Might also consider SHADOWKEEP, which was the very first novelization of an original computer game.
Very hard to research such a subject from Prescott in pre-internet days. That’s a long way from writing science-fiction or fantasy. Kaye: What is the one thing in your writing career that is the most unusual or unique thing you’ve done so far?Īlan: I think my historical novel MAORI, which takes place in 19 th-century New Zealand. Kaye: What is the biggest challenge of being a writer?Īlan: Not getting bored with your own work.
And if an idea hits me, I’ll head for the study no matter what time it is. But I will work late if and when necessary. Kaye: What time of day do you prefer to do your writing? Why?Īlan: Mornings, because I’m fresh, and also because I prefer to go to gym in the afternoon. Just with the occasional witch, dragon, Chinese demon, visiting gnomes, etc. Many of the Mad Amos stories take place in actual western settings and involve real folks from history. Kaye: What’s the most fun part of writing a western novel or short story? What’s the least fun part?Īlan: Working with actual western history. Call it the “What if the South had won the Civil War”? trope, only often with more recognizable fantasy elements. Fantasy or science-fictional takes on actual history are a lot of fun to do, and can often be thought-provoking. I think it would be more accurate to called them westerns with a fantasy twist. Would you talk a little about that book?Īlan: The stories are fantasy with, generally, settings in what is called the American West. The anthology is listed as fantasy, but its stories have kind of a western twist.
Kaye: You have a story in Straight Outta Tombstone. That, and remaining true to the spirit and style of the filmmakers while simultaneously injecting a little bit of myself here and there. Certainly I never met or consulted with anyone attached to the movie.įor me, the most difficult thing in doing a novelization is to expand on the characters without contradicting the characterizations in the film itself.
#Best weird west novels movie#
How did that come about? Did you get to meet any actors from the movie? Did you consult with the screenwriters during the writing? What was the most difficult thing about doing a novelization?Īlan: Authors of film adaptations rarely get anywhere near a movie set (though I have, on occasion). Kaye: In 1985 you wrote a novelization of the movie Pale Rider, with Clint Eastwood. Think the character of Mike in “Breaking Bad”. When you like a character but are never sure how he will react in a given situation it adds tension to a story. I thought it would be interesting to develop one who acts and lives like your typical mountain man, but who is considerably More Than He Seems. What is so different about Mad Amos Malone?Īlan: Folks are fascinated by the mountain men who explored the American west. Kaye: You have a collection of short western stories out that have a strange twist. My favorites were the Cisco Kid (“Hey Pancho!…Hey Ceesco!) and Disney’s Zorro. Hop-along Cassiday, The Lone Ranger, and more.
#Best weird west novels tv#
Also, like most kids of my generation, I grew up watching TV westerns in the ‘50’s. You cannot live in such a place without soaking up some of the historic atmosphere. The Palace Saloon, the oldest operating saloon in Arizona (since 1877) is here. Doc Holiday’s mistress, Big Nose Kate, is buried in one of the local cemeteries. What is it that draws you to the western genre?Īlan: For one thing, I have lived the past 40 years in a famous western town: Prescott, Arizona. Kaye: The majority of what you write is science fiction or fantasy, so obviously these are your preferred genres, but you have western tales thrown into the mix here and there. Please welcome author Alan Dean Foster to Writing to be Read. He’s a New York Times bestselling author and he’s joining me here to share a few tidbits about the weird western genre, writing a novelization of a movie, and his latest book, Mad Amos Malone and other weird western works. He’s also credited with the first ever book adaption of an original video game in his novel, Shadowkeep. He’s published over 100 books, including novelizations of several well-known science fiction films, such as Star Wars, Alien, and The Chronicles of Riddick. Today my author guest is a multi-genre author who dips into the western and weird western genres on occasion. Alan Dean Foster with Mayotte brown lemur.
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