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04-28-2011: MilSciFi.com interviews author Jennifer Brozek, contributor to the anthology, No Man's Land, book four in the Defending The Future series.
MilSciFi: "Welcome. Please tell
us about your story. What was the inspiration for it?"
Brozek: "My story is
called M.O.V.E., an acronym for Military Observation Visit Experience. It was
inspired by my own military training and the base visits we would have to
observe active duty military personnel on the job. It allowed us to see what
sorts of opportunities were out there."
MilSciFi: "Is it a part of a
larger universe?"
Brozek: "Yes. This story
is part of my Kember Empire series. I've written a couple of stories and a
space opera novel in this universe. One of the stories preceding this one is
available on the Wily Writers website. It is called "Honoring the
Dead." You meet Natara in the last part of the story. M.O.V.E. is about
what became of her."
MilSciFi: "Any plans to
continue with this storyline?"
Brozek: "I have plans to
continue writing in the Kember Empire. I am not certain if another Natara
Kintares is in the works. I'll know it when she pops up and says hello again."
MilSciFi: "Each story is
accompanied by a unique icon, can you tell us something about the relevance
behind your own?"
Brozek: "The
"Cometeers" is a mixed military unit in the Guardsmen service. They
accompany many of the Explorers on their missions as protection and to deal
with first contact situations. "Apocalypse Girl" is a nickname I've
had for a very long time. Sometimes, when I write in the Kember Empire, I feel
like it is a first contact situation. The universe is so big."
MilSciFi: "How did you
become involved with the No Man's Land project?"
Brozek: "Danielle Ackley
McPhail told me about the project and asked if I would be interested. I jumped
at the chance."
MilSciFi: "What were your
thoughts about the fact that this was a collection featuring all-female
authors?"
Brozek: "I think women are
becoming more and more visible as military and sff military authors. Women have
always been involved in the military one way or another—whether or not it has
been on active duty. I think women feel the need to express their opinion about
the military and the military life."
MilSciFi: "What tips would
you given an aspiring military science fiction author, female or otherwise?"
Brozek: "Realize that
there is a separate military culture. It is not like the south or the north.
There is a different understand of and adherence to the military's rules. Talk
with someone in the military about the story you want to write and let them
help you get the right military feel to the piece."
MilSciFi: "Is military
accuracy important to you, or can one simply 'fake' it?"
Brozek: "Details matter.
At some points, you can fake it but not for long. Especially if your main
character is military and is an expert in their field. Understand everything
from dress codes to insignia to the chain of command. You have to know the
rules before you can break them in a way that makes sense for the genre."
MilSciFi: "Have you been
involved with any similar projects?"
Brozek: "This is the first
time I've been in an all female anthology. I'm looking forward to seeing what
the other authors have written."
MilSciFi: "With your growing
success as an author, do you plan to continue writing for the Defending the
Future series?"
Brozek: "As long as I keep
being invited back, have a good story idea in mind and have the time,
absolutely. I do enjoy writing sff military fiction."
MilSciFi: "Are there any upcoming
projects you would like to tell us about?"
Brozek: "I have a couple
anthologies coming out—Beast Within 2 by Graveside Tales, Space Tramps: Full
Throttle Space Tales #5 and Human for a Day by DAW. I also have a Shadeside
novella coming out from Dark Quest Books in late 2011 called The Lady of Seeking in the City of Waiting."
MilSciFi: "And what events
do you have in the months ahead?"
Brozek: "I will be at
GenCon Indy in early August 2011 and WorldCon/RenovationSF in late August 2011.
That's about as far out in my schedule as I have planned right now."
MilSciFi: "Thank you for your time."
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