This is an author that has nothing to prove to anyone. He has been published in both non-fiction and fiction many times. I checked his author page on Amazon, and there were forty-six books listed. All I can say is, WOW! What a fascinating person who has quite an insight on the world and the people and things in it.
Jerry Weinberg shares his story:
I have always been interested in helping smart people be happy and productive. To that end, I have published books on human behavior, including Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method, The Psychology of Computer Programming, Perfect Software and Other Fallacies, and an Introduction to General Systems Thinking. I have also written books on leadership including Becoming a Technical Leader, The Secrets of Consulting (Foreword by Virginia Satir), More Secrets of Consulting, and the four-volume Quality Software Management series.
I try to incorporate my knowledge of science, engineering, and human behavior into all of my writing and consulting work (with writers, hi-tech researchers, software engineers, and people whose life-situation could require the use of a service dog). I write novels about such people, including The Aremac Project, Aremac Power, Jigglers, First Stringers, Second Stringers, The Hands of God, Freshman Murders, Earth's Endless Effort, and Mistress of Molecules—all about how my brilliant protagonists produce quality work and learn to be happy. My books may be found as eBooks at <http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JerryWeinberg>; on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B000AP8TZ8; and at Barnes and Noble.
Early in my career, I was the architect for the Project Mercury's space tracking network and designer of the world's first multi-programmed operating system. I won the Warnier Prize, the Stevens Award, and the first Software Testing Professionals' Luminary Award, all for MU writing on software quality. I was also elected a charter member of the Computing Hall of Fame in San Diego and chosen for the University of Nebraska Hall of Fame.
However, the "award" I am most proud of is the book, The Gift of Time (Fiona Charles, ed.) written by my student and readers for my 75th birthday. Their stories make me feel that I have been at least partially successful at helping smart people be happy.
Tell us about the genre of your work.
I guess what I do would be called "crossover," as most of my novels touch several genres. For example, in Earth's Endless Effort, the main story is murder—but not the usual kind, as it is a story of preventing the murder of a sentient being. However, since that being is not human, it might be science fiction—and there is a strong romantic element.
Why did you choose this genre?
Because the story comes first, and the story requires those genre elements.
What are some of your books, stories that have been published? Newest book?
Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method
I have published dozens of nonfiction books, but this is the one of most interest to writers (the others can be seen on my website). It is intended to teach other writers how I write without ever experiencing so-called "writer's block."
Freshman Murders:
Freshman Murders is a "Nerder Mystery," which means that the detectives who solve these crimes are nerds-brilliant individuals whose social skills may not equal their skills in mathematics. Josh Rosemont, finds a young woman's body in the woods. He is paralyzed by her resemblance to his murdered daughter. He is enraged into action by an obstructive Dean. Teaming with his cop-turned-anthropologist wife, Carmela, and his four-genius graduate students, he sets out to prevent another murder.
First Stringers:
What happens if the physicists' String Theory is correct, and the "real" universe is nothing more than a human mental construct? And, what happens to the half-dozen young adults who, through an accident on their common day of conception, can mentally pull the strings of the universe?
Second Stringers:
What happens if the physicists' String Theory is correct? The "real" universe is a human mental construct. Moreover, what happens to the half-dozen young adults who, through an accident on their common day of conception, can mentally pull the strings of the universe? Sequel to First Stringers
The Hands of God:
How would you live if you lost your hands? Could you feed and clean yourself? Dress yourself, or even tie your shoes? Orphaned Pamela compensates for her missing hands by developing an extraordinary ability to visualize and predict patterns. When she uses this ability to pick winning horses, she becomes entangled with bookies and gangs. When she uses it to save the lives of young leukemia victims, her runaway guardian returns to sell her into virtual slavery to a giant medical corporation. Now she must choose between new hands for herself or new lives for hundreds of leukemia victims.
The Aremac Project:
A terrorist group has been bombing landmarks in Chicago, attempting to extort millions from the city. In the desperate search for clues, two agents hire a pair of graduate students, hoping to apply their experimental discoveries to read more from a suspect's mind. When a sudden murder stymies their investigation, the investigators and the unique Aremac project becomes the terrorist's next target!
Aremac Power:
Marna has a PhD in theoretical physics. So does Tess.
