Interview  R. L. Hennessy

by

Nancy Minnis Damato

1)  Will you tell us about your new book, Child of the Stars? Why did you choose the Science Fiction genera?

When done right, Science Fiction includes all the merits of conventional literature but with the addition of some really “big ideas”. I’ve incorporated a few of those thought-provoking themes in Child of the Stars. To quote Melville: “To produce a mighty book you must choose a mighty theme. No enduring volume can be written on a flea”.

2)  Was there something personal that compelled or inspired you to write it?

No.

3)  How long did you take from the initial muse to final submission of your manuscript?

The first chapter sat for over a year. When I started again, it took about 8-months to finish.

4)  Did you have to do a lot of research? Or did you research as you wrote?

I have a respectable understanding of scientific concepts. A lot of the research involved checking my facts and making sure the exact details or terminology was correct.

5)  Do you outline, write by the seat of your pants, use a formula?

Before I start, I usually produce a one-page, general guide/outline of where I want the novel to go. I do a lot of plot/idea-generating in my head so when I sit down I have a good idea of what I’ll be writing that day.

6)  In your opinion, what was your biggest challenge? Character development, plotting, sagging middle, time? How did you overcome this?

To be honest, there were no “huge” challenges. Once I decided to finish it, things moved quickly.

7)  How, where, and when do you write? Is there a trigger, i.e. music, food, person that creates a  supportive environment for you?

I’m fairly self-motivated. For the past couple of years, I’ve been writing 5-6 days a week, 2-6 hours a day. And, when I’m not at the keyboard, I’m usually thinking about what to write next. Solitude breeds contemplation.

8.) Do you have a critic, critique group, adviser that gives you constructive help?

A good friend that spent 40-years in the ad business as a copywriter usually reads my first drafts.

9) What authors inspire you? Is there a favorite book that you read when you need to re- energize your muse?

I like the following authors for the “big ideas” they tackle: Arthur C Clarke, Carl Sagan, Guy Murchie, Chet Raymo, and Henry David Thoreau just to name a few.

I also like Robert B Parker’s popular Spenser novels for the clever dialog and wit.

I’m currently reading Alexander Theroux’s Laura Warholic, or the Sexual Intellectual. If you’re looking for unique ways to describe people and places, this is the book for you.

10)  Thank you so much for your time, Robert. We wish you well in your new endeavor, and can you tell us, are you working on something else right now?

Yes. I’m about one-third into a new novel. The working title is: Breakfast with the Devil.