Last week, the Blog Ring of Power hosted one of my crit partners from the Online Writing Workshop for SF, Fantasy, and Horror. Today, I'm lucky enough to host another one of my longtime OWW crit partners, Zvi Zaks. His books include A Virtual Affair, IMPLAC, and A True Son of Asmodeus. Please give him a hearty welcome as we get to know him a bit better:
When and why did you begin writing?I started writing in my twenties, (many decades ago.) It's hard to say why, but it was fun and a good way to express myself.
When did you first consider yourself a professional writer?
Never. I'm an amateur. If I make money - great - but I write to share ideas with others.
What genre do you write?
Almost always science fiction, preferably 'hard' science fiction, though one of my books is a vampire story, which would put it in the fantasy category.
What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?
Most of my stories have a Jewish theme, though the main character is never a devout, orthodox Jew. There's a lack of Jewish science fiction, which is regrettable, especially as one of the greatest science fiction writers of all time, Isaac Asimov, was Jewish.
If you couldn’t be an author, what would your ideal career be?
I'm happy with my day job as a physician, but if I had to choose a career other than writing or medicine, I'd probably try my hand as a professional violinist. I already have a small band (see www.klezmaniacs.com) and it's a lot of fun.
For the rest of Zvi's interview, please see the schedule below:
Tuesday: Part Two, Dean
Wednesday: Part Three, Terri
Thursday: Part Four, Theresa
Friday: Part Five, Emily
Blog: http://www.fiddlerzvi.comFacebook page: http://www.facebook.com/fiddlerzvi
Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4801758-zvi-zaks
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Zvi-Zaks/e/B004VY7I1A/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_3
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/fiddlerzvi
Is your book in print, ebook or both? Both
8 comments:
*g* it's been ages since I heard anything from Zvi. Nice to know that he's still going!
Yep! He still posts on OWW too.
I'm fascinated that you identify with Jewish science fiction. I'm going to have to check out one of your stories.
Michael, while I haven't read A Virtual Affair yet, I have read the sequel on the workshop and enjoyed it. I must remember to read the AVA myself.
I had never really considered Jewish science fiction before. I tend to think of sci-fi as secular.
Though then I realized I should have remembered Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock were both Jewish.
PT, I have trouble picturing Spock spinning a dreidel or wearing a yarmulke. Then again, that could be in one of the recent movies. As you'll see tomorrow, I'm a bit behind in my movie-watching.
My stories (especially Virtual Affair) aren't religious Jewish. They're more like Fiddler on the Roof with a lot of cultural Jewish settings.
I don't plan to show the novels to my orthodox friends.
Zvi
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