JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Lincoln Crisler, author of Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot
(IDW)
It’s a short story set in the world of “IDW’s Zombies vs. Robots” comic books. In it, a scientist travels back in time in an attempt to prevent the zombie outbreak. In doing so, the scientist prevents his wife’s gruesome demise.
It’s available as a standalone digital download and as part of the THIS MEANS WAR! Anthology, which is available in digital, trade paperback and limited-edition hardcover.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write “Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot“?
Lincoln Crisler: As much as I love the concept behind IDW’s Zombies vs. Robots comic books, it’d be real easy to lose track of the human element in a story about machines and the walking dead. I moved my piece away from the war itself, and took advantage of the time machine and experiments at the core of the source material’s zombie outbreak.
JP: What sets Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot apart from other books in the same genre?
LC: I can hardly be counted on for a biased opinion regarding my own story, but Rue Morgue did single out “Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot” as “…an inventive approach to this particular generic story device (time manipulation)…” so I’m taking that as a good sign.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot getting out to the public?
LC: I promote myself–like a boss. I’m always looking for ways to get the word out. I keep spreadsheets. I’ve used my website in new and inventive ways as a promotional tool.
I think it’s working. I’m hearing more feedback from readers I don’t know with every passing week, and my colleagues regularly gush about my energetic marketing.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot?
LC: I wrote “Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot” in two days. If that’s not a record for me, it’s close to it. The piece weighs in at around 5,000 words. In many ways, writing it was a deviation from my standard routine.
I had to have the story plotted completely before beginning work, so IDW could give me the go ahead. With the blueprint in front of me, it was full steam ahead. “Kettletop’s Revisionary Plot” completely changed my mind about outlining, as a matter of fact.
JP: What’s next for Lincoln Crisler?
LC: I’m finishing a novella and completing the first draft of what I hope will be my first published novel while simultaneously working on my first comic script in an attempt to gain a foothold in that industry, as well.
I’m also actively promoting my two most recent publications: an anthology of dark superhero fiction called CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY? and a novella quartet called FOUR IN THE MORNING featuring brand-new work by myself, Ed Erdelac, Malon Edwards and Tim Marquitz.
http://facebook.com/lincolncrisler
Thanks for having me. If you’re interested in more of my work, the best place to find all of it is at http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Crisler/e/B002UD1BWG.
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