Fans konnten Fragen an Clive und Dirk Cussler stellen:
ZitatAlles anzeigenI am so sorry for the delay, but here we go......
The first question is from Ace Roberts.
I have two questions, one each for Clive and for Dirk.
Clive: I know how excited you are about your new detective novel that will highlight bank robbers and turn-of-the-century (circa 1900) gizmos - is this being developed as a series or a one time novel?
Dirk: I know for a fact that you are aware that a number of fans want to see future Pitt novels focus less on Dirk Jr. and Summer and more on Dirk Sr. and Al. Does this affect your thought process in any way, or is this a case where people are just going to have to accept the current approach and buy into the kids as the key characters?
Bonus question for both - when will we get hints to titles of both Clive's new thriller and Dirk's new Pitt adventure?
FROM CLIVE: The western novel I'm working on is tentatively titled "The Chase". I have not made a decision to make it into a series.
Readers will see Pitt's children play bigger roles in the years to come. Dirk and Al will still be around to save the day, but a new generation of readers, including girls, will now have another set of heros and heroines.
FROM DIRK: I am indeed sensitive to the fans' input, and understand some of the disappointment that Dirk Sr. and Al had a toned down role in Black Wind. I think Clive and I agree that there be no set mix for their roles in future books; rather that each book will be different. I can tell you that the story we are currently working on will feature Dirk and Al in the lead roles again, but that Jr. and Summer might well regain those roles in the following book.
I'm afraid I can't tell you the title of the next Pitt book. Despite much prodding from the publisher, we haven't go to the point of figuring that out yet.
QUESTION FROM MARK NIKS116:
To Clive if you could have one car in your collection what would that be ?
To Dirk What was it like to see your name on a book for the first time?
FROM CLIVE: I don't have one favorite particular car. I have a sentimental attachment to most all of them. The Duesenberg and the Talbot Lago stand out.
FROM DIRK: As I'm sure with all first-time authors, it was a real thrill to see my name on the book cover. The fact that I shared the honor with my dad just made it all the better. Of course, for all the work I did, they could have printed my name in a larger font size! [Smile]
QUESTION FROM SEARAMBLER:
Question for either, or both:
What are the mechanics of co-authoring a novel? Does one person write a paragraph or a chapter, then the other adds to it or edits it? Or does one person write the bulk of the story? It's something I've always wondered about.
Also I second mark niks116's question: any thoughts about doing "Dirk and Al - the Early Years?".
FROM CLIVE: Dirk and I work on concepts and plots. Then he begins the labor of writing. I come in occasionally for editing and rewriting, but he now does the lion's share.
I hadn't really thought about doing a young Dirk Pitt epic Maybe someday.
FROM DIRK: What Clive said is correct. (And, most importantly, I get to pick the car used in the book, and he gets to pick the title!)
I haven't considered a "prequel", but it's a good idea. Maybe we can put Clive on that when he finishes the Western!
QUESTION FROM 66COBRA: Actually, this question is for both Clive and Dirk. Have you ever thought about introducing a character, however minor/major, with a disability (i.e. deaf, blind, etc.)and that person does not let his/her disability affect his/her success? I think that this would be a way of showing support for the disabled communities across the nation or even worldwide. I myself am a teacher/athletic coach who is profoundly deaf in both ears since birth, but I have not let my disability get in the way of getting a college degree and helping other kids as well.
FROM CLIVE: Excellent idea! We'll work on having characters in all the Pitt books, the Oregon Files and Numa Files series with a disability.
FROM DIRK: It seems to me Clive has had a character or two with disabilities in the past.
An excellent idea, I will keep it in mind for future characters.
QUESTION FROM JACKCHASE007: This really could go toward both Clive and Dirk:
I'm currently writing a spy thriller/suspense film, and would like to know if you have any good suggestions as to the best places to look in terms of research on equipment/weaponry that is used by military/government agent types. Thanks a million!
FROM CLIVE: Study your favorite authors and examine their writing style, characters, plotting and structure. It's all there. As to look for exotic military weaponry, I suggest you contact Tom Clancy.
QUESTION FROM GEORGIE BOY: I can never think of a decent question to ask when put on the spot. Apart from is Clive planning any trips to Europe in the next year.
FROM CLIVE: I don't know about any book tours yet, but I am hoping to drive Ireland next summer.
