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Archive => Archive => Topic started by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 17, 2006, 09:09:04 PM

Title: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 17, 2006, 09:09:04 PM
So I don't know if any of you have noticed but we've got Bob Greenberger, author of the new Predator novel on the forum with us. I'd like to invite you all to throw up questions - relating to the Predator novels, his other work and etc - for Bob.

Look forward to other authors joining soon as well.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: The Ultimate Predator on Dec 17, 2006, 09:13:30 PM
Before you were writing for a living, what motivated you to keep writing?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Dec 17, 2006, 09:16:04 PM
You know, I can never remember a time when I wasn't try to write or tell stories.  In many ways, I may be a stronger editor and administrator than I am a writer, but that doesn't mean I'm not interested in writing.  These all require different sets of muscles and this way I can stretch and exericse all of them.

Given my current schedule, I am an administrator by day and writer by night so the editorial muscles are at rest.  With luck, I'll find some freelance editing to do in 2007 that will enable me to stretch those too.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 17, 2006, 09:22:53 PM
What do you mean by administrator?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Yautja on Dec 18, 2006, 02:02:45 AM

I noticed that you have written many Star Trek novels. So what inspired or encouraged you to write a Predator novel?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Dec 18, 2006, 05:39:12 PM
Corporal,

I have a talent for scheduling and organizing so over time, I shifted from being an editor at DC Comics to being the Editorial Coordinator -- I was helping to schedule talent across all of DC's publications, coordinatiing and priortizing lettering and coloring assignments and helping figure out where new projects should fall on the schedule.  Those talents were used plus others when I served as Marvel Director -- Publishing Operations for a year.

Yautja,

While I have written many Star Trek titles over the years, it is in no way the only franchise that interests me.  I've been looking for other places to stretch my writing muscles and when Mike Friedman contacted me with the opportunity to join him here, it was too tempting to pass up.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 18, 2006, 05:48:03 PM
In your interview (http://www.avpgalaxy.net/website/interviews/robert-greenberger/), you mentioned you wouldn't be going deep into the heads of the Hish. I was wondering why? Is it because of some of the reception Forever Midnight recieved? - which was funnily enough because people liked the Perry's version, which was heavily blasted at Prey's time of publishing too.  ::)
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: The Ultimate Predator on Dec 18, 2006, 06:45:31 PM
How long on average does it take for you to get a book completed?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Sealink on Dec 19, 2006, 03:28:36 AM
In Stan Winston's new book "The Winston Effect", he talks about creating the Predator with the special effects team. Below is a quote:

"I met with John McTiernan and Joel Silver and we talked about the Predator," Winston recalled. "My feeling from reading the script was that the Predator had to be a real character, rather than a generic creature. He needed to be a very specific character - and that's what we came up with."

As a writer for Star Trek, you were already very used to working within the constraints of a known and pre-defined universe. How easy was it to ignore the decades of Predator and AVP canon and continue to piss away the good will of the fanbase?

Moderators Edit: Watch your language. Bob is doing us a service here and insulting him isn't the way to go around it.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Sara on Dec 19, 2006, 03:30:54 AM
Quite peculiar...maybe this will clear up some things that happened with Mr. Shirley.

I am not fond of Shirley's story at all.  In fact, I wish I had bought the book used so that my money would not be directly used to support the publisher.  I am very distraught that you or whoever has planned this new book have decided to drag elements of Shirley's story into yet, ANOTHER new book.

I am able to understand why the old non-DH books can not be used.  Things with copyright are more than enough to prevent elements of one story to be used in another, and by another publisher. 

What makes me upset is that this new book is not a clean slate.  I was hoping that maybe the new author would of decided to go in an entirely new direction.  But now when I will see this new novel on the shelves, I will have to be reminded of the "crap" that is Forever Midnight.

Call it clashing views and ideas of the Predators, if you must.  But I would of hoped that Shirley's story would of ended with the last chapter of Forever Midnight.  The story goes against the canon of the original movies; mainly the second Predator movie as well as Alien vs Predator.

