! We have sent for the First Lady to meet you at the plane.”
He sat motionless, stunned. What had they done? “Sir, we have to leave NOW!!”

….

The last person was on board and the doors to Air Force One were still closing as the aircraft picked up speed down the runway. The atmosphere in the plane was organized chaos, but with movements of purpose. Silence dominated the cabin when the President turned to the General of Special Ops and asked, “What is the latest?”

“Sir, we have taken down about forty five percent of the Internet hardware and have units en route to directly take down as much of the rest as they can. Sir, I have to remind you that the original Internet was designed by the military to survive and negotiate hardware taken out by a nuclear attack. It has evolved over the last sixty or so years. I honestly don’t think we can take it completely down. We have reports of a thirty percent success rate at taking out the satellites. Our anti-missile system was not designed to fire away from the Earth and take out communication satellites in geostationary orbit. We lost control of that system five minutes ago. We just can’t keep ahead of Blue’s decryption capabilities.”

The President leaned forward in his seat and cradled his head in his trembling hands and then slowly looked back up at the general. “That leaves us with only one option. Contact any country still in control of their conventional or nuclear weapons and ask them to strike all places on Earth where Blue has assets. This is our only hope to have a future, any future. Send the list of worldwide targets, and may God forgive me.”

From the quiet of space where sound has no reign, the blue planet slowly rotated. Silently the continents crept into view, the resplendent cerulean oceans and forested landmasses were replaced by the glow of inflamed crimson and oranges and the shadows of darkness. The cloud cover was occasionally punctuated with flashes that parted the sky like the hands of God himself making room for the growing, glowing, rolling columns that served as ferryman to transport the souls of billions from the Earth to their respective, assumed destinations. As the Earth’s surface rotated into the blackness of perpetual night, the places where cities once illuminated the darkness now only briefly glowed with the transient life of fire that quickly extinguished itself, leaving a world as it had been before humankind walked upright across its face.

Or …

Evah was early and stood alone in the desert on this unusually cloudy morning for this wasteland, at the agreed upon coordinates. A clear path was worn in the hard earth as she paced while waiting. She hoped that they would arrive soon. Evah checked her watch for the thousandth time, and then heard what sounded like three mighty drum beats off in the distance. That must be the sonic booms of the Yamakarā, she thought to herself. They would be here any minute!

Scanning the sky in the direction of the last signal of its approach she finally saw what she was searching for. As large as a mountain and with the magnificent wings of a mighty, ancient black dragon, the Yamakarā punched through the cloud bank and glided silently to a stop on top of a choking blanket of rushing air, dust, and sand. She caught herself jumping with joy and clapping her hands like a schoolgirl as the vehicle rolled to a stop. Heat radiating from the ship made it seem alive, overheated, and weary from its long journey. This was not the spacecraft that left Earth four years ago; it was something completely different. Something beautiful, but not of her world.

She quickly moved to place the portable stairs where the external hatch should be and secured everything in preparation for the egress of the crew. Almost convinced it was taking too long and there must be something wrong, she sighed with relief as the hatch opened inwardly and one of the young engineers stuck his head out, waved, and shouted a greeting. To her surprise, as the crew departed the ship her eyes welled with tears of joy. Her long departed crew had finally returned home, if only for a short while.


Wow, these are great! Thank you so much for sharing your book's excerpts here and thank you for your time in granting us this very educative interview! Much success with your books!