Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Fish Phillips
Book Titles: The Last Minder
Released: 10/20/20
Genre: Time travel/Science Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “The Last Minder”?
Phillips: Younger looking characters are often the superheroes in movies, but I wondered what an elderly superhero might look like. I had never seen a compromised older man become an imperfect hero marred by time, struggle, age, and disease. That fascinated me. I had also never written a screenplay, so when the story came to me, I wrote the outline in one afternoon on my phone. I learned to do better over time and kept refining. Once I had a solid story, I converted it to a novel to share with a broader audience.
I aligned the main character with my grandparent's generation. My paternal grandparents both served in WW2, which is becoming a smaller part of history education. So, exploring that angle interested me. I also thought about how a future society might devalue elders and their experiences in favor of newer or louder voices. Family history and destiny play a crucial role in the story, so I dropped subtle breadcrumbs throughout to bring those concepts into the mix. I had a great aunt who loved genealogy, which shines through as well.
My background in technology informs the alien behaviors and their aversion to risk. Checklists, availability, systems engineering, facial recognition, self-driving cars, and augmented reality are all referenced.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
Phillips: This book started as my first screenplay, which drew comparisons to The Bourne Identity, Demolition Man, and The Last Starfighter. I wrote the outline on my phone in one afternoon. After revisions and feedback on the story, I novelized it over two years, sending it through multiple editors and beta readers. Then I used writing tools like PWA and AutoCrit to make it shine. I also have a list of commonly used words which I seek and destroy as a last step. I wanted to put myself through a highly rigorous process as a self-published author so the final product would shine.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Phillips: Names are essential in this novel, as readers will find out. I don't want to reveal too much about why I picked the main character's name, but I can speak to Majjen and Jan-L. Majjen's name relates to his ability to time travel and his propensity for trickery. He is magical—a mage if you will. Jan-L is easier to explain. I named her after my daughter whose middle name is Janel.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Phillips: You're going to hate me. Most of the time this is not a problem for me. I get tired and unmotivated at times like everyone, but I view that as a sign to take a break. So, I do something different, and stop thinking about that particular story. When I was a programmer, I would do the same with the code. Stepping away even for an hour or two can work wonders for creativity. If I have multiple projects, I'll even switch for a week or two to another writing project. I did that recently for a spec TV Pilot based on one of my short films.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Phillips: Yes, write something. Anything! The only way to go from aspiring author to author is to have words on the page. Something to read, edit and improve. I write visually. My mind's eye acting as a camera. So, I started with screenplays. Converting them to a novel started as a way to make the screenplay better. These two writing types are quite different, but it flexes my skills. In the end it improves both, I hope. Let your story beats flow. Outline if you like. That's what I recommend. Once you have the main construct of the story in your mind, fully engulf yourself in getting it written. Dictation might help some people who type slower or work better speaking out loud. See the story like a movie playing. Watch it in your mind from beginning to end.
If "The Last Minder" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Phillips: There are three crucial characters. Benny, Majjen, and Jan-L. Benny is a no-nonsense WW2 veteran. I imagined Clint Eastwood, Stephen McHattie, or Gabriel Byrne would pull it off without a problem. Majjen is an alien and David Bowie has passed. So, Vincent Cassel, Willem Dafoe, or John Malkovich would be excellent choices. Jan-L is kind but strict. She would require a balanced character. So, someone like Amy Adams, Ruth Negga, or Rose Byrne would shine in the role.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Phillips: I read primarily for knowledge. In the last couple of years, I started reading for entertainment as well. I enjoy short stories and fast moving, cinematic novels. Some sci-fi authors I've enjoyed recently include Blake Crouch, John Scalzi, Tade Thompson, and Patrick Ness. I also finished three books by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
What are you working on next?
Phillips: Up next I am writing my first series titled Altered Demons. The first draft of the first book, Hidden Demon, is already complete. I plan to release it in October 2021. It is a sci-fi, technothriller story of a Secret Service counter assault agent that takes place in Tokyo, DC, and the Shenandoah Valley. Based on another of my screenplays, everyone who has read the story says they have seen nothing like it. So, I am excited to bring that to everyone.
Learn More About the Author and The Last Minder Here:
Twitter: @TheFishPhillips
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorFishPhillips
Mailing List Signup: https://mailchi.mp/46c99b6519fb/thelastminder
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