~ Hobson's Planet ~

by

John Paulits

 

  1. First could you tell us a little bit about John Paulits — Who is he and when did he begin to think he would like to be a writer, what drives you to write?

 I’ve been writing steadily for thirty years but have been interested in stories and story telling since I was a child.  I taught elementary school for many years and enjoyed reading my children’s stories to my classes.  They claimed to like it, too.  Hobson’s Planet is quite an adult novel, however.

 

  1. I love to get into the characters portrayed in books. Who or what is Hobson’s planet?  Who is Culp Robinson?

 Hobson’s Planet is the first inhabited planet discovered by Earth.  This planet is controlled by another planet, Catonia.  Like Earth, Catonia, has spoiled its habitat.  It depends on Hobson’s Planet for shipments of food.  Culp Robinson has failed in his attempt to become President of America and lost his family in the process because of the pressures of the campaign.  Culp’s enemies consider him a political threat and send him off with other emigrants to Hobson’s Planet.  When he reaches Hobson’s, he quickly finds himself an important figure in the same kind of political war he faced on Earth—a war to save a planet from destructive forces.  Newly reunited with his family, who had preceded him to Hobson’s Planet, it is the last thing he wants to do.  He finds himself torn between his obligation to his family and his obligation to his new planet.  The story tells how he deals with his and the planet’s struggles.

  

  1. This is a genre that I do not normally read, but I am fascinated by the ability of writers who can build whole future worlds and make them seem believable. Can you tell us how you go about developing your world scenarios? Do you make a map so that none of your ideas get lost in the ether?

 The simple fact of working on the story day after day; thinking about the story before and after the daily writing session helps keep the landscape of the planet in view.  The great fun and the most important challenge is to make the fictional trip to another planet believable.  As always, the reader must judge.

  

  1. Your book seems to say that evil has no boundaries or time line, is that what you were trying to convey — or what is the premise behind Hobson’s Planet?

 Earth, Hobson’s Planet, and Catonia develop a mutually beneficial relationship.  Political upheaval on Catonia threatens to destroy all amity between the planets.  The Earth immigrants on Hobson’s Planet argue about a response to the coming disruption.  Culp Robinson finds himself in the middle of things.  Leadership falls naturally on his shoulders but he doesn’t want it.  The Earth people must respond in some way, however, or their position on the planet will become untenable.  How does he respond?

  

  1. What made you decide to write in this genre? Are you a Star Trek fan?

 The theme of a man thrust into a situation that pulls him in two directions—head vs. heart—simply seemed to bring this plot to me.  And, yes, a Star Trek fan, the original series only, though.

 

  1. Have you written other books, if so where can we find them and are they in the same genre?

 Another POD/ebook establishment was publishing my mystery series, THE SHAKESPEARE MURDERS, but the company folded.  Wingspress has published two of my children’s novels:  Philip Gets Even and Philip and the Case of Mistaken Identity.  Mayhaven Publishing has published another Philip book:  Philip and the Boy Who Said, “Huh?”  Two dozen short stories have been published over the years.

  

  1. Are there genres that you have not written in that you would like to try?

 I’ve written horror, mystery, science fiction, historical fiction, adult and children’s stories.  That’s probably a wide enough field to keep my imagination happy.

  

  1. Do you have another works in progress? What are your plans for the future – more books, screen plays?

 I’m currently working on another science-fiction novel:  Lanyon, For Hire.  An offshoot of Hobson’s Planet, Lanyon is a gun for hire—a 22nd century Paladin (for those of you who remember).  He’s been booted from Hobson’s Planet and is trying to support himself by solving the problems of others in another planet system, while dealing with the demons within himself.

  

  1. If Hobson’s Planet was made into a movie who do you think would be perfect for the key roles?

 Tom Hanks would make a terrific Culp Robinson.  If he finds out that Scarlett Johansson is playing the Catonian woman with whom he has a relationship, I think we can sign him.

  

  1. Do you ever get writer’s block – do you have a solution for overcoming it?

 If a plot needs some thought or if a new project doesn’t immediately come to mind, a few long walks or runs usually shakes something loose.  Writer’s block, thankfully, isn’t an impediment that generally stops me. 

  

  1. What is an ordinary day like in the writer John Paulits‘ life?

 The newspaper and then onto the computer.  It’s a successful day when three, four, five new pages make their appearance.  I can spend much more time rewriting and editing, but an hour or ninety minutes creating new material seems to take the guilt away from my imagination.  It has done its job.

 

  1. Is there anything you would like to add – anything you would like to tell your readers?

 Only that if they happen to read any of my work and they like it, please pass the word along.