He is a history teacher and Kung Fu master. He came up with the story I call him - HIM when he was a teenager but failed miserably to put pen to paper. It took nearly forty years for him to make a second attempt. This time the words flowed unrestrained. Mr. Kimak lives in Harlingen Texas with the love of his life Diana and five annoying pets.
Q.1 Tell us something about yourself not many people know?
A. I’ve been studying martial arts for over forty years and have seven black belts.
A. I’ve been studying martial arts for over forty years and have seven black belts.
Q.2 Are we going to read more from you in the near future? Any new project you’re working on?
A. Yes, the second book of the I call him - HIM trilogy launches May 6th, 2021. It’s called the Angel of Death and picks up immediately after the Battle of Houston. The final book is about sixty percent complete. It’s called the Sword of God and hopefully should be ready for preorder this summer.
A. Yes, the second book of the I call him - HIM trilogy launches May 6th, 2021. It’s called the Angel of Death and picks up immediately after the Battle of Houston. The final book is about sixty percent complete. It’s called the Sword of God and hopefully should be ready for preorder this summer.
Q.3 What inspired you to write the I Call Him - HIM trilogy?
A. I’ve had the story in my mind ever since I was a kid. I went to a private Catholic school and always heard the tales from Revelations about the final battle between good and evil. I think that’s what inspired me to write this story, but with a modern twist. I wanted to make the main character a bad-ass warrior who is lost in darkness. His thirst for revenge is so strong that the reader is unsure if he will fight for the side of good or evil.
Q.4 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. I really haven’t had an issue. One of the female characters is very much like my wife and the other one like my daughter. So, I just picture them and how they would react as I write.
Q.5 How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
A. I’m more of a pantser than a plotter. I have an overall skeleton of the book, but as I start to write I let myself become the character. Once this happens, he or she dictates what direction the story moves.
Q.6 How do you see the future of science fiction literature? Will sci-fi maintains its independence or intertwines with other literary genres?
A. There are so many different genres today, but I don’t see a problem with that. I think many books have elements of several genres. Human beings are complicated creatures with different opinions and beliefs. We shouldn’t limit ourselves or label ourselves. This just creates divisiveness. So, I believe the intertwining of genres is beneficial to our growth.
Q.7 How do you see the relationship between science fiction and culture? How about the boundaries between science fiction and reality?
A. It shows us possible new and different cultures. When we read about these cultures, it helps us reflect and look at the different races that exist in our own world. By doing this, I believe it brings us closer and less likely to judge someone because of their different beliefs. As far as boundaries, there aren’t any in Science Fiction. I think this is fantastic. It motivates us to push reality aside and shoot for the stars.
Q.8 To what extent can science fiction effect or improve the developments in science and technology in human life? Is it right to say that science fiction can change what human life looks like in the future?
A. Science fiction is all about discovering new places and realities. It could be on a distant planet, miles beneath the sea, an undiscovered jungle, or another dimension. I think it opens our minds to new ideas and inventions, giving us a glimpse into the future. Thoughts and dreams are part of our evolutionary process. I would argue that Science Fiction has been a major reason for our accomplishments.
Q.9 Is classic science fiction literature different from modern science fiction literature? Have the key aims of the genre changed considerably or not?
A. I don’t think the key aims have changed, but the level of writing has. I grew up reading Edgar Rice Burroughs and H.G. Wells. These authors had an incredible vocabulary. I fear that authors today are watering this down to reach a broader audience.
Q.10 What do you think are the main reasons for the popularity of science fiction? To what extent has the film industry helped in popularizing the genre?
A. There aren’t any limits to the imagination. People can lose themselves in any world the author creates. Films have definitely helped give us a realistic picture of what our minds can see.
Q.11 For long, humans have been looking for immortality at all costs. Do you think this will lead to our eventual dehumanization?
A. I would hope not. Our bodies may be replaced, but as long as our mind, spirit, and soul remain intact, then we will always be human.
Q.12 Science fiction has a long history. Which era do you consider the most effective period in the whole history of the genre?
A. I’ve had the story in my mind ever since I was a kid. I went to a private Catholic school and always heard the tales from Revelations about the final battle between good and evil. I think that’s what inspired me to write this story, but with a modern twist. I wanted to make the main character a bad-ass warrior who is lost in darkness. His thirst for revenge is so strong that the reader is unsure if he will fight for the side of good or evil.
Q.4 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A. I really haven’t had an issue. One of the female characters is very much like my wife and the other one like my daughter. So, I just picture them and how they would react as I write.
Q.5 How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
A. I’m more of a pantser than a plotter. I have an overall skeleton of the book, but as I start to write I let myself become the character. Once this happens, he or she dictates what direction the story moves.
Q.6 How do you see the future of science fiction literature? Will sci-fi maintains its independence or intertwines with other literary genres?
A. There are so many different genres today, but I don’t see a problem with that. I think many books have elements of several genres. Human beings are complicated creatures with different opinions and beliefs. We shouldn’t limit ourselves or label ourselves. This just creates divisiveness. So, I believe the intertwining of genres is beneficial to our growth.
Q.7 How do you see the relationship between science fiction and culture? How about the boundaries between science fiction and reality?
A. It shows us possible new and different cultures. When we read about these cultures, it helps us reflect and look at the different races that exist in our own world. By doing this, I believe it brings us closer and less likely to judge someone because of their different beliefs. As far as boundaries, there aren’t any in Science Fiction. I think this is fantastic. It motivates us to push reality aside and shoot for the stars.
