VS: How did you get started in writing? Was it [something] you always wanted to do?
Bob: I have been writing poetry for as long as I can remember, along with some short stories. An English teacher in High School must have seen some potential in me, because he took me under his wing and greatly encouraged me in my writing. Jesus Christ crashed into my life when I was 17 and rearranged all of my priorities, so that at the age of 18 I found myself attending a Bible College in hopes of becoming a missionary/Bible teacher. The idea for my Sci-Fi series, and with it the compulsion to write novels, first struck me in my sophomore year. That was 1969! So I have been working on this Sci-Fi story for almost my entire adult life. In 1991 I attended my first Christian Writers' Conference and walked out of there with the beginning of my writing education and their “Alpha Award” for the Best New Writer of Christian Fiction, based on the still incomplete manuscript of this Sci-Fi Novel. That did more to legitimize my opinion of myself as a writer, than any other event – up to this month.
VS: Tell us about your book genre. What's the difference between Sci-Fi and Christian Sci-fi?
Bob: In
this series, I have "religiously" attempted to minimize that
difference, so that most of its novels will be written from what I would
consider a non-Christian viewpoint [though some characters are
definitely Christians and let the other know]. My goal is to grab the
attention of those who believe in the “evolution” of man’s psychic
talents, in our growing "powers", and special New Age abilities, and take them on an action-filled journey
that will start tomorrow and lead them into their predestined future.
In reality the difference between the two types of Science Fiction is in
the world view of the writer. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe
that God is ultimately in charge, opposes a real spiritual enemy, and
has a plan laid out for the future of humanity. My characters are forced
to live within that structure, even though it is against their very
nature and is something they would change it by force if they could. I
used one other construct to force my readers to look beyond their
preconceptions about “Christianity”: I never use that label in the
entire novel, instead replacing even the common names of Christ with the
very first name He was ever given in the Bible, “The Seed”, from Gen
3:15. So His disciples are simply called “Followers of the Seed”.
VS: How did it feel to be the #1 book in Amazon's Top Free 100? That is huge, by the way. Congrats!
Bob: Thank you! However, this is the second time this month that something like this has occurred; the first time was with my Christian Fantasy, "THE POISON OF THORNS: The Dragon's Back #1”. It reached the top of Free Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and has remained in the top 50 of 3 different Paid categories ever since. So that experience somewhat softened the initial shock at seeing "THE PLAYERS: Earth: The Arena #1" at the top of all Free Science Fiction. I think the thing that has had a much bigger impact on me, is NOT the ratings – but that, between the two free e-novel promos this month on Amazon, well over 14,000 copies of my novels now have the active potential of touching the lives of my readers! The reality of that fact has laid a great weight on me! It is the sudden weight of greater scrutiny and responsibility - responsibility not FROM but FOR my readers to be a faithful messenger of the Truth - but even more, I feel scrutiny from HIM who holds my destiny in His Hands. "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." [James 3:1 ESV]
Bob: Thank you! However, this is the second time this month that something like this has occurred; the first time was with my Christian Fantasy, "THE POISON OF THORNS: The Dragon's Back #1”. It reached the top of Free Christian Sci-Fi and Fantasy, and has remained in the top 50 of 3 different Paid categories ever since. So that experience somewhat softened the initial shock at seeing "THE PLAYERS: Earth: The Arena #1" at the top of all Free Science Fiction. I think the thing that has had a much bigger impact on me, is NOT the ratings – but that, between the two free e-novel promos this month on Amazon, well over 14,000 copies of my novels now have the active potential of touching the lives of my readers! The reality of that fact has laid a great weight on me! It is the sudden weight of greater scrutiny and responsibility - responsibility not FROM but FOR my readers to be a faithful messenger of the Truth - but even more, I feel scrutiny from HIM who holds my destiny in His Hands. "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness." [James 3:1 ESV]
VS: What is your latest book release?
Bob: Last
December I self-published the second novel in my Christian Fantasy
Trilogy, “MY BROTHER’S KEEPER: The Dragon’s Back #2”. This epic high
adventure is much more overtly Christian and has been compared to the
writings of CS Lewis and even Tolkien by some of the authors who have
posted reviews. I could only hope to follow remotely in the lofty
footsteps! Imagine an isolated land shaped like an immense Dragon
floating over a bottomless Sea. Its long neck makes a circle and rests
between his shoulders, looking, as it were, down the expanse of a vast
Valley lying between the twin mountainous spines that form the edges of
this continent. From its mouth flows a River, the only running water
source in the land, for it never rains on Dragonsback.
VS: Is there anything that helps you get inspired to write? (on those days when you just need to sit down and write)
Bob: Prayer
and Bible study help a lot as I will often get nudges from my Commander
and Chief to move in certain directions. I avoid the guilt and pressure
of trying to live under rigid goals of word or page counts and instead
promise myself to write “something” each day. When
a “writer” puts in 8 to 10 hours a day beforehand sitting at a computer
doing computer programming – there is sometimes very little left of the
creative juices that can tie him to that same chair [I telecommute for
an international transportation company] and inspire his fingers to type
on that same keyboard. Knowing that I am writing for a Purpose helps me
keep going.
