Ask James Rollins - Wednesday, April 23rd! discussion
Featured Chat - 2014
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Ask James!
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I know the beginning and ending well, along with a few key points in between, but I don’t necessarily know how A connects to B. I’d rather discover that while I write the novel.
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Depends on the day and what’s on my plate. But if there’s nothing on my plate, give me either a stout or ale, and I’ll be happy.
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To be quick:
Rachel The Eye of God
Jake Ransom: more to come!
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Hmm…that’s a tough one. But likely I lean toward burgers.
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How has writing with other authors (Cantrell in Blood Gospel & Blackwood in KillSwitch) impacted your writing?..."
It’s been a great experience and I’ve learned a lot from both of them. All of us have different strengths and different methods, so it’s been a challenge to take all of that and create a book that has a uniform and consistent “voice.” Still, as this process is so intense, it’s also been a great learning experience for everyone.
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Give me a stupid dog any day (so Odie)
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Oh, my family has been my biggest supporters, so no hiding necessary. And after living with the name Czajkowski, they understand the need for a penname (“Rollins,” by the way is the name of the street where the University of Missouri veterinary school is located). As to pronouncing the name, it’s actually easy, it’s pronounced the same as the composer Tchaikovsky.
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Evil mad scientists, of course!
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I’m sure I’ll get to the Philippines. I got close in The Judas Strain, too. So I’m sure I’ll make landfall there soon.
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I hope you visit Toronto again. *finger's crossed*"
Me, too! Love the city!
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I’m drinking a beer now (Sam Adams). * lifting his bottle to wish you luck on your release*
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Kane also has an unnatural love for a red Kong toy (which you’ll see in The Kill Switch), so in that regard it’s the same as Blitz’s motivation. But the Belgian Malinois breed does form deep bonds with their owners, and they have a strong “desire to please” attitude.
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Hmm…I don’t recall mentioning Serbs as terrorists. I have Serbian friends, one very close, so I hope I wasn’t painting an entire country as terrorists. I’ll have to pull out that book and see what I wrote.
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My parents are my inspiration. My mom was the one who got me reading at a young age and we shared books throughout our lives. My father taught me to “go for it,” to chase your dreams with all your might. Both were critical to be becoming both a veterinarian and an author. What does it take to become a writer? I think you need to be a storyteller at heart, then it’s just a matter of learning and polishing your craft. It’s that simple.
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There will indeed be more Sigma novels, and you don’t have too long to wait. The next Sigma novel comes out this August, titled The Sixth Extinction. I’m describing it as Amazonia on steroids.
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Indiana Jones (I mean, I did write the novelization to the last movie), but I also played the latest Lora Croft game and had a great time.
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Be bold. Don’t shy away. Story=Conflict. The best stories come when you tear off that bandage or turn over that rock.
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Thanks, Brenda. I hope you enjoy The Doomsday Key. It’s one of my favorites.
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1)Will there be a"Seichan," stand-alone? Her character cries out for her own back-story!
2)Will The " God Slayer," series ever have a conclusion?
Your stories always rock!"
More stand-alones are in the works. As to Seichan, she had a solo adventure in the short story “The Skeleton Key” and she played a major role (including big reveals about her back story) in The Eye of God. But I can see Seichan getting into more mischief on her own.
As to Godslayer, there are 3 more books coming! Check out JamesClemens.com for more information.
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Lisa has a big role in The Sixth Extinction, along with the introduction of another major female lead, a California park ranger (and her dog Nikko).
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The series has been optioned, so they may make it to the big screen. As to who could play them, I seldom play that game, simply because I’ve lived and breathed these character for close to a decade, and they’re as real in my own mind as my best friends. And no actor compares.
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In short: more books coming. To get more current information and updates, check out the new James Clemens website (JamesClemens.com).
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Do you have an endpoint in sight for the SIGMA series or is it more set up with story arcs?
Who do you think would win in a fight; Grayson Pierce or Tucker and Kane?"
Two against one? I think Gray would be in trouble (especially with me if he harmed Kane).
But I will say that I don’t have an endpoint for the Sigma series. I do have plans for all the major characters, and there will be shake-ups, new arcs, and new blood over time.
