Our memory, it usually works okay, but not always. Wouldn’t it be great to have a photographic memory! Just concentrate and pull up whatever you need. Michael Kingman — that’s his name! Two kids, lives in Philadelphia, an attorney for Morris and Stengle, was telling me about this great Italian restaurant on Walnut and 18th, …

Well you get the idea. Total recall. Remembering EVERYTHING that happens to you. And not just images — sounds, voices, temperature, emotions — EVERYTHING.

Lifelogging, sometimes called lifeblogging, is the name of this capability to record and recall every aspect of the flow of your life. Scientists believe that technologies developed over the coming years will provide total recall. We will be able to share our personal experiences with others, too. Sounds great, huh? Well maybe, but there’s a downside, as you might expect.

Let’s start at the beginning. Lifelogging is possible today, but it’s primitive. For example, Microsoft Research has invented a lifelogging device called a SenseCam, which hangs around your neck and automatically snaps a picture once a minute. As an alternative, the SenseCam may be triggered by a change in light, temperature or movement.

The SenseCam provides a digital record of virtually everything you see. If you combine images with a digital recording of everything you hear, well, then you really have something. That conversation with Mr. Kingman, for example, could be replayed to provide all the information you picked up from him.

Okay, this is a pretty trivial example, but you get the picture. In theory, every aspect of your life could be digitized, but is it worth it? Will these technologies make our lives better, richer, more fulfilling? Should we provide the capability to relive portions of our lives and experience the emotion of the birth of our first child, the excitement of winning the big game, or the quiet pleasure of exchanging wedding vows? Or maybe we just want rapid access to information for business purposes? Or memories to leave for your children after your death?

Have you read Dune by Frank Herbert? A society of women, called the Bene Gesserit, have the ability to pass along their entire lives to a younger Sister at the time of their death. Over the centuries, these Sisters accumulate many lives, which they may call on for guidance or information. What if you could call up not only your own memories, but the memories of others, such as ancestors, scientists, explorers, jet pilots and many others? Would that be a high or what? Isn’t the future full of surprises?

Now for the downside. Privacy might become a thing of the past. Think it’s bad to see an unauthorized personal video on Youtube? What if your whole life could be put on the net for anyone to browse? Even more frightening is what the government could do with a disc containing your memories. What if all citizens were required to record their lives into a government controlled storage? Hello, 1984.

Lifelogging is just one of many developing technologies that will have a massive impact on our lives over the next few decades. And we are far from ready. That’s why I write cautionary novels like PeaceMaker and Unholy Domain.

Unholy Domain, my new novel, has been compared by reviewers to the works of legendary science fiction author Philip K. Dick. I’m honored to be mentioned in the same breath with the creator of Blade Runner, Minority Report and other classics. In Unholy Domain, I’ve followed Dick’s investigations into the dark new worlds of the near future.

“Unholy Domain tackles the age-old battle of scientific enlightenment and reason vs. religious fanaticism. In a future world ravaged by technology two factions fight for supremacy. Dan Ronco tells a tale that is unique, provocative, and engrossing while maintaining enough slam-bang action to keep you turning the pages. It reads like a cross between Blade Runner and Angels and Demons.”

---R. Douglas Weber, author of Solomon’s Key: The CODIS Project

“Dan Ronco fills the gap left by Philip K. Dick with Unholy Domain.”

---Simon Wood, the Anthony Award winning author of Paying the Piper

“This dark novel is a thought provoking, edgy look at the near future, much like Blade Runner, Minority Report and other Dick classics. No admirer of the old master should miss Unholy Domain”

---Book Worms Magazine

“... a panoply of what-if scenarios have been posited and explored by a new generation of authors that pick up where Asimov and Dick left off. Dan Ronco is one of them.”

---Roundtable Reviews

“ Dan Ronco’s Unholy Domain is a science fiction story that is very much a mix between George Orwell’s 1984 and Philip Dick’s Minority Report”

---All Fiction Books

Please read a chapter of Unholy Domain on my Amazon page.

If you’re looking for advice on how to pick up a woman at a bar, this isn’t it, but if you’d like to know how to build a friendship with the opposite sex, then stay. Not that I’m the guru of first impressions, but what the heck, even an unwound clock is right twice a day.

