Bookanista Feature: David McInnis Gill's BLACK HOLE SUN

I recently finished reading BLACK HOLE SUN by David MacInnis Gill. My students ADORED his first novel, SOUL ENCHILADA--his Skype visit to our classroom was one of the highlights of the year, so I knew that I had to read his next one no matter what, for several reasons. (1) My students idolize him. (2) This is a YA sci fi! SCI FI!!! We needs more of that! and (3) People have compared this book to my all-time, forever and ever fave: Firefly.

So when I finally broke down and bought an e-reader, I thought, how apropos: my first ebook purchase will be a sci fi!

Recently I stalked asked David some questions abut his book, and here's what he said:

YOU

We can all read about your bio from the back of your book or your FAQ online. So, what's a completely random fact about you that most people don't know?


My father was a housepainter, and I started working with him when I was six years old. I’m pretty handy with a paint roller.

As a child, what was your favorite book? Have your tastes changed since growing up?

Where the Wild Things Are was my hands-down favorite, ever since my first grade teacher read it aloud. Either I’m very consistent or I’m very rigid, because I still look for the same things in a book—an engaging premise, conflict, fantastical elements, relationships, monsters, beautiful language, and pounds and pounds of yearning.

What are some of your fave sci fi novels, tv shows, or movies?

Books: Logan’s Run, The Rolling Stones (Heinlein), and Ender’s Game.
TV: X-Files, Twilight Zone, Battlestar, and of course, Star Trek.
Movies: Star Wars, Aliens, and Terminator. You can probably tell that after reading my book!

YOUR BOOK 

In BLACK HOLE SUN, Durango and his friends curse and converse in various different languages. Why did you decide to go that route?


My editor, Virginia Duncan, made that happen. The manuscript didn’t have much cursing, and she kept saying something like, they’re soldiers and all they say is darn? Also, there was a throw-away line from Durango about being able to speak three languages and curse in seven. She seized on that and had me looking up cuss words in every language I could find. German and Chinese are the most commonly used because they have the juiciest expletives.

One thing I've talked about a lot on the League is "future speak," or using new words to describe new tech. In your world, there's symbiarmor, armalites, and more. Can you tell us a little bit about how you came up with the words themselves, as well as the tech?


Symbiarmor is a portmanteau of ‘symbiont’ and ‘armor.’ The idea originated with a magazine article about bioadaptive cloth whose molecules could be rearranged from body feedback. I added nanobots that have a symbiotic relationship with the cloth and the wearer, and voila. The other words followed a similar path.

I see that you're working on a sequel, INVISIBLE SUN. Is there *anything* you can tell us about it?


I’m on the last big round of revisions, does that count? No? Well, it will be out early 2012, and it features Durango and Vienne in their quest to find out more about the secret project that created the Draeu. It’s set near the equator now, near Durango’s boyhood home. You get to find out more about Durango’s family—and Vienne’s, as well. Lots of skeletons in both their closets.

If your reader could only take away one emotion, theme, or idea from the book, what would you want that to be?


If they could take away one thing it’s the idea that nothing is black and white, that even the greatest heroes live in a world that’s colored by shades of gray, and that a hero is defined by what he’s willing to sacrifice, not by what he’s willing to destroy.

YOUR WRITING 

What's the most surprising thing you've learned since becoming a writer?

That I love revision! Really! My least favorite thing is writing a first draft. I love diving back into a story and finding its heart.

Beyond the typical—never give up, believe in yourself—what would be the single best advice you'd like to give to an aspiring author?


Never give up! Oh wait….How about, don’t judge your success by comparing yourself to others because there is always someone who writes better, sells better, or reads better. Set goals for yourself and tell the story that only you can tell.

What do you consider to be your strongest talent in writing? Your weakest?


Strength: dialog. Weakness: Angsty love scenes!

What's a writing pet peeve that you have?


Using participles incorrectly, as in sentences such as “Tying his shoe, he ran down the path.” No, he tired his shoe THEN ran down the path. Participles imply simultaneous movement. Also, I don’t like semi-colons. They’re ugly.


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