So, my question is: why didn't you decide to take an entirely new approach?  Why did you incorporate elements of Forever Midnight into your novel instead of trying to create something new, and something that makes more sense when coupled with the original source movies?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 19, 2006, 09:01:50 AM
This is a warning. There will be no insult or degrogatory comments thrown towards Mr Greenberger! The decision to ignore Perry's version of the Predators was the choice of DH Press, not Forever Midnight. And it was a risky thing to do on their behalf because of the reaction it has elicted from Yautja fans. But regardless, it has not clashed with any cannon because none of the other novels count.

As stated by Mr Greenberger in his interview, Flesh and Blood will not go into the minds of the Hish, so you don't have to worry about any interaction on the level of Forever Midnight.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Sara on Dec 19, 2006, 09:35:53 AM
While we may be Yautja fans, we are also open to new versions of the Predators that are still true to the original source movies.  Case in point, the Hish were not.

And I don't think our replies were extremely rude to Mr. Greenberger.  I think you know as well as everyone else does that there could be levels much worse than discussed here.  That, and any author knows that there will be some critics with their admirers.  Just consider us the devil's advocate, eh?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 19, 2006, 09:38:27 AM
It was directed at the post above you, Sara. And you probably don't remember me from the old AvPGalaxy board but it's nice to see you again.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Sara on Dec 19, 2006, 09:48:57 AM
I also see you on The Hunted.  I remember you very well. :)
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: The Ultimate Predator on Dec 19, 2006, 10:11:28 AM
Yes, no insulting, there is no need for it.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Mr. Weyland on Dec 19, 2006, 04:46:05 PM
cool, good to see you Rob, cant wait to read your Predator book, all I have to do is buy it, I am going shoping soon so I hope i can find it  ;D
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 19, 2006, 04:53:25 PM
Flesh and Blood wont be out until March next year.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Sara on Dec 19, 2006, 05:06:29 PM
Oh yay.  That means I can ask for it for my birthday. ;P
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Sealink on Dec 19, 2006, 07:07:15 PM
Let's not get into who is insulting whom here. We're not talking about simply ignoring the Perry's version of the Predators, although that by itself is reason enough not to purchase the novels they've put out after the fact.

We're talking about taking a "f*cking alien" and making it complicit in the shady dealings of humans. We're talking about taking an eight-foot tall killing machine with a stringent social structure and respect for their equals and turning them into hired assassins for the human underground.

I KNOW. WHAT'S NOT TO LIKE.   ::)

Not to mention the fact that Mr. Greenberger seems to contradict himself in the interview, on the one hand calling P2 unsuccessful because of how close it got to the creature, but in his own novel, he's going to have them dealing with humans, at least enough for a human to specify a target and the Predators to say, "Yeah, okay, sure." and go try to kill it. Sweet, sweet irony.

Fanboys always jump on fangirls for characterizing Predators, for giving them thoughts and motivations outside of killing, even though that's exactly what Predator 2 and AVP showed us could happen. Yet, the company who owns them continues to pay people to muddy their image as an honorable race; they're nothing more than hired thugs, regardless of whether you "get into their heads" or not.

I'm sorry you think of my comments as derogatory. People are obviously more interested in toeing the line than making sure our fandom isn't something to be embarassed about.  I'm sorry that our fandom is so whipped that we can no longer hold the creators of canon responsible for gross missteps in the creation of that canon.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Sara on Dec 19, 2006, 07:21:28 PM
Thank you for clarifying Sealink.  What I am trying to get at is that I am very open to new interpretations of the Predators, even if that means leaving the "Yautja" concept behind.  But these new "incarnations" need to be true to the source material, including P2 and AVP.  I have not seen that with Forever Midnight, and now it seems the same with this new novel coming out.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Mr. Weyland on Dec 20, 2006, 01:17:29 AM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Dec 19, 2006, 04:53:25 PM
Flesh and Blood wont be out until March next year.
oh well. i look for another book or something whilst i wait  :P
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Dec 21, 2006, 02:46:00 PM
Hi All,

I appreciate the spirited discussion and I love to see the passion exhibited for what has been done with the Predators since the first film.  Let's see if I can address everyone's points.

