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Mike Mullin
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Mike Mullin (Author of the Ashfall trilogy) Q&A Event--Jan 13-19th
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Sherrie
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Jan 16, 2014 05:53AM
Which do you prefer e-books or physical copies? Also, what are your favorite genres to read?
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Karen wrote: Margaret, you're priceless."
Thanks Karen. :)
Sherrie wrote: "Which do you prefer e-books or physical copies? Also, what are your favorite genres to read?"I prefer paper books. I just gave my Kindle to my wife to take to her classroom because I hardly ever use it. I did read a book on my phone recently, and that was okay.
Favorite genre is probably fantasy/sci-fi, particularly young adult, although I read tons of different genres--lit fic, romance, poetry, graphic novels, mysteries, nonfiction, you name it.
Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "Do you draw on that type of 'what if' scenario to create your character reactions to the volcanic eruption?"Sure. The whole idea behind ASHFALL was a what if scenario inspired by Bill Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything What if the Yellowstone supervolcano erupted again today?
Karen wrote: "Mike, you seem like the kind of guy that's prepared. Do you and your family have a bug out bag ready to go? If you do, what's in it?"I don't have a go-bag ready. I probably should. In packing one, I'd think about what can kill you fastest. So your first priority is avoiding exposure. Hypothermia can kill you in less than half an hour. Hyperthermia is almost as dangerous. Water is far more important than food--you can go without food for weeks--lack of potable water will kill you much faster.
Jenny wrote: "Have you ever watched the show Doomsday Preppers and what do you think about people that go out of their way to prepare for an apocalypse?"No, I haven't watched it. I don't even get cable. I've read reviews of the show.
I think it's a good idea for everyone to be prepared to survive for about 3 weeks on their own. That would get you through a disaster like Hurricane Katrina or Sandy. Those kinds of disasters are going to become more and more common as the planet's climate changes.
As far as prepping for the end of the world as we know it, if you're a woman between the ages of 6 and 35, go for it. If you're a man, your odds of surviving are cut by about half. Men have higher muscle mass and lower body fat that women on average, so they both need more food and have less stored fuel. They tend to do poorly in famine situations. If you're outside the 6-35 age bracket, prepping for the end of the world is kind of pointless. In the Donner party, for example, one person--one--older than 35 survived. We just don't have the resilience that younger people have. As a species, we evolve to support the survival of the species, not the survival of individuals. Men are less useful than women from that perspective, and those over 35 far less useful than those under that age.
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And I'm 36 so apparantly I'm screwed! LOL Actually, I'd rather just die in the first wave of deaths myself. Trying to take care of myself and 4 kids...doesn't sound like much fun!
Jenny wrote: "I think that's good advice, Mike! The story of the Donners...just creepy! And I'm 36 so apparantly I'm screwed! LOL Actually, I'd rather just die in the first wave of deaths myself. Trying t..."
There's a fascinating study of the Donner party by an epidemiologist here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/artic.... Also, I just read the graphic novel, Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party--fascinating, because it gives more of the human side of the story.
I'm almost 34, so it's looking slightly better from my standpoint. We've just been discussing our fire evacuation scenario at our house, sadly a big threat during the Aussie summer.
I consumed both books eagerly because they were completely unlike anything I've read. I also want to thank you for including a character with special needs. As a mother of a special needs child, they tend to be overlooked, mocked or made into some type of psychic freak. Thank you for not making them like that.My question is this: there are a lot of post apoc shows on tv-like Doomsday Preppers etc or if aliens landed on the earth. Have you been approached to talk on the post apoc shows? Do you think at some point you would write an alien series or are you rooted to things that could really happen? I can't wait for the next book and I put the request in for the library I work for to order it. They have a habit of ordering two out of three books of some series.
Thanks!
Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "I'm almost 34, so it's looking slightly better from my standpoint. We've just been discussing our fire evacuation scenario at our house, sadly a big threat during the Aussie summer."Even seemingly minor things like thinking through what you'll do in advance make a big difference. I recently learned that one predictor of who survives an airplane crash according to a study by the U.S. NTSB is. . . whether you read the safety information card that we all ignore. So now I read them, identify the nearest exit, and make sure I know how that exit opens. (There are often two different types of doors, even on the same airplane, which seems like an engineering mistake to me, but whatever.) The simple act of thinking about what you would do in a fire, where you would meet, etc., probably increases your survival odds.
Tracy wrote: "I also want to thank you for including a character with special needs. As a mother of a special needs child, they tend to be overlooked, mocked or made into some type of psychic freak. Thank you for not making them like that."That means a lot to me. I was terrified of writing Ben, of getting it wrong, so when I get feedback from mothers and teens with direct experience with the autism spectrum, I really appreciate it.
