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Star
Wars – Lightsabre Interview with Alan Dean Foster
. Welcome to Star Wars -
Lightsabre. We are proud and excited
to present our next guest, worldwide best-selling author and writer of many
science fiction classics, Alan Dean Foster Q -Alan, welcome to Star
Wars - Lightsabre. A - Hi...nice to be here Q - What are your major
influences as a writer? A - In SF; Eric Frank Russell, Murray
Leinster, and Robert Sheckley. Outside SF; Herman Melville & Carl Barks. Q - How did you get into
writing science fiction? A - My father always read the stuff. My
Uncle, Howie Horwitz (a noted television producer of the 50's & 60's)
also loved it, but never got the opportunity to really work in the genre. Q - Do you find it easier
to write movie novelisations or your own material? After all, a lot of the content for the Movie novels are
already laid out for you. A-. Yes, the novelisations are
easier...if the script is good. If the script sucks (i.e, The Black Hole,
Krull, etc.) the work becomes far more difficult. Q - You turn over three
to four novels a year which must mean you work hard and have a passion for
what you do. Considering the amount of effort that goes into a novel, how do
you prepare and how long does it take? A - I do write fairly fast, but it's more
a matter of discipline than sheer speed. As to preparation, an idea may sit
around for a year or more before I actually try to make a book out of it.
Sometimes it can take as little as a couple of weeks. Q - How large and
important a part does the Internet play in the modern day world, in relation
to books? A - The internet is a supplement to the
world of books, and a good one. The species it has endangered serious ain't
books...it's magazines and newspapers. Q - Which of the four
films stands out as your personal favourite, and why? A - The Empire Strikes Back. First,
because sequels are so hard to bring off, and second, because of the notably
more adult tone to the storyline. Also the technical improvements. Snow White
vs. Pinocchio might be a useful analogy. Q - You were the first
Star Wars author, not only the Episode IV novelization but also your own
story, Splinter of the Mind's Eye, and now you have the Episode I novel and a
new Star Wars novel on it's way. What is it about the Star Wars genre you
find most appealing? A - George maintaining his sense of
wonder above all else. It's clear that he's still enjoying what he's doing,
and making the films for himself. Q - What do you foresee
in the future for yourself outside of the Star Wars universe? A - Continuing the development of the
Universe of the Commonwealth. More of everything else. Seeing the rest of the
planet. A few special expeditions. Maybe writing some (classical) music. Q - What surprises are
you anticipating when Episode II arrives on Thursday May 16th 2002? A - Naughty, naughty...no peeking! Q - Any thoughts on Star
Wars - Lightsabre? Any advice, we guarantee, will be gratefully accepted!! A - Not familiar enough to comment
intelligently (or even stupidly). Q - And, finally, the
movie novel question. Perseus, Lt. Ellen Ripley and Darth Maul are all in a
restaurant having a friendly meal. A hefty bill arrives and each one of them
refuses to pay it, resulting in a horrendous fight. Who wins? A - Easy...Ripley. Perseus would be too
much of a gentleman to foist the bill on her, and he and Maul would get into
it. When they'd both exhausted themselves, Ripley would take out the
survivor. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, SF-style. Thanks for your time Alan Regards and you are most welcome. Alan F |
