First Saturday Sci-Fi - February

Today we have Sci-Fi writer extraordinaire Ray Jay Perreault.

Ray is a retired Aeronautical Engineer who is trying to bring a different style to science fiction writing. He has always loved science fiction and writes with deeper characters and create stories and situations that a reader can relate to. An extrapolation of what might really happen with a little less stretch in his imagination.

Ray flew in the US Air Force for 10 years, during which time he flew C-130’s and visited 27 countries, then flew T-38”s and trained the best pilots in the world, as well as the first female US Air Force pilots. Ray spent the next 28 years in a major aerospace firm and worked on some of the best programs in the world including the F-23, F-35, B-2, Global Hawk and many he can’t tell us about….

Tell us about your favorite work… what makes it special ?

I hate to avoid the question, but I have a bunch of ‘Favorite Works’ after all I wouldn’t have written the stories if they didn’t intrigue me in some way. I write within Science Fiction, but unlike many authors that have a formula for their plots, I write in different sub-genres within Sci-Fi. My main series is a large one with potentially 7-8 books. The first two are named Virus and the next two are Earth II. I love it because it’s a huge story that encompasses a lot of human nature along with a fun mix of computers, space travel and aliens. The next book is in work, and I have outlines for 2-3 more.

The first book in the Virus series “Virus-72 Hours to Live” was selected as the Apple Sci-Fi eBook of the summer 2016.

One of my other series is namedGemini and it doesn’t have any humans in it. It takes place on an alien world and we share their story of survival against other aliens. I love the battle scenes in this one because I didn’t rely on a huge Neutron Bomb to solve the problems, I used some old technology which worked fine in their context.

A third book takes place a long time in humanity’s future and I love the fun of re defining evil. It is a unique combination of people and robots, but from a different perspective. This book is called “Progeny’s Children” and I think there are a couple of interesting books in the series.

I’ve just started another series which will be oriented towards Youth Science Fiction. I came up with Title first and loved it. Now I’m writing the book.

2. What do you think makes for good Sci-Fi ?

I love Sci-Fi because it doesn’t have any bounds. It can emphasize technology, or the human condition. I’m a fan of Sci-Fi from the golden age, where the reader was always left with a question. In many of my reviews, I’ve been compared with the great authors of that time and that is what motivates me to continue.

Good Science Fiction has a good mix of technology and experiences the reader relates to. There are situations and characters that we have all met, that can be part of a good Sci-Fi. It is seeing someone you know in a familiar situation, that provides the reader a different perspective.

3. Do you think your books can help shape the future and if so how ?

Shaping the future is a tall order for any genre. I think the best way to change the future is to pose a question that affects the readers perspective today or tomorrow. By writing stories that present those types of questions to people, the future is impacted one decision at a time.

4. Do you have inside jokes or “Easter Eggs” hidden in your writing ?

I always have a little humor in my writing. I can’t call it a “Easter Egg,” but I like putting the characters in situations where the reader will smile as they remember a point in their personal lives.

5. Do you model your characters after people you know or do you just make them up ?

All of my characters are based on people I know or have encountered. That’s what makes them real. I don’t go for the huge character that fights a hundred aliens at a time and kills them all. I go for the strong individual that faces huge challenges, learns, grows and eventually wins.

6. Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to take away ?

A positive outlook on people and life. Regardless of the person and the situation they are faced with, there is a right way to deal with and a wrong way. The challenge of the story is to find a solution that works.

7. What is your favorite review ?

Any review. Getting reviews is the most challenging part of being an author. Reviews help others to choose which books to buy. Of course, I’d prefer good vs. bad, but we all have to take the Good with the bad. I do admit, the reviews that make me feel the best are the ones where I’ve been compared with some of the masters like Clark, Asimov or Heinlein. I’d don’t see myself able to carry their quills, but the comparison gives me motivation to continue writing.

What comes next ?

This is a busy spring. I’m working with four narrators to publish four more of my novels on Audible. I’m lucky to have a great set of narrators supporting the process and I’m excited to get them out.

Aside from the Audible Books in work, I have the next book in the Virus/Earth II series in work and it should be out by summer. I’m also trying something in a new sub-genre. I love working with children and I’m writing my first Sci-Fi oriented towards a younger market. I think the title is great and I have about 15,000 words put together.

I’m also proud to announce that a short film, where I was the scrip editor won the “Los Angeles Film Award for Best Short Documentary.” http://www.Frommanzana.com

Where can we learn more ?

http://www.rayjayperreault.com

Can join my Writer’s List and receive information on new releases, discounts and FREE stuff. Right now I’m giving away a copy of “SIMPOC-The Thinking Computer” as a joining bonus.

#books #author #Scitech #SCiFi #UFOs #Aliens #RayGun