First, you need to be comfortable with yourself. Not arrogant, not ignorant, just comfortable. If you’re not, she’ll probably figure out that you’re a phony or a loser. By the way, if you are, stop reading now, I can’t help you.

First piece of advice: don’t talk about yourself all the time. Let’s face it, you’re probably a little boring. Your story about how you saved the company 3% in office supplies isn’t really that fascinating. No offense, but let her do most of the talking.

This next one is very important: Look into her eyes while you’re having a conversation. Her breasts don’t speak, so there’s no point in staring at them. Unless she’s really …. but I’m losing my train of thought.

Now listen up, we’re getting to the most important stuff. Try and have a real conversation with the woman. You know, something you’re both interested in. It’s hard to believe, but she may not care if the Eagles beat the Cowboys.

Contrary to common belief, women do have a sense of humor. They will laugh if you happen to say something that’s actually funny. Laughter is a great way to break the ice and begin a friendship. Just as long as she’s laughing with you, not at you. You understand the difference, don’t you?

And above all, don’t try too hard. This is related to my first point, but somewhat different. Don’t push too hard or too fast, she’ll get suspicious. If she asks probing questions, tell her that all the charges were dropped, or whatever else comes to mind. Keep the conversation low-key and, well, conversational. There’s an old Chinese proverb that says just sprinkle a little water and the desert will bloom with a thousand flowers. Or some crap like that.

You’ll know pretty quickly if you and your target, er, acquaintance are hitting it off. If so, keep doing what you’re doing. If not, she’ll probably give you a hint that things aren’t going well. If she slaps your face and calls you a jerk, it’s a good clue to move on.

That’s my sure-fire way to develop a friendship with a woman. To summarize, keep your eyes up, breath normally, try not to be boring and don’t use any sentences including a body part.

And let me know if any of this stuff actually works.

Visit my Amazon Profile

Dan Ronco’s latest novel is a suspenseful techno-thriller filled with adventure, romance and greed. A former successful engineer and businessman, he used his knowledge and experience to craft Unholy Domain, a story that delves into controversial, provocative themes like the ethics of genetic engineering, the question of what limit to put on technology, and the reconciling of religion and science. The novel also focuses on the relationship between a father and a son. With issues of such magnitude, Unholy Domain promises to be a thrilling, entertaining read. Ronco was kind enough to give me a few minutes of his time to answer my questions.

Thanks for being here today. Why don’t you begin by telling us a little about yourself?

Born into a tough neighborhood in Newark, New Jersey, I learned powerful lessons about family, friendship and violence. My escape was fiction, and I spent many hours reading in the local library. Nurturing a passion for technology, I went on to gain a BS in Chemical Engineering from NJIT. Not enough challenge. Always fascinated by new technologies, I was awarded a full fellowship at Columbia University and gained a MS in Nuclear Engineering. Although I designed submarine nuclear reactors for three years, I discovered I enjoyed software development more than reactor design, so I changed career direction and achieved a second MS; this one in Computer Science from RPI.

Fascinated by virtually all areas of software development, my expertise grew to include coding, design, project management, quality improvement and finally, general management. My niche was software consulting and my team assisted many large corporations and governmental organizations. Always looking for the latest challenge, I built and managed several consulting practices. I’m especially proud of two accomplishments – assisting AT&T greatly improve the quality of the first commercial UNIX release and helping Microsoft to create a world class consulting organization. Positions held during my consulting years included Senior Principal with an international accounting/consulting firm, President, Software Technology Management Inc. and General Manager with Microsoft.

When did you decide you wanted to become an author?

Eight years ago I decided to leave consulting and concentrate on a long held desire to write fiction. A successful engineer and businessman, I had the breadth of experience to understand and synthesize rapidly evolving strands of technology. It became clear that fundamental change would turn our society upside down within the next few decades. Humans will have to adapt rapidly to gain the advantages of these changing social and technological innovations. Indeed, we will have to adapt rapidly just to survive.

I scoped out a trilogy of novels to expose three oncoming challenges; computer viruses enhanced with artificial intelligence (set in 2012), the oncoming clash between religion and technology concerning what it means to be human (2022), and the beginnings of the integration of human and artificial intelligence into a network entity (2032). Each novel is written as a thriller – packed with adventure, sex, greed and romance – as well as realistic science and technology. The three leading characters – Dianne Morgan, a female mega-billionaire obsessed with power; Ray Brown, her onetime lover and a brilliant software architect; and David Brown, Ray’s genetically gifted son – are fascinating and all too human.

