CZP asked Imaginarium authors a few questions. See how they handle being on the spot, and how they handle The Hulk invading their stories! Between now and January 4th, 2013, CZP is running this special feature, and today’s author is David Clink, who appeared in Imaginarium 2012: The Best of Canadian Speculative Fiction with the story “Nothing But Sky Overhead”.
I was writing short stories when I was a kid. I charged my brothers to read them, and gave them tests, after. The first of these was a colour comic called “Dr. Change”. My first short story was set on a spaceship called the Andromeda 4.
What is the best advice you have ever been given from a publisher/fellow author/opinionated reader? Keep working on your craft. And, of course, don’t spit in the wind.
What is it about speculative fiction that appeals to you, as a reader and/or an author?
The voyage. It isn’t just spec fic that has appeal. Bananas also have appeal. As a reader, it is the act of discovery. As a writer, it is creating that world, and for those lucky enough, writing to an impossible deadline as you fight the urge to have the novel end with “it was just a dream”.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Working at the library to pay the bills. Spending more than I make. Poker. Jigsaw puzzles. Movies. Conventions. TV shows like: “The Walking Dead” and “Game of Thrones” and “Primeval”. Been watching some new shows: “Falling Skies” and “The Last Resort”.
Is there a book that you think would change the world (for better or worse) if every person was to read it?
Every book changes the world. Everything in the world is connected, in some way. Try not to step on butterflies. Try not to step on books on butterflies.
Every book changes the world. Everything in the world is connected, in some way. Try not to step on butterflies. Try not to step on books on butterflies.
The Hulk is now a character in your favourite book: how would it change?
“Cry the Beloved Country” or “The Hobbit” may be my favourite books. The Hulk would be an impactful character, for sure, in both. Stephen Kumalo could have used the Hulk's help in searching for his son, Absalom, in Johannesburg. Bilbo Baggins could have used the Hulk's help on his quest. The Hulk vs. Smaug would have been a match for the history books!
David Clink is the Artistic Director of the Rowers Pub Reading Series, and is a former Artistic Director of the Art Bar Poetry Series. He has been writing and selling poetry since 1995, and is the author of 5 poetry chapbooks and the editor of 7 others. He is a consultant with the Heart of a Poet TV show, and is co-publisher of believe your own press, a poetry chapbook publisher. He is webmaster of poetrymachine.com, a resource for writers. His poetry has been published in Canada, the United States and Europe, including Analog; The Antigonish Review; Asimov's Science Fiction; Cicada; The Dalhousie Review; Descant, The Fiddlehead; Grain Magazine, The Literary Review of Canada; On Spec, and The Prairie Journal.
Can’t find Imaginarium 2012 in your book store? Order it directly from CZP.
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