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Hello James, I am a big fan of your books. I have read all of them (and I just finished Innocent Blood yesterday; can't wait for the third book). I first came across your books in 2010 when I started getting back into reading for pleasure and I think your books are at the top of my favorites list.
My questions are:
1. The Kill Switch, a full-length novel featuring Tucker Wayne and his dog Kane, is due out in May. I was wondering what made you decide to create a separate series for them?
2. Now that Rachel Verona is dead (as of The Eye of God; which you signed for me when you came to Kansas City, are you planning on developing Gray and Seichan's relationship further?
3. Your first books where all standalone. I've read all of them, but my favorite is Deep Fathom. Since you have branched out into several series novels, do you plan on writing more standalones?
4. My last question is about Deep Fathom's main character Jack Kirkland. He briefly appeared in Bloodline to help Sigma Force and it's mentioned that he was wearing a wedding band. I am just curious as to whether Jack and Karen Grace, another character from Deep Fathom married following the events of that book? I know it is a small detail but it kind of drives me crazy not knowing what happened to the characters afterwards.
Again, I love all of you books and look forward to The Kill Switch and The Sixth Extinction coming out this year (as well as future works).
Thanks! I definitely appreciate it!
(1) Tucker and Kane were recruited in Bloodline by Sigma, but the pair always struck me as lone wolves (so to speak). So it only seemed natural for them to have their own books—not that you won’t see Sigma in there at times, too.
(2) There are some BIG surprises for Gray and Seichan…that’s all I can say.
(3) Yes, I have five ideas for stand-alone books. Now I just have to find the time to write them.
(4) Yes, Jack married Karen. That mention of the wedding band was inserted for those who read Deep Fathom. I’m glad you picked up on that detail.
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I like that name, too! I’m writing it down now.
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(1) I have indeed visited Budapest (including that graveyard in Tracker), but you don’t have to necessarily travel to create that authenticity. My novel Sandstorm takes place mostly in Oman. I got those details about the country by becoming penpals with a local who gave me all the telling details to craft that authenticity.
(2) I met handlers and their dogs in Iraq during a USO tour about three years ago and visited Lackland Air Force Base, where they train military dogs. Plus my sister adopted a Belgian Malinois (the same breed as Kane), so I get some personal one-on-one time with a Kane look-alike. It’s from her that I learned that the breed’s nickname (Mal-igators) is accurate. They are BIG chewers.
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?
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Sorry to hear that. If you email me, I’m sure I can twist my publisher’s arm to get you a corrected copy. And/or you could always mail me your copy and I’d be happy to sign it!
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First: Happy Birthday!
Second: I don’t know, but I hope they never stop.
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Thanks for those kudos, Mayie!
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No, Not something we have discussed thus far.
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Anything is possible
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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.
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Thanks, Guadeloupe. Glad you are able to read them in English too!
James wrote: "David wrote: "Hi James, We get attached to characters and having them die, or move away from a series is difficult for both writer and reader. so,how hard was it to kill off Rachel?"So much for t..."
James wrote: "Dean wrote: "How does the co-author process work? Does one write while the other interjects or do you take turns writing? Love your collaboration with Rebecca and CANNOT wait for the next Jake book..."
I swear I thought I'd read all of your books. Maybe I just haven't finished Eye of God. Loved that "So much for the spoiler" LOL.
I just want to thank you for taking the time to answer all these questions! I see you've been doing it all morning! It means a ton to all of us die hard James Rollins fans! Thank you!!
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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...
Cynthia wrote: "Welcome to the group! James Rollins will be answering questions throughout the day on Wednesday, April 23rd in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for the author or just want t..."Hi, Cynthia! Just wondering why my question is one of the few that has not been answered (#48). Thanks!
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85% of the Guild storyline had been worked out in advance, but some elements developed over time (and surprised even me)
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
I also am happy to hear about the stand alone books. I know this new Tucker and Wayne book is separate, but when I think "stand alone" I think "Subterranean" and those other earlier books. Hope that's what you're thinking too. Those were some of my favorites!!