Monday, September 26, 2011

The Crystal Bridge and Me Talking to Myself



I'm here today to do an interview with myself. Sounds crazy, I know.
Writers are slightly crazy to begin with. We have all these characters in our heads, whispering, shouting, giggling nonstop, or whimpering in the corner. We invent them, give them a voice all their own, and come up with their personal way of viewing the world. How crazy is that? To have these complete or semi-complete people floating around in our heads?
My novel has like forty-two point of view characters. That makes me extra crazy. It’s not really that many, closer to ten, but you get the point. Talking to myself isn’t much of a stretch. So, here goes.

Q: What’s the story behind this whole The Crystal Bridge thingy?
A: Thingy? I’m glad I’m the writer out of the two of us.

Q: I know, right? Dodged a bullet there.
A: Okay, the novel originally came into my head as two separate dreams. Dream one was about a boy who could open wormholes to other worlds. Nobody else could see them and he always returned to the same moment he left, unchanged. So, no one believed him. Dream two was about a lab creating holographic simulations that began reaching into alternate worlds with some odd side effects.  Several interesting characters emerged the more I thought about these strange dreams.

Q: How did these separate dreams become one?
A: My wife suggested that I should combine them, so I did.

Q: Smart man.

A: This is true.
Q: Tell me about some of these other characters.

A: Well, Kaden is the teen boy with the wormholes. Aren is a teenage girl who can see and experience other people’s memories as though they were her own. James is a geneticist obsessed with dragons, Angie is his boss, running the genetic simulations department for one of the bad guys, Vander. I have more characters who pop up on the other world and a villain creature that lives between universes. I could go on and on. There’s Evandrel, Hasla, Dveldor, Taggert, and—
Q: Let’s stop there. We don’t want to give too much away, do we?

A: Um…I guess not.
Q: You really want to say one more character’s name, don’t you?

A: And Lyle. Lyle’s pretty cool.
Q: Feel better?

A: Much, thank you.
Q: Sounds complex. Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

A: Didn’t I already mention dreams?
Q: Did you?

A: I’m pretty sure forgetting a conversation you had three seconds ago with yourself isn’t a good sign. You may need help.
Q: Probably right. Mostly dreams then?

A: Yes. I have six or seven stories floating around my noggin that have all come from dreams. I’m very lucky, I know. While most people dream of scary clowns, losing their teeth, or flying, I end up with nano-genetic mutations, wormholes, soul thieves, and talking magical doorknobs.
Q: Talking what now?

A: Doorknobs, well, just one actually. So…doorknob. That will be in another novel later. The doorknob also walks around in a trench-coat to hide his brassy features. I think I’ll call him DK.
Q: I’m sorry I asked. Weirdo.

A: That’s me. Isn’t it great?
Q: Great…yes. That’s the word I was looking for. So any plans for a sequel with The Crystal Bridge?

A: Originally, no, but ideas crept into the story anyway. Then I had another dream. At least one more novel, possibly two. I’ve got some great twists planned and we’ll see how the wormholes interact with Aren’s gift more and then the quantum—
Q: Wow. Look at the time. This is all very interesting, but it’s all we have time for today.

A: You just looked at your wrist. Are you trying to get rid of me?
Q: What? Me? Never. I’m nothing without you. You complete me.

A: Yep, you’re right. When you start giving yourself false compliments, it’s time to wrap it up.
Q: I couldn’t have said it better.

A: I’m sure you could have. Or, I could have in the first place. I am a writer.
Q: Are you finished?

A: Yes, sorry.
Q: Thank you, Charles, for joining me today.

A: My pleasure, honestly. Thank you, Charles, for having me and for the wonderful questions. It was fun. And thank you, Charles, for letting us put a little of my crazy on your blog. You most likely won’t regret it.

The Crystal Bridge is available here:
Kindle Version 

Print Version

Nook Version

Cover art by Karl-Erik Bennion

9 comments:

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I shall be buying my copy tonight and start reading it after Terra Nova. Then I'll set up an interview with you and help you market :) Great interview...funny as always.

Emily White said...

*shakes head* You are crazy indeed. :P

Great interview, though. I like learning more about writers and their books. :)

Charlie Pulsipher said...

@Michael- Thanks. I'm excited to hear what you think and do the interview. Terra Nova was a little better than I expected.

@Emily- And now you know. Thanks for all your help. I'm looking forward to Elemental.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I bought it on the Nook. So far it's been a pleasant read. Nook formatting is great. I love the little design that you inserted to indicate a scene break. It's like a asterix only way cooler...like a paper airplane or origami.

Charlie Pulsipher said...

It's a little origami bridge. You have no idea how hard it was to add it to the file and get it just right when I did the formatting. I'm glad you appreciate it. I hope you continue to enjoy the book. Thank you, Michael, for the support.

Brent Wescott said...

Hey, I appreciate origami, too. He says as he jumps up onto the bandwagon.

And,

People dream about losing their teeth?

Charlie Pulsipher said...

Many people do. Weird huh? My brother has nightmares of them crumbling like those soft party mints. I'm glad my dreams aren't like that.

Alyson Burdette said...

I think dreams make great inspiration for writing stuff. I'm glad you figured out how to use yours to inspire a story!

Charlie Pulsipher said...

They often do. Thank you, Alyson and good luck with your own publishing dreams.

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