HB Kurtzwilde recently discussed the ongoing story Sea Of Glass with it's author AJ Wilde.  The story can be found at the Liminal Ink Live Journal Community:  http://community.livejournal.com/liminal_ink/profile

HB: How did the idea of Liminality influence the writing of this story?

AJW: I wanted to write a story which examined the concept of conscious choice of gender.  Human life begins as a dual-sexed being, and the selection is made in utero. We never have the chance to explore the "other".  I wanted to explore the premise "what if we had until the onset of adulthood to make a conscious choice about gender?" For those who feel they walk a line between one gender and the other, this may strike a few chords. If we were able to experience each to the full, would we make the right choice?  Or is it our nature never to be satisfied?

HB: Does this story fit in with your previous work, or is it a new experiment for you?

AJW: This is a new venture into the realm of sci-fi/fantasy. I wanted to do something which was in my heart, but yet quite distinct from anything I have previously published.

HB: Tell us a little about your writing method...

AJW: I don't have one. Ha ha, no. What I really mean is, I have no plan. I write entirely by the seat of my pants, intuitively, instinctively. Some folks call this "stream of consciousness". That sounds too high-fallutin' to me, so I prefer to say that I write by feel, you know - groping my way along in the semi-dark, with only the vague sensation of a storyline and characters whispering in my ear to guide me. Wait! That's a metaphor! How did that happen?! You see, that's how I write ... ;O

HB: How long have you been writing?

AJW: Since I was four, man. Oh, you mean professionally? I wrote my first Harlequin novel when I was twenty. Needless to say, it was rejected. My first publication came in Internet Year 1.1, 1995.

HB: What are your favorite genres? Why?

AJW: My favorite genre to write is contemporary, but with a twist. This could play out either as a supernatural event, or a time-shifting experience i.e. past life recall. Lately, I'm itching to venture into the vampire genre.

HB: How has the Internet changed writing?

AJW: I think it has created a wealth of opportunities, but also pitfalls. Writers have to be very careful when choosing a publisher, and readers need to learn to discriminate between good writing and bad. There is a lot of bad writing out there - but there is also a vast pool of extraordinary original talent, a lot of which would never have seen the light of day except for the Internet.

HB: How did you create these characters?

AJW: Uh. *scratches head* Dude, they were already there, just waiting for me to hear their voices. This is their story.

HB: Do you know how long the story will be when it is completed?

AJW: I have no idea really, but I'm figuring on around 80,000 words.

HB: Who influenced you to become a writer?

AJW: My Dad, my English teacher, and Virginia Woolf.

HB: Is there anything you do, other than writing, that helps you be a better writer?

AJW: Living. Reading. Loving. Hurting. Being.