• Novels by Sylvia
  • Author Bio
  • Murder She Wrote
AUTHOR SYLVIA MASSARA

it's not adam ant but ant ryan!

1/25/2017

4 Comments

 
PictureEnglish rocker Adam Ant
For those of you old enough to remember 1980s English post-punk group, Adam and the Ants, you’re in the wrong blog post. Today, I’m thrilled to have as a guest English scientist and sci-fi author extraordinaire, Ant Ryan. AND he’s got a thing about Spanish caves! So read on ...

PictureEnglish scientist and sci-fi author extraordinaire Ant Ryan
SM: Welcome to Sylvia Says, Ant. It’s great to have you as a guest on my blog. From one animal and coffee lover to another, you’ve already captured my heart (just don’t tell the wife!). And I see you have cats and rabbits—I hope the cats are not staying up late at night swapping rabbit stew recipes.
AR: Thanks for the kind invite and nice to be “here”. Ha, yes, I need a lot of coffee to keep up with the cats and rabbits. Rabbit stew! I’d better not mention the 5ft fish tank then.
SM:  True, forget about the fish. We don’t want to give the kitty cats any ideas. I see you’re from NW England. The only thing I know about this area is the Beatles Museum in Liverpool, which I visited in 1985 (giving away my age here). What’s it like to live in your part of the world?

Picture
WARNING: This is NOT where Ant lives but merely a futuristic representation of some city--maybe London?
AR: Actually, we’re just a few miles across the river from Liverpool. I was at that museum, too, in ’85 – I turn 40 this year ;-/ There are lots of great museums, art galleries, superb architecture, many restaurants, bars and cafes fit for writing in. This area has really improved since the 1980’s, when there were still World War II damaged buildings. Now, though still relatively small, it is vibrant, cosmopolitan, friendly and quite a pretty city. Plus several great football (soccer) teams are nearby. I really do love living near Liverpool. We have national parks within a short driving distance, also the Welsh coast and mountains, as well as Manchester and Chester cities nearby. You can even take a ferry to Dublin, Belfast, and the Isle of Man. I sound like a tourist guide on commission ;)
SM: Well, if I ever revisit your part of the world I expect a full tour, and I’ll buy you all the coffee you want! But tell me, being a scientist who tries to solve physics problems, I thought I’d ask you if you’ve come up with a way to travel through a wormhole into another galaxy or even a parallel universe. I’m forever trying to locate my idol, David Bowie; and I’m sure he’s somewhere in our universe. What do you think?
AR: I think that the overall universe is infinite in size as opposed to the observable universe, so in many theories, Bowie could indeed be performing still, or dressed as a Goblin King, but we could never meet that version. Sadly missed and on my favourite lists on iTunes by the way. I loved how his music made the Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes TV series more atmospheric; wish they had done a third called Starman.
SM:  I have to confess I never saw the TV series, but when I watched the film “Martian” and they played Starman in one scene, I bawled my eyes out—just don’t tell anyone. And on that note, down to business: Just so we know a bit more about you, you’re a scientist, but you also write sci-fi short stories. Is that right? First of all, what kind of scientist are you, and what kind of work do you do as a scientist?
AR: I work in a chemistry lab pressing buttons, nothing too exciting. If I say "top secret" that might make it about 0.0001% more interesting ;)
Yes, short stories are what I’m getting into. I thought at first this was because I couldn’t write anything longer, but I actually think that it is what I prefer myself. Twitter has taught me to be concise (not that I am being here), but I value people’s time. There’s a fine balance between getting enough detail in to be able to tell your story well enough and superfluous text, and I hope this is something I will improve at.

