Author Spotlight: @BobJan70
Welcome to a very special interview with this month's Spotlight Author. It's been a while since we did a WattPunk. BobJan70 was there for it. And since we're doing WattPunk 2.0, we felt it was time to get him back in the greasy Ooorah Crew chair!
Here we go! Ooorah!
Welcome back, BobJan70! You were once known as the guy who made all the amazing Tevun-Krus covers, at least until the 28th issue, in 2016. It's come a long way since then—this being the 80th issue now, four years later. Where has your own life taken you?
First, thanks for contacting me and given me a bit of purpose in the Sci-Fi freak show we all seem to be living in. I keep thinking Spielberg will jump out any second shouting cut, that's a wrap and we can all go back to normal. I miss the pub.
Second. Shit, four years! Really?
So, what have I been doing since then? Unfortunately not writing. After college I had a short spell as a magazine editor/designer/writer. The stress was unbearable so thankfully that only lasted two issues and I moved to a uniform supplier and manufacturer as a graphic designer. My job description has changed quite a bit since then and I now do mock ups, marketing, photography, video editing, pattern designing and blogs amongst many other things. The only writing I do tends to be 'The Latest Trends in Officewear' and 'How to Customise Your......Insert Garment Here'. It sounds boring but I work with a great bunch of people and the work is really varied.
I've also done a fair bit of travelling which I could never afford before, got engaged to my beautiful soul mate and also got fat; which will have to be dealt with at some point before the diabetes sets in. That about wraps it up.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what words wouldn't you use?
What a strange way to word this question. What wouldn't I use. Fit. Driven. Energetic. Arrogant. Impulsive. Well hung.
The Tevun-Krus logo is, in my opinion, simple but iconic. Are you a fan of your own handiwork there? Did you ever think you'd see it used over 80 times (including TK Special Editions)?
To be honest I'm my biggest critic when it comes to my own work, whether writing or design. As for the TK logo it's the first magazine logo I'd designed and I suppose it works. Like with every logo, when people recognises your brand it would be foolhardy to change it. In saying that though, you could always update. Keep the overall look but change textures and colours. Just a thought.
Think back to when you were in school. What was your favourite subject?
Hmmm, school. That's in the dim and distant past and not filled with great memories. It was still the time of corporal punishment where teachers were permitted to throw things at you. That may have only been my school though. Predictably my favourite subject was art. It's not that I wasn't good at my other subjects but something happened in 5th year that made me go 'Fuck this'. Went out and got myself a bikers jacket and grew my hair long. Teenagers, they can be real pricks.
You're a talented cover artist. Do you still exercise those particular muscles these days?
Thank you for the compliment. I really did enjoy doing covers, helping others promote their work. The one I particularly liked was for Gav Wilson, better known as TheOrangutan; his Merlin's Gold story. The way I work is Photo Manipulation. Layers of photos, textures and colours are brought together in Photoshop to create something that doesn't exist. When you get it right it's quite effective.
Unfortunately I don't get much of a chance to do my art these days. The only thing I use it for is creating life-like mock-ups of uniforms. The last thing I want to do when I come home from work is sit down at a computer. Oh, and I'm really lazy.
When you were a young 'un, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A Rock star. Duh. But seeing as I had no talent or drive to learn an instrument, did I mention that I'm really lazy, that didn't happen. I didn't really have anything to fall back on so I kind of fell into printing, becoming an Offset Litho Printer on the Youth Training Scheme. It all worked out in the end.
What does Tevun-Krus mean to you?
Fuck all, don't rate it.
Calm down, only joking. When I first joined Wattpad I had been on a couple of other writing sites but found them cold and sterile or very cliquey. Wattpad was different as there seemed to be a great community who actually wanted to help each other. TK encapsulates that. It's a group of people from all walks of life, different ages and varied abilities from all over the world coming together with a single purpose. What's not to like about that.
