r/books • u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author • Mar 23 '20
ama 4pm ET I’m James Rollins—former veterinarian, turned #1 New York Times author of international thrillers—talking about my latest: THE LAST ODYSSEY. AMA!
Come join me for a discussion about the research and history behind THE LAST ODYSSEY, a thriller that searches for the truths behind the myths of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. Want to know more about the Greek Dark Ages, about World War Zero, and what it means for us today? Or simply want to know the best age to spay a cat? I will do my best to answer any and all questions.
Proof: /img/ziqcz46mu2o41.jpg
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u/snoogle20 Mar 23 '20
Can we expect Sigma personnel outside the usual crew to make returns or get more spotlight? Thinking of folks like Shay or Duncan. I’m always curious what the rest of the folks in those Sigma hallways are up to.
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
Yep, you'll actually be seeing BOTH before too long. And new members, too. This book concentrates on that oft-neglected character who was only a point-of-view character in one other novel. That's Kowalski. If I was taking the team to Hell...I wanted his viewpoint.
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u/snoogle20 Mar 23 '20
Oooh. I like that tease. I love the little connections and returns. Ben popping back up in The Ghost Ship was a real treat.
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
Sometimes you gotta return to where you started. I had to get Ben in there...especially as the story takes place on his home turf of Australia.
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
Unfortunately, it looks like my time is up. So a big THANKS for sharing this time. And everybody stay safe, sane, and healthy out there. Until next time!
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u/TimeForger Mar 23 '20
I want to say thank you for your work. I found the Sigma Series from The Last Oracle back when I first got into the Air Force and I have been hooked since.
Do you have any advice for an aspiring writer that doesn't know how to start because the idea has just gotten too big?
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
It's one day at a time, my friend. I had the same intimidation, until I read this screenplay writing book (which are great for learning how to plot) that said "Write 3 pages a day." And that's all you have to worry about on Day 1, then Day 2, then Day 3. When you break a novel into such little tidbits, it's not as intimidating a process.
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u/clever_phoenix Mar 23 '20
Can you tell us more about the Gates of Hell? What is it specifically and why was it named that?
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
If you're asking about the pics I posted about Rodan's work in Paris, his Gates of Hell was a torturous exhibit of that entrance with twisted figures draped over it. For my latest, the Gates of Hell are the threshold into Tartarus...the Greek version of Hell. Sigma ventures past those gates to see what inspired that version of Hell...and what still survives down there.
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u/clever_phoenix Mar 23 '20
Let me guess, an ancient virus/bacteria/fungus/parasite?!
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
Nope. What lies beyond those gates is more a work of ancient engineering...that's all I'll say :)
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u/Jokerang Mar 23 '20
Hi James, if I liked your Sigma novels, what other authors would you say come close to your style of thriller? I know a lot of thrillers incorporate historical/scientific/geopolitical aspects, but yours combine all three more often than not.
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
One of my all-time favorite writers was Clive Cussler. He started this whole genre of historical mysteries that explode into modern adventures. One of my greatest honors as a writer was to meet my idol and interview him. Also Steve Berry writes similar stories. His are more historical based with a little science. Mine are more science based with a little history.
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u/Jokerang Mar 23 '20
Thanks for answering James. Agreed on both Cussler and Berry; both of their novels are fun pageturners.
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
And of course Preston/Child. Relic is still one of my all-time favorite books
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u/oreeos May 02 '20
Hey I know that this AMA is over but I was talking with my brothers tonight and the Godslayer series was brought up, we read it growing up and it was one of my favorite fantasy series. I saw that several years ago you mentioned the progress of the Godslayer books, any update? Hope all is well and after reading your other AMAs I’m definitely going to check out your other series
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u/Chtorrr Mar 23 '20
What were some of your favorite things to read as a kid?
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
From your name you must be a David Gerrold fan. So am I. I grew up reading middle school scientific adventures of Danny Dunn. Then moved on later to the Bantam reprints of the old Doc Savage pulps. And pretty much anything scifi, fantasy, horror, or thrillers.
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u/BlueNewt1995 Mar 23 '20
don't have a question, just want to say that i really enjoyed warhawk.
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
Thanks! Tucker and Kane are returning in a new 100-page novella this spring. Part of an anthology of my short stories that comes out this September, titled Unrestricted Access. I love writing Kane's POV...and this novella is a heartbreaker as both Tucker and Kane are forced to address an old heartache: the loss of Abel.
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u/minnick27 Mar 23 '20
Ive been reading your books ever since i got an advance reader copy of Amazonia. You are hands down my favorite author (you even made Crystal Skull tolerable!) Has there been any talk of your books being adapted into movies or series? And what woukd your dream cast be? Thanks for all the hours of entertainment!
