Why write?

Art and storytelling are some of the most ancient ways of communicating ideas. They place the divine power of creation into mortal hands and allow a person to expand to the fullest extent of their imagination.

If you didn’t write, what would you do?

If I wasn’t writing, I’d be . . . kicking myself and telling myself I should be writing. I did that for about thirty years, no sense breaking the cycle, right?

If you could hunt any speculative fiction creature ever imagined (except one of your own), would you?

Sure.

Which one?

A werewolf.

Why?

That would be an awesome hunt. If you find one that needs to be hunted, let me know and I’ll go cast some silver bullets.

If you could have any speculative fiction creature ever imagined (except one of your own) as a pet, would you?

No.

Why?

My pug already takes up any and all spare time and lap space. He’d be jealous.

You are on a holodeck: You’re sitting in an intergalactic bar, sipping your favorite beverage, waiting expectantly for someone to take a seat at your table. Which author from any era does? Why? What do you talk about or do? More importantly, which chair does he sit in?

I wouldn’t be wasting my time like that. Sorry to be a wet blanket, but any icon of the past that materialized would be a fabrication of what people or a machine ‘thought’ s/he was, not the actual person. Any advice or experience that could be shared would only be a regurgitation of what s/he had already shared through their writings.

Why Asad al Din? What initiated his story and made you complete this particular tale?

I was looking for an eastern swashbuckler. For something away from the western norm. His story was constructed in the manner of old folktales, although updated to add more character and dialogue. Something of modern rendition of an Arabian Nights tale.

What appealed to you about being included in Rage of the Behemoth?

What appealed to me about being in RotB was the chance to take a whack at bringing a big, scary monster to life.

Do you write/read aloud to/with anyone (family member or friend)?

Sure. I read to my wife when I get the chance. Both my work and that of others. I read to my children from an early age. It really increases everyone’s vocabulary, both reader and the listeners. Whereas TV seems to dumb everything down, even fast-moving action books increase everyone’s use of language.

Why?

So when the other kindergartners were listening to Peter Rabbit, mine were laughing at Breckenridge Elkins, thrilling to tales of Conan, or listening to the improbable adventures of Bilbo Baggins

Quick: For each of the below, what’s your first thought in regards to the future of genre fiction:

Publishing: Dying, dead, on life support – or just going through a change? If it’s any of the first three, will it be euthanized or revitalized?

Going through a change.

Reading Formats: Print, electronic, audio, or interactive?

Ha! If I knew the answer to that I’d be investing in stock.

Books: Hardcover, trade paperback, mass market, other?

Paperback. Simple volume. People can afford more of them, and are more willing to pay for a paperback. People I know only buy hardbacks from an Author they really love.

Preference for reading/writing: Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, Horror Fiction?

I have a full-time security job, a part-time editing job, and I’m participating in a medical externship program. I’m afraid I don’t have much time to sit down and read what I want for pleasure. I tend to find myself up at about 03:30 AM to try and hammer away at stories. . . or still up at 01:00 AM–like now–trying to catch up on things.

Thank you for taking the time to provide thoughtful answers to these interview questions, Rob!

Robert Mancebo’s “Passion of the Stormlord” appears in the ‘Depthless Seas’ habitat in Rage of the Behemoth. Robert has been a husband for 30 years, father of four, grandfather of two, soldier, technician, writer, editor, general gatherer of interesting stories and history. Visit his home page at http://www.geocities.com/robmancebo.

An opening excerpt

“Make haste to furl the sail!” Asad al Din bellowed into the raging wind. His crew of Nabataean sailors struggled to haul down the billowing cloud of striped silk, but the power of the wind threatened to drag them off the ship’s wooden deck.

“The might of the storm is too great, Captain!” Jalil called back. “It will cast the crew into the sea!”

“Ease off the main sheet, you great lout!” Asad al Din roared as the knotted muscles of his arms and shoulders heaved against the sweeping tiller, keeping the ship’s nose pointed into the crashing waves. “Carefully now, carefully!”

Three men dragging mightily eased the sodden line through a tackle, allowing the great triangular sail to release its hold upon the storm winds and flap wildly. That done, the rest of the sailors lowered the boom and bound the loose sail.

“We make great speed, even with a bare mast,” Jalil called. “Surely this passing tempest is the retribution of Allah!”

“Ha!” Asad al Din scoffed loudly. “The retribution of Allah is swift, but only against the unrighteous. This is but a storm in the season for storms.”

“There is a fell voice echoing in the sky,” Jalil warned. “And I have glimpsed the dark bulk of a monster within the clouds. I fear this is no earthly tempest.”

“Bah, save your tales of monsters for the children in the bazaar,” his captain replied…

Watch for review praise for “Passion of the Stormlord” and Rage of the Behemoth!

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