Mary-Robinette Kowal interview – Science Fiction novel – “The Relentless Moon” (Tor Books, 2020)
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Mary-Robinette Kowal has worked [as a] in puppetry for 25 years and has written science fiction for over 10 years. She recently published the third book in her lady astronaut series, [The restless Sun] The Relentless Moon, and we spoke about the book, writing, science, and puppetry.
0:30 – Mary-Robinette talks about why she wrote the series. She talks about how she tends to write historical based novels.
2:20 – Mary-Robinette talks about the background of the series.
3:27 – Mary-Robinette talks about the setting of the first two books and then the third.
4:43 – Mary-Robinette talks about the political setting of the third book.
8:30 – Mary-Robinette talks about how the series is hard science fiction and how she spoke with scientists and professionals about the science in the novels.
9:36 – Mary-Robinette talks about how much the books are in space versus on the Earth.
10:57 – Mary-Robinette talks about how she dealt with gender inequality in the books.
13:12 – Mary-Robinette talks about the science research she did for the book including trying on parts of spacesuits.
14:49 – Mary-Robinette talks about her access to science resources.
16:11 – Mary-Robinette talks about the entertainment that inspires her.
19:29 – Mary-Robinette talks about lateral impacts to spacecraft.
21:57 – Mary-Robinette talks about the aesthetic of the book being sort of a spy thriller.
23:15 – Mary-Robinette talks about whether the novel wraps up the series.
23:47 – Mary-Robinette talks about her writing process and how it’s changed over time.
28:30 – Mary-Robinette talks more about acting as a puppeteer.
30:59 – Mary-Robinette talks about having been an art major.
33:17 – Mary-Robinette talks about how she got into writing and her approach.
34:59 – Mary-Robinette talks about the change in lifestyle from puppetry to writing.
36:36 – Mary-Robinette talks about editing the book down from 180,000 words.
39:28 – Mary-Robinette talks about having loved Battlestar Galactica and the Deryni books.
41:42 – Mary-Robinette talks about difficulties in getting the book finished.
46:30 – Mary-Robinette talks about writing a sci-fi locked room mystery.
48:26 – Mary-Robinette can be found at maryrobinettekowal.com and ladyastronautclub.com.
Links of interest
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250236968
http://maryrobinettekowal.com/
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Guests: Mary-Robinette Kowal
Host: Cris Alvarez
Tags: science fiction, fantasy, art, artist, writer, novel, novelist, fiction, astronauts, moon, science fiction, fantasy, computers, Apollo, steampunk, punchcardpunk, punch card, the relentless moon, mars, fated sky, calculating stars, meteroite, SFWA, politics, crisis, gender inequality, sexism, NASA, Andy Weir, Artemis, spy thriller, captain marvel, live theater, puppet, writing, writing tips, Battlestar Galactica, magic, Starbuck, depression, Thin Man, mystery
Check the book out here https://amzn.to/2CHOJ4j
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Dr. Jeffrey Sconce specializes in radio, tv, and film studies and is an assistant professor in communications studies. He’s written many books on the subject and we discussed his latest book on electricity, paranoia and conspiracy theories.