theuncool

What resources did you use to research the MaddAddam trilogy, especially the genetic engineering aspect? You write about it so accurately.

I also have a question about your writing. I recently read Ray Bradbury's book Zen and the Art of Writing, and he really advocated for a character-centered approach to writing. He said that he started with the characters and the story just came from the character as he wrote. Do you start with the characters? Setting always plays a very fascinating role in your novels and stories. Does that come before the characters for you?

The field is really taking off (due to the exponentially decreasing costs of gene sequencing and synthesis). Do you think that we will one day see rakunks and pigoons?

How do you think that having tools like Wattpad and Fanado 30 years ago would have changed your career?

Also, what are your thoughts on dividing up authors into categories of "fiction" and "serious fiction/literature" - is it damaging to the authors?