Performed by actor Hugh Ritchie
Get to know the writer:
What is your novel about?
It is the 2nd book in the FORCE series. The aggressive aliens in the 1st book have to seek an alliance with Earth when their planet is overrun by a powerful, ruthless army of galactic killers. Whatsit and his human friends join with Chrysallaman scientists in the effort. The thrills and adventure continue as the tentative alliance must create advanced technology if there is any chance for success against the new threat.
Why should this novel be read by people?
The reader is transported to a new reality by the story. The book lets the reader’s mind free to virtually create its own universe guided by my imagination. For more imaginative insights into the world of F.O.R.C.E., visit my sites;
https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginofFORCE
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28397329-the-origin-of-f-o-r-c-e
https://www.amazon.com/author/sambmillerii
How would you describe this story in two words?
Non-stop adventure.
What movie have you seen the most in your life?
‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. The first movie featuring Indiana Jones. The action, adventure and humor are quite engaging.
How long have you been working on this story?
The work has consumed about 9 months of effort.
Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
It’s a series actually. The Skylark of Space series by E. E. Doc Smith.
What motivated you to write this story?
After finishing the 1st book in the series, I felt compelled to continue the adventure. You can’t create a whole universe with so many options and then just end it.
What artist would you love to have dinner with?
The ones who come to mind like Robert Heinlein are all dead unfortunately except for Stephen King. I’d love to meet him and see how he crafts his stories and goes through the mechanics of writing his books.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
As you become older and hopefully wiser, you begin to realize just how short a time you’re allowed on this Earth to help others. Helping people use their imagination, if only for a short time, is rewarding.
What influenced you to enter your short story to get performed?
The professional work done by the festival with a reading of part of my first novel encouraged me to apply for a reading of part of my second novel. The Festival does quality work.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
You need a team. You need to have people you can bounce your story off of as you are building it. You need both young and old in the team. Family and friends. I can’t tell you how many times my 29 yr old daughter or my 28 yr old son would say, Dad, this sounds like it was written by some old guy. It’s not fresh. Or you need to describe this character better. Or this character needs more background so the reader can really understand why they act in a certain way. Your spouse will really not pull any punches and believe me I was punched plenty while writing my novel! All I can say is a team is very important!
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Director/Producer: Matthew Toffolo http://www.matthewtoffolo.com
Casting Director: Sean Ballantyne
Editor: John Johnson
Novel Writing Festival 