In this Never Have, Never Will interview, Steve Rzasa talks about torture and Amish romance novels (admittedly, not in the same sentence...or paragraph). Steve is the author of The Word Reclaimed, the first in The Face of the Deep series, which imagines a future in which religions have been abolished--until a down-and-out spacefarer discovers an ancient holy text and reintroduces faith to civilization.
1. Is there a story you’ve written that will never see the light of day? Why would you deprive us of this genius?
I wrote a short novel in high school called Unifying Factors. It was about the end of a solar system-wide civil war, with gate-traveling alien conquerors thrown into the mix. You know, alien attack unites the two factions of humanity. It will not be published, Lord willing. I don't consider it genius, or anything close to it.
2. What’s a story you’ve never written, but always wanted to?
I've always wanted to write historical fiction. There's an idea I have percolating about the War of 1812 era in Maine, mostly because during my reporting days in Knox County, I learned much about that region's colorful history during that conflict. It would make a great setting for a spy thriller. But historical fiction requires much research. With sci-fi, you can make a lot up!
3. Is there a character or plot point you’ve wanted to change in retrospect?
Looking at my two books, The Word Reclaimed and its sequel, The Word Unleashed, I'd probably say in my more introspective moments that I'd have liked to try it as a shorter work without the military aspect. Of course, that'd cut down on the action sequences, and I'm a total sucker for those. So I'd probably not change anything!
4. Which of your characters would you never want to meet (in a dark alley or otherwise)?
Detective Chief Inspector Nikolaas Ryke, Royal Stability Force. Seeing as how I'd be high on his hit list (Christian), he'd probably arrest me, torture me for information, and wipe my brain blank. Or he might just shoot me. Nasty guy.
5. Which of your worlds/realities/cities would you never want to visit?
Probably Puerto Guijarro, the asteroid habitat and shipyard in the Muhterem system. It's got some bad neighborhoods. Add airlocks and that spells trouble.
6. Are there any real-world locations you’ve written about but have never visited (or never want to)?
Well, I've included the Hague (the Netherlands) and North Africa, and I have never been to either. I'd like to see Europe someday, though. Nova Scotia's as international as I've gotten.
7. Is there a piece of writing advice you’ve never followed?
Writing advice? Do lots of it! Seriously, I'd say you have to be willing to take criticism. (Now, if you know me, that's saying something - I despise criticism of myself. Unless of course, it comes from me.)
8. What is an aspect of the writing craft you’ve never had a problem with (and why)?
Coming up with a universe for my characters has always been a breeze. Imaginary worlds are lots of fun. It's something I've always been willing and able to immerse myself in. The process of world-building allows you to grab aspects of reality and change them in interesting ways.
9. What’s the one book out there that you wish you’d written (but of course won’t, because it’s already written, and writing it again would be plagiarism, and that’s just mean)?
That's easy - the Black Fleet Trilogy of sanctioned Star Wars novels by Michael P. Kube-McDowell. I love the whole overlapping plotlines of political intrigue, battle, and archaeological exploration, combined with wisecracking Han Solo and Luke Skywalker in all his rockin' Jedi badness. Hopefully Michael would find that flattering and not offensive!
The Word Unleashed
10. What aspect of writing will you never stop working to improve in?
All aspects, but most especially I will work to improve the traits of my characters. They need to be more realistic. That, and I need to simplify my plots!
11. What’s one part of the publishing industry/process you wish you could do without?
I wish I could do without the whole sending off a proposal and waiting two months to hear an answer. Patience is not one of my virtues. That, and I wish Christian publishing circles would be more willing to take a chance on sci-fi and fantasy instead of Amish romances. No disrespect to the Amish.
12. What’s the one thing you would never do to shamelessly promote your current release?
Somebody else said never go naked, so I can't use that one. Hmm … probably I'd never do a TV commercial. Unless it involved Richard Dean Anderson and Patrick Stewart. Then resistance would be futile…
13. What’s a question you’ve always wanted to answer, but have never been asked?
“Would you like to have the USS Defiant from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as your personal starship?”
And your answer?
“Well, yeah!”
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