PEACEMAKER, my first novel, was released in August, 2004 with outstanding feedback by critics, authors, and most importantly, by customers. My next novel, UNHOLY DOMAIN, was released April 2, 2008 by Kunati Books, with an excellent response. The final novel of the trilogy, tentatively entitled TOMORROW’S CHILDREN, should be released next year.

Tell us a bit about your latest book, and what inspired you to write such a story.

UNHOLY DOMAIN delivers all the excitement of a great thriller while also delving into provocative themes: the bioethics of genetic engineering, the question of what limit (if any) should be placed on technology, the problem of reconciling faith in God and respect for his creation with the technological promises of artificial intelligence, and the age-old issue of family ties and the loyalty of a son to his father. How could anyone not be inspired by issues of such magnitude?

UNHOLY DOMAIN features David Brown, a brilliant but troubled young man raised in the dark shadow of his long-dead father, a software genius who unleashed a computer virus that murdered more than a million innocents. When David receives a decade-old email that indicates his father may have been framed, he plunges into a gut-wrenching race with the real killers to discover the truth about his father … and himself. As David tracks through his father’s startling history, he stumbles into a war between the Domain, a secret society of technologists, and the Army of God, a murderous cult with a sacred mission to curtail the spread of technology and roll civilization back to a simpler era. Hunted by killers from both organizations, David unravels his father’s secrets, comes to terms with his own life, and then falls in love with a woman from his father’s past.

Did your book require a lot of research?

My novels are set in the near future, so it’s my responsibility to bring the reader into a world that is realistic, compelling and consistent with existing trends in science and culture. My stories exist at the point advanced technologies threaten our institutions, beliefs and even our survival.

As a result, I read constantly in subjects such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, robotics and other advanced technologies. I have a passion for technology, so reading isn’t a chore, it’s a gift. I am equally fascinated by human values and culture, such as economics, politics and religion. Searching for stress points, I attempt to project current technologies and trends two or three decades into the future. UNHOLY DOMAIN, for example, explores the potential for conflict between religious fundamentalists and scientists on the leading edge of artificial intelligence.

What is your opinion about critique groups? What words of advice would you offer a novice writer who is joining one? Do you think the wrong critique group can ‘crush’ a fledgling writer?

I have been in a critique group for seven years, and it has been a positive experience. The five of us meet once a week and we each read our most recent compositions, usually about ten pages. Each reviewer provides feedback describing good and bad aspects of the writing. We offer advice with the intent of helping the author; nobody shows off. The author considers the feedback and decides what, if anything, should be modified.

Actually it’s more than just a critique group. Our coach and group leader begins each session with a twenty minute discussion of a writing topic. While the coach leads the discussion, we all participate. I’d have to say we are many things: a critique group, a workshop, and a gathering of friends.

The secret of our success is compatibility and talent. We keep the group small and invite an occasional new member only if she gets along well with the existing members. It is also important that her writing skills are at a reasonably good level. Bringing a novice into the group wouldn’t be fair to anyone.

How was your experience in looking for a publisher? What words of advice would you offer those novice authors who are in search of one?

One of the biggest mistakes I made with PEACEMAKER, my first novel, was to not check out the publisher thoroughly. When he called me, I was thrilled, and it seemed that everything was working out. Wrong. The publisher was a nice guy, he was very enthusiastic about my novel and we seemed to hit it off. However, he had a couple of problems: he had been in business less than a year and really didn’t know much about book marketing; and he was underfunded, so he couldn’t hire talented, experienced professionals. As a result, his business went underwater and all his authors were left scrambling. That’s why I had to become the publisher for PeaceMaker, which consumed a great deal of my time.

So the lesson is to not become dreamy-eyed when a publisher offers to pick up your book. Treat it like making an investment. Check out the size, experience, financial resources, number of employees, references from other authors, bookstores that carry his works, etc. Better to walk away than sign up with someone who doesn’t have a good track record. I checked out Kunati carefully, and they have been an excellent publisher for UNHOLY DOMAIN.

