| Chat Log: Larry Niven Session Start: Tue Sep 24 21:05:07 2002 <Icon2002> It's a pity we don't have a camera set up, so you could see the huge grin on her face right now. <fithp> Love to see that. How is the convention going? <Icon2002> I'll start with the questions that people have asked me to pass on. <fithp> Yes. <Icon2002> The con is going well. I am surprised to see so many people who didn't go see Lord of the Rings, and prefer to stand around me watching this chat. <fithp> Lord of the Rings is fine entertainment. <Icon2002> One of the questions that several people have asked me is if you could give us a sneak preview of what you are currently working on. <UrI_M> the book is better.. <fithp> You couldn't ask at a better time. <Icon2002> Could you please elaborate? <fithp> I just finished a draft of RINGWORLD'S CHILDREN. It's too short; I'll take another pass. <fithp> I was working on BURNING TOWER (with Jerry Pournelle) when my computer reminded me to call you. <Icon2002> Are there possible dates we could hope to see these in print, or is it still too early to tell? <fithp> CREATION MYTH (with Brenda Cooper) is waiting for my attention. It's a full novel, but not ready to publish. <fithp> Expect RINGWORLD'S CHILDREN in half a year, and SCATTERBRAIN aroung the same time. <Icon2002> Are you going to write anything new in the Kzin wars series? <fithp> SCATTERBRAIN is a collection similar to N-SPACE and PLAYGROUNDS OF THE MIND. *** UrI_M has quit IRC (Connection reset by peer) <fithp> I don't have a Man-Kzin Wars story in my head, but my other writers are producing gold. *** UrI_M has joined #authorchat <fithp> There will certainly be a 10th Man-Kzin Wars volume. <Icon2002> Another question I was asked -which of your universes do you prefer, Known Space or the more dictatorial world of Integral trees? <fithp> I'm comfortable in Known Space, but The Smoke Ring is better science, maybe the best SF I've written. <Icon2002> People would like to know if there is going to be a Ringworld movie. Are the rumors true? <fithp> Smoke Ring is harder work, though. My first try at a third book fell apart. <Icon2002> There was a collective groan at hearing about the Smoke ring. <fithp> A Ringworld movie currently looks unlikely. <fithp> Smoke Ring: I'll try again some day. <Icon2002> And any of your other works, are there to be TV or movies? <fithp> It's been two years and more since I published anything. You'll see a burst of four or five next year. <fithp> TV and movies: my agent talks like an optomist. There's some interest in The Integral Trees. Wild visuals, that would be. <Icon2002> We all lok forward to seeing that - I was asked to comment on the fact that there is a huge crowd watching this here in Tel Aviv, most of them leaning on my back (OW !) <fithp> Sorry about your back, but I 'm flattered that we drew a crowd. <Icon2002> As time goes on, and there are more sci-fi authors are coming forth, do you feel that this affects your work, or even the genre of sci-fi in general? <fithp> Of course the whole field looks like a running party conversation in slow motion. <Icon2002> And would you consider yourself to be one of the centers of the conversation? <fithp> We all draw from each other's ideas. The more there are of us, the more bright ideas. <fithp> The brightest of us affect the whole field, for generations. <fithp> Yes, I notice that my ideas are picked up from time to time. <fithp> "Flash crowd", one of my terms for a teleportation phenomenon, is now used when everyone gangs up on an interesting website. <Icon2002> Do you feel that the hard core of sci-fi writers has changed? <fithp> I saw "rishathra" used (almost correctly) in a biological paper. <UrI_M> lol <Icon2002> Between what two species was it used? <fithp> Oh, yeah, hard core has become very much harder. What looked hard in the 70s would class as fantasy today. <fithp> The question was whether a species had fissioned...I forget the animal. <fithp> (The first lion/tiger breeding is almost as old as I am.) <Icon2002> What is your personal vision of the near future - do you feel that we are ahead or behind of what authors believed we would be at at this point? <Icon2002> And I don't just mean from a science point of view, but also from a socialogical point of view or a criminalogical point fo view. <fithp> The conquest of space (manned) is very far behind predictions. Probes, however, are up to speed. <fithp> There were many predictions for solutions to matters of crime, and to one unified world. Clearly those failed. <Icon2002> What do you think the next big breakthrough that will affect our lives will be? <fithp> --so far. The internet may link us all yet. <UrI_M> and put us all under one big brother.. <fithp> Let's turn wireheading loose in the Arab countries... <Icon2002> Did you hear that? The enormous laugh that just went up here should be audible to you. <fithp> I noticed the pause, I pictured a gasp, not a laugh. <UrI_M> wrong country for gasps about these ideas.. <Icon2002> Is there anything you regret having written or published? Anything you wish you could have rewritten? <Icon2002> I was asked to mention that the person to my