VS: What advice do you have for struggling writers?
Bob: Attend Writers’ Conferences: they provide education, encouragement,
networking with other authors, and a chance to meet with agents and
publishers.
2) Get involved in a local critique group, if at all possible.
3)
Read, Read, then Read some more. Critique what you read. What makes a
novel good or bad in your opinion? How are plot and character
development handled?
4)
Set up a Pinterest board with things that remind you of what you are
writing about, so you can actually see what they look like! Find “their
house”, clothes, faces, environment, tools, transportation, etc. Please
visit http://pinterest.com/robtdwilson/looks-like-dragonsback-fiction-trilogy/ for an example, where I have reconstructed my entire Dragonsback fantasy realm with captured photos.
5) Do NOT try to imitate other authors. Find your own voice or style. Let who YOU are be reflected in your writing.
6)
Always know the purpose or message behind the work you are doing.
Understanding the message of a book not only gives you focus, but, if it
is something you truly believe in, then it can also be a great
motivator. If your goal is simply to produce a certain number of words,
then your writing will soon stall under the weight of that burden; if,
however, your goal is to convey a needed message, then that NEED will
become your engine, the Message your fuel, and your Focus the tool that
shapes and streamlines the vehicle of your design.
VS: Thank you so much for your time, Bob. You're very passionate about what you do. I'm sure it is inspiring to many readers, along with fellow writers. I cannot wait to read your books. I have a long list I will eventually get through. lol. I am fascinated by the world you've created. Thanks again, Bob!
Author Bio:
Robert
Dennis (Bob) Wilson is the best selling author of fast-paced Sci-Fi
& Fantasy novels with Spiritual Warfare, Good-VS-Evil themes. The
"good guys" always win in the end, but, Oh the journey! And sometimes,
as in his Sci-Fi series, it might be hard to tell which side is which!
He resides in Florida with his wife, Joyce, and their 2 dogs: a Finnish Spitz/Chow, "Lady" and a long-haired dapple Dachshund, "Chewie". They have 4 married children, 5 grandsons, and [finally] a granddaughter, scattered from coast to coast.
Besides writing novels and poetry and being an avid reader, Bob is a singer-songwriter and a scroll saw artist. He works full time telecommuting from home as a Programmer/Report Designer for an international transportation corporation. Both his career and hobbies keep him in an environment which he loves, because he thrives on creativity.
Bob's first novel, "THE PLAYERS: Earth - The Arena, Book 1" won the prestigious "Alpha Award" presented to a new author of fiction at the Sandy Cove Christian Writers' Conference, in North East, Maryland.
He resides in Florida with his wife, Joyce, and their 2 dogs: a Finnish Spitz/Chow, "Lady" and a long-haired dapple Dachshund, "Chewie". They have 4 married children, 5 grandsons, and [finally] a granddaughter, scattered from coast to coast.
Besides writing novels and poetry and being an avid reader, Bob is a singer-songwriter and a scroll saw artist. He works full time telecommuting from home as a Programmer/Report Designer for an international transportation corporation. Both his career and hobbies keep him in an environment which he loves, because he thrives on creativity.
Bob's first novel, "THE PLAYERS: Earth - The Arena, Book 1" won the prestigious "Alpha Award" presented to a new author of fiction at the Sandy Cove Christian Writers' Conference, in North East, Maryland.
Links to Purchase Books
Amazon Author Page: http://tinyurl.com/Amzn-RDW
E-book direct links:
"THE PLAYERS: Earth - The Arena #1": http://tinyurl.com/EarthTheArena1-ebk
"THE POSION OF THORNS: The Dragon's Back #1": http://tinyurl.com/ThePoisonOfThorns
"MY BROTHER'S KEEPER: The Dragon's Back #2": http://tinyurl.com/DB2-MyBrothersKeeper
Social Media:
"THE POSION OF THORNS: The Dragon's Back #1": http://tinyurl.com/ThePoisonOfThorns
"MY BROTHER'S KEEPER: The Dragon's Back #2": http://tinyurl.com/DB2-MyBrothersKeeper
Social Media:
Web Page: www.RobtDWilson.com
Bog: http://robtdwilson.wordpress.com/
FB Author Page: www.facebook.com/Novels.By.RobertDennisWilson
FB Page: www.facebook.com/RobertDennisWilson
Bog: http://robtdwilson.wordpress.com/
FB Author Page: www.facebook.com/Novels.By.RobertDennisWilson
FB Page: www.facebook.com/RobertDennisWilson
Until next time, Fashionistas!
Disclaimer: ALL other photos do not belong to author or this blog.
