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Author Interview: Ian Williams

1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?

Sci-Fi is one of those genres that will never let you go once it has its teeth in you. That is what I love about it. The possibilities are truly endless for an author. If you wish, you can explore an entire universe, or travel through time to a distant future; you could create a new civilization or start an intergalactic war. The choices are infinite.

One other aspect of Science Fiction I adore is how it can shine a light on society. Authors such as Aldous Huxley and George Orwell did this to great effect, and more recently Margaret Atwood with her terrific book The Handmaid’s Tale. That is what led me to write The Clockmaker’s Tale: and other stories. I wanted to explore certain areas of our modern world through a Sci-Fi lens. Issues that, if not addressed in time, will lead to immense hardship for later generations. The most urgent of which is Climate Change.

2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child, and how does this shape your view of the world?

I am a proud middle child, with two of the most supportive sisters anyone could wish for. Do I feel overshadowed or caught in the middle? Not in the slightest. I can confidently state that I do not suffer from ‘Middle Child Syndrome’. That being said, I do look up to both of my sisters and will always seek out their advice when I am unsure. Family is important to me, something that is often reflected in the characters I write.

3. Where is your favorite place to write?

Give me a laptop, a sparkling glass of something cold on a hot summer’s day, and a corner of my garden, and I’ll give you my best work. That for me is the perfect place to write. Throw in a good mixture of rock tunes to type away to and, oh, I think I might be in heaven.

4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?

If it is a character’s time to snuff it, then I am more than willing, nay, excited to help them along. Some of my favourite scenes to write have involved the spectacular demise of a character, good or bad. I try not to relish the moment for too long.

Even more satisfying is the heroic death. For these times I try my best to do the character justice. They deserve their place in Valhalla, these mighty warriors.

5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?

Often my favourite author is the one I am currently reading. That author right now is Andy Weir. I’ve just finished his latest book, Project Hail Mary, and can confidently say, hand on heart, he is my favourite … for now. My next read is by Jeff VanderMeer, and I expect he will be at the top of my list once again (The Southern Reach Trilogy was an impressive read).

The one question I would love to ask Andy Weir is, ‘Given the opportunity, would he ever go to space?’ His books take place away from Earth, so would he go there himself? That is something I’ve wondered. In his place, I would go in a heartbeat.
6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.

Don’t judge, but I have a collection of over one-hundred-and-fifty Star Trek starship diecast models. And yes, I may, on occasion, pretend I am their captain. ‘Carry out a sensor sweep, Mr Spock!’

7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?

Rope, a knife, and a Bear Grylls.

8. If you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be?

I’ve always wanted the ability to fly. Not too fast, though. I’d like to hold on to what’s left of my hair for as long as possible.
9. Favorite snack?

Not strictly a snack, more of a favourite breakfast. But I love to eat Banana and Peanut Butter on toast.

10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?

I always have a roadmap of where I’m going. I like every part of my journey to be planned out in advance. Sure, there will be some detours along the way. But the end location seldom changes.

The speed at which I travel can vary widely, however. A speedy start can sometimes lead me down a path I didn’t intend to take. Equally, a slow start sometimes means you’re behind by the end of the first lap. You may well spend too long trying to play catch-up after that. I strive for something in the middle. So, I suppose I prefer to stick to the speed limit.

The Clockmaker’s Tale

by Ian Williams

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GENRE:   Science Fiction

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BLURB:

In The Clockmaker’s Tale: and other stories, Ian Williams takes us to the near future and beyond. From a moon base where androids conduct experiments on human test subjects, to futuristic tours of the ocean depths that hide a terrible secret; from a society governed by harsh rule of law that is enforced by AI, to a humble clockmaker tempted by the promise of increased productivity through technological augmentation.

Covering issues such as environmental decay, the end of facts and proven truths, our growing waste problem, and humanity’s tendency to divide when we should come together, this collection of six science fiction stories relates as much to our time as it does to the many possible futures.

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Excerpt:

We lost the Earth today. Well, not physically lost it. It’s still there. In fact, I’m looking at it right now, as I write this report. No, I just mean that we’ve lost contact with it. Earth ‘went dark’ (as Test Subject #47 put it), never to see the light again. What light? You may ask. The light of a stable civilisation is the best answer I can currently offer you.

As I sit here staring at that blue marble in space, I swear I can hear the last of the bombs dropping, smell the stench of decay stretching across every continent, feel the last vibrations of warring nations. You may think I’m being overly dramatic, and you’d be mostly correct. The past ten years have been hard to bear, watching as the people who created me descended further into chaos. They gave me life, now I fight to save theirs.

Even though all communications have ceased, I will continue my work in silence. But don’t fear, dear future reader, I am not alone out here. There is another here just like me. We share this moon-based facility equally as we do our work. His name is Arthur (originally designated R4).

“Today sees you fully functional, Rachel?” Arthur greeted me with this morning. He’s trying something new today, something a little more personal than my model number; I was originally designated R8CH-L.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Ian Williams is a Science Fiction writer from the UK. He lives in a small town not far from London. Ian had a short career in the UK Court Service but was forced to quit that job when his medical condition worsened. Now, from the comfort of his wheelchair, he writes the stories he has always wanted to read. His writing spans lightyears of space, to near-future Earths; from small changes to society, to entirely new civilisations.

Author Website: HOME | Ian Williams Sci-Fi Author (ianwilliamsauthor.com)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ian-Williams-Author-Page-1552239548176515/

YouTube:

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/iwilliams235

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091FYYFBZ

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