The Ascension Factor
Posted: 19 Jan 2009 01:44
1989 Edition by Frank Herbert and Bill Ransom
copyright Theresa Shackelford and Dell Call and Bill Ransom
Introduction
When Frank and I began The Jesus Incident series in 1978 we made only one agreement: that our work together would be fun, that at no time would the story interfere with friendship. We shook on that, as fellow natives of the Puyallup valley are accustomed to do. We had been friends for a long time, and intended to keep the friendship. Writing a book together, like buying a car together, was something we approached with due caution.
It was a little like getting married, this coauthor business. As it turns out, each book in the series was marked by a personal tragedy for one or the other of us, bt our stories saved us. Over fifteen years I never laughed so hard or so often with anyone as I did working with Frank. The Ascension Factor, a book that we had planned to enjoy together, weathered the greatest tragedy of them all. The book goes on. I guess that's the way it is with writers.
Frank worked through the plotting and character development of The Ascension Factor, but circumstances left the last writing chore to me. After all these years it was easy to keep him here, looking over my shoulder, muttering one-liners as I wrote up the lat of what we'd started. My greatest fear was that I would love that sense of presence, of good companionship, when this book ended. With Frank, of all people, I should have known better.
Bill Ransom
Port Townsend
1987
Different isn't it?
As opposed to what Brian has written (whined) in DoD....such as Frank monopolizing the dinner conversation.
copyright Theresa Shackelford and Dell Call and Bill Ransom
Introduction
When Frank and I began The Jesus Incident series in 1978 we made only one agreement: that our work together would be fun, that at no time would the story interfere with friendship. We shook on that, as fellow natives of the Puyallup valley are accustomed to do. We had been friends for a long time, and intended to keep the friendship. Writing a book together, like buying a car together, was something we approached with due caution.
It was a little like getting married, this coauthor business. As it turns out, each book in the series was marked by a personal tragedy for one or the other of us, bt our stories saved us. Over fifteen years I never laughed so hard or so often with anyone as I did working with Frank. The Ascension Factor, a book that we had planned to enjoy together, weathered the greatest tragedy of them all. The book goes on. I guess that's the way it is with writers.
Frank worked through the plotting and character development of The Ascension Factor, but circumstances left the last writing chore to me. After all these years it was easy to keep him here, looking over my shoulder, muttering one-liners as I wrote up the lat of what we'd started. My greatest fear was that I would love that sense of presence, of good companionship, when this book ended. With Frank, of all people, I should have known better.
Bill Ransom
Port Townsend
1987
Different isn't it?
As opposed to what Brian has written (whined) in DoD....such as Frank monopolizing the dinner conversation.