10 Questions with Science Fiction Novelist Glen Hendrix (@GlenHendrix)

I think Glen is going to win the award for
Best Author Photo.

This week's Author Spotlight features science fiction novelist and Irish whiskey aficionado Glen Hendrix, who lives in Houston, Texas.


Glen describes himself as "Inventor of Virtual Virtuality. Experimental abstract technician. Practitioner of conceptual synthesis (with protection, of course)."


1. How did you get into writing?


Me: “Some day I’m going to write that science fiction novel, you watch.”
Wife: “Yeah, yeah.”
Me: “Why haven’t we seen that idea in a science fiction novel?”
Wife: “I dunno.”
Me: “Man, I can write a better science fiction book than this.”
Wife: “Write the damn book already! You’re drivin’ me nuts!”


2. What do you like best (or least) about writing?


I least like the frantic desperation at 2 A.M. when I haven’t met a reasonable writing goal for that day and feel myself slipping and sliding down a dark funnel of mindlessness lubricated with reality shows, reruns of Stargate SG-1, and…just kidding. That never happens. It’s all good. What I like most is the illusion of total control over the worlds I create when I write.


3. What is your writing process? IE do you outline? Do you stick to a daily word or page count, write 7 days a week, etc?


I don’t set daily goals and I don’t force myself to write everyday. Sometimes it’s several days between writing sessions; but I think about it a lot, allowing scenes to steep and ferment.


With Transmat World I had a vague mental outline of the plot and used it as a reference while writing by the seat of my pants. For my second book I’m using a more defined written outline that I refer to occasionally while pants seat writing. I guess I’m a barely controlled pantser. Sounds like some kind of wild military animal.


4. Who are some other writers you read and admire, regardless of whether they are commercially “successful?”


From Asimov to Zelazny, I’ve read a lot of scifi authors that I admire. Neal Stephenson and Iain Banks are a couple of my favorites. Recently I read a scifi/fantasy book called Angelfall by Susan Ee. She won’t admit this, but it’s obvious Susan’s imagination glands have been surgically enhanced. She’s a wonderful talent I’m sure we’ll be hearing more from.


5. Should the question mark in the above question be inside or outside the quotes?


I care not if the entire universe be against me, the question mark should go outside the quotes in that sentence. As Spock would say, “It’s logical.”


6. What’s your stance on the Oxford Comma?
   
I am not ashamed to say that I voted for Oxford Comma, and I think he’s doing a fine job.


7. What is your book TRANSMAT WORLD about and how did it come to fruition?


Transmat World is a story of discovery and redemption as young Vince Miller shoulders the responsibility of having collapsed the world’s economy with the introduction of Transmat, the first teleportation device. Think L. Sprague de Camp meets Larry Niven.


8. What’s your current writing project?


I’m up to chapter 5 of the next book in the Transmat series tentatively titled Transmat Galaxy. Do you see where I’m going with this?


9. What book(s) are you currently reading?


I am currently reading a book called Atlantis by Bob Mayer.


Ah. Perhaps Mr. Mayer would fancy doing an Author Spotlight.


10. Who or what inspires your writing?


I take inspiration from the science fiction world we live in, but I’m inspired to write for a purely selfish reason. It’s fun. Besides sex and Irish whiskey, writing can be one of the most enjoyable things around. Combining the three is a real treat.


Finally, is there anything you’d care to add? Please also include where people can read your published stories, buy your book, etc.


Find Transmat World at http://amzn.to/yPFF9V. It’s one of the better bangs for your entertainment buck around.


Ryan, thank you for the honor and privilege of being included in this bevy of stellar authors on your site.


You're welcome, Glen. Thank you for sharing your story, wit, and writing with us. Looking forward to TRANSMAT GALAXY.


Follow Glen on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/GlenHendrix


If you are a writer/author/novelist/poet and would like to be featured in a future Author Spotlight, please contact me at AuthorRyanSchneider@gmail.com.