What experiences in your life have you drawn upon for your novels?
Before I started writing, I was employed by a number of international corporations. I traveled fairly extensively to Asia, Europe, South America, and Canada. The most surprising and impactful experience I took away from my exposure to those cultures is how differently they may look upon the same situation.
As Americans, we tend to think that our value system is universal. That does not appear to be true, and it seems rather arrogant of us to think so. In Japan, for example, honesty is not more important than “saving face”. In my experience, the Japanese, in certain circumstances, will flatly lie in order to “save face”–not their own, but yours, to spare your embarrassment.
I don’t mean to pick on the Japanese. There are many examples of differing behaviors from many countries that we might find odd, even repulsive.
That brings us to communication and words. Some words are not translatable. There are emotions in our society, and others, which are impossible to express. I see it as my job, as a writer, to come as close as I can, while keeping it simple.
Before I started writing, I was employed by a number of international corporations. I traveled fairly extensively to Asia, Europe, South America, and Canada. The most surprising and impactful experience I took away from my exposure to those cultures is how differently they may look upon the same situation.
As Americans, we tend to think that our value system is universal. That does not appear to be true, and it seems rather arrogant of us to think so. In Japan, for example, honesty is not more important than “saving face”. In my experience, the Japanese, in certain circumstances, will flatly lie in order to “save face”–not their own, but yours, to spare your embarrassment.
I don’t mean to pick on the Japanese. There are many examples of differing behaviors from many countries that we might find odd, even repulsive.
That brings us to communication and words. Some words are not translatable. There are emotions in our society, and others, which are impossible to express. I see it as my job, as a writer, to come as close as I can, while keeping it simple.
Your book, In the Robes of Gods, explores the “Conflict between the weakness of the human condition and modern technology.” Would you tell us a little about that?
By weakness of the human condition, I refer to the worst of our nature–greed and arrogance. These are present, to one degree or another, in all of us. They are the engine that propels the world marketplace. We demand faster and more powerful technology than our neighbors, and are willing to pay for it. Suppliers stand ready to fill that need.
All technology buffs know what The Singularity means. It is the projected point in time when our computers, driven by the market, will become smarter than humans. Our most learned on the subject estimate sometime between 2030 and 2045. Others say it won’t happen for a hundred years. All agree that it is inevitable, if we don’t destroy ourselves first. If, or when, it happens, computers will become the next level of evolution. They will become exponentially more powerful, and able to build more of their kind. We won’t be able to stop them, since they will be able to predict our every move, including unplugging them (haha). Sorry to sound so negative. In my view, it can all be avoiding by reining back a bit on the most base of our character.
By weakness of the human condition, I refer to the worst of our nature–greed and arrogance. These are present, to one degree or another, in all of us. They are the engine that propels the world marketplace. We demand faster and more powerful technology than our neighbors, and are willing to pay for it. Suppliers stand ready to fill that need.
All technology buffs know what The Singularity means. It is the projected point in time when our computers, driven by the market, will become smarter than humans. Our most learned on the subject estimate sometime between 2030 and 2045. Others say it won’t happen for a hundred years. All agree that it is inevitable, if we don’t destroy ourselves first. If, or when, it happens, computers will become the next level of evolution. They will become exponentially more powerful, and able to build more of their kind. We won’t be able to stop them, since they will be able to predict our every move, including unplugging them (haha). Sorry to sound so negative. In my view, it can all be avoiding by reining back a bit on the most base of our character.
Do your main characters resemble you in any way?
Yes, of course I draw from my own characteristics, as well as others I’ve met. What else is there? I believe that imagination is a twisting and melding of all things we have known. When I use some of my own traits, I try to lean on the worst, not the best. It makes the character more flawed and believable.
If your home was threatened by a wildfire, what three things would you want with you and why?
This question is liken to one might find buried in a psych evaluation. I’m excluding family and pets–inanimate objects only. And presuming I already have my pants on:
a) A pair of shoes (rocky terrain)
b) A blanket (preferably fire retardant, and for warmth)
c) Cell phone (call for help)
As you can see, I’m a practical guy. Pictures and sentimental items can be replaced, but only if I’m alive. And, as I can see, you’re a California native. We don’t have wildfires in Chicago.
Yes, of course I draw from my own characteristics, as well as others I’ve met. What else is there? I believe that imagination is a twisting and melding of all things we have known. When I use some of my own traits, I try to lean on the worst, not the best. It makes the character more flawed and believable.
If your home was threatened by a wildfire, what three things would you want with you and why?
This question is liken to one might find buried in a psych evaluation. I’m excluding family and pets–inanimate objects only. And presuming I already have my pants on:
a) A pair of shoes (rocky terrain)
b) A blanket (preferably fire retardant, and for warmth)
c) Cell phone (call for help)
As you can see, I’m a practical guy. Pictures and sentimental items can be replaced, but only if I’m alive. And, as I can see, you’re a California native. We don’t have wildfires in Chicago.
When you sit down to write, what lights your internal fire?
Here’s another question with fire in it. It’s a question I can only address, not answer. I can only say that when I’m “in the zone”, I can picture the scenes and characters vividly, to the exclusion of all else. Time goes by so quickly that hours seem like minutes. Even after I’m away from the computer, perhaps watching TV, ideas come to me, and I have to run to write them down. I’ve tried to just remember them for the next day, but it doesn’t work. I’m compelled to write them down. I may simply be nuts!
Find out more about Author Richard Cezar:
facebook.com/R.Cezar
goodreads.com/author/show/6893538.Richard_Cezar
linkedin.com/profile/view?id=AAIAAA099eQBWzi2
twitter.com/richard_cezar
www.amazon.com/Richard-Cezar/e/B00J3CHIW4
Here’s another question with fire in it. It’s a question I can only address, not answer. I can only say that when I’m “in the zone”, I can picture the scenes and characters vividly, to the exclusion of all else. Time goes by so quickly that hours seem like minutes. Even after I’m away from the computer, perhaps watching TV, ideas come to me, and I have to run to write them down. I’ve tried to just remember them for the next day, but it doesn’t work. I’m compelled to write them down. I may simply be nuts!
Find out more about Author Richard Cezar:
facebook.com/R.Cezar
goodreads.com/author/show/6893538.Richard_Cezar
linkedin.com/profile/view?id=AAIAAA099eQBWzi2
twitter.com/richard_cezar
www.amazon.com/Richard-Cezar/e/B00J3CHIW4
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