Ask the Author: Michael Just
Answered Questions (9)
Michael Just
A top-secret expedition ventures into a super-max, underground prison to solve the mystery of what made inmates and staff turn murderously on one another, until no one was left alive. Yet now, the underworld won't let them escape.
Michael Just
The Kerguelen Islands, a sub-Antarctic archipelago which served as the setting of Edgar Allen Poe's The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket and Jules Verne's An Antarctic Mystery. It's also been the scene for the work of other authors.
These windswept, real-life islands are among the most isolated, mysterious and beautiful places on the planet. In fact, I've set a novella there myself.
These windswept, real-life islands are among the most isolated, mysterious and beautiful places on the planet. In fact, I've set a novella there myself.
Michael Just
A History of the World in Six Glasses, by Tom Standage
Prisoners of Geography, by Tim Marshall
Naming Nature, by Carol K. Yoon
Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy
Landscapes of the Sacred, by Belden Lane
Wilderness Journals of Everett Ruess. Ed. by W.L. Rusho
Collapse, by Jared Diamond
The Wave, by Susan Casey
Prisoners of Geography, by Tim Marshall
Naming Nature, by Carol K. Yoon
Blood Meridian, by Cormac McCarthy
Landscapes of the Sacred, by Belden Lane
Wilderness Journals of Everett Ruess. Ed. by W.L. Rusho
Collapse, by Jared Diamond
The Wave, by Susan Casey
Michael Just
I actually don't usually get this. It was more of an issue when I wrote screenplays. Nowadays, if I get burnt out writing a novel-length mss, I'll put it aside, and pick up an idea for a short story, knock that out. Then, get back to the book.
Michael Just
I don't have to deal with a boss. Plus, to paraphrase Isaac Asimov, I don't have the regret that I didn't express idea I had.
Michael Just
Writers write. The only thing that separates a writer from one who dreams about writing is that writers write. An old Han saying: The job will teach you the work (hopefully).
Michael Just
More alternate reality/fantasy/sci-fi. This one's way out. It's been said that writers always write themselves. Most of my writing is so fantastic (in the thematic sense, not the actual prose, mind you), that I have a hard time seeing myself in the characters. This current mss does borrow many autobiographical details from my adolescence. As an old writing partner once said: writing is exorcising (or is that exercising) your demons.
Michael Just
Lots of caffeine. I think many writers use that. Some drink. I drink caffeine. Combine that with a great coffee shop. Writing at home can be inspiring. I live out in the middle of nowhere. Yet for some reason, I need to be surrounded by people, even though I seldom interact with them during writing sessions. Ideas come of themselves. I prefer writing short stories and novellas, as the burden of carrying the story is much less. Usually, a character or a situation comes to mind, and I note it on an index card (a habit I picked up writing screenplays).
Michael Just
The main character for The Mind Altar, released June 1st, has been in development since childhood. Through the death of classmates, one of whom I particularly admired, I got the idea later in life that I'd invited the psyches of the deceased to take up a home - in me. The novel combines psychological horror with the physical horror of a haunted prison/psych hospital, another subject that's always fascinated.
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