Ask the Author: Homer Hickam
Answered Questions (38)
Homer Hickam
Dr. von Braun was universally admired by young people in the late 1950's since he was on Disney and much was made of him in a positive way in the press. I made it clear in the memoir, however, that my father was not an admirer and Mr. Bykovski, a Russian Jew, also had problems with von Braun's past. I have a nuanced view of him now based on my own historical research as well as living in Germany for several years & getting to know the German people plus von Braun's and his team's contributions to the city where I live (Huntsville, AL). His children, all grown up and thoroughly American, are also friends so I know he was a good parent. There is about a one or two year period in his life, 1944-45. where he clearly made terrible choices and helped a government filled with murderers. He can't be forgiven for that but it can be recognized that he did his best to atone afterwards by working hard for the USA and helping to open the pathways to space.
Homer Hickam
Thank you for the question. I hope you enjoyed Crater's adventures. The story of him, his gillie (which is illegal but it knows that), and his friends and their life on the moon was meant to be a trilogy so, although I very much enjoyed writing all three novels, I think "The Lunar Rescue Company" will wrap up the series.
Homer Hickam
I just power through it. If I can get a deadline put on a book contract, I've found that a GREAT help! ;)
Homer Hickam
Started Crescent, the next in the series. I was under deadline for a trilogy!
Homer Hickam
Oh, I read so many books on so many topics and in so many genres, it's hard to keep track of them all. I'd have to say I enjoyed the Patrick O'Brian Aubrey/Maturin series. O'Brian is an astonishingly good writer. Some of Larry McMurtry's stuff appeals to me. My answer as to my favorite author is John Steinbeck. If you read my "Carrying Albert Home," maybe you'll understand why. John Biggins is an underrated author. Love his historical series. Also Stephen Saylor's historicals about ancient Rome are grand.
Homer Hickam
Moontown in my Crater Trueblood series. I would ask Crater to (1) show me around, and (2) introduce me to Crescent.
Homer Hickam
He wrote a great book. Only a few people read it.
Homer Hickam
Carrying Albert Home was most definitely my favorite to write.
Homer Hickam
Work through it. That's the only thing you can do. Then go back later and fix it. My best work comes out in the rewrite in any case.
Homer Hickam
That article was the only one I recall but my parents talked about Albert a lot. They were mostly silent on the rooster. My brother is fairly certain he was a spirit animal.
Homer Hickam
No. It just inspired me to show him what I could do.
Homer Hickam
Got a bunch of them, Jennifer, so no particular one. Go here for the list. Thanks for the review: www.homerhickam.com
Homer Hickam
Thank you for your question and comments. I do indeed think I will write more "Coalwood" books but will keep them in the fiction lane due to some Hollywood contractual difficulties that keep me from calling them memoirs. In fact, I'm working on one now, tentatively titled "The God Tree."
Homer Hickam
Dear Oliver: Thank you for your note. I wish I could visit you as well. I hope you've had a great school year and please give my best to your teachers, friends, and family. For more on my books, you can go here: www.homerhickam.com
Homer Hickam
I'm reading books about trees. My next novel centers around a special one so I'm studying up on how they are born and fight off critters and then eventually die. Just for fun, I'll be reading more of the Marius' Mules series by SJA Turney and maybe some ancient Rome mysteries by Lindsey Davis. I love good novels about ancient Rome. Steven Saylor's novels are among the best in this genre, too.
Homer Hickam
Sky of Stone is a memoir/mystery story so that's already been done in a sense. The mystery of my parents' early life was also explored in Carrying Albert Home. Of course, I resolved some of the mysteries surrounding the U-boat warfare along the American coasts in Torpedo Junction and The Keeper's Son. Really, isn't life a complete mystery all by itself? However, there is a mystery that intrigues me. A friend of mine died unexpectedly on a Caribbean island but I swear I saw him on a webcam getting aboard a ferry AFTER he died. A little spooky but there may be a plot there.
Homer Hickam
Sorry I missed you and thank you for being a teacher. Hope you enjoyed Rocket Boys. Think you'd also like the sequels The Coalwood Way and Sky of Stone and the prequel Carrying Albert Home. www.homerhickam.com
Homer Hickam
Thank you, Barbara. You probably noticed that the "Elsie" in the movie wasn't much like the Elsie in Albert. However, I think you'll see she's much the same - although with two plus decades of struggle under her belt - in Rocket Boys. In my opinion, the movie writers missed the heart of the book but I guess they did their best. Hope you enjoy the read. For more, check out my website: www.homerhickam.com.
Homer Hickam
Thanks for the question which is a good one. My editor wondered why the rooster was in the novel at all until she fell in love with the character. My take on the rooster was he had a mysterious, ephemeral presence that might have been diminished if he had a name. The rooster makes for a great discussion topic with the many book clubs that have picked "Albert." Thanks again for the question and so glad you enjoyed his story. Think you'll like Rocket Boys in that it continues the evolution of the Homer and Elsie story through the eyes of their second son.
Homer Hickam
My own "Josh Thurlow" and "Dosie Crossan" from The Keeper's Son, of course! They are very real to me. I intend to continue their adventures soon.
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