Interview with Simon carr
Author of Virtually Gone
satirical science fiction writer from Blackburn in the north of England.
Buy this book
How would you describe Virtually Gone to a new reader?
- It's a modern-day twist on Alice through the looking glass but using quantum mechanics instead of magic.
What was the inspiration behind Virtually Gone ?
- Alice in Wonderland, I wanted to try and write a similar thing but using only science and real theories to explain the crazy mad things that keep happening in the bizarre world.
Which authors do you admire? How have they influenced your writing style?
- Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. I love the way they meld comedy with SCI-FI, something I try to emulate.
Can you tell us a little about the locations in your book?
- The reality side of it is based in Switzerland but the main locations are Bizzare magical realms inside the quantum realm.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
- It's a marathon, not a sprint, don't expect the world to fall into your lap right away. you have to write and write then write some more, over and over and over before your journey even really starts.
What's your writing process?
- I get a concept then I meticulously outline it and plan every chapter; throw all of that in the bin at about the second chapter and just wing it.
Which character in Virtually Gone has had the greatest impact on readers?
- I think it has to be Chris, you never really know who he is or what he is even doing there, he is endemic of the situation which is far more questions than there are answers.
If Virtually Gone were to be adapted for TV or film, who would you see in the lead role? Who did you have in your mind’s eye when you wrote him/her?
- I imagined Steven Merchant as Chris.
How have readers responded to Virtually Gone?
- I was very worried because it's so different from what I usually write but it's similar enough that people who like my other books still love it.
Where next? What are you working on now?
- Virtually Gone was an experiment for me on whether I could go deeper with characters and situations and even add some serious drama into my stories. i am very pleased that it worked but i am in need of a pallet clenser so will be going back to my more recognizable nonsense and horror-comedies with a spoof about the illegal rave scene back in the 90s, Respect to the Man in the Ice Cream Van.