left has a Belter haircut. <fithp> I'd like to try a different ending for "The Ethics of Madness". I'd like to rethink the medical matters in DESTINY'S ROAD. <Icon2002> What was the problem in Destiny? I enjoyed it very much, and didn't feel there was anything problematic in it. <fithp> I got email (two days ago) froma guy who wore a Wunderlander beard for some days. He'd injured one side of his face. <Icon2002> People here also say the Ethics is very good as it stands, and would like to know what changes you'd make in it? <fithp> Problem was that lack of potassium kills faster than it makes idiots. <Icon2002> My lack of scientific knowledge. <fithp> "Ethics": I started with an ending in mind. The way the story developed, I should have tried something different. <Icon2002> Do you feel that it's better to be scientifically correct, even if it doesn't really affect the story itself? <fithp> That's a tough call. I've warped the science to make a better story, and confessed in an Afterward. <fithp> that was "Singularities Make Me Nervous". <Icon2002> Do you feel that it's important for a writer to confess his mistakes, and not just leave it as part of the sci-fi in the story itself? <fithp> Not all that bloody important. Some of the fun can be to pick a story apart. Advanced readers can then write a fix. <Icon2002> If I can go back to a previously discussed issue, the con is not just for sci-fi fans, it's for role playing gamers as well. Is there a possibility of games based on your books? <fithp> When Steven Barnes and I published DREAM PARK, we were asked if certain terms could be borrowed. <fithp> The International Fantasy Gaming Society then formed near Denver. They're live Gamers. <Icon2002> Have you in the past, or even in the present been a role playing gamer? <fithp> They run their games up and down mountains, across deserts, down white-water rivers. <fithp> I have gamed just enough: very little. I love the idea of a software machine for making stories. <fithp> However, I already HAVE a software machine for making stories. <fithp> I do love listening to Gamers' tales of their adventures. <UrI_M> *ppl laughing at back..* <fithp> The people who put on the Games tell even funnier stories. See the second and third Dream Park books. <fithp> That's THE BARSOOM PROJECT and THE CALIFORNIA VOODOO GAME. <Icon2002> I have, and enjoyed them. Are the stories there real stories you have heard and translated into the Dream Park world? <fithp> Often, those are stories I heard, yes. <Icon2002> Have you heard of people showing up to the IFGS games dressed as Kzin or as Puppeteers? <fithp> I remember a guy played as a Kzin. And I've seen Kzin and Puppeteer costumes, but they were most uncomfortable. <Icon2002> The mind boggles at human ingenuity.... <Icon2002> A question was just passed to me. Many of your characters act out of logic, and not much out of emotion. In reality, people use more emotion, and of course, aliens have a logic of their own. <fithp> Kathy Sanders made all the costumes for that group. As a puppeteer she had one leg bound up against her chest, and her hands were on stilts. Heads propped up on stiff necks. <Icon2002> It sounds uncomfortable - how long did she manage in that suit? <fithp> Alien logic is likely to show more lucidly than alien emotion. Think of me as a translator. <fithp> The suit was half open until just before she went onstage. Call it 10-15 minutes. <Icon2002> Do you have plans to come to Israel? After all, you had plans to make it to the millenium (and we all cried at hearing you weren't coming). <Icon2002> The con has managed to run for two days with no suicide bombers yet. <fithp> I chickened out. Israel came to look too dangerous. Friends, I fear you still look dangerous to an American tourist. <fithp> But I'll stay in touch. <Icon2002> If we are talking about terror, what do you think the terror of the near future will look like? <fithp> Congratulations. A suicide bomber could take out your best young minds. <UrI_M> Don't you think that right now in Israel people see in America a dangerous place? <Icon2002> What minds? We're fans - you should know by now that fans have no minds. <fithp> Okay, America is dangerous too. No place is actually safe. <Icon2002> So why not come to Israel then? <Icon2002> What makes it so much more intimidating? <UrI_M> "Don't believe none of what you hear, and half of what you see" (Lou Reed) <fithp> What makes you intimidating is the endless stream of little clumps of victims. You can't just avoid the World Trade Center: you have to avoid supermarkets, coffee houses.... <UrI_M> Going out of the bunker.. Life lives on no matter what terrorists try to do to us.. <fithp> Yeah, Israel is probably safer than it looks. I didn't go to Ireland, either, when supermarket bombings were all the rage. <Icon2002> And the sidewalks of New York? You can get mugged there. And get murdered in Washington. Or shot at in a drive by shooting in LA. <fithp> And I'm largely Irish. <fithp> All of that is true. <fithp> Hey, it was the Los Angeles riots that sparked THE BURNING CITY. It's not as if I don't pay attention. <Icon2002> As much as I am enjoying this, I