Taming the Tangle of Too Much Tech: Roping
in the Rocket Science of an Authentic Space
Thriller
Bob Mahoney—ex-rocket
scientist, father of five, cancer survivor
(so far!), and recent middle school science
teacher—offers his thoughts on how to
maintain the thrill in the technothriller
while keeping the physics (and the hardware)
as accurate as any engineer could want. While
his own specialty is spaceflight (he taught
astronauts how to fly the shuttle for nearly
ten years), his lessons learned apply to any
author whose passion for their subject matter
runs the risk of overwhelming their narrative:
historical fiction, spy thriller, or CSI-driven
mystery.
While a few of the usual creativity-dampening
things have hindered his progress on actually
TYPING his second space-thriller novel—more
kids, chemotherapy, needing sleep—his
first novel Damned to Heaven (conceived
more than six years prior to the Columbia
accident, about a shuttle crew trapped in
orbit by debris-induced heat shield damage)
is still out there impressing folks both in
and out of the space program. He has also
written for The Space Review and other
publications. His passion for spaceflight
is only matched by that for his other loves:
his family, writing, and teaching.
Bob's reaction to learning that he had cancer
("Oh, great, more medical crap!"),
is only one hint that his unique perspective
promises some interesting discussion. "We
learn from our mistakes," Bob notes.
"And I've had quite an education."
Come join us as Bob shares some of his education.
Beginning in July, 2008, the monthly programs will be held at the League office, 611 South Congress, Suite 130, Austin. (one block south of the intersection of South Congress and Riverside Drive). Social time is at 7 PM and the program begins at 7:30 PM.
