The Origin of F.O.R.C.E.
Sam B. Miller II holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance, from the University of Tennessee. He has five children and lives with his wife, Susan, and their many dogs, in Northeast Tennessee. The Origin of F.O.R.C.E. is his first novel, and he just finished its sequel, Dawn of Chrysalis. The third book in the series Evolution of F.O.R.C.E.is coming out soon. We have conducted an interview with Sam.
If you could make one of your books into a movie, which one would you choose? Who would you choose to portray the main character?
Interesting question. I would make the first book into a movie. It sets the course and tone for the other books in the series. The Origin of F.O.R.C.E. Series has so many characters; it would be difficult to choose just one. All you have to do is ask my Audio Book Producer about all the voice characterizations he had to create. I would go with McPherson and Dr. Heinbaum. I would choose Jack Lowden from the Dunkirk movie to play McPherson. I would choose actor, Crispin Glover, to play Dr. Heinbaum. His appearance in the movie, Willard, is almost spot-on for the Doctor.
What inspires you to begin writing in The Origin of F.O.R.C.E. series and in this genre?
I have always had a special love for the Science Fiction genre. After spending years reading other authors’ works, I decided to try writing a story grounded in actual historical events. My first book is filled with actual events and people from the ‘40’s thru the 2014. The aliens don’t return until 2015.
Whose work is your greatest inspiration?
John Campbell, Robert Heinlein, and E.E. 'Doc' Smith were the biggest influences on my story ideas. Their stories could take me to a whole new reality in my mind as I read.
Do you read the feedback from your readers about your trilogy? Do you spend a lot of time planning your story, or do you jot down the plot first and fine-tune later?
Feedback from my readers has been most rewarding. I have taken both the compliments and criticisms into account as my stories develop. While my writing style has not changed much; my approach to descriptions and speed of the stories has altered. I read a very good description of my writing plan and here it is. You’re driving along a winding, dark country road. The car’s headlights reveal only so much of the road ahead. Rounding the next curve allows the lights to reveal more of the road you are traveling. My stories develop as I write them. I know the beginning and the end. Some of the middle is known but not the details.
How difficult/different was it to plan the story that is 30 light-years away?
Actually, the distance and time for round trip gives me time to develop technologies and DNA enhancements. If my aliens had faster than light speeds, they would have wiped out Earth in a heartbeat. The fast as light speed gives time for Earth humans to react to the threat. I don’t like stories where some overnight discoveries are made that change the dynamics of a threat. I prefer some realism to the scientific difficulty and time it takes to discover new inventions.
How do you feel when you delve into writing?
Sometimes writing is difficult because you can get your characters into such a mess it takes time to think of a way to logically move through the threat. During those difficult times, I can feel despondent because I can’t think of a way to extricate my characters from where they have landed. I feel elated when the answer presents itself, and I can dive back into the story with confidence.