Corporal Hicks, I said I wasn't going deep into the heads of the Hish, and allow me to clarify.  Mike had a very specific idea for how he wanted them handled, hence his decision not to give them dialogue.  I'm essentially leaving the deep thinking and POV work to Mike, giving him something to work with.  The Hish culture is a fascinating one given that they've essentially allowed themselves to put the Hunt above all else, letting them become scavengers to improve on weapons and technology.  This single-mindedness has pitfalls that would make for interesting stories down the road.

Ultimate Predator, given that I have a day job and other commitments, I try and allow myself two to three months to completely write a novel once the outline is approved.  In this case, as explored in the interview, it was written under tighter circumstances but it's nice to know I can actually write an entire novel in a month.

Sealink, you raise some very valid issues from a fan's perspective.  However, what we need to keep in mind is that the Predator is owned by Twentieth Century-Fox and they direct how their franchise is to be handled by licensees.  If current licensing management wants a fresh approach to the novels, then that is what DH Books will instruct its writers.  If the fans love the previous version so much they boycott the new novels, then 20th learns a lesson.  On the other hand, if the DH version sells as well or better, then that means the material may be appealing to an even broader audience.

As for ignoring the decades of canon, it wasn't my choice.  Had I been told to follow the "canon" (a word that is given extreme reverence by Star Trek fans), then I would have done my homework and satisfied that request.

Also, allow me to clarify my other point.  I found P2 unsuccessful because the atmosphere that worked so well in the first was gone.  It was too brightly lit, the Predators and humans interacted with no sense of mystery and I just didn't like it.  Also, you will see some extreme hunting between humans and predators in our novel, but they won't be going out for beers afterwards.

Sara, again, we're following DH and 20th's editorial direction so we're sharing the universe with FM but not necessarily going out of our way to link them.  Our book stands fairly well on its own.  And remember, for those who feel FM  or anything else is "crap", there are others who love it.  We have a wide range of readers and opinions and rarely is the opinion universal for or against.

We didn't tale an entirely new approach because we didn't need to.  The elements incorporated from FM  are really minor with the exception of continuing to refer to the Predators as Hish.  I'd like to think fans of the first film will find our book satisfying.  When it comes out, read it and we can continue this discussion.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Dec 22, 2006, 07:02:54 PM
You mentioned you'd already finished the intial draft. When do you expect to get around to doing the second draft?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Dec 23, 2006, 03:45:33 PM
Funny you should ask.  I'm turning the draft over to Mike today and let him get to work on his part.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: BrokenTusk on Jan 09, 2007, 07:30:52 PM
This has been bothering me since Forever Midnight, but will you include John Shirley's Hish gender change ? Pardon me for being blunt, but the fact that Forever Midnight included that one individual predator could be both genders, kinda felt weird and lame. also if you don't does that mean that they're different types of Hish, like clans ?
Title: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Feb 17, 2007, 06:59:01 PM
Hey Bob! Your novel is due out next month, any ideas when the previews'll go online?
Title: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: BrokenTusk on Feb 18, 2007, 01:52:58 AM
is Bob around here anymore ? if so what do you think of Mr. Shirley incorporating both Yautja and Hish in his "probable" next book ?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Jun 13, 2007, 06:23:30 PM
Interesting question.  If he can make it work, then more power to him.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: steveperry on Jun 13, 2007, 09:02:34 PM
Quote from: Sealink on Dec 19, 2006, 07:07:15 PM
Let's not get into who is insulting whom here. We're not talking about simply ignoring the Perry's version of the Predators, although that by itself is reason enough not to purchase the novels they've put out after the fact.

People are obviously more interested in toeing the line than making sure our fandom isn't something to be embarassed about.  I'm sorry that our fandom is so whipped that we can no longer hold the creators of canon responsible for gross missteps in the creation of that canon.

Pardon me for butting into your thread, Bob, but this came up in mine and I thought I'd pass it along.

