Okay, you’ve ended up on this page because you have a question. Below, I have tried to answer some of the most obvious. So let’s dive in!
Q. When is the next book due out?
Rest assured, it’s well underway. However, I can’t give you a specific date. These things take time and lots of effort, but I want to see it in your hands as quickly as you do. I’ll post regular updates so you get an idea of the progress, and hopefully it won’t be too long
Q. Will there be a movie of Christopher Tyson – Mark of the Ancestor?
I wish! Who knows what the future holds? When (not if) there is news, I’ll let you know. Unless I’m not allowed to announce it publicly, in which case you’ll find out when I’m allowed to.
Q. How do you come up with all of the names for the characters, planets, ships and aliens?
There is no single method that I use. At their most basic, some names simply sound cool in my head! Others may be obvious but fun anagrams, and still others may be based on, for example, a twist on the latin name for something, that happens to sound sufficiently mysterious or alien. It depends on what feels appropriate.
Q. There is a strange outline of something on the back of the book, what is it?
That’s for me to know, and you to figure out…
Q. Why did you make an art of book?
Well, if you don’t already know the answer it means you haven’t read the art-of book! In which case, I advise you to run out right now (Well, find your nearest browser window) and buy a copy. Either way, here’s what I wrote as the introduction to the art-of…
I’m a visual person and, when writing ‘Christopher Tyson – Mark of the Ancestor’, I found myself sketching ideas as I went, from simple concepts to more detailed illustrations. Sometimes the sketch would come first, sometimes the description, and at other times it was a back and forth. Either way, I often wanted to solidify those creations in my mind’s eye, in order to better imagine the interactions of characters, creatures, vehicles, and locations as they formed on the written page.
After a certain point I realised I had quite a collection of illustrations and I thought it would be interesting to collate them into a companion piece.
While there’s nothing better than imagining the worlds described in your favourite books, sometimes you also wonder just what the author had in mind. In the ‘Art Of’ book you’ll get the chance to see some of this, along with a number of the ideas and concepts that led to the final designs.
Q. Where do you get your ideas?
I suspect this is one of those questions most writers curse. It’s not unlike asking “What is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?” (if you know that reference, give yourself a swift pat on the back).
They come from your past memories and experiences. They come from everyday things that trigger your imagination. They come from your daydreams and nightmares. They come from your semi-conscious visions between waking and sleeping. They come from the mixed-up, blended and regurgitated memories of the books you’ve read, the movies you’ve watched and the games you played.
In short, ideas come from everywhere. The trick is figuring out how to put them together into something coherent that can be built into a larger whole. Only you, the reader, can then decide if I have succeeded in that goal.
Q. How do you pronounce Ohmzigg, Karahndra, Khani, and other weird names?
However you prefer, is the first answer. I’ve read books where I much preferred the pronunciation in my head, to the one I discovered upon finishing a book. So why shouldn’t you?
If you really want to know, here are a few examples:
Ohmzigg : Omm-zigg
Karahndra : Car-andra
Khani : Kah-knee
Q. Do you have a favourite book or author?
There are many books and authors that I love, and usually favourites depend on what I’m in the mood for or thinking about. Instead, I’ll give you a selection of authors. Then, if you so wish, you can always go away and discover what they’ve written. They’re all far more talented than I, so I think you’ll enjoy reading them!
I’ve put them in alphabetical order, so as to avoid any hint of favouritism (Though if pushed, Edgar Rice Burroughs would be number one, with Robert E. Howard a close second). I’m sure I’ll add more as I remember, and say to myself: “I can’t believe I forgot to add {insert name of author}!”.
Arthur Conan Doyle
C. S. Lewis
David Eddings
Dean Koontz
Edgar Rice Burroughs
H. P. Lovecraft
Isaac Asimov
Jack Campbell
James P. Hogan
Jane Austen
John W. Campbell
Louisa May Alcott
Robert E. Howard
Robert Heinlein
Terry Pratchett
Q. I want to cosplay of one of your characters. Do I have to get your permission?
As long as you’re not making money from mass-producing costumes or doing anything innapropriate, then go for it. Jump over to the facebook page, as I’d love to see them!
Q. How do you feel about fan fiction based on your books?
Fan fiction is great, and I have no problem with it as long as you don’t go attempting to make money from it or selling it in any way. I’m afraid I won’t have time to read it, though, so don’t send things in. After all, what you rather me do, write more books, or spend time reading fan fiction?
Q. If I send you a book to sign will you sign it and send it back?
I’m afraid that’s not possible, however there will be options to purchase signed copies from the website, and hopefully in the future there will be other options such as book signings.