Mrr by Timothy Freriks | Interview & Giveaway

12:00 AM

Doodles, doodles everywhere congratulates author Timothy Freriks on the release of his latest Sci-fi novel, Mrr!

Let us welcome him on the blog for an exclusive interview with DDE today. Read on.


1. How did you decide to write Mrr?

 As usual, a sentence popped into my head and I was curious as to what happened next. There was no pre-planning. It actually started out as a short story then I just had to find out what happened to Mrr. I couldn't stop until all the stories lines had wound together and ended.
2. Can you tell us what kind of research went behind Mrr?

 With a science-fiction novel, the research is somewhat limited. I did have to get to know Warminster, PA, and try to remember what 1988 was like so I didn't introduce technology that did not exist. So, the answer is: not too much. When you create the history as you go, it's pretty easy. Unlike the historical novel I'm doing now, Roland, which is set around 1800 in England and the American Atlantic coast. Now THAT takes merciless research.


 3. How did you celebrate the first sale of the book?

 Am I supposed to celebrate? Nobody told me that. When I started selling Renaissance, I remember saying "cool" once. But then I returned to the keyboard.


 4. Tell us about some of the biggest challenges or learning experiences you faced throughout the writing and publishing process.

 Writing is easy; I just sit down and write. It's like reading a good book, except that it is appearing on the monitor as I'm reading. Sometimes, I go into a zone and just let my unconscious brain take over. It's weird, but it seems to know what it's doing and often it takes me in directions I never consciously considered.  Amazon has made publishing easy. The challenge - big surprise - is marketing. I am an inventor, not an entrepreneur. Marketing takes more management dedication than I can ever hope to muster. Bad marketing will make a good product fail, and vice versa. If you're going to write, you need a good product AND good marketing. If you can't do it yourself, get somebody on board to do it with you. And don't be embarrassed by that: if you don't generate customers, you won't make any money.


5. Do you decide the character traits before you sit down to write the book, or as you go along?

 Characters develop around the story, and vice versa. Honestly, I don't think about it much because it all just unrolls before me as I walk through the process. Characters have to consistent, though. That's critical. They have to have a goal that the reader can believe in--that's bonding.
6. Who's your favorite character from Mrr and why? Pick one!

 Oh, Lord. Let's see: which baby do I love more?  Hmmm. Since Mrr is the main character, I guess it's natural to name him. However, the most complex and interesting character is Mik because... well, I'm not going to give away too much.


 7. Tell us something personal about you that your readers may be surprised to know.

 I'm a creator: music composer, architect, artist, songwriter, and software designer. I've only had two short-term jobs in my life; both were hated. I suppose I am fundamentally unemployable. I started and exited six businesses: four worked out the other two were magnificent failures. Why? Because I stepped out of my comfort zone, away from the things that had made me successful. 
8. What do you do when you are not writing or reading?

 I'm not sure what you mean. I am always writing or thinking about my stories and characters. Am I supposed to do something else? I didn't get that memo.
9. What's your next project going to be?

 I have almost finished detailing and editing the sequel to Renaissance. It very damn scary, too: everything I'm writing about is not only feasible, but is happening. I mentioned the historical novel, which is a lot of fun and work but the story is unfolding very well. I wish I knew how it ended, but I'll have to keep writing to figure that out. The chick-lit project, Julia, will be the next one I finish up. That will take some research because...well, I'm not a young adult woman. I see all three being released next year, starting with Roland in February.


 10. Lastly, any special thoughts for your readers?

 I like to try to help young writers find their voices. It's often frustrating because some of them just don't "have it" and never will, but people keep encouraging them--I don't know if false encouragement is helpful or not. The better advice is to understand the basics, mostly clarity of setting/environment visualizations, scene changes, character consistency, point of view, and all of those fundamentals. If you don't structure the skeleton well, no amount of meat will produce a great human body. (Is that a good analogy? I don't know). But if you feel that you honestly do have "it", and "it" comes relatively easily, and people without a reason to avoid hurting your feelings agree, then keep going. Don't give up and don't stop analyzing and learning from the great writers. My guy is Steven King. And don't go over ever teeny word and sentence until you're done with the story. Stay at 30,000 feet until the whole story works, then drop down to detail altitude.


Mrr

by Timothy Freriks


Publisher: CreateSpace (Independent)
Published on: October 10th 2015
Page count: 188
Genre: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Dystopia


Two hundred years after the apocalypse poisoned the atmosphere and almost ended humanity, the last remaining sanctuary is in danger of dying from lack of oxygen. 
Desperate measures require Mrr, a time scientist, to return in time to find a substance that will save the Dome. But Mrr finds himself in a bewildering new world and makes critical misjudgments that threaten to ruin, not save, the Dome. 
Enter the mutants who discover the Domers have been stealing their resources for years. 
The Mole People prepare to attack the Dome and take back what they feel is rightfully theirs. Alternately hilarious and deadly serious, this wild ride finally explodes in an unexpected climax that will blow your mind.

Buy the book


About the author


Mr. Freriks is the author of Renaissance, a political thriller and Mrr, a science-fiction adventure.
As a forty-year veteran of starting successful businesses, he wrote Startup Assembly Manual, a road map for aspiring entrepreneurs who have a great idea and no clue what to do next.





Giveaway


Want to win copies of Mrr? Go HERE and enter through the rafflecopter form to win!



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