'Science or History ending in a question mark'

 

“WheneverI start a novel, I'm always looking for two things: a bit of science that makesme go 'what if?' and a piece of history that ends in a question mark.”– James Rollins
 

One of twopen names used by veterinarian JamesPaul Czajkowski, Rollins is a writer of action-adventure/thriller novelswho had been practicing veterinary medicine when he decided to"mostly" switch careers.   Anamateur spelunker and a certified scuba diver, he also found those pastimes tobe great background and settings for many of his writing. 

 

“But, I don't actually have a onewellspring of inspiration,” he said. “I subscribe to National Geographic, Scientific American, Discover, and a slew ofother magazines. And it is while reading articles for pleasure and interestthat an interesting 'What if?' often will pop into my head.”

 

Born in Chicago on this date in1961, he didn’t start writing until 1999 but has been almost unstoppable since,penning some 60 novels, and counting. Among them is the wildly successful IndianaJones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. His first novel, Witch Fire – written under his other pen nameJames Clemens – and the “Sigma Force” series, now up to 18 novels, the mostrecent being this year's Arkangel.

    

Rollins also continues to practiceveterinary medicine, particularly helping abandoned or abused animals.  And, he says he’s found a secondary benefitfrom his writing. “Generally, if you preface a request with, 'I'm an authorwriting a book,' for some reason, that seems to open a lot of doors.”

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