James’s Comments (group member since Apr 08, 2014)

James’s comments from the Ask James Rollins - Wednesday, April 23rd! group.

Alicia wrote: "What, if you were forced to chose one, is your favorite animal, and why?"

Wow, that is a toughie. If you put a gun to my head, I’m probably say I’m more of a dog person than a cat, but I love cats, too. It’s why I featured Tor-tor in Amazonia. But I also love BIG animals: horses, cows, pigs. And sadly I lost my 70 year-old parrot (named Igor) recently, so birds also hold a place in my heart.

Mubashir wrote: "How do you find the time to read your fan messages at Goodreads?"

I do! I hop on Goodreads all the time, both to put my ear to the ground for feedback on a novel…or to discover a book everyone is talking about.

Alicia wrote: "When you went to Iraq what was the most startlingly thing you saw/discovered/realized?

I know you were able to see handlers and dogs, but what else did you do over there? What was the biggest thing you took away from the visit (other than the idea for a story haha)? Thanks!"

The biggest surprise was a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and there in Baghdad was a veterinary classmate of mine. It was a cool and unexpected reunion. The biggest takeaway? I was simply awed by the universal good cheer of everyone we met. Despite the temperature, the sand, and the long days, every man and woman in uniform remained upbeat and positive. An amazing bunch all around.

Alicia wrote: "I know you've told me in the past the question you most loath being asked. What's you're favorite questions people ask? Least favorite (again)?

I just wanted to comment that I think it's super cool that you give back by using your vet degree to volunteer.

Can you also tell us more about what this USO tour you got to partake in was all about (sadly I don't know what USO stands for....United States Operation? No....)."

It stands for United Services Organizations (at least I think that’s right ). About 3 years ago, I and four other authors were invited by the USO to visit bases in Kuwait and Iraq. It was called “Operation Thriller” and it was a test balloon to see if the troops would want authors to visit. They regularly get rock stars, cheer leaders, and comedians, but never authors. So off we all went—and had a great reception from everyone out there and encouraged soldiers to journal their experiences, if only as a memory piece for their family or future generations. We also visited the wounded warriors at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed, which was a sobering experience.

As to questions, the least favorite: “Where do you get your ideas from?” Always a tough question to answer because I have no answer. And the same is true for most authors.

Favorite question: Some veterinary question. Still love talking shop and putting on my vet hat.

Alicia wrote: "I guess I'll have to keep a better eye out for your visits!! I usually just go off your tweets, but I'll have to check your website.

We are all chomping at the bit cuz brat fry days should be starting any day! Yippee!! "

As it’s getting close to lunch here, please don’t talk about brats I’m hungry enough as it is.

Alicia wrote: "Lol-I can see how you'd have to limit the research. Especially with the internet that leads you from 1 amazing line of thought to another! Great idea, giving yourself 90 days!"

I had to make myself that deadline: put words on pages beginning on Day 91. Otherwise, I’d just keep researching and researching, and no book would ever see the light of day. Trust me, there was one book early on that I fell down that research rabbit hole and didn’t get anything written for 5 months.

Alicia wrote: "Follow up question: you created Tucker and Wayne, correct? I know Tracker, I know the Sigma tie in, but you thought him up as far as I knew (correct me if I'm wrong. That being said, is it *hard* handing a character you developed over to someone else to work on? I'm sure you'd speak up if you felt uncomfortable with something, I'm curious if you asked for anything to be changed because it didn't feel right to you regarding the character you'd come up with? Did it make any difference that they were supportive players in the Sigma book they played a role in? Thanks! "

Tracker was my first attempt to craft this duo of an army ranger and his dog, along with writing those scene’s from Kane’s POV. After that test story, I knew I wanted them to be recruited into Sigma, so they debuted in Bloodline. But by book’s end I realized that pair really were more loners than team players, so I thought, “What if I give them their own set of adventures?” About that time, Grant and I were talking about the way some thriller writers mess up crafting military characters (Grant has a military background). And I broached the subject of the two of teaming together on this Tucker/Kane series. He’d bring that military authenticity; I’d bring the animals, science, and history. The more we talked about it, the more excited we got…and a new series was born.

Alicia wrote: "Amazonia is my FAVORITE book of yours-for the reasons you mentioned, the animals. You're *really* getting me super excited for The 6th Extinction!! Woohoo! Amazing animals rise again!"

Oh, yeah, in The Sixth Extinction, there are two riotous landscapes—one natural and millennia old and one crafted by the hand of man using the latest (and true) sciences. So I wasn’t joking when I described it as “Amazonia on steroids.”

Alicia wrote: "I just saw what you responded about 90 days of research, having a beginning & an end in mind, an idea. Anything more to add? Thanks!"

Just make that commitment to put pen to paper (or digital letters onto a computer screen) on a daily basis. When I was running my veterinary hospital, I made a commitment to 3 double-spaced pages a day (for 5 out of every 7 days). I wrote some during my lunch hour, and whatever I didn’t finish, I would do at night. The key is not to wait for inspiration, but to keep putting those words down. Words and pages are like a sculptor’s clay. You’ve got to build up a pile of that material, then hack and pull and push it into shape.

Alicia wrote: "I used to dream of being a writer when I was young, but it just seemed SO HARD! That being said, I just came out with what I believe to be a FANTASTIC concept! What I'm wondering is:

How do you write an entire novel?
Do you do an outline?
Just sit down and write what comes to mind?
Gain more info on your idea?

