About
I like to explain it this way: In the instant before my birth a sudden fault appeared in the cosmic brain wiring and programming station. Resolution of the error required a complete system reboot. During that process all of my strengths, which should have been distributed across the attribute spectrum, were downloaded into my imagination file. Don’t ask me to clean house, work on the car or care for a lawn. Nobody will be happy with the end product. On the other hand, if you ask me to write a story with a riveting plot and well-developed characters, things will turn out differently.
Figuratively speaking, that’s what happened to me, but literally I don’t know. I have an imagination that has been my constant companion from the very beginning and I discovered something about it. My imagination is very proficient in story development. Eventually it started demanding an outlet. I considered making movies, but startup costs, even to a young mind, were daunting. Paper and pen, on the other hand, were cheap.
For me, in the beginning, writing was like a roadtrip with me driving and my imagination riding shotgun, ready for any task I put before it. I knew the destination, but not the roads to get us there. Eventually my imagination asked to drive. I agreed and never asked for the steering wheel again.
The actual process is like this: I submit the basic concept and then fire up my PlayStation and kill zombies or aliens until I get the call, which doesn’t usually come right away. I might get a few hours in killing the undead or the alien scourge, but eventually the call comes. That’s when I shift focus to the movie screen in my head, an enormous screen, one reclining seat. That’s where the first scene of the movie is shown to me.
I watch the movie and write what I’m shown, without exception. I say without exception because there were times in the past when I had attempted to apply my force of will into the story. It has never worked out well. The movie screen always remains dark until I fix the problem. I no longer even try. I simply watch the movies and remain faithful in my work of converting the movies I’m shown into the written word.
The product of the collusion I’ve just described is utterly shocking to me. I certainly never expected the three paranormal thrillers born of my imagination.
Inside the Mind - C. Robert Cales
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What inspired you to start writing?
Certainly not my mastership of the English language. Had I known what my life passion would be I would have paid closer attention in school. As a writer I'm pushed by my imagination, which has been my constant companion throughout my life. It's very proficient in making up intriguing stories whether I do anything with them or not. Eventually it started demanding an outlet. I thought about making movies, but start-up costs were well beyond my reach. Pen and paper, on the other hand, were dirt cheap and that pushed me to take my first step on the path toward the writing craft.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Artificial Intelligence is an ebook only novella that follows twin brothers, builders of fast cars in Atlanta. After work, with all the tools cleaned up and put away, they head upstairs to the apartment they share and engage in their other passion, gaming, more specifically, digital warfare gaming with their 6 man fire team. They play for hours, taking time away from the action for only the basic needs, including sleep. The next day the cycle of creating fast cars and gaming begins again. On a whim the brothers buy PowerBall lottery tickets for a record smashing 4.2 billion dollar jackpot. When the news revealed the winning numbers they had the only winning ticket. One of the members of their fireteam, a local friend spread the word and it went like wildfire. Within an hour an impromptu party broke out in their parking lot. A pickup hauling beer kegs and another pulling a huge smoker grill arrived first and then the people came, many friends, some they hadn't seen in years. They opened up all the bay doors to accommodate a local radio station for their remote broadcast location and shortly after more people arrived. It only took about 24 hours of the constant party to realize that they needed a new place to live and money was no longer a factor. Near Denver a decommissioned ICBM silo has been converted into a high-tech entertainment center, complete with a digital Imax movie theater and performing arts theater, separated by a glittering circular bar. One floor down is the personal visitation lounge with its own smaller movie screen and smaller circular bar. Another floor down in a complete restaurant-quality kitchen. The final floor is an atrium connecting four bedrooms, each with its own digital screen. The DoD computer system that once controlled ICMB launch and guidance has been converted to civilian use and is poised to run everything related to the complex including contracting for all services, contracting with companies of actors and directors, selection of all plays and movies as well as promotions. The site conversion is complete and is being offered for sale. The price would be completely shocking to most buyers.
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