Tracy wrote: "Have you been approached to talk on the post apoc shows? Do you think at some point you would write an alien series or are you rooted to things that could really happen?"No. My publisher's publicist contacted Doomsday Preppers, but nothing came of it. I might write about aliens at some point, but I would probably try to do it realistically. Any alien race able to reach us is by definition going to be far, far ahead of us technologically. So much so, that it's quite possible they might exterminate us without even noticing--much like the backhoe operator digging a new swimming pool doesn't notice the ant colony he's massacring. Any kind of war between aliens and humans is not particularly plausible, except perhaps one based on cultural norms and asymmetric conflict, something like Dickson's Way of the Pilgrim
Tracy wrote: "I can't wait for the next book and I put the request in for the library I work for to order it."Thanks! That really helps!
I can tell this book has resonated with me because I keep dreaming disaster scenarios. Last night I was trying to make a giant garden and couldn't figure out how to get water, then I "remembered" everything was covered with ash anyway. Thanks for such a fun read!
Suzanne wrote: "I can tell this book has resonated with me because I keep dreaming disaster scenarios. Last night I was trying to make a giant garden and couldn't figure out how to get water, then I "remembered"..."You're welcome. I gave a very early version of ASHFALL to my mother to read. She said it gave her horrible nightmares, and I thought, yes, I nailed it! I'm a great writer and a terrible son.
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Karen wrote: "Mike, this may have been mentioned already, but how long before the earth becomes "semi-normal", i.e., the sun breaks through and the crops begin to grow again?"There's considerable disagreement on this question in scientific circles, and it depends on the size of the eruption and the composition of ejecta (the more sulfur dioxide, the worse, for example). The best answer I can give you is for an eruption close to the maximum possible, one similar to what I portray in ASHFALL, three to ten years.
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Hahahaha! Great story and reaction :)
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I'm SO SORRY, Karen, I just realized that on the first post I put that question as my own! (Bad Mod! BAD!!!) lol I fixed it, though!
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Jenny wrote: " What is one of the strangest things that's ever happened to you?"I lived in Brazil for a year when I was 17, as an exchange student with Rotary. While I was there, my girlfriend and I went to a party. We were dancing when the power went out, which was fairly common in Cuiaba, where I lived. It was pitch black, and she pressed up against me, and in seconds we were, um, getting hot and bothered in the middle of a room packed with people. Then the lights came back on. And I was making out with the wrong girl.
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Mike wrote: "Jenny wrote: " What is one of the strangest things that's ever happened to you?"I lived in Brazil for a year when I was 17, as an exchange student with Rotary. While I was there, my girlfriend an..."
That is hilarious! Real life trumps fiction every single time. Priceless!
Too funny. That's priceless.Has anyone ever mentioned you remind them of a younger Christopher Reeves, only lighter? Or is that just me that sees it?
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Mike wrote: "Jenny wrote: " What is one of the strangest things that's ever happened to you?"I lived in Brazil for a year when I was 17, as an exchange student with Rotary. While I was there, my girlfriend an..."
Oh my word! That's...I have no words!
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Tracy wrote: " As a mother of a special needs child,..."Tracy, Mike may have already mentioned this, but I'm going to jump in too. He spend LOTS of time with Ben's character - what authentic reactions might have been, how he could contribute meaningfully, etc. Ben also has a big role in Sunrise. Thanks for recognizing Ben. :)
On a related note, I know that Mike and I have talked extensively about how important it is that books have a full range of people making up their cast of characters - optimistic, pragmatic, straight, gay, empathic, hateful, etc. This helps the book provide both a mirror for the reader (can see oneself or others like oneself) and a window (can see how others live). These are my words, but reflect many conversations that Mike and I (wife) have had over the years.
Hi Margaret, it's lovely to meet the better half.As the wife of an author, how involved are you in the creative process?
I can imagine it's probably similar to being a gaming widow for any partner of an author.
Jenny wrote: "O.M.G!!!! HAHAHA!!! That is hilarious, love that story!! What did your girlfriend do??"There was no scene or anything. Just kind of a stunned silence and reshuffling. We broke up not long after that, and I started dating another girl (not the one I was mistakenly making out with).
Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "Too funny. That's priceless.Has anyone ever mentioned you remind them of a younger Christopher Reeves, only lighter? Or is that just me that sees it?"
Yeah, I've been told that before. It's very flattering--he was a great Superman. And I admired the work he did advocating for the disabled after his accident.
Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "As the wife of an author, how involved are you in the creative process?"My books would suck without Margaret. She puts up with my moping around, helps with plot ideas, reads second drafts, encourages me when I need it and slaps me down when I need that. There's a reason for ASHFALL's dedication, "To Margaret, my Darla."
David wrote: "Oh. My. Gosh. Mike. That story is unbelievable, seriously, it's WAY better than fiction LOL!!!"I'm going to write a novel loosely based on my year in Brazil sometime. I've got the opening written and about 5 pages of notes.
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I'm going to write a novel loosely based on my year in Brazil sometime. I've got the o..."
I would love to read it!
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Group members--this is the last day of the event, so make sure to get all your questions asked!
Mike wrote: "Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "As the wife of an author, how involved are you in the creative process?"My books would suck without Margaret. She puts up with my moping around, helps with plot idea..."
Behind every great man, is an even greater woman.
If you could sum up the Ashfall in a 5 track playlist, which songs do you think best represent the series?
Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "If you could sum up the Ashfall in a 5 track playlist, which songs do you think best represent the series? "One track: The Overture of 1812 played in reverse. Starts with a bang and ends on a note of resolute hope. In between, there's all kinds of thrilling and crazy moments.
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And a special thanks to Jenny for doing an awesome job moderating the Q&A, as always :)
Now for the giveaway...a signed paperback ARC of Sunrise, generously offered by Mike! Drumroll please....using a random generator for everyone who asked at least one questions...the winner IS......
Tracy!!!! Here's Tracy's Goodreads profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1...
Tracy, I'll send you a message in a moment to get your address for Mike to send the book to. CONGRATS!!!
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Thank you so much Mike, for coming to our group for the week and hanging out with us! This was so much fun! Good luck to you in the future!
Kelly (Diva Booknerd) wrote: "Hi Margaret, it's lovely to meet the better half.As the wife of an author, how involved are you in the creative process?
I can imagine it's probably similar to being a gaming widow for any partne..."
Hi Kelly, sorry I'm late replying to your question. Oh, gaming widow...been there too; being with a writer is much better.
I'm a fourth grader teacher with a huge classroom library and my own preferred reading materials tend toward YA fantasy with strong female protagonists (Tamora Pierce, Kristin Cashore, Rae Carson). In those areas there's a lot of overlap with Mike's job. We read many of the same books and have great conversations about them.
In addition to teaching, I'm also in the final phases of a PhD program in the teaching of reading & literacy. Therefore, I spend a lot of time writing as well - trying to finish my dissertation sometime this spring or summer. So, even though the writing is very different, Mike and I can hang out together and write! Yeah, we have great dates - the local coffee shop and writing. :) Another great thing about being a teacher is that if he is doing school/library trips while I'm on a break, I can go with him. My district recently moved to a "balanced calendar," so we get 2 weeks off in spring, winter and fall and 6 weeks in the summer. Good road trips, including the research trips in Iowa & Illinois.
I really enjoy having a writer as a husband, in part because Mike is much happier as a writer than he was at any of his previous careers.
Thanks for involving me in the conversation.
Margaret
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Thank you Margaret for joining in the discussion as well!
David wrote: "That's it! A HUGE thanks to Mike Mullin for his honest, hilarious, and thought-provoking answers, as well as Margaret for chiming in and helping us all get to know Mike!And a special thanks to Je..."
Congrats, Tracy! Let me know how you want your book signed--personalized? to whom? I assume someone will email me your address--I'll try to hit the post office tomorrow.
Thanks to everyone for such a lively and interesting discussion. It was fun! Let's do it again sometime.
Jenny wrote: "I LOVE Kristin Cashore and Rae Carson, great author choices!! I am a huge fantasy reader!Thank you Margaret for joining in the discussion as well!"
If you haven't read these, do! Trickster's Choice and Trickster's Queen
If you didn't win the ARC giveaway, here's a chance to win something even better:Six days left to enter my contest to win a unique set of SUNRISE page proofs. More info here: http://mikemullinauthor.com/2014/01/1....
I've also created a Pinterest board of all the entries I've received so far: http://www.pinterest.com/mikemullin/w...
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And a specia..."
I've sent a message to Tracy to get her address and other info :) I'll let you know as soon as she responds, thanks so much!!
David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite!
Books mentioned in this topic
Trickster's Choice (other topics)Trickster's Queen (other topics)
Way of the Pilgrim (other topics)
Donner Dinner Party (other topics)
A Short History of Nearly Everything (other topics)
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