As writers, we have great respect for our fans. But as writers, we also know that there are die-hard fans who will argue at great length with each other over the smallest details; what is canon and what is not, and there is simply no way to please them all.

Make the guys who think the Predators are tougher than the Aliens happy, you irritate the guys on the other side of the aisle.

Even two dyed-in-the-wool Predator fans who agree about 90% of the time will argue endlessly over minutiae that most people a) don't see and b) could not care less about.

The fan base is as diverse as any group of readers, and what you want to do is to interest and please as many of them as you can -- not the handful of guys who are sure they are the only folks who truly understand the universe, and that everybody else is a dolt.

That's not for whom you write. You can't. They can't buy enough books to keep the series viable.

People who would rather the Predators stay mysterious have a valid point. As writers, however, we need to know something about our characters, and the reason I got inside their heads was because I was curious and able to do something about it.

Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Sep 13, 2007, 01:43:18 PM
Hey all,

Now that Flesh and Blood is out, I'll be checking here regularly in case you want to talk about the book.

Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Sep 13, 2007, 01:48:14 PM
PR actually told me the novel wasn't out...?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Spaghetti on Sep 14, 2007, 07:37:28 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Sep 13, 2007, 01:48:14 PM
PR actually told me the novel wasn't out...?

damn it isnt?

I was planning on taking a stroll down to my nearest Borders to look for it.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Destroyer on Oct 15, 2007, 09:25:20 AM
It's out.  I bought it yesterday in Australia.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Oct 15, 2007, 01:30:47 PM
Cool.  Now, I only hope you enjoy it.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: War Wager on Oct 15, 2007, 02:16:13 PM
I've never read a Predator novel before, whats the basic plot in Flesh and Blood?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Oct 15, 2007, 09:33:48 PM
Buy it and find out.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Nov 08, 2007, 03:19:38 PM
Can you tell us of the origins of the basic story? Where did the idea to do inter-family/clan come from?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: War Wager on Nov 08, 2007, 03:26:03 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 15, 2007, 09:33:48 PM
Buy it and find out.

I'd like him to tweak my interest in it.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Nov 08, 2007, 03:37:21 PM
Read my review for that.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Nov 09, 2007, 05:37:59 PM
<Can you tell us of the origins of the basic story? Where did the idea to do inter-family/clan come from?>

It came from Mike's fevered brow.  All I did was run with it.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Nov 11, 2007, 12:14:11 AM
Oh, I forgot. He outlined it, you wrote it, right?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Nov 11, 2007, 02:55:48 PM
Mike prepped a 5-6 page outline and then expanded it a bit with chapter breaks.  I then wrote a first draft.  Mike then edited and modified the second draft. That's the short version of the process.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Mar 27, 2008, 01:29:10 AM
Bob! You seen any other responses to the novel?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Apr 04, 2008, 04:09:15 PM
No, the comments were really quiet after the initial release.  What about you?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Apr 04, 2008, 10:51:31 PM
Outside the fan forums, nothing much. But it's a given that you're novel is liked more than Forever Midnight. Do franchise novels not usually get critic reviews or such?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Apr 09, 2008, 01:22:18 PM
No, they receive very little in the way of reviews both in print and on line.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: War Wager on Apr 09, 2008, 01:37:37 PM
Why is that?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Apr 10, 2008, 01:34:20 PM
Essentially, media tie-in novels tend to be looked down on by other book readers and reviewers.  We're off in a corner, generating profits and good word of mouth but get no love.  It's one reason we've banded together to form the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers to band together and drum up support.  We even created our own awards, the Scribes, presented at the San Diego Convention in the summer.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Apr 10, 2008, 02:56:14 PM
Is that the award Beth Christensen has been nominated for? For Casualties of War?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Apr 11, 2008, 12:55:55 PM
Yes, it is.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: War Wager on Apr 11, 2008, 01:18:15 PM
Would you like to involved in an A/P/AvP movie in any way?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Apr 12, 2008, 01:22:07 PM
Good question.  Honestly, I have no aspirations for film or television writing.  They are formats that I find daunting.  Having said that, I actually have notions for two movies and some day I may try my hand at them.