Tell us about your reading/writing habits. If you're not a writer, then simply the former will suffice!
I really miss writing. Besides the tedious blogs I don't write at all these days. Like any skill you need to keep practicing, honing your talent and unfortunately I've let it slip. Don't get me wrong, I have so many ideas bouncing around and god knows how many stories sitting half finished but getting the time and motivation to get back in the groove escapes me at present.
As your crew casts your lifeless body into the heart of the nearest star, list three pieces of music likely to be rattling the bulkheads of your beloved vessel!
Hmmmmm, my tastes are wide and varied so this is a hard one.
The Polyphonic Spree - Light & Day (LP Version)
Green Velvet - Cameras Ready (Original Mix)
Rage Against the Machine - Killing In the Name
Who is your all-time favourite author? How much, if at all, has their work influenced your writing style?
All time is Iain Banks, with or without the M. A genius gone too soon. The only book I ever read in a day was his Wasp Factory, it's so dark and twisted. Of course his Sci-Fi has influenced me with his superb Culture novels spanning millennia of time. Tragic to think there won't be any more.
The author that has probably influence my style more though is Alistair Reynolds. If you haven't read him, you should. Now.
Of everything you've written, which piece is your favourite?
The one I'm most proud of is Darkspur. It's Fantasy not Sci-Fi and is over 90k word count. Still don't know how I managed it. It's very rough around the edges but think it's still worth a read.
My favourite though is Heaven's Greatest Deity that's part of my short story collection A Little Known Fact About Ducks. It's a humorous short about Death, God and a Duck. It's something I really want to expand on as I think there's potential there to create a wild and wacky world.
Pitch the above story to us. Make us really want to read it!
Death is pissed. Now nothing more than a glorified pen pusher he sits in his office all day watching time tick by, tapping out the rhythm with a bony digit. Having to deal with ever more incompetent underlings he makes a dangerous decision. One that he will ultimately come to regret.
God is pissed. Who the hell dares to call God when he's on the golf course.
A very short short about heavenly bureaucracy. Oh, and there's a duck in it to. Who doesn't like ducks.
To what extent does the mythical 'real life' influence your writing?
I try and keep reality as far away from my stories as possible. You'd only get bored of all the sex, drugs and rock and roll anyway.
If you could have any superpower, what would that be and why?
I have to be boring with this one. It would definitely be flight. I've had a recurring dream about soaring over the fields and hills for so many years now. I always wake up disappointed.
What would you do if you woke up one day and suddenly realized you were an alien from another world?
What? Who's been talking? I deny everything. Next question.
The Technological Singularity presents a rather daunting, some say inevitable, future. Does the prospect of that level of artificial intelligence excite you, or leave you quaking in your space boots?
We're all doomed anyway. By the time this happens the planet with be well and truly fucked with all of us meat bags extinct or on the verge. Christ, way to kill a mood I hear you say. You did ask. You can see why I don't get invited to many parties.
There is another way to look at it. By the time we have machines this technologically advanced I would hope we'll be transferring our consciences into them. In essence living forever.
Whatever happens I'll be long dead. See. Just can't help myself.
Do you remember what you were doing when the original WattPunk issue came out, all those years ago?
Drinking and smoking probably.
And finally, any words of wisdom to new and aspiring Sci-Fi writers?
Like everything, the more you practice the better you get. Don't expect to write a Booker Prize novel the first time you sit down in front of the computer. These things take time to perfect and it can take a while before you find your own style. The competitions are also good practice for this and are a lot of fun.
Also, don't be afraid to ask for help. Wattpad is full of people willing to pass on their experiences and knowledge. I made some great friends who would always help when I was stuck.
Sci-Fi is a genre that allows your imagination to run wild. There are no boundaries. That's why it's such a pleasure to read and write.
But above all, have fun. Whatever your ability you should enjoy what you're doing.
Thanks for joining us again after all these years, BobJan70! Really cool to have you back! Ooorah!
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