Marna is unhappy–nobody pays attention to her theory of quantum displacement. Tess is unhappy–everybody pays attention to Aremac, her reverse camera. Evil people will go to any length to steal their work, but first they will have to outwit Tess and Marna's team of geniuses.
Mistress of Molecules:
Libra has a hidden fully equipped chemical lab, built by her father before he was taken away and killed by the Church for the crime of possessing forbidden chemicals. Now, she continues her father’s work as she fights to liberate her planet using her extraordinary powers to terrorize those in power, she is even willing to fall in love with a half-human, half-alien if that helps her cause.
Earth's Endless Effort (this is my most recent book):
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IZLHBY
LAFE does not live in the forest. LAFE is the forest. LAFE's size and thousands of years of experience provide the wisdom to survive. When a pipeline project threatens to slice LAFE's brain, LAFE seeks the aid of Daphne DeFreest. But first, they must heal her broken body and find a way to communicate. Then Daphne must find the love of her life, and they all must cope with their common enemies. This is their story.
How do you come up with the names of places and characters in your books?
My places are generally real places, with real names. For character names, I generally scan phone books and find first and last names that seem to fit. I tend to believe that names carry meanings that influence children as they grow up.
How did you develop the character of your protagonist in this book?
She is a New York City girl, modeled after my wife. She has been all over the world, but she has never really been in a forest, let alone a forest in the American West. Therefore, I know the reactions of my wife as I took her West, and living in Colorado, I had the chance to interact with many city folks from Back East.
What about an antagonist…is there a unique “bad guy” or a recurring nemesis of any kind?
He is a New York City guy, a stockbroker on the make. I have known many of his type from the years I lived in Manhattan, and in my consulting with various brokerage firms as well as the Stock Exchanges. He is a greedy, self-centered, male chauvinist, who will cheat at any game to gain an advantage. He is good-looking and rich, though, and attractive to many women.
What is your favorite thing about your book?
The forest, LAFE (Large Aspen Forest Entity). He is an alien, and so has a way of seeing us and our culture that is different, and eye opening. Of course, he has been around longer than we have, so we are actually the aliens. Given how badly he has been treated by humans, he is remarkably kind to us.
How is writing in the genre you write, different than other genre?
I suppose crossing over is different. Writers are often advised not to mix genres, but I ignore that warning. I write the story as it comes to me, and I am never concerned about what sells and what does not.
Why and when did you begin writing?
I never began. I have been writing as long as I can remember. I do not remember ever not knowing how to read and write. When I was at most four, I used to write stories for my father. He would pick out ten words from the newspaper he was reading, explain their meanings to me, and then have me write a story that used all ten. I used to love that exercise, and I have loved writing ever since.
What is your writing schedule?
I do not write "on schedule." I write when I feel the urge to write, and I write only things I care deeply about. I might wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, scene, or character I need to write about, so I get up and head for my computer to write until I am finished. Wherever I am, I carry writing materials so I can capture any writing that comes to me. I even keep a diver's slate in my shower, so I can capture ideas even when wet.
What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future?
As always, I am working on many projects at once. I am revising most of my nonfiction book and putting them up as eBooks. I am gathering material for several novels—sequels to existing novels as well as some new mysteries with new characters.
What kind of advice or tips to you have for someone who wants to write (especially mystery)?
I would have them read my book, Weinberg on Writing, where they will learn my "fieldstone method." I wrote the book based on my own techniques I have been teaching writers for more than thirty years. Other than that, the main advice is to write, write, and keep writing, but never write anything you do not care deeply about.
Are there any other comments, advice or tips that you would give to beginning writers?
Prepare for the long haul. Building a writing career takes time, patience, and persistence. When you read about "overnight wonders," those stories are bunk, concocted by journalists who omit the hard facts of a writing career.
What do you do when you are not writing?
Not writing? What does that mean? A writer is always writing, though s/he may not be "writing down." When I hike in the woods, I get some of my best ideas. When I read other writers' books, I am learning what works and what does not. And, when I play with my grandchildren, they are one of my greatest sources of material for my books.
What “Made It” moments have you experienced in life?
I have received many awards for my writing, but the real "made it" moments are when readers tell me that something I have written has made a difference in their lives. And, my biggest "made it" moment was when I married Dani, 50 years ago. Without her, I would never have become the writer—or the person—I am today.
If you want to know more about the author, his work and explore his world you can do this on his website at:
http://www.geraldmweinberg.com/Site/Home.html