Picture
Picture
Picture
SM: And what inspired you to write? As you probably know by now (unless you’re enjoying the fame of JKRowling or Stephen King) writing is very much a labour of love unless one is discovered. So please expand on why you started to write and how the creative mood strikes you.
AR: Great question. I think it was from writing theoretical physics papers. Friends had made the transition from science books into fiction, so I researched it and now I’m getting there I guess. I like the idea of leaving the real world with something that can outlive our lifetimes. It’s nice to create imaginary worlds and characters, and the process is becoming addictive. Creativity seems to strike randomly, so it’s useful to note these thoughts down as and when they do arrive.
SM: As novelists we always reflect something within ourselves through the characters we create. What do you feel you reflect most about yourself that is revealed through your characters?
AR: The big questions about the Universe – is there life out there – our obsession with (many different) gods – pushing boundaries of possibility and technologies, and humanity’s fantastic achievements versus our easily avoidable mistakes that we can’t seem to stop making.
SM: Yes, I can relate to that—the mistakes humanity keeps on making. But I won’t digress now, otherwise this blog post will turn into a long novel :) So please tell us a little about Celestial Spheres.
AR: Tri-gods sum it up. An extra-terrestrial binary star system with humans, and humanoids who exploit them; these “higher” beings have one of three god-like abilities – ultimate power, infinite knowledge or can travel freely in space-time. There are also lower humans, more zombie-like. Wars have occurred between the species and the finely balanced symbiotic status quo has been threatened before. It follows the story of a Potent (powerful humanoid) wanting to gain the other two abilities and explore the Universe, but society’s rulers don’t like this sort of ambition.
SM: Very interesting; and if I had to choose one ability I’d go for travelling freely in space-time. This could come in very useful. I also think this kind of story would make a good premise for a sci-fi film. So what are you working on at present, if anything?

Picture
AR: I’m finishing Celestial Spheres part 3; drafting part 4; and plotting part 5 (the final part). I’m also drafting/editing a standalone short entitled “Liver Pool”, which is sci-fi/fantasy, plus I’m plotting a fantasy short.
SM:  Well, it sounds like you’re a busy bee then. You know, on writing, I feel it’s not always easy to tell the world what we think and feel through our stories; however, I feel blessed we can do this, even if it makes us feel vulnerable at times. I know some readers may not take away anything from our work, while others will go on to criticise and bring us down; but despite this, I believe that if we can touch just one heart or one soul with the stories we write, then we’ve done a good job. What do you think?
AR: Great way of looking at it. I think negativity is better than nothing, as it means one’s work has been read, plus we can learn from constructive criticism. The scientist side of me likes numbers, however, so the more reads and reviews we get the more accurate and precise the average view is. There will always be love and hate for most things. But note to self – grow a thicker skin now! ;)
SM: Well said. We can’t please everybody nor can we avoid those who love to ‘heckle’ us in a destructive rather than constructive way. But at least we got off our arses and did something useful. And as they say in Hollywood: "Everyone’s a critic." So let them criticise away! I think as authors we start off with fear of what others will think or write about us, but we know we’ve become veterans when we "don’t give a load of dingoes kidneys" what others think (the latter part of this sentence was borrowed from the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy). LOL.
Anyway, it was great having you on Sylvia Says, Ant. But before we go, what’s with the "caves in Spain" thingy?
AR: Sadly, I lost close family in the last few years, so I wanted to spend a small inheritance on something nice that I could enjoy in the future, and as a reminder of them. I named the cave after my loved ones “Casa Therene Robles”. The place is in the middle of a working town in a desert, so it’s great because a cave naturally stays warm in winter and cool in the very hot summer! 1.5L of wine is €1.10, and it is "muy bien".
SM: Actually, I’m going to correct your Spanish if you don’t mind :) and say "muy bueno" (meaning the wine is very good, which I’m sure this is what you meant to say). Yes, I know I’m a smartarse, but I still love you, my friend.
Thank you for clarifying the cave mystery, and thank you for being my guest today. I wish you all the best for the future, and I’ll be looking for that invite to your cave house in Spain!
AR:  Likewise, and thanks very much for having me! The invite’s on its way :)

For more information about Ant Ryan, please click HERE


Picture
4 Comments
    Picture

    Author Sylvia Massara's:
    "Sylvia Says"

    A blog about the joys, trials, and tribulations of life on planet earth, plus  all things literary.

    Sylvia Massara is an Australian author who is passionate about animal rights, climate change and  saving our planet, plus the right of individuals to choose DIY euthanasia.

