Reece Hanzon

Remember Reece Hanzon? The awesome blogger that interviewed me on his blog last week? Yeah, he's cool. And now I get to interview him!

When I asked Reece about himself, he said


"I'm a writer — sci-fi with a side of fantasy — but I haven't quit my day job as a technical writer, at least not yet. I'm one of the many aspiring writers who put in as much time as they can on the side. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn't; that's life. As it is, not being able to write all the time makes me enjoy the time I get all the more. I also love editing, especially fiction. It's both a gift and a curse because I can't read anything, anything without looking for errors or thinking of a better way to say it. I have a beautiful wife, but we have not been able to have kids yet."


I totally understand the gift and curse of editing. When I have my editing cap on, it's hard to jump into a book and enjoy it as much. But...enough about me! Let's get to the interview.


Reece, how long have you been writing? 


Since I was a kid. Seriously writing? Since 2003. I wrote a space-opera about a young man raised by space pirates but who know piracy was wrong. It's all about the terrible luck he has and the dangerous situations he manages to get himself into just by trying to start an honest life for himself.


(Wow! Interesting. Sounds like it's layered with all sorts of intriguing ideas. Space Pirates. Danger. Honesty. Ooh!)


What made you want to write? 


I love stories! Eventually my overactive imagination wasn't content with reading them and started spitting out its own. Seriously, as a kid I played by myself most of the time because I was imagining myself off on some amazing adventure. Yeah...I was that kid.


(Uh, I think I have a few of those here! Nothing wrong with that.)


Do you have any pet peeves while writing? 


Being so close to finding exactly the right word and not being able to put my finger on it! I will never forgive Mark Twain for his famous saying about the right word and almost the right word. I will never be able to settle for anything but the perfect word. Ever.


If you could live in the setting of any book, which would you choose and why? 


Fantasy: Garth Nix's Abhorsen Chronicles (this is the world of Sabriel), because I want to be a charter mage and have a pet like Mogget. Science fiction: Elizabeth Moon's Vatta's War series, because it's the best darn space opera I've ever read!


(Confession. I've only read Sabriel. But it's a great world! And there's magic. Enough said :))


What book are you reading right now and what's next in line?


Right now I'm reading Michael Crichton's Eaters of the Dead (inspiration for the movie The 13th Warrior). Next in line is Warrior, by Marie Brennan.


What's your favorite:


Author- Garth Nix, because he writes original, intelligent fantasy that keeps me biting my nails and turning pages.


Character- Bartimaeus (the Bartimaeus trilogy by Jonathan Stroud) because he's freaking hilarious. I wish I were that quick-witted and gutsy!


Book- Sabriel, by Garth Nix


Thing about writing- discovering new places, meeting new people, and learning about new technology a/o magic!


Time of day- evening, from about 4:00 until it gets dark. The light turns golden-orange, the heat subsides (in the summer), and everything starts to calm down (especially while everyone is inside eating dinner) until it's almost completely still and quiet.


And last, but not least, do you prefer fruity candy or chocolate? 


Depends on the day and the fruit candy. In general, I prefer fruit candy, but I do love a box of chocolates from See's Candy, or some M&Ms.


(I have to agree with the whole day thing and which fruit candy. Although I'm tempted by most, there are definitely some that would make me hesitate. See's? YUM!)


Thanks for being here today, Reece! It was a pleasure to learn more about you. 


Be sure to stop by Reece's blog, Reece Hanzon, to learn more about him and to make a new blogging friend.


Have a great weekend!