Eric Anderson,

Author of The Edge Seam in the Fabric of Space-Time

 

Please introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about your background.

 I grew up in Louisville, KY until I came to Los Angeles to get a graduate degree in film.  After school I wrote a screenplay for Columbia Pictures and I'm currently doing freelance computer animation for TV and film while continuing to write my own material for future film projects.

What inspired you to start writing?

 I was encouraged early by my 4th grade language arts teacher.  Part of the curriculum for the class was creative writing.  Though I couldn't spell most two syllable words, my stories were regularly requested by my classmates to be read aloud in class.  Mrs. Truax, whereever she is, planted the seed.

Who is one of your favorite authors?

 Italo Calvino

What are some of your favorite books?

 Mr. Palomar, Great Expectations, The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Surprised by Joy, The Lord of the Rings

Give us a one sentence description of your winning story.

 A spaceship full of famously famous intergalactic architects set out to find the cornerstone of the universe.

Besides writing, what are some of your hobbies or interests?

 modelmaking, photography, animation, reminiscing over the big bang

Are you a gamer? Any favorite games?

 Barely.  My favorite game of all was a strategy game on the Commodore 64 that recreated the war in North Africa.  Ah, those were the days.

 What is your favorite type of music?

 film music

How long have you been writing?

 I made my first discernable attempt to write a story when I was 8 years old, 26 years ago.  Wow.  Say it isn't so.  I didn't really get serious about it until ten years ago.

What kind of stories do you most enjoy writing?

 concept-driven science fantasy or anything that takes the audience to a completely different world. 

When you sit down to write a story, do you know where you are going or do you “see where the pen takes you”?

 In terms of plot, I almost always start knowing the ending.  Character-wize, however, is more exploratory.

What has been your biggest learning tool or experience as far as writing is concerned?

 Reading great writers.

Is there anything else you would like to add? (something interesting about yourself or an interesting experience you’ve had)

 I once traded secretly on the black market in Leningrad when it was still called the Soviet Union.  I got a lousy deal let me tell you.

Also, a film I directed played at Sundance in 2002.

Also, I am a member of the banana-shaped Earth society.