Basically I'm asking (and I've seen you say all books come together differently-and I'm sure everyone writes their own way) if you've got any tips for someone who's got an idea they'd like to attempt to turn into a book?
Thanks!"

If you have a great idea, then you’ve already made a huge step as a writer. The next step is to figure out WHO is best to tell that story, then work out as much of an outline in advance as you feel comfortable. Personally I work from a loose outline: I know the beginning and ending very well and some of the key elements in between, then I start. But some authors prefer something more substantial. Either way, the next thing to do is to make a firm commitment to yourself to produce X number of pages per day (could be 1,2, 3 or more…whatever you can realistically fit into your schedule). Then stick to that game plan. You’d be surprised how fast that stack of pages will build.

Hello! I’m so excited to be getting to pick your brain on something! One of my best friends introduced me to Sigma and it was kind of game over from there. I’m a history student so all the blending of the historical record, the science, and the nerdiness is pretty much awesome.

I have an extremely random question, and apologies if it’s been asked, but here goes: what was the inspiration for Rasputin to be what he’s portrayed as in the Sanguinist series? Was it simply how resilient his body was portrayed in the historical record and you guys went “hey, this’d be fun!” or did something else trigger it?"

Good question. I was in St. Petersburg and there is a museum where you can visit where Rasputin was imprisoned, poisoned, shot, and eventually escaped only to drown (supposedly) in the river. After that tour, I was like, “Man, nothing can kill that guy.” And as the story for The Blood Gospel was germinating in my head around that time, I thought “let’s add him to the story.”

Alicia wrote: "Wow! My iPhone is alight with you answering questions! I had previously asked about you coming to WI on a book your. If you go on a 48 state tour (though HI would be a nice getaway), angle your WI visit to a Green Bay (not Milwaukee), Packer home game and I've got tickets with your name on them.

Speaking of football, do you watch football, and if so, who's your favorite team? If you have a fav & they're playing in Green Bay-shoot to be here that weekend & see them in historic Lambeau Field!! My treat "

Yep, I’m working through all of those questions as quickly as I can. And when I make it to WI, let’s DO that game. Though I was raised in Chicago and St. Louis, I hit many of the regional stadiums, but never Lambeau Field, so that would be a fun.

Ray wrote: "Hi, James! Just curious why you have teamed up with authors recently (Grant Blackwood for THE KILL SWITCH and Rebecca Cantrell for the SANGUINE SERIES). You see overly prolific writers like James Patterson doing this --- but his novels are watered down and rushed with a team of writers working on each Your novels have always been well-researched and very well written which made me wonder why the need to share the by-line with another author. Loved THE KILL SWITCH, by the way, and hope to see more of Wayne and Kane"

I don’t know how James Patterson and Clive Cussler work their collaborations, but I picked two friends and we work intimately together. I physically couldn’t do more than these two cowritten projects in a year. For most of my career I’ve written two books a year by myself, and I figured by pairing up with two co-authors I could write one book and two half books, but even that’s a challenge, as the coauthored projects take indeed as long as writing half a book. I certainly don’t want the quality of the books to be watered down. That was goal one. With the Sanguines series, I envisioned a gothic, dark storyline, richly textural and atmospheric. Rebecca is a master of this type of material, so when I came up with this storyline, I thought she would be the perfect one to help bring this story fully to life with me. Likewise, I’ve known Grant for years and he’s got a background in the military, so when I decided to spin Tucker and Kane into their own books, I thought of Grant’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the armed forces and thought let’s pair that up with my animal, science, and history background and see what insanity we could create.

Yen wrote: "Hi James! The Sigma series is by far, my favourite within the thriller genre.. =) I'm not sure if someone has already asked this: I wonder if the villains (origins of the Guild), as revealed in The Bloodline, were who you envisioned them to be right from the beginning? And that Seichan was to be part to be part of the bloodline? Or the storyline developed as you went along? Can't wait for the next book in the Sigma series!"

85% of the Guild storyline had been worked out in advance, but some elements developed over time (and surprised even me)

Kat wrote: "The first book I ever read of yours was The Doomsday Key. After that, I promptly went and bought all the rest, and have been a fan ever since. Thanks for many happy hours spent reading!!!! If you e..."

I'll be coming to Seattle for one day July 2014. Early details posted on my website and more details to come. This is my only stop this far north west: http://www.jamesrollins.com/appearanc...

Malise wrote: "Hello from Guadeloupe, I just discover your books and I realy enjoyed reading it. Seems that you're becoming my favorite through all the author I read. Thanks for such great writing. (I'm french but read them in English"

Thanks, Guadeloupe. Glad you are able to read them in English too!

Steve wrote: "James, I don't really have a question. Everyone is already asking such great questions already, and you're giving such outstanding (and detailed) responses.

With your posts on G+ and your contributions on Facebook, you do an amazing job of interacting with your fans. I just wanted to say thank you. Events like this are insightful, and just plain fun!

Thanks for your amazing work, and the time you spend with your fans! "

Thanks! I do my best to keep up with it all.

Alicia wrote: "Mr. Awesome, you've written fantasy, you've written action-adventure with other elements mixed in, any chance you'll do a switch and jump genres again?"

Anything is possible

Felix wrote: "Have you and Steve Berry thought of Co-Authoring a novel?"

No, Not something we have discussed thus far.

Mayie wrote: "dear sir, I am gratefully happy that iI was able to read your Sanguine series and that finally at long last a kick ass vampire novel series...you come in the ranks of bram stoker and anne rice..."

Thanks for those kudos, Mayie!