Q.8 To what extent can science fiction effect or improve the developments in science and technology in human life? Is it right to say that science fiction can change what human life looks like in the future?
A. Science fiction is all about discovering new places and realities. It could be on a distant planet, miles beneath the sea, an undiscovered jungle, or another dimension. I think it opens our minds to new ideas and inventions, giving us a glimpse into the future. Thoughts and dreams are part of our evolutionary process. I would argue that Science Fiction has been a major reason for our accomplishments.
Q.9 Is classic science fiction literature different from modern science fiction literature? Have the key aims of the genre changed considerably or not?
A. I don’t think the key aims have changed, but the level of writing has. I grew up reading Edgar Rice Burroughs and H.G. Wells. These authors had an incredible vocabulary. I fear that authors today are watering this down to reach a broader audience.
Q.10 What do you think are the main reasons for the popularity of science fiction? To what extent has the film industry helped in popularizing the genre?
A. There aren’t any limits to the imagination. People can lose themselves in any world the author creates. Films have definitely helped give us a realistic picture of what our minds can see.
Q.11 For long, humans have been looking for immortality at all costs. Do you think this will lead to our eventual dehumanization?
A. I would hope not. Our bodies may be replaced, but as long as our mind, spirit, and soul remain intact, then we will always be human.
Q.12 Science fiction has a long history. Which era do you consider the most effective period in the whole history of the genre?
A. I would say anything before we started space exploration. I feel the authors from that time paved the way for us to travel to the Moon and Mars.
Q.13 In many science fiction stories, the existence of God is denied. Could we call science fiction an atheist literary genre?
A. I wouldn’t call it that. I have a strong belief in the existence of God, and I write science fiction. I believe when we close our minds and think we know all the answers, we are devolving. The universe is so vast, and we know very little about it. To deny that there could be some type of creator in one form or another is putting a limit on our own development.
Q.14 Ray Bradbury considers sci-fi as “the important literature in the history of the world because it’s the history of ideas and the history of our civilization birthing itself”. Do you agree with him, as many sci-fi stories do, indeed, depict disaster?
A. Yes, I do, and it causes me great fear. We have so much potential, but we also have so many stupid people in positions of power. Many things in science fiction have become a reality and I’m afraid of that happening with post-apocalyptic fiction.
Q.15 Do you have any unique and quirky writing habits?
A. I need complete silence, except for a fan running to drown out any noise from another room.
Q.16 How do you select the name of your characters?
A. Some of them are named after real people in my life or variations of their names.
Q.17 Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with good or bad ones?
A. Yes, I do, and I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, I did see one that really upset me. The person obviously never read the entire book from some of the comments they made. I would never skim through a book and leave a bad review because I didn’t agree with certain religious beliefs. If you’re going to give a review, then you have to read the entire story.
Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
A. Edgar Rice Burroughs. He was the first author that I ever read and he truly inspired me to write.
Q.19 What is your favorite book from other authors and why?
A. Homeland by R.A. Salvatore. It has a great story on racism and accepting people for who they are, instead of judging them by the color of their skin.
Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so far?
A. Writing has been an amazing experience that has become my obsession. I’ve met so many wonderful authors and readers on my journey. These people have been more than helpful, and I truly appreciate all of their advice.
Share your social account links -
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scott.kimak/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kimak-365160189/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scottkimak/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ScottKimak
Q.13 In many science fiction stories, the existence of God is denied. Could we call science fiction an atheist literary genre?
A. I wouldn’t call it that. I have a strong belief in the existence of God, and I write science fiction. I believe when we close our minds and think we know all the answers, we are devolving. The universe is so vast, and we know very little about it. To deny that there could be some type of creator in one form or another is putting a limit on our own development.
Q.14 Ray Bradbury considers sci-fi as “the important literature in the history of the world because it’s the history of ideas and the history of our civilization birthing itself”. Do you agree with him, as many sci-fi stories do, indeed, depict disaster?
A. Yes, I do, and it causes me great fear. We have so much potential, but we also have so many stupid people in positions of power. Many things in science fiction have become a reality and I’m afraid of that happening with post-apocalyptic fiction.
Q.15 Do you have any unique and quirky writing habits?
A. I need complete silence, except for a fan running to drown out any noise from another room.
Q.16 How do you select the name of your characters?
A. Some of them are named after real people in my life or variations of their names.
Q.17 Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with good or bad ones?
A. Yes, I do, and I believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion. However, I did see one that really upset me. The person obviously never read the entire book from some of the comments they made. I would never skim through a book and leave a bad review because I didn’t agree with certain religious beliefs. If you’re going to give a review, then you have to read the entire story.
Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
A. Edgar Rice Burroughs. He was the first author that I ever read and he truly inspired me to write.
Q.19 What is your favorite book from other authors and why?
A. Homeland by R.A. Salvatore. It has a great story on racism and accepting people for who they are, instead of judging them by the color of their skin.
Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so far?
A. Writing has been an amazing experience that has become my obsession. I’ve met so many wonderful authors and readers on my journey. These people have been more than helpful, and I truly appreciate all of their advice.
Share your social account links -
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scott.kimak/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kimak-365160189/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scottkimak/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/ScottKimak
Good interview. Love the part where he talks about intertwining of genres.
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