Universal

If your book were guaranteed to be read by every person in the world, what would that book be about?

I suppose the inspiration for this question is Mao's Little Red Book which, if I understand it correctly, is the most-read book in history because it was required reading in the most populous country in the world.  This is also the reason (population) that Mandarin Chinese is the number one native language on the planet. 

Social Responsibility

After the terrible events in Paris this weekend, the next question on my list has certainly given me pause.

If you were able to publish something that would have a significant impact on only one social issue (a la Silent Spring by Rachel Carson), what social issue would that be?

I wish I could write a book that would put an end to terrorism.  That doesn't seem likely, though.

Screenplays

What do you feel is the best written movie you’ve ever seen (or read the screenplay for)?  Not necessarily your favorite, but the best written?

I must give a not to Castaway

Very difficult to make a compelling movie out of a man and his volleyball.

Nightstand Reading

What book is on top of your nightstand/reading table right this very moment?  How do you feel about that book? Are you ashamed or proud to be reading it?  Are you reading it to be impressive or do you really want to read it?

I am currently reading Lost in the Funhouse by John Barth.  I found this book at my workplace and started reading it during a lull in business.  It is a very old (1966) collection of short-story-metafiction pieces.  It is a confusing mixture, but loaded with gems, such as: " We don't know what drives and sustains us, only that we are most miserably driven and imperfectly sustained…Love is how we call our ignorance of what whips us…"  The book is literally falling apart in my hands and I am enchanted.

Research

Today's question is about research.

What have been some of your best experiences doing research? How about the worst?

My former was finding that one of the characters I made up existed in real life.  The latter was when I realized that my main character couldn't have possibly been where and when I put him and I had to find a new main character.  Despite all that, I am a big fan of research.  I believe it enriches the story no matter what.

Three Men in a Box

I had a dream last night which woke me up out of a sound sleep.  I was trying to write my way out of the situation which my dream presented me.

Three men in a hospital room.  There is a monitor at the nurse's station which goes blank for a moment.  When the monitor comes back on there is nothing but a blood-smeared sheet on the screen and the three men have disappeared from the room.  I woke up thinking, how do I write my way out of this box?

What would you write?

Mondays

Do you find it strange and annoying that I love Mondays?  How do you feel about Mondays?  Do you have a best day of the week?

I once dated a man who was born on a Thursday, and that was always his best day of the week.  Perhaps I love Mondays because I work weekends, and Mondays are actually my Saturdays.  Or maybe it's only because the Eagles won yesterday.