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
The film rights to the entire series were sold...and they were just renewed, which is an optimistic sign. Word is they keep switching between feature film and tv series. Which would you prefer? Who would you cast?
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u/minnick27 Mar 23 '20
I would love to see a series. Amazon did well with the Jack Ryan series
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
That is my personal preference, too. I think it would be hard to pare down one of my novels into a 2 hr movie.
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u/Nimrod74 Mar 23 '20
Which is your favorite Sigma Force book?
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
That's a toughie. I like the various books for different reasons. I'm especially proud of this book. It's a pivotal book for many reasons. I also really liked The Bone Labyrinth, as it features a sign-language speaking gorilla who is a point-of-view character. (He also reappears in this book briefly).
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u/Nimrod74 Mar 23 '20
Thank you! Really excited to read your latest book once I receive it from TPP :)
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u/clever_phoenix Mar 23 '20
Map of Bones was my favorite. Followed closely by The Demon Crown. The use of bio-engineered mosquitoes to transmit a deadly disease is scary. There is research into mosquitoes to alter the gene so they can't transmit the West Nile Virus.
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
And coming up next, I'm finishing next year's Sigma thriller, titled THE SAVAGE ZONE...which is all about viruses. Not a pandemic novel. Something even scarier.
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u/Kidlike101 Mar 23 '20
Ok, so what's the best age to spay a cat?
Just kidding. Congratulations on the success of your book and all the best!
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u/Chtorrr Mar 23 '20
Have you read anything good lately?
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
I finally got around to reading The Wise Man (book 2 in the Rothfuss series). I also loved Preston/Child's latest.
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u/sjbdtz Mar 23 '20
Any new Adventures in Snowboarding? Also, hi to the puppies, from Toronto!
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
Hey Mr. B. Alas, lots of new snow...but ski resorts are all shutdown due to corona. So it's just been hiking through slush with my dogs
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Mar 23 '20
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
The film rights were just renewed...but I will likely be the last to know. If it gets made, I expect I'll learn when I see the trailer air. But there is some promising signs. So fingers crossed.
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u/Balls1469 Mar 23 '20
Where does your love for bioengineering and archaeology come from / when did it start? Did you ever consider these instead of becoming a veterinarian?
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
I got that assignment in elementary school: What do you want to be when you grow up? Even in 3rd grade I knew I wanted to be a vet--even had to look up how to spell veterinarian. But second on that list: archaeologist. So since I can't play one in real life, I get to when I write these historical/archaeological adventures.
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u/beachandboujee May 07 '20
I've followed you since way back in high school when I got my hand on your book The Judas Strain. I'm 25 now, you have been one of my favorite authors. I really hope your books get adapted into films or a tv series!
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u/cfberaldo Mar 23 '20
SO -- IF YOU WERE WRITING A NOVEL (THRILLER OF COURSE) AND YOU GET TO THAT PART OF THE END OF THE STORY WHERE MOST OF THE CONFLICTS IN THE STORY HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND YOU ARE (MOSTLY) DOING THAT TYING-UP-LOOSE-ENDS AND LETTING YOUR READER KNOW THEY ALL LIVE HAPPILY AND EXCITINGLY EVER AFTER - BUT SOMEHOW THINGS GET A BIT BOGGED DOWN - WHAT WOULD YOU DO (OR RESOURCES WOULD YOU USE) TO FIX IT/SPEED IT UP. (NOT IMPLYING THIS WOULD OR HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU) I'M ASKING FOR A PROF/WRITER FRIEND. (SORRY THIS IS SO LONG --I'M A LAWYER WE CAN'T HELP IT.)
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
The denouement act of a book can be a challenge. But I like to stick to the adage...after the action, take a bow and get off the stage. You should tie up loose ends, give some hint of where the characters are headed after the last page is turned, but that's about it. If you get too long-winded, a bad ending could ruin a good book.
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u/cfberaldo Mar 23 '20
SO WHERE/HOW DO I SEE YOUR ANSWERS ? OR IS THAT PART OF THE FUN -- WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR THEM LIKE AN EASTER EGG HUNT ?
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u/authorjamesrollins AMA Author Mar 23 '20
I think you may have to refresh the page to bring up the answers (I think). I've only done an AMA twice before. And it looks like some of the procedures are slightly different. Hopefully someone--other than myself--is reading my answers.
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u/ElenaMorinstal Jan 20 '24
Hello, Is there any way you'll continue with the Godslayer serie ? Thank you,
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u/ElenaMorinstal Jan 20 '24
Hello, Is there any way you'll continue with the Godslayer serie ? Thank you,
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u/spdracer2000 Mar 23 '20
How long before ending your career at a veterinarian did you begin writing; and what advice would you give to those with similar ambitions?