Do you have a website/blog where readers may learn more about you and your work?

Yes, please stop by http://www.danronco.com/ to say hello, read an excerpt of UNHOLY DOMAIN, read my blog or view the incredible trailer for the book. And there’s much more: the complete PEACEMAKER novel, cool videos, book reviews and articles by guest authors. If you enjoy science fiction or technology thrillers, this is a great place to visit.

Thanks for stopping by! It was a pleasure to have you here!

While it’s a great tool, using the Internet carries a certain amount of risk. We read about virus and worms destroying information, we’re annoyed by those pesky ads that keep popping up on our display, and we see TV shows about identity theft. It’s easy to become worried. Heck, I’m guilty of scaring people,too; my first novel, PeaceMaker, is about an intelligent virus that shuts down the Internet.

While the risks are real, there are a number of steps to mitigate the problems. And you don’t have to be a techie, either. This article contains common-sense suggestions that the average home computer user can employ.

Identity theft, a growing problem, usually results in the loss of social security numbers, bank or investment account information, or passwords. A typical scam is an email that states that there is a problem with your account and asks you to log into a fake website that looks just like the official one. You are asked to update your information, and the scammer captures all the data as you enter it.

The common sense solution is to never click on an email into a sensitive account. Always go directly (or through your favorites list) to the real website.

As we all know, the Internet is riddled with viruses and worms. A virus is a program that attaches itself to another program, usually riding email from one computer to another. The virus is activated when the email is opened, and it may consume your computer resources, destroy important information, attach a copy of itself to every email you send, or carry on any number of unpleasant activities. A worm might be as dangerous as a virus, and it can spread all by itself.

The best defense is a comprehensive anti-virus software product provided by firms such as Norton or McAfee. These AV products check every email message entering or leaving your computer and search for every known virus or worm. When it finds software that matches the signature of a known virus or worm, it isolates the virus or worm and warns the user. The usual course of action is to erase the offending software.

Although you should keep your virus definitions up to date (automatic updates should be utilized), a brand new virus could sneak past the AV product and infect your computer. Even though the AV product received the virus definition too late to prevent the infection, it might catch it later. The AV product checks every file as it’s accessed, so there is a good chance it will detect the virus that infected your system. A weekly scan of your entire file system is a good idea, just to be extra careful.

Spyware is another pesky problem. Ever wonder where those annoying popup ads come from? It’s adware, a form of spyware, which is tracking software installed on your computer with little or no notification, consent or control. Spyware monitors your activities and may display ads based upon the websites you’ve visited. Furthermore, it may keep track of all your activities and then report the results to some other party across the net.

Spyware is designed to be difficult to remove. Often, these programs are impossible to delete through the Windows Add/Remove function. Many AV products now incorporate anti-spyware functionality. In addition, it’s not a bad idea to install a dedicated anti-spyware program to back up the AV software. Anti-spyware products may prevent spyware from installing, and they warn the user of installed spyware. As before, a weekly scan of your files is a good practice.

Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is by far the most frequently used browser. As a result, most virus and spyware writers focus the bulk of their efforts on IE. As a result, third party browsers, such as Firefox, are not vulnerable to all the viruses that infect IE. If you are having a bad time with infections, consider moving to another browser.

Finally, set up a firewall on your computer. A firewall regulates the inbound and outbound connections between your PC and the Internet. It prevents unknown outside computers from connecting to your PC. Hackers and automated software are constantly searching for unprotected computers, but a firewall should prevent them from breaking in. Windows includes a firewall, as do many of the comprehensive AV products. Firewalls are not foolproof, but they add another line of defense.

This article is not a comprehensive description of ways to protect your PC, but it’s a good starting point. A good AV package, including anti-spyware and a firewall, properly used is a great tool. Combined with common sense, you will dramatically reduce the risk to your PC.

Visit my Amazon Profile

These certainly are abilities “far beyond those of mortal men” as the old TV series proclaimed, but is technology pushing us in this direction? Is our destiny to create a new, greatly enhanced version of humanity? In other words, a new species of superhumans?

I believe that’s exactly where we are heading. As we continue to advance the big four technologies — genetics, artificial intelligence, robotics and nanotechnology — we will create a new