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QUESTIONS FROM READERS

Jeff Shaara answers readers' questions about his current book tour, the amount of time it takes for him to research each of his books, possible film adaptations, and writing tips he picked up from his father, author Michael Shaara.

Jim Ross from Goleta, CA: What advice did your father give you about writing historical fiction that you still follow today? When writing an historical novel, do you find it necessary to actually visit all of the geographic locations that you are writing about? How long (research included) does it take to write a novel such as THE STEEL WAVE? Does it get any easier the more such novels you write?

Jeff Shaara: My father didn't ever give me any specific advice about writing. He would always tell his Creative Writing students at Florida State: "I can't teach you creative writing." The one lesson I learned as a kid, listening to him talk about the stories he was working on (such as Chamberlain at Little Round Top), was: tell a good story. In the end, that's my primary goal. Yes, I work like mad to get the facts straight and be accurate to the characters; but if it's not a good story, no one will want to read it. I wouldn't say it gets easier, because every book has brand new research, and brand new challenges about characterizations, and what direction I'm going to go through the time line. But I feel more confident now, that if I have good research material, and of course, good characters, I believe I can put a story together that should be pretty interesting. After all, I'm working with some of the most fascinating characters in our history.

Traci from Gettysburg, PA: How do you find time to do all your research?

Jeff Shaara: I'm extremely fortunate that I can do my work full time. My father had to teach during the day, and did his writing and research at night (he could never make a living from his writing). I never take for granted how lucky I am that I can call myself a full-time writer.

Tricia from Davie, FL: Will you be touring in South Florida? Are there any plans to adapt these works into film?

Jeff Shaara: No tour stops in South Florida this time. I have no input into that --- those decisions are all made by my publisher. They fielded about 300 invitations and had to narrow those down to a 26-city tour, which was a pretty difficult job. I've done several venues in South Florida in the past, and I'm sure we will do that again, on future tours.

Tricia from Davie, FL: Are there any plans to adapt these works into film?

Jeff Shaara: So far, I've heard talk from Hollywood about several of my books, but that's all it is --- talk. I've learned that there is an awful lot of that in the film business. Maybe something will happen sooner or later, but nothing is in the works right now.

Simon W. from Wexford, PA: Do you recommend reading your works in order, or do the books in the World War II trilogy stand on their own?

Jeff Shaara: It is probably best to read the books in chronological order, but, in theory anyway, each book stands alone. I frequently meet people who have read them in reverse order, and they don't seem to have a problem with that.

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