I posted a few questions to Frank about what inspired him to write this landmark epic. Here is that humble little interview.
Me: Who are the biggest spiritual influences when it comes to your faith?
*ahem*
I worked with a guy in a sheet metal shop, but the name of Michael Keane. He introduced me to the nonfiction works of Francis Schaeffer. Yeah, Mom dragged me to church every Sunday, but I spent my time daydreaming. As soon as I got out of the overprotective house, I lived as a Hedonist. It was not until my mid-20s that I truly found God. I do of course credit a few members of the Godhead. :-)
Frank: Here's my sci-fi list: George Orwell, Philip K. Dick, Michael Stackpole, Mel Odom, Nyx Smith, William Gibson, Karen McSpadden, Julius Huxley, and Harry Harrison.
For Christian fiction, M.L. Tyndall's pirate fiction surpasses Lewis, Peretti, and Lawhead. This woman is shelved as a historical romance, but Christian pirate stories? That's alternate history--a speculative fiction subgenre.
Me: Why did you choose the sub genre of cyberpunk?
Frank: It's just how he made me to be. The high tech near future that we're walking into is a very scary place. I do not trust the liberties granted to law enforcement after the Patriot Act. The
Me: Were there certain novels or movies that influenced this decision?
Frank: My favorite all-time movie is The Matrix. I'd already begun writing Flashpoint: Book One of the Underground, and I knew then that I'd be seen as a copycat. Then actually works for me, if there was one film I would like to be associated with it is The Matrix. Star Wars, Blade Runner, Nightmare on Elm Street and Johnny Nemonic were also very influential films.
Me: Do you think that advances in science, such as the field of nanotechnology, will make the world of Flashpoint a reality in our lifetime?
Frank: Nearly all of the technology is already here—it's just a matter of how we choose to use it. The diabolical oppressive applications of knowledge like nano, are unthinkable. Using a keyboard to input data into a computer is so inefficient. I do believe that in our lifetime we will see a direct link between the human brain and the motherboard. This is part of why it's so fun to write cyberpunk . . . what if?
Me: Where would you send any aspiring cyberpunk writers to get information and inspiration for their own works?
Frank: I'd send them to a different subgenre of science fiction! After all my years online, there is no shortcut.
For authors of Christian cyberpunk, Google The Lost Genre Guild, it's a good place to start.
You can learn more about this book at Frank Creed's website: www.frankcreed.com/flashpoint.html.
You can also visit Books of the Underground site at: www.booksoftheunderground.com
Signed copies can be purchased at: www.thewriterscafe.com/flashpointoffer.html.
Please visit the other participating blogs in this historic tour:
Fantasy Thyme
jamessomers.blogspot.com
Write and Whine
Hoshi to Sakura
Wayfarer's Journal
BlogCritics Interview
Daniel I Weaver
Disturbing the Universe
Grace Bridges
Queen of Convolution
Virtual Tour de 'Net
Christian Fiction Review Blog
Yellow30 Sci-Fi: Review
Yellow30 Sci-Fi: Interview
Back to the Mountains
MaryLu Tyndall
Cathi's Chatter
Please leave a comment and your name will be entered into a drawing to win a signed copy of Flashpoint along with other Flashpoints goodies. The winner will be announced next week at the Lost Genre Guild blog: blog.lostgenreguild.com.
6 comments:
Great interview questions, Joseph. I like they brought out Frank's sense of humour.
--cyn
What I really like about Frank's novel is the use of non-lethal weapons. Yes, most of them are within the current technology, but acceptance of the world at large is not widespread. I just think that people prefer to kill than to save, but that may just be my basic pessimism talking.
Incidentally, tomorrow, I'm going to be discussing non-lethal technology in my blog as it relates to Flashpoint.
Ten foot tall and bullet-proof.
That's walkin' in the spirit!
Faith,
f
You have some good interview questions. I liked the question about favorite movies. I did think of Matrix when I first heard about Flashpoint. But as my wife said, if you've seen one Matrix you've seen them all. As a sandman, CK doesn't go around blasting everything in sight, he only knocks them out.
Flashpoint has some great characters that you can root for because they try to do what's right, and are concerned about their enemies.
Tim
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
whats up everyone
Just saying hello while I read through the posts
hopefully this is just what im looking for looks like i have a lot to read.
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