Warren Ellis: Q&A Experiment discussion

Welcome to the group! Warren Ellis will be answering questions throughout the day on Thursday, August 15th in this thread only. In the meantime if you have a question for Warren or just want to introduce yourself feel free to do so in this thread.

Warren, does Mister Sun's opinion of Canadians in Dead Pig Collector reflect your own?

Also, I was happily disturbed by the story!

Thanks!

Alex

What was the last book you read that you wish you had written?

Do you let your daughter read the work that buys her ponies?
I'm particularly curious about Crooked Little Vein -- how old was she when she read it (if she did) and what was her reaction to it?
Was there need for a father-daughter talk about some of the heavier themes in your work, at any point?

Why did you start off the short story with the seemingly-unnecessary flight in and getting into the hotel? How autobiographical is that part? How did you write the "whole damn thing in four days" with all the seemingly-research heavy body-disposal details?

Why the very shiny name "Mr. Sun"?

Also, if you found out someone had used your short story as a manual on how to dispose of bodies, how would you react?

Over the years, you've written a lot of short stories and flash fiction, and most of them you've only released online. Would you ever consider self-publishing that work, either in ebook form or in POD a la Shivering Sands?

When you say you like "whisky," do you mean the stuff we Americans drink: the good, corn mash, properly-aged, charred-barrel drink? Preferably a bourbon? Or are we talking about that second rate, malt barley embalming fluid that some have the nerve to call "scotch?"

You've probably answered this before, but is there any chance of a NEXTWAVE comeback?

Hello Warren, thank you for all the great stuff you have done thus far. It is much appreciated!

My question is what books/authors, musicians, and movies have influenced you the most throughout the years? Also, how does your creative process work?

Thank you,
Jonathon

Warren, I would love to buy and read your story "Dead pig collector" but apparently Amazon won't sell me the Kindle Single ("This title is not currently available for purchase") - probably because I'm in Australia. Is it possible to have Amazon release it to Australia please?

Thank you.

Hello Warren, I'd like to ask, since you've experimented with most formats and genres of fiction, would you try something very restrictive and/or specific, like Biograhy or Historical Fiction?

In broad sweeping terms is the future of publishing in digital releases, and what will the effect be on writers. For writers does this mean a return to the Pulp (1930s-1940s) era where quantity might have to outweigh quantity in order to make a living wage?

Mr Ellis,

What advice would you give someone who is looking to write for comics?

Thank you for you time,

Joseph

Warren, really loved Gun Machine. You write as a deranged person exceedingly well.

My question is, do you just wing it when writing as someone with the mental problems of someone like The Hunter, or do you research into some cases of individuals with a similar background, and with similar disorders?

Hello Warren,

Reading something like planetary I can't help to wonder about how do you handle the plotting of stories like those, like a jigsaw? in a linear way?

Most of all I wonder about how much more of that world you created before choosing what to show, If you did it in that way at all.

I find your works entertaining and fascinating, thank you very much for everything.

Also Nextwave.

Unlike all these previous intelligent queries above I'm just going to ask a strictly fanboy question. Why have you never written a sequel to Desolation Jones? I absolutely love this book and introduce every budding comic fan i meet to this great story. Thanks Warren

Warren, what template (if any) do you use when creating the story line for a graphic novel (is it anything like a screen play template)? And how closely do you work with the artist when creating the image of the novel?

Hello, whilst Transmetropolitan will always be my most favorite comic series of all time, I have recently fell in love with a charming little homicide detective by the name of Richard Fell. I was devestated to find out that the manuscript was lost when your computer died in 2008, but I have heard rumors that you are trying to recreate them. Please comfirm that there will indeed be more Fell, because now that Transmet has ended, I need something the fill the hole.

I enjoyed the pacing, writing style and the characters in Gun Machine. Do you do some people watching before you write to get these three ingredients ticking along just right?

Mr. Ellis, I consider you one of the modern greats of comic book writing. There aren't many that can compare to your method of prose. Your only flaw is your unfinished works. Will you ever bring back the delightful Image title that was Fell?

Also, my friend wishes to ask: WHERE IS THE DOKTOR SLEEPLESS SERIES FINALE?!

If you could answer either or both of our questions, we would appreciate it.

And a final thank you for giving me so many delightful books over the years.

Hi Warren,

how would you advise someone who wants to start writting comics by your experience?

Thank you!

Given your choice to release Dead Pig Collect as an eBook, do you foresee this becoming a more standard medium for you? Do you have any plans to create a multi-media rich, interactive eBook (e.g., Man In Space by Bristol Magazines Limited, Here On Earth by Arcade Sunshine Media, etc.) and, if so, what sort of story might you tell in this format?

PS: Thanks for all your great comics.

Will there be a Fell Volume 2?

I just received a notice on this. Good to know, because I love Warren Ellis's Planetary series.

If you could be any one of your characters, which would you be?

Hello Warren,

I must say right off the bat, that you are one of my comic book author icons, I have already read around 75% of your bibliography. I have like a thousand questions regarding your work and future plans, but I guess your time is short, so I narrowed it down to a few.

1) Will the Apparat imprint ever come back? That five year publishing period was like an experimental audio album in comic book form and I'd like a second helping, please!

2) Is there a chance of Global Frequency and Desolation Jones ever coming back?

3) What's your opinion on DC's current editiorial policies regarding the Vertigo imprint? I'm especially curious about what you think of what they did to Hellblazer/Constantine.

4) Will you ever create something again on the scale of Transmetropolitan or kickstart something like you did the last era of modern superhero comics with the Authority?

