AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
WITH JAMES ROLLINS
JAMES ROLLINS is a # 1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers , translated into more than forty languages . His Sigma series has been lauded as one of the " top crowd pleasers " ( New York Times ) and one of the " hottest summer reads " ( People Magazine ). In each novel , acclaimed for its originality , Rollins unveils unseen worlds , scientific breakthroughs , and historical secrets –– and he does it all at breakneck speed and with stunning insight . Now , on with our discussion :
THE DEMON CROWN , slated to be released on December 5 , 2017 is the 13th Sigma Force book you ' ve written . Obviously , it ' s hard to maintain that momentum In a long series . How do you come up with fresh ideas to continuously evolve both the characters and the plot ?
I actually have the opposite problem . I have so many thoughts and ideas for future books ( or short stories ) that I wish I could clone myself so I can get them out of my head . As to the origin for all those ideas , I always have my antennae up for three things : a piece of history that ends in a question mark , a tantalizing bit of science that makes me wonder “ what if ?”, and finally some intriguing locale where those first two could collide . I collect all those
INTERVIEWS
tidbits on a daily basis , from reading newsfeeds , from magazines I subscribe to , or simply from asking someone “ tell me something about this place that no one else knows about .” It ’ s the latter method that generates the best story ideas .
What made you choose Alexander Graham Bell as the leader of the scientists protecting humankind against this terrifying secret ?
To me , Alexander Graham Bell could be a member of Sigma Force . Here we have a scientist and inventor who was not above a little skullduggery … in this case , literally . I was fascinated to learn that Mr . Bell at one point absconded in secret to Europe to steal the bones of the founder of the Smithsonian Institution from a graveyard in Genoa , Italy . There , he bribed people , lied about his intentions , then in the middle of a snowstorm , he secured those bones and transported them back to America , where they reside today at the Smithsonian Castle .
In 2008 you were commissioned to write the novelization of INDIANA JONES AND THE CRYSTAL SKULL . How did this opportunity present itself and how exciting was that experience ?
My earliest books were often compared to Indiana Jones , what with my mix of archaeology , crazy adventures , and international intrigue . So when I was approached to write the novelization to the fourth Indiana Jones movie , how could I refuse ? I was a huge fan , even rushing wet from a weekend white-water rafting trip to a theater to catch a sneak preview of Raiders when it first debuted . So to be able to put on Indy ’ s hat and crack his whip — if only in my own head as I was writing the novel — was such great fun . I was also allowed to pepper a dozen or more new scenes into the story to flesh out the plot and characterizations , which was a dream come true .
Being an active spelunker and scuba diver , have you ever written any of your own personal adventures or experiences into one of your books ? interviews
All the time . My first novel , Subterranean , takes place almost entirely underground , leaning on my past hobby as a caver . My love of scuba diving gave rise to my third novel Deep Fathom , which deals with a marine salvage operation and the mayhem that follows when Air Force One crashes into the Pacific . I still love to travel , to explore off the beaten track . Some of my adventures ( and misadventures ) along the way were used in various novels over the years .
A recurring theme in your novels seem to be the advancement of technology and how it affects us . What are your personal views on this advancement ?
As a veterinarian myself , I ’ ve always loved science , medicine , and technology , especially anything that ’ s cutting edge and new . In my books , it ’ s not so much the cogs and wheels of that new bit of science that intrigues me as it is where that technology might be heading and how it might affect our lives — good or bad . The rapid advancement of such technologies often challenges the moral compasses of society and to have that mirrored by my characters during their adventures adds that touch of relevancy to a novel . At least , I hope it does . I always love to hear from readers who have been intrigued by something I raise in one of the books and gone on ahead and pursued their own investigation into those subjects .
Looking back at your previous writing process versus your current one , what advice could you offer new authors that could help streamline their efforts ?
When I was working full-time as a veterinarian , I made a commitment to write three double-spaced pages per day ( 5 out of 7 days of the week ). It took me some trial and error to come to this schedule , but every writer needs to find that balance in their life . To wait for inspiration before writing is seldom a path to success . I still keep to that schedule , though my page count is higher now that I write full-time .
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TOPShelf magazine HOLIDAY2017