New interview with writer Larry Kilham

I’d like to welcome writer Larry Kilham back at Reviews and Interviews. Larry was here in July and talked about The Digital Rabbit Hole. Today we’re talking about his new work of literary fiction and near-future technology, Free Will Odyssey.

Bio:

Larry Kilham has traveled extensively overseas for over twenty years. He worked in several large international companies and started and sold two high-tech ventures. He received a B.S. in engineering from the University of Colorado and an M.S. in management from MIT. Larry has written books about creativity and invention, artificial intelligence and digital media, travel overseas, and four novels with an AI theme. His book website is www.larrykilham.net and he looks forward to hearing from readers at lkilham@gmail.com.

Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews.

Thank you, Lisa. I’m excited to tell you about my new book.

Yes! Let’s get right to it. What’s it about?

The story is told by Peter Tesla, a prodigious young inventor who develops an electronic device called Electra to enhance the user’s free will. His sister died from drug overdose, and Peter especially hopes his invention can be used for drug detoxification. Electra works well for test patients so Peter is referred to the most important patient of all—the U.S. president. You’ll have to read the book to see what happens next. Along the way, Peter is tried for the mysterious death of a girlfriend and struggles with the machinations of a secretive industrialist.

What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to write a novel based on the product development experience of my grandfather, father, and me. We all received patents and built businesses. I also became fascinated with applying free will and virtual reality to real problems. I came up with alcohol detoxification as a major application that is also potential tool for a current crisis.

What’s the next writing project?

I would like to explore mental freedom in the age of AI, digital media, and robots. This would include free will, critical thinking, focusing on the truth. Will the next generations become essentially robots or will new mental serendipity flower? This might be a nonfiction work with poetry.

What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)

Trying to figure out how to best package my message to appeal to the public.

If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?

I do most of my research while writing. As topics come up, I dive into the Internet and explore everything it has to say about the area of inquiry. I save into my computer’s book files the key reference works I turn up.

What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.

I have a spacious office with a view across a dry riverbed to the desert pine trees on the other side. I’m surrounded by all kinds of books for reference and getting ideas.

What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, James Lovelock, Jared Diamond, Lewis Carroll

Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?

Don’t put off treating addiction!

Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!

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