Meantime, I'd love a crack at Alien or another shot at Predator and have made certain my editor is aware of this.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: War Wager on Apr 12, 2008, 06:47:02 PM
Write a good AvP script and hand it to Fox fast, before they hire Shane Salerno again!  :P
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: felix on Apr 13, 2008, 05:43:29 AM
Mr Greenberger,

I really liked Predator: Flesh and Blood and I also agree about everything you've about movie tie in writers. You guys just don't get enough credit. I am a big movie novelization collector and I feel that Novelizations definitely add a great deal to the richness of movie going. I ususally read the Novelization after I've seen the film to broaden my film knowledge.

The best Novelizations I've read is The Abyss's Novelization by Orson Scott Card and the Alien Series Novelizations by Alan Dean Forster. But the most profilic Movie Tie -in writer is of course your President Max Allan Collins. I am not exactly a big fan of his writing style, but I'll definitely be picking up his Mummy: Curse of the Dragon King and X-Files 2 novelizations later this year.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Apr 13, 2008, 11:59:59 AM
Thanks for the kind words, Felix.  For my next trick, in late May, DH Books should be releasing my novelization to Hellboy II:The Golden Army.  Being my first actual novelization, I am hoping I did a creditable job.

Max does his best writing on his own, original fiction.  The novelizations are meat and potatoes writing for him, I think.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Corporal Hicks on Apr 13, 2008, 01:05:48 PM
You know, I gotta admit I'm looking forward to TGA. Folk slated Hellboy 1 but I thought it was fantastic! I love del Toro.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: felix on Apr 13, 2008, 02:00:23 PM
Ah yes, I almost forgot that the Golden Army is coming out. I'am definitely going to check up on it. I've read the previous Hellboy novelization by Yvonne Navarro and I am looking forward to your first novelizations. Best of luck to you!

About Flesh and Blood, I liked the way you wrote about the Predator Clan. I grew up on Steve Perry's Yuatja version of Predators. And even though you called them Hish (hate the name), the Predator's characterization is very similar to Mr Perry's.

Is Dark Horse's official name for Predators now "The Hish"? I hope not.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: Simbobs12345 on Jul 05, 2008, 11:35:30 PM
I am waiting for the library to send Flesh and Blood. What can I expect from it?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: episodenone on Jul 09, 2008, 06:24:06 PM
Quote from: bobgreenberger on Apr 10, 2008, 01:34:20 PM
Essentially, media tie-in novels tend to be looked down on by other book readers and reviewers.  We're off in a corner, generating profits and good word of mouth but get no love.  It's one reason we've banded together to form the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers to band together and drum up support.  We even created our own awards, the Scribes, presented at the San Diego Convention in the summer.

funny that you say this.
i once asked Randy Stradley why, despite some SW comics being totally awesome, they NEVER EVER seem to be nominated for any awards anywhere.
he told me, much like you say: "Essentially, media tie-in novels tend to be looked down on by other book readers and reviewers.  We're off in a corner, generating profits and good word of mouth but get no love.  " 
except obviously we were talking about comic books.

there are soooooooooooooooooo many tie-ins in comics!
i wonder if you guys over at International Association of Media Tie-In Writers include comic book writers and artists?
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Jul 18, 2008, 02:25:28 AM
The IAMTW has indeed discussed encompassing comic book creators since many of us do double-duty.

Nothing definite yet.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: felix on Jul 18, 2008, 11:06:46 PM
Nice work on the Hellboy Novelization, Mr Greenberger.

I really enjoyed it. I especially liked the Rasputin and Kronnen cameos in the epilogue. I assume you were following the "Conquerer Worm" storyline from the Dark Horse Comics.
Title: Re: Ask Bob Greenberger
Post by: bobgreenberger on Jul 19, 2008, 11:22:11 AM
I appreciate the kind words.  I do read the comic books but not as religiously as I should.