Today as a part of the fabulous service, Enchanted Book Tours, we get to hear from science fiction author Gary Tinnams, the author of Redfern. Thanks so much for doing this interview, Gary!!!
About the book:
Title: Redfern
Author: Gary Tinnams
Genre: Science Fiction
“Humans don’t project past their own frequency. It’s why you’re so isolated as a species. The beings of other frequencies can only witness what you build and feel what you destroy.”
Earth – Tomorrow – The Singularity:-
The machines have taken over and mankind is cast out.
Millennia later, the inhospitable planet of Redfern is in the process of being made habitable for the proposed rebirth of the entire human race. All is proceeding as planned until Enforcer, Ted Holloway, witnesses the unexpected appearance of a long dead and former friend – A man who can become invisible and immaterial, a man that can penetrate any and all security.
A man whose very existence should be impossible.
As Ted and his superior, Lisa Carmichael, investigate further, they face dangers and creatures that challenge their very concept of reality and also encounter the colony’s caretaker Machine Mind and the human Security Commissioner, both of whom have opposing and intricate agendas of their own.
For the true nature of Redfern is stranger and more deadly than anything Holloway or Carmichael can possibly imagine.
And it could change or destroy humanity forever…
Redfern Interview
- Let’s start at the beginning… how do you like to greet people? Are you a casual nod person, a hugger, or somewhere in between?
More a nod and smile, sometimes a handshake or kiss on the cheek, rarely a hug unless it’s my mum, nan, wife or children.
- What influences in your past (books, TV shows, music) helped shaped the planet of Redfern in your mind?
In previous novels I’ve gone for arid planet, then tropical island planet, and in Redfern, inhospitable, poisonous and storm ravaged planet with the human dome keeping that all out. I suppose there’s a bit of the 1984 ‘Dune’ movie in there, just something we’re existing on the periphery of, in danger of being overwhelmed, but all the time trying to change it ourselves, trying to master it, hence the terraforming theme in the book. The Dome itself is another planet within a planet, sparkling buildings, parks, and no cars or engines, just people walking, running or on bicycles. If you’ve ever been to Venice, you can get a sense of that, the background noise of cars seems to be present everywhere, take it away and there’s something else. I also listened to a lot Arcade Fire when writing the book, which lends it a little of that tragic ‘who are we?’ aspect.
- Who’s your favorite character in the book? Why?
Well, it has to be Jason Webster, simply because of the character progression. He goes from professional soldier to jilted lover to quiet killer to responsible leader and then desperate savior. That is over a few thousand years admittedly and it’s just fascinating how he deals with these situations.
- What is next on your writer’s journey? What goal do you have in your sights next?
More writing, another book, maybe short stories, but always more, and always writing what I like and want to write.
- Have you had any cool fan interactions? Have any of your readers’ responses particularly touched you?
I’ve had some nice and thoughtful reviews that did wonders for my ego and some awful reviews that made me think I obviously can’t write at all. None of them have touched me in a profound way, but maybe that’s still to come.
- Can you share three new, relatively unknown books? We all love recommendations so choose three awesome titles to champion. (No fair picking your own!)
Well, they’re not in any bestseller lists, so I would go with: ‘Quantum Night’ by Robert J. Sawyer, an interesting take on universal human psychology. ‘Starship Seasons’ by Eric Brown, a series of novelettes about a man encountering aliens and finding peace and friendship. Finally a bit older, but I’ll sneak it in, ‘Blind Lake’, by Robert Charles Wilson, a people story, action story and has a lot of good stuff on quantum computers and alien first contact,
- Can you share one resource: website, marketing strategy, social media medium that you feel has most helped you and could help other writers on their way?
Word 2007, because I use it to write. I have read countless guides about what you should and shouldn’t do, they’re all wrong and right and ultimately just noise. So just read a lot of books, which means love reading, and then try writing and if you love writing, keep doing it.
- What do you wish your readers could know about you?
As little as possible simply because when I was at school, we were always encouraged to relate back a novel to the author as if they were somehow interchangeable. He\she wrote this because their father walked out when they were an early age, etc. I just want readers to read a book and enjoy it and read into it what they want without having something to connect it to outside of themselves.
- Now that the book is being set loose on the unsuspecting world, do you have anything you would change? What are you most proud of about your story?
I don’t think I could change anything in that it is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle and if you try and move around the pieces it won’t fit together anymore. I’m most proud of avoiding following a formula as much as I possibly could, that means the ending can’t be predicted by chapter three. I think there’s enough twists and turns to keep people thinking and enough interesting characters to get people involved.
- What benchmarks have you set for yourself in measuring your success? In other words, when do you think you will have “made it?” And why?
Financially, if you can sell enough books to pay the mortgage then that probably means I’ve made it, buying a happy meal once a month doesn’t count. Artistically I feel I’m getting better with each book, and I want to keep getting better. I don’t think I’ll ever make it on that score, because I’ll probably never satisfy that evil critic, myself.
- If you had to choose… salty or sweet treats… what would you choose and why does your choice speak to you?
Chocolate, lots of chocolate, it just makes me feel better.
- And lastly… what is your favorite reward after a long day of writing—that little treat you give yourself?
A pint of cold Guinness.
How to Buy This Book and Follow Gary Tinnams
Webpage:
http://gdtinnams.blogspot.co.uk/
Amazon.com:
Print:
https://www.amazon.com/Redfern-Continuity-Everything-Singularity-Novel/dp/1537059726
Amazon.com:
Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/Redfern-Continuity-Everything-Singularity-Novel-ebook/dp/B01J7NFOMO
Amazon.com
Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/G.D.-Tinnams/e/B008COLQJK/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Print
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redfern-Continuity-Everything-Singularity-Novel/dp/1537059726
Kindle:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Redfern-Continuity-Everything-Singularity-Novel-ebook/dp/B01J7NFOMO
Author Page:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/G.D.-Tinnams/e/B008COLQJK/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Amazon.ca
Print:
https://www.amazon.ca/Redfern-Continuity-Everything-Singularity-Novel/dp/1537059726
Amazon.ca
Kindle:
https://www.amazon.ca/Redfern-Continuity-Everything-Singularity-Novel-ebook/dp/B01J7NFOMO
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004118530979
@GDTinnams
Author Bio:
I have been reading and watching science fiction since I was old enough to watch Peter Davison walking around an unrealistic jungle set in Doctor Who. The first set of sci-fi books I ever read was The Tripods trilogy by John Christopher without ever having watched the resultant TV series. The Tripods were scary.
Over the years I’ve come to love a variety of science fiction and fantasy books from many different eras and so came to the conclusion that I wanted to create my own adventures, set in my own worlds, with characters that acted and felt like real people. My third novel ‘Redfern’ is an adventure story which poses question about alien first contact, artificial intelligence, the singularity and the continued survival of our species at any cost.
“If you love your science fiction on the cinematic side but also want big ideas, intelligently explored, look no further.”
This post was written by Erika Gardner. She’s a native Californian, lifelong lover of fantastical adventures, and a dedicated Whovian. If you enjoyed it, please sign up to receive updates on www.erikagardner.com Or you can follow Erika on Twitter @Erika_Gardner, “Like” her Facebook page Erika Gardner- Writer and Storyteller.Or check out her contributions to the BBB Blog. Erika’s debut novel, The Dragon in The Garden can be found at Tirgearr Publishing.