5) Iron Man 3 was pretty much based on your run on the character, so I must ask: have you seen the movie? Did you like it?

PS: If you ever come to Hungary, I'd happily be your guide.

You are my favourite Cyberpunk author. What is it that attracts you to the genre? And why do you think it is that film has rarely succesfully handled it?

I wanted to get the question out of the way before I gave you some praise, because of clarity. I know it was a work-for-hire thing, but I'm rereading Ultimate Galactus, and the mass suicides in the beginning are amongst the creepiest comic book things I've ever read.

When will we see some more Ignition City?

Would you ever consider writing a script for the new DR. WHO? (You write magnificently even without the cussing & swearing and we'd love to see your take on The Doctor.)

Hey Warren, do you think we will ever have colonies on other planets ins say, the next 50 years? -Michael Edwards

Do you plan on writing any continuing stories following Detective Richard Fell from the Fell series?

So, I'm a huge fan of your work to the point where I even made my great gramma read Crooked Little Vein (and she loved it). Just saying, thanks for so much entertainment. I have a couple questions: (you don't have to answer either; I'm sure you get these questions all the time) Will there ever be some sort of adaption of Transmetropolitan? Also, as a published and well respected author, what advice do you have for a struggling, starving author?

How are you Warren?I was just wondering,since Alan Moores FROM HELL is my no1 GN of all time,I was wondering if it's still your favourite graphic novel ever written like it quoted you as stating on the back of the PB edition?& if not what's your current favourite GN/Comic book?Also how long of a lifespan do you think proper/paper produced books have left,with more & more people using e-books,& with free internet books like you done with Freakangels which I very much enjoyed & appreciated.Lastly as a big fan of all your work,I was wondering if you could ever see yourself going back to your 'Supergods' concept,maybe even a sequal?

Two questions:

1. Who are some of your favourite artists to work with?

2. Anna Mercury . . .more to come perhaps??

Keep up the great work. You are a staple in our house hold.

Cheers!

Hi Warren,
Transmetropolitan is my favourite thing to read, ever. I love Spider Jerusalem!
The world he lives in seems a pretty plausable future for us. Do you think that's where we're headed?

Hi Warren,

First of all, I just want to say I am a huge fan of your work in comics and your novels.

Aside from just sitting down and writing (and writing, and writing), do you have any particular advice for new writers? Books to read? Guidelines to follow? Anything?

Thanks so much for all the fantastic work over the years. I can't wait to see what comes next.

Warren I have been a fan of yours since your work on Iron Man. I'm curious was Extermis your plot idea or did Marvel give you a basic guideline and let you run with it?

Hi Warren,

Another question if it isn't inappropriate.

I was wondering about the tone of your books. Though some are very obviously set within a particular genre (science fiction, superhero comics, etc), many others verge in that direction but remain (mostly) in a world that remains very much like our own. Which do you prefer, stories with very heavy genre overtones, or stories in which the science fiction (or superhero) elements are relegated more to the background?

Thanks again!

Hi Warren,

Do you often get confused with the Australian musician, also called Warren Ellis? Have you ever been in the same room together...?

Warren,

I really enjoyed Gun Machine, who are some of your influences - current and past?

Thanks, and definitely picking up Dead Pig Collector.

PB

Hey Warren,
I really enjoy your work. How did you feel about Iron Man 3? Marvel really butchered your story about Extremis in Iron Man 3. Also what advice would you give to someone wanting to get into the comic business?

Warren,

Given the breadth of your writing (TV, film, games, comics, novels) what do you feel like you can do at this stage to continue to improve your writing? Also, which has been your favorite medium to write for?

Thanks.

As someone that is seen as kind of an overlord of the internet, do you feel that the popularity and convenience of the internet today waters down the content? I.E. harder to find good inspiration, well written work, or interesting people?

What are your thoughts of doing a followup to Gun Machine. I really enjoyed Detective Tallow and his companions. It would be really interesting to see more of them now that they're kind of in their zone as criminal investigators.

Also, obligatory question about Doktor Sleepless/Desolation Jones/etc.

I want to ask a question about your run on Secret Avengers (which are some of my favourite superhero comics, by the way). You collaborated with some great artists during your short run. I'm just curious, did they get assigned to you by Marvel, or did you ask for each of them specifically yourself?

Sorry to repeat other posters, but I absolutely loved "Fell." It is hands-down my favorite piece of your fiction and among the best comic books I've ever read. Is there any chance of more?

When did you find your "voice" as a writer and how did you know you had found it?

Is Dead Pig Collector ever going to come out in print?

Hi Warren,

This year several comic book authors and artist are in attendance at the Edinburgh Book Festival. Would you ever attend?

Also, when can we get Dead Pig Collector in the UK? Any chance you would bring out your own ebooks (self publishing)?

Cheers,

Adam

Hi Warren,
just wanted to say that I LOVED transmetropolitan and of course the authority, effectively the first proper comic book I read, and I'm still reading graphic novels years later :)
thanks m

Hello, Mr Ellis

Are you going to write comics ever again? I understand there used to be some kind of artist conspiracy not to work with you. What do you do to them?

You, Sir, are scholar and a gentleman. I would have liked to also say "magician" but then Alan Moore would pay me a visit.

Warren.

Man, I'm a big fan of your work.

I only have one question: what were you thinking when you wrote Transmetropolitan?

I lied, I have a second question. I live all the way over in India so how can I get my copy of the first volume of Transmetropolitan autographed by you?