have to go. If you want to (and it will be GREATLY appreciated if you do, you can go on chatting with these guys (once I get them off my back!), even if the "official" chat is closed. Before I go, though, I want to thank you in the name of everyone here at Icon, and of all the fans who will read the transcript of this. <UrI_M> almost no states politics in your books, why? <fithp> You're all welcome. I've enjoyed your company very much. And I'll stay until I get hungry. *** Icon2002 is now known as H-fairy <UrI_M> hear hear.. <fithp> Politics? I managed to avoid it until I started working with Jerry Pournelle. <H-fairy> hello, i'm h-fairy and i will replace icon2002 even though i'm already hungry. <fithp> Hi, H-fairy. <H-fairy> ori asks who are the real people behind themembers of the dream fithp? *** H-fairy is now known as SabreRunner <fithp> Jerry's politics were so obtrusive that I got him to write INFERNO with me, just to get some complaints off his chest. He's mellowed since. <SabreRunner> I'll replace H-Fairy because I write faster. <UrI_M> the chair next to me is on the hot seat program.. <fithp> Hi, Sabre Runner. Does H-fairy get to eat now? *** Guest2 has joined #authorchat <SabreRunner> How do you have the displine to sit and write as a professional? We can only do short stories. <UrI_M> H-Fairy gone behind him..shouting questions.. <fithp> I started with short stories. I recommend the same. Learn mistakes early. Build stamina. <UrI_M> Do you have any knowledge of any new translations of your books to hebrew? <fithp> It happens from time to time that something goes into Hebrew. I don't try to remember which books. Sorry. <SabreRunner> Do you have a favorite character from your stories? <UrI_M> If you can push you agent, people here would be most gratitude.. <fithp> I suppose I'm most comfortable with Beowulf Shaeffer. <fithp> My agent (Ralph Vicinanza) is pretty good. He'll get all my books into Hebrew eventually, I think. <UrI_M> We hope. <SabreRunner> In your cooperative books, sometimes it's hard for us to tell apart your part from other writers'. How do you actually write together, In unison? <UrI_M> Do you have any pets? *** UrI_M is now known as Uri_M <fithp> You're not supposed to find jarrring changes between my text and a collaborator's. You're supposed to live the story. <SabreRunner> Some of us just read. <fithp> When Jerry and I started A MOTE IN GOD'S EYE, we agreed: one of us rewrites from the beginning. <SabreRunner> Which one? <fithp> It's not really necessary now. Other collaborators usually do first draft, and I rewrite. Not true with Jerry, but we've evolved a mutual style. <UrI_M> And what about the pets?:) <fithp> That first book? Jerry was to rewrite. I was to have veto power. <fithp> Okay, what about the pets? <UrI_M> Do you have any? <fithp> Marilyn and I have a cat. I hike with borrowed dogs. <UrI_M> What's the cat's name? <fithp> We also keep koi and a rarely seen turtle. <fithp> Cat's name is Amelia. (She flies very nicely.) <SabreRunner> One would like to move to a non-pet subject: The characters of Curtis and Reynolds, on who were they based upon? <fithp> Lucky guess. Nat Reynolds represents me. Curtis is Jerry's pseudonym (for three thrillers.) <SabreRunner> Lucky guess, was quite obvious. Robert Anson was a no-brainer <fithp> You're looking at FOOTFALL? We also put ourselves in FALLEN ANGELS. <SabreRunner> BTW, someone commented: we also have a green police in Israel. They do nothing. <fithp> What are your green police supposed to be doing? Protecting the environment? <UrI_M> How do you feel about Microsoft's domination of computer world?:) <fithp> I'm not mad at Microsoft. (I have friends who are.) *** Didi sets mode: -o SabreRunner <fithp> Hi, Didi! It's my lunchtime. I'll give this another minute or three. <SabreRunner> A question I've been pondering for quite a while, complemented by the fact I'm reading the Mote right now: Would aliens be so much different from us (Like the Moties) because they developed on a much different enviroment, or would they be really like us becuase it's "More Logical, Energitically"?? <UrI_M> Thank you for your time. *** Didi sets mode: +o Uri_M <UrI_M> And bon apetit. <fithp> We're all pretty sure that the aliens in FOOTFALL are much too Earthlike. It was a compromise to get a better story. <fithp> Real aliens will be hard to reach, hard to understand, hard to write stories about. <SabreRunner> Someone beside me: Speaking of Fallen Angels, wanted to thank you about it. :) Made me go to my first con. <fithp> We wrote FALLEN ANGELS as a gift for the fans, and to thank certain friends. <SabreRunner> And we're all very grateful for it. :) <fithp> Ladies and gentlemen and aliens in hiding: thank you. I'm gone. <UrI_M> goodbye <SabreRunner> Would like to actually thank you in person. <SabreRunner> See you soon? *** fithp has quit IRC (Gone: Leaving) *** Didi is now known as Haish *** SabreRunner is now known as NobodyHere <UrI_M> how are you doing?(haish or didi now?) <Haish> שייח <Haish> ונלפיק ,הללאי <UrI_M> ..בשחמה תא הפ םיצור..בוט <UrI_M> יתזז זא *** Uri_M has quit IRC (Gone: ) Session Close: Tue Sep 24 22:31:42 2002 |