Ask the Author: Chris A. Jackson
Answered Questions (20)
Chris A. Jackson
Hey, Mateus, no plans for another novel, though I might throw out a novella to tie up one tiny lose end.
Chris A. Jackson
Yes! That is me! I wrote a few for Mongoose Publishing... Played Traveller back in college, and love it! Enjoy the story!
Chris A. Jackson
Sure...
I looked at the menu, and saw my name.
I ordered me ... and I was delicious.
I looked at the menu, and saw my name.
I ordered me ... and I was delicious.
Chris A. Jackson
I have not planned to add any short fiction to the goodreads database, but feel free to do so, if you want to. I have several short stories out with Mongoose Publishing, and more forthcoming. Their main "fiction" page for the Traveller RPG is here: https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/rp... I also have numerous contributions to Legendary Games "Legendary Planets" adventure path (one story in each chapter of the path). You can find those on Drive-Tru RPG.
I assume you read Widowed and enjoyed it? ;-)
Thanks!
I assume you read Widowed and enjoyed it? ;-)
Thanks!
Chris A. Jackson
Wow...that's a hard one. So many possibilities... I don't want to cop out and say my own world. I love the Pathfinder world of Golarion, and I'd love to sail those seas...maybe not as a pirate, but maybe a naval officer for one of the great nations.
Also, there's the Shadowrun world... But that is grim and scary, and I don't know if I'd be cut out to be a criminal.
Or, I could go SF, and jump into Larry Niven's Known Space universe. I could see myself as an explorer there, for sure, mapping alien star systems, cataloging stellar anomalies, searching for slaver stasis boxes, maybe...
Also, there's the Shadowrun world... But that is grim and scary, and I don't know if I'd be cut out to be a criminal.
Or, I could go SF, and jump into Larry Niven's Known Space universe. I could see myself as an explorer there, for sure, mapping alien star systems, cataloging stellar anomalies, searching for slaver stasis boxes, maybe...
Chris A. Jackson
We've been thinking about it, but the expense is huge, and the chances for a good payoff are slim, at best. The series has a great following, and we're hoping to stoke interest up this summer with the sixth book in the series, Weapon of Mercy. Beyond that, who knows?
Chris A. Jackson
Enjoying one of my old favorites, Kushiel's Dart, by Jaqueline Carey, and continuing the Peter Grant series from Ben Aaronovitch. Loving that series.
Chris A. Jackson
Very different, but it depends on the shared world and what the publisher wants. In Pathfinder, I get to create my own characters, and, for the most part, my own story line. Other publishers want you to use their established characters, and have preconceived story lines. Aside from that, one thing very different is the amount of mayhem I can wreak. Shared world novels tend to be a bit less "epic" unless the publisher wants you to go there. None of my Pathfinder Tales, for instance, really change the world. They are "big stories about small characters." Also in Pathfinder, I must abide by the game rules as far as magic and other game elements go. I get to create my own magic system in my own world, but with that freedom comes responsibility and work. You have to abide by your own rules, after all.
Hope that answers the question. If anything specific comes up, or I missed something, just ask!
Hope that answers the question. If anything specific comes up, or I missed something, just ask!
Chris A. Jackson
So many things we see while sailing and snorkeling the Caribbean... Where did this wreck come from, what is that floating strobe light doing out here, local drug and other smuggling operations, and the single sailor...what happened to their crew/wife/husband... Plenty of fodder for stories!
Chris A. Jackson
Since you didn't specify "romantic couple" I'll go with Jack Aubry and Steven Maturin from the Patrick O'Brian "Master and Commander" series.
Why are they my favorite? They are both brilliant in their specific field of expertise, but deeply flawed in other ways. They have a deep connection and loyalty to each other, but betray one another, and, in turn, save one another, repeatedly. They are very real, and wonderfully written.
Why are they my favorite? They are both brilliant in their specific field of expertise, but deeply flawed in other ways. They have a deep connection and loyalty to each other, but betray one another, and, in turn, save one another, repeatedly. They are very real, and wonderfully written.
Chris A. Jackson
Ed Greenwood and I were cutting up at the Paizo signing booth a couple of years back. If you see a picture of us that looks like we're about to kiss, it's totally staged... I have not, in fact, kissed Ed Greenwood. Really.
Chris A. Jackson
I think 35 years on the ocean has added a certain authenticity to my nautical fantasy that most authors don't have. No amount of online research can give you the feeling of a thirty foot wave slamming into your ship and knocking it flat. The sea is powerful beyond imagining, and she cares not for these insignificant toys we build to traverse her... I've also spent a lot of time underwater, and started out my post-graduate education in Marine Biology, so there's some authenticity below the waves as well. It helps that my wife is a PhD marine biologist, too...
Chris A. Jackson
I should! I'm in New England this winter, so maybe I'll look into Ad Astra this year! Thanks for the suggestion!
Chris A. Jackson
Not as a co-author thing, but Anne is my first line editor, and has more input in my novels than any conventional editor would. She does some scene restructuring and outright re-writing if it's necessary, so you're actually seeing a lot more of her work than you might think. She is the reason my other editors like me...
Chris A. Jackson
Sometimes I read my favorite book. Also, playing a good RPG tends to get my story-telling blood flowing. Also, sometimes if I'm blocked, it means there's something wrong with whatever I'm working on. If it's not flowing naturally, there's some hidden thing that is bothering my subconscious. Finding out what it is is often challenging.
Chris A. Jackson
Aside from not having to dress to go to work? Meeting fans is the biggest thrill I've ever had. Having a fan come up to my table at a con and hearing how much they loved what I created... Yeah... That.
Chris A. Jackson
Write what you love to read. Chasing trends is dangerous. Don't let anyone tell you you can't do it.
Chris A. Jackson
I just blogged on that... It's kind of complicated. I'm currently writing in six different worlds... Maybe seven soon. Here's the blog: http://jaxbooks.com/2014/12/multitask...
Chris A. Jackson
I don't. If you wait for inspiration, you won't get your project done. I have had days when I couldn't do it, and I don't handle interruptions well, but I treat it like a job, because it is my job. Get up, make coffee, write... every day.
Chris A. Jackson
Pirate's Promise just came out, and it was a natural continuation of my first Pathfinder Tales story, Pirate's Honor. The character Vreva Jhafae was a major inspiration. Sexy, strong, deceitful, but on the "good" side... Oh yeah.
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