What can you tell us about your new release, The Living Reminder?
Each book in my Neuphobes Series explores different aspects as to how extraterrestrials have influenced mankind during the past millennia. My latest release in this Series, The Living Reminder, explores humanity’s final chapter as to just where the catastrophic conclusion of alien intervention inevitably leads. Elijah, my protagonist, had long ago been chosen to be the Living Reminder, and my book establishes the reasoning behind this as well as humanity’s bizarre acceptance to its annihilation. Befriending extraterrestrials, after their being released from imprisonment within the Earth, Elijah and the aliens inevitably learn from one another during their journey across the universe, growing spiritually while absolving the other of past sins.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I was inspired to becoming an author back when I was young. Whenever I read a book–especially science fiction–I would always find myself pondering changes to the story line. I had my own sense as to how the plot should unfold, how the aliens should look and behave. I incorporated that thinking into what I remembered from high school, an English class where the teacher analyzed short stories; dissecting them, extracting the theme, humanitarian travails she felt the author strived to convey. I found it all very interesting and something I wanted to do myself. And so I have.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
Childhood’s End, Arthur C. Clarke
The Stand, Steven King
War of the Worlds, H G Wells
Fantastic Voyage, Isaac Asimov
Journey to the Center of the Earth, Jules Verne
Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask
If I were to host a literary talk show, I would definitely want to interview Jules Verne. Having lived nearly two centuries ago, I would ask about his childhood, and just what experiences he had during those years that inspired his writing. I’ve always felt things that have touched your life during childhood fuel your imagination–yet back in his days I would think there were not that many to do such.
What’s your favorite thing about writing?
My favorite thing about writing is the evolution of the story. At first it is just a concept, an outline. But as you work on it, put it aside to think about it, then go back and work on it more and more, it evolves into something phenomenal. Writing is something you can work on even when you’re not sitting in front of the computer. I tend to carry around the story with me (in my head) during most of my waking hours. Many times I find myself jotting down notes when I’m in the midst of doing other things. Yes, I am a daydreamer.
What is a typical day like for you?
My typical day consists of waking up before sunrise, making myself coffee, then watching about an hour of television: news, financial stuff, old westerns. I’m a channel surfer. I then make my way into my study (Thought Chamber, I like to call it) and troll around on the Internet for a bit. After that, I get serious and pick up on where I left off the following evening with whatever project I’m currently working on. I’ll write for a couple hours, then go and have breakfast, do some chores around the house, around the yard, run errands out to stores here and there–all this happening usually before lunch. This leaves the remainder of my day, into the evening, open for my writing. Depending on how far I am into a project, what point I’m at either developing plot or editing content, I’ll spend a minimum of 2 hours, sometimes as many as 12 hours a day writing. After that, I will then read. I write everyday of the week—except holidays. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do, be an author. Now I’m doing just that.
What scene from The Living Reminder was your favorite to write?
My favorite scene in the Living Reminder is when Elijah is talking about music with the aliens; especially when they play their songs for him and he marvels from the experience. I’ve always believed music to be a universal language, a universal joy that everyone from any walk of life can appreciate.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
As for philosophy, all I say is to try and be more understanding of others. I try and see things through others eyes, and try not to be judgmental. Everyone has his or her own thinking, their own interests, and I feel that if I am open to such I will have grown as a human being.
Thomas Zman is the author of the new book The Living Reminder.
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