Questions for Stephen Baxter
STEPHEN Baxter is one of Britain’s most successful Science Fiction authors. He has published about 40 books and more than 100 short stories, including his most recent novel, Flood. He has won many awards, including the Philip K Dick Award. Stephen is also vice-president of the British Science Fiction Association.
Name: Stephen Baxter
Birth date: 13/11/1957
Hometown: Liverpool
How would you describe your work? Science fiction, mostly hard SF, some alternate history.
Who are your influences? HG Wells, Olaf Stapledon, Arthur C Clarke.
What's the first book you remember reading? The Fireball XL5 annual, 1963. I was hooked on Gerry Anderson's terrific puppet shows, and this was a first exposure to reading something like SF as opposed to watching it.
Who is your favourite literary character? Flashman (George Macdonald Fraser). I like his blunt realism; you sense you are seeing truths about humanity through his cynical eyes.
If you weren't an author, what would you be doing? Teaching. I taught maths and physics at sixth form level briefly; I would probably go back to that.
Which of your work are you most proud of? The next one; the book I'm working on now. I'm proud of all my books but I always look forward.
What is a typical writing day? If I'm writing or revising it's a nine to five day in my office-like study. But I spend maybe a third or a half of my time on research of one kind or another, reading, on the internet, travelling, seeing places, attending conferences, meeting people.
Can you give us any tips for aspiring writers? Don't put it off - write. Don't leave it half-done - finish what you write, to professional standards. Don't stick it in a drawer - try to get it published in a paying market, and when you don't succeed first time try again, and again.
Published: Wed, 15 October, 2008
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