An Interview With Ian Benke
Friends and family. When I was writing my first book, it was my friends and family who always supported and inspired me.
Science Fiction and Fantasy are hugely popular genres. What does it take for a writer today, to write compelling and successful Science Fiction and Fantasy stories? Authority Magazine started a new series called “How To Write Compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories”. In this series we are talking to anyone who is a Science Fiction or Fantasy author, or an authority or expert on how to write compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy .
As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Peter Andra.
Peter Andra is a science fiction author living in Washington state. He likes to spend his free time in the outdoors and is learning to brew his own beer. He has been writing for over four years professionally.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share a story about what first drew you to writing over other forms of storytelling?
I was first drawn to writing through my love for reading and how powerful and fascinating the written word can be.
You are a successful author. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
My determination was a big contributor to my success because I don’t like to leave things unfinished, and it takes a lot of determination to finish your first book. Another character trait that contributed to my success is my willingness to put myself out there. Not being afraid of what others might think of me or my work helped me be able to publish my book. A final trait that I can credit is my passion for creativity. Even outside of my writing I enjoy being creative. There was a time where I had to use my creativity to find ways to keep my truck running. I would always get excited when my creative problem solving got my truck up and running.
Can you tell us a bit about the interesting or exciting projects you are working on or wish to create? What are your goals for these projects?
Right now, I’m working on the sequel to my book ‘Eden’s Legions: Corpse Rim Heir’. I’m really excited about the plots that I’ve come up with so far, and the way that I’ve hit the ground running with the sequel’s intro. I think it successfully harnesses the first book’s momentum. My goal for this project is not to force it, but to let the story come to me in its own time.
Wonderful. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. How do you define sci-fi or fantasy? How is it different from speculative fiction?
I define sci-fi as the infinitely possible, a genre that is always full of surprises yet can still be nostalgic. Science fiction is a way for us all to keep dreaming, together. To me they differ because in sci-fi I’m expanding upon concepts we already understand and imagining them in new and different ways.
It seems that despite countless changes in media and communication technologies, novels and written fiction always survive, and as the rate of change increases with technology, written sci-fi becomes more popular. Why do you think that is?
I think it is because of writers. As the world expands, so do the visions and curiosities of sci-fi writers. As technology expands, so does the perceived possibilities of futuristic technology.
In your opinion, what are the benefits to reading sci-fi, and how do they compare to watching sci-fi on film and television?
Reading feels more immersive. Reading provides a stronger connection to the characters and gives you more of a desire to explore the world you’re in. When you’re reading, it requires you to involve your own imagination. You don’t feel as strong of a connection to sci-fi on TV or in the movies, whereas when you read a book, sometimes you feel like it was written just for you.
What authors and artists, dead or alive, inspired you to write?
J. R. R. Tolkien, Orson Scott Card, J. K. Rowling, Bernard Cornwell, and Frank Herbert.
If you could ask your favourite Science Fiction and Fantasy author a question, what would it be?
I would ask J. K. Rowling ‘Beer or wine?’
We’d like to learn more about your writing. How would you describe yourself as an author? Can you please share a specific passage that you think exemplifies your style?
I’d was I’m an optimistic author. I like to do my best to create something new for the reader. I focus on character development, and I find that interesting characters have deep and/or traumatic stories.
“They picked up the pace as the dark forest brightened slightly with the blue glow of a watery sister planet rising in the night sky. Even though this bright blue planet helped Remi and Caiden navigated the forest a little faster, it was not a welcome help, because they knew exactly what it brought with it. As the planet rose, tides in the ocean shifted and the giant trees used the planetary pull and the tides to force sea water up their hollow trunks. The water divided at the top into long twisting branches, sifting through pores in the bark and then releasing it to fall as rain onto the tree offspring below, whose roots were far too small to reach the nourishing saltwater beneath the forest floor.”
Based on your own experience and success, what are the “Five Things You Need To Write Compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories?” If you can, please share a story or example for each.
- Friends and family. When I was writing my first book, it was my friends and family who always supported and inspired me.
- Determination. It takes a lot of focus and hard work to write a book. You need to be determined to see it through to completion.
- A sense of humor. A computer glitch caused me to lose over 50 hours of work in one second. Sometimes you have to sit back and laugh and start over.
- Ideas. It takes a LOT of them so don’t stop at one! One day I had a good idea for writing, and I ended up staying home all day to pursue the idea and ended up missing a day of work at another job.
- A healthy supply of science fiction books. Reading science fiction always reminds me how much I love it. I find it is always good for inspiration to read one of my favorite sci-fi books or start a new one.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Entertainment, Business, VC funding, and Sports read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them 🙂
Elon Musk so I can ask him when he is starting a movie business, and to ask him to turn Eden’s Legions into a movie!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can follow me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.andra.35 and you can get my book Eden’s Legions available for Kindle or paperback on Amazon at https://bit.ly/EdensLegions.
Thank you for these excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent. We wish you continued success.
Author Peter Andra On How To Write Compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.