Tobias S. Buckell is a Caribbean-born speculative fiction writer who grew up in Grenada, the British Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He now lives in Ohio. He has published stories in various magazines and anthologies. He is a Clarion graduate, Writers of The Future winner, and Campbell Award for Best New SF Writer Finalist. His work has received Honorable Mentions in the Year's Best Fantasy and Horror and Year's Best Science Fiction. Questions and Answers TB: Who is Dave Klecha, really? I like Paul Melko's answer to this question, and that's probably the big thing: Husband, father, IT tech, veteran, writer. Obviously, I've got an extra bit in there, and I'm putting writer last for right now. My single sale thus far is terribly exciting, and while I think of myself as a writer on many levels, part of who we are is what others perceive. That sucks, and the world might be a better place if we could be the definitive source for identity, but it's reality. TB: Why write? Videogames and TV are much more fun, aren't they? MMmmm... Splinter Cell... Well, I think the obvious answer is that Videogames (for all their vaunted interactivity) and TV only take you where their creators want to take you. So while it's nice as an escape or relaxing the mind, an active imagination requires that you do some creating of your own. So, in that way, it's always been more entertaining for me to explore my own imagination. TB: Why genre? Hm. Probably for the same reason as above, only moreso. "Contemporary" or general fiction requires some imagination--creating something compelling within the framework of our present reality is a bit of a challeng. But I, and I think a lot of people, like to visit places beyond the present and mundane, which is one of central conceits of genre. TB: If you had to do it all over again, what would you do? Probably go active duty in the Marine Corps, rather than Reserve. Would have required some challenge to stay with my wife, only my girlfriend at the time, so if really presented with the opportunity, I might actually say no. TB: What warps your writing the most? Alarming inconsistencies in the space-time continuum. I'll need to reverse the polarity of the main deflector array to correct it. Otherwise, I have no idea. TB: Do you have a favorite place to write? Not so much. Right now, I'm in a hotel room on the road. Tomorrow night, I'll be at home at my desk. Most days, depending on my schedule, I might spend some time at the library or Panera Bread before picking up my son from his sitter. Mostly it's just the headspace, where I can find the peace to be productive. TB: What's the most challenging aspect of writing? Doing so consistently. Especially with my current job, which has less-than-consistent hours, and the six-month-old child living in my house, I tend to have a hard time making time, and being ready to go when I have the time. My wife and I have a pretty fair system worked out, which gives me time, but it's still rather tough. TB: What's the most whacked-out thing said in a review of your work? Alas, I'm too new to have generated a review. Looking forward to the ego-boo of someone actually talking about me and my work, dispassionately. But that day has yet to arrive. TB: Okay, you're going to get marooned on an island by a bunch of angry editors, what one book do you take and why? Hm. Probably some big-ass anthology, like the Bible or the Complete Works of Shakespeare. The Bible, because I'm Catholic, and it might be a good idea to get to know it better, and there are some pretty engaging stories to be had there. Shakespeare because I've always had a tough time reading him, but it might be fun to go back and try to do so, imagining Ken Brannagh reading the lines. Either one would likely be enough to distract me from the unpleasant fact that there are editors angry at me. TB: Is there a book or story you wish you could go back in time and kill the author of so you could submit their manuscript as your own? Not really. My first stab at fanfiction was in Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's universe (and no, it's been destroyed and will never see the light of day) and I think it would have been a blast to be the author of that series, and not screw it up in the end, and be able to play around in it with a Pratchett-like series of stories. But failing to write like Adams made me realize that the only way to get it done was to do it myself, with something I had created on my own. TB: When I interview you again in 10 years, what will you hope to be talking to us about? My stable of prodigous children, the big house in the Grand Rapids suburbs, a vibrant writing career, and the equally vibrant West Michigan genre writing community. Incidentally, these are ordered in decreasing likelihood. TB: What are your current plans for literary world domination? Well that would be telling, wouldn't it? Probably a series of SF novels, supported by some short stories, and a bit of a secretive project. For true domination, I'd also have to develop some fantasy and mystery projects that have been rattling around inside my head, since diversification is the key to domination. TB: Last, but not least, if zombies were spreading throughout the land by infectious bite what would be your 5 point response? Well, I'd probably trim it down to two points: make sure the family is safe, then join the military response. On my own, I doubt I'd have the resources or luck to make an effective stand, so I 'd probably feel safest, and most effective, surrounded by other Marines. Relevant Links Dave Klecha Website Tobias S. Buckell's Main Listing Tobias S. Buckell Website