    Picture
    Subscribe to Sylvia Says by Email

    RSS Feed

    free counters

    Archives

    July 2021
    October 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    February 2019
    May 2017
    January 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    March 2016
    August 2015
    September 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    April 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    April 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011

    Categories

    All
    1920's Era
    Advice On Internet Dating
    Age Discrimination
    Ageism
    Aging
    Air Pollution
    Al Capone
    Angelina Jolie
    Annoying Callers
    Annoying Calls
    Ant Ryan
    Archaeology
    Australian Bushfires 2020
    Australian Pension
    Australian Politics
    Author Interview
    Authors
    Authors Make Money
    Babyboomers
    Bastard Men
    Betrayal
    Blackstar
    Book Critics
    Book Genres
    Book Promotion
    Book Release
    Book Review
    Book Reviews
    Books
    Buddhism
    Bullies
    Cary Ashby
    Cat Ryan
    Charities
    Cheaters
    Cheating
    Cheating Husbands
    Chicklit
    Childrens Books
    Climate Change
    Cookbooks
    Cooking
    Coping With Divorce
    Coronavirus
    COVID-19
    Cozy Food
    Cozy Mysteries
    Crank Calls
    Creativity
    Cruising
    Cyberbullies
    Cyberbullying
    Dates
    Dating
    Dating Blog
    Dating Online
    Dating Profiles
    David Bowie
    David Grossman Series
    Dead Bodies
    Demons
    Detroit
    Divorce
    Do Not Call Register
    Drug Addiction
    Eat Pray Love
    Ebook Giveaway
    Ebooks
    Ecological Disaster
    Editors
    Electoral Campaigns
    Empowerment
    Facebook
    Factory Farming
    Feedback From Readers
    Filmmaking
    Film Option
    Film Rights
    Financial Success
    Friendship
    Fulfilling Prophecies
    Fundraising
    Gay
    Gay Mardi Gras
    Genocide
    George Clooney
    Gigolos
    Guest On Blogs
    Healing Through Writing
    Henlit
    Hinduism
    How To Stop Annoying Callers
    Humankind
    Influencial People
    In Memory Of David Bowie
    Internet Dating
    James Woods
    Jew In Jail
    Karma
    Killer Clowns
    Lack Of Men
    Law Of Attraction
    Life
    Like Casablanca
    Literature
    Living Many Lives
    Lost Love
    Love
    Mafia
    Manipulating Nature
    Maria Savva
    Marriage
    Meaning Of Life
    Method Acting
    Method Writing
    Mia Ferrari Mysteries
    Mission Impossible
    Motivational
    Motivational Speaker
    Multi Genre Authors
    Multi-genre Authors
    Mysteries
    Mystery
    Mystery Authors
    New York City
    Nigerian Scammers
    Novel
    Novels
    NYC
    Obama
    Older Men
    Older Women
    Older Workers
    Online Dating
    Online Friendships
    Opportunity Knocks
    Overcoming Adversity
    Oversupply Of Men
    Pension Age
    Phillip Roope
    Philosophy Of Life
    Politics
    Prison
    Psycho
    Publishing
    Puke
    Pulp Fiction
    Readers
    Recipes
    Reinventing Yourself
    Relationship Breakups
    Relationships
    Revenge
    Reviewers
    Richard Gere
    RIP David Bowie
    Robert Redford
    Romance
    Romance Novel
    Sci Fi Genre
    Sci-fi Genre
    Sex
    Sex On Internet Dating
    Sex Online
    Short Stories
    Social Media
    South Pacific
    Spanish Flu
    Steven Jay Griffel
    Suspense
    Sylvia Massara
    Telemarketers
    The Ishi Affair
    The Muse
    The Soul Bearers
    The Universe
    Trolls
    Twitter
    Unbroken
    Unsolicited
    Utopian
    Viruses
    Voting
    Womens Rights3a1ea7cf53
    World Hunger
    Writing
    Younger Women
    Ziggy Stardust

  • Novels by Sylvia
  • Author Bio
  • Murder She Wrote