QUESTION FROM MM6MM6: Clive: Can you tell us a little about your antique dueling pistol collection? I bet there are some stories behind some of them!
Dirk: I know you've been involved in NUMA searches with your father. Has that "searching for things lost" bug bitten you too?
FROM CLIVE: I don't own an antique dueling pistol collection. I thought Kurt Austin should have a different hobby than Pitt.
FROM DIRK: I really enjoy participating in the shipwreck searches. It is a fun break from the daily routine, and we work with some great guys.
What isn't fun, is coming up empty. We've been on a dry run with some of the wrecks we have focused on lately, so I am hopful we'll have better success in 2006.
QUESTION FROM SCASEY64:
Clive: Since you had Dirk Pitt work with an older, retired "James Bond". What other famous literary characters would you partner Dirk with if you could. Time not being an issue. So Dirk could help out Captain Ahab as an example.
Clive: If Dirk Pitt didn't collect cars, what would you enviison him collecting instead? Some sort of antique weaponry like Kurt Austin, or something completely off the wall that we would never suspect?
Dirk: What has been your biggest challenge in writing the Dirk Pitt books. Does writing them come naturally because the characters have been such a part of your life, that you can easily visualize every thing, or do you struggle to come up with something that is both fresh while also staying true to your father's vision of the characters?
Dirk: If you could find just one of the lost ships that your father has been looking for to give him as a Christmas present what ship would it be?
FROM CLIVE: It is fun to have Pitt work with a character out of the past. But then you begin to get into science fiction. I always thought it would be fun to include another James Bond, Mike Hammer, Travis McGee and others into a story, but have yet to come up with a decent plot.
Pitt would be a collector if he didn't own cars.
There are still airplanes, boats and motorcycles.
FROM DIRK: The biggest challenge of writing is probably just the discipline of plugging away everyday and forcing something down on paper. I've admired Clive's writing discipline in the past and appreciate it even more now. For me, the characters have come relatively easy, and dreaming up the adventure scenes is probably the most enjoyable part of the process. Sitting down and pecking away when you know the end product is a year and half away is the daunting part.
As for a Christmas present, I would love nothing more than for Clive to find the Bonhomme Richard, John Paul Jones' ship which sank in 1779.
QUESTIONS FROM PAPA JIM:
Clive, Where did you hang the Russian Navy Flag? Ian and his family were so excited to be able to meet and talk to you. I asked Ian how was his dinner was, his reply was, He coulden't remember anything about the food. He was to excited sitting next to you. Could you give us a short comment on your feelings of the Convention.
Dirk, How is the new Baby and mother doing? Missed you at the CC Con in Oct. but we all understood. We all had a great time. Do you think you will be a next years Con in Scottsdale?
FROM CLIVE: Papa Jim "My old pal." The Russian Navy Flag Ian gave me is hanging over the balcony railing on the upper bookcase of my office. Weren't they wonderful people? I truly enjoyed the conference. Everybody was so kind and friendly. I look forward to the next one.
FROM DIRK: Mother and baby (Bryce) are doing great, thanks for asking. I heard the convention was a great success, and I look forward to attending next year's in Scottsdale, Arizona.
QUESTION FROM AMJSCHMITZ: Clive and Dirk,
With the recent trend towards attempts at making space travel available to consumers (and since Dirk Pitt's world is a few years ahead of ours), what are the chances that we'll get to see Dirk Pitt go to space (or, dare I say, land on the moon) in pursuit of a villain? Is this a possibility, or do you feel it to be too much of a stretch?
FROM CLIVE: I already used space in "Cyclops" where there was a moon base. I think it is a bit early to send Pitt into orbit.
FROM DIRK: I would say, in regards to space travel with Dirk Pitt, nothing is impossible.
QUESTION FROM EVA ROJAS:
Clive, Have you ever thought about producing your own Dirk Pitt movie?
Dirk, What was the first Dirk Pitt book you read?
FROM CLIVE: The thought of producing a Pitt movie has crossed my mind, but working in Hollywood is a nightmare I'm not sure I want to see again.
FROM DIRK: The Mediterranean Caper would have been the first Pitt book I read. I had the luxury of getting a crack at the manuscripts before they were published, so I read them all in order, most before they were printed. (The exception: Pacific Vortex...don't think I read it until it was published which was of course out of order from a writing standpoint).
FROM DIRK: Thanks for the great questions. Hope everybody has a very happy holiday!
