Meeting P.A. Baines
Earlier in the year, I had a conversation with my friend Grace Bridges. These things happen sometimes. (And no, that is not a picture of her.) Now, Grace is “one of the good ones,” as our resident varmint Quixote would say. As things panned out, we developed a working relationship in which I lend an assisting hand in the editing over at Splashdown Books as needed. Grace keeps an eye out for unique and unusual manuscripts of a speculative nature, so I know I’ll always get a refreshing change of pace, working for her.
Well, there was this book, and it turned out to be pretty cool. So did its author. So here’s the shameless plug: Alpha Redemption releases today, Sept 1, from Splashdown Books. Here is the link to the bookshop. I wish you would buy it, because it’s only $9.95 USD and it will be tremendously meaningful to Paul if you do.
In the meantime, being an incorrigible bohemian, I said to the author, let’s do a getting-to-know-you interview at Scienda. Who knows what could happen. Anvils could fall from the sky. The suspense is murderous.
And Now, The Interview
Cat: Paul, I understand that you do not, in fact, live in Texas, nor ever have. This interests me. Do tell.
Paul: Texas is on my list of places to visit before I shuffle off this mortal coil, but it is a very long list and if there’s one thing I’ve learned about God it is that He doesn’t adjust His will according to what’s on any of my numerous lists.
For example, I was born in England but raised in Africa, and so became accustomed to wide open spaces filled with very few people. When I returned to Europe, I found the close proximity of so many people a little uncomfortable. I was used to driving for hours to get from one city to another, and seeing very little in between, so you can imagine that England was a little cramped for my tastes.
Add to that the fact that our new house was small even by English standards and was rapidly filling with offspring. I prayed to God to move us somewhere more spacious. Thinking with a faith-filled, God-pleasing, attitude, I did some research and made a list of potential countries. Canada was at the top of that list and so I completed the official Canadian entry questionnaire to see if I had enough points. To my surprise I did but, sadly, lacked the means to pay for the whole process.
Kudos for anvil!:D
I am thoroughly impressed that Paul did not one time mention doughnuts or cheesecake. That must have taken a tremendous amount of will power.
The population density of Texas for 2009 was 79.6 people per square mile. That doesn’t include cows, which there are many of them in Texas also.
I really should’ve titled this “Interview With An Anvil…” Actually, the donuts, cheesecake and anvils don’t really get rolling till Part 2, tomorrow. We’ve got two more international photo tours, a bit more writing talk, and plenty of silliness.
The dude punked me pretty bad with one of the photos. All that and more awaits…
Clickable page numbers to get to all the goodies herein are itty-bitty, at the bottom of the post just past the Twitter button.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Cat. I feel the need to talk on the phone with you again soon!
I’ll have video chat again as of right away…September means kid stuff and library. A week or two, I should think.
Paul,
Alphs’s outstanding. Thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s one I’ll reread when I get my hard copy. Great book.
“Perhaps Quixote will learn something from a European’s philosophy.”
Too late, CD…versed in it. And of course, there’s always that one particular European I’m constantly berated over here incessantly
Thanks Marc. I’m so chuffed you liked it. Just been over at the MLP website looking at Konig’s Fire. Looks seriously interesting…
(“chuffed” is good, Texas…)
“And of course, there’s always that one particular European I’m constantly berated over here incessantly”
Quit whining and drive the wagon, Calvin, you big baby.
“By the way, does anyone know the population density of Texas?”
Think of it this way: take every person in Canada and put them in Manitoba. That’d be pretty close.
According to Google Maps, Manitoba is right in the middle of Lake Winnipeg. Then I zoomed out and realized Manitoba is a actually a province. The scary thing is, I did quite well in Geography at school.
“Looking back, I can honestly say that I am glad that my earlier works were never accepted, simply because I was not ready.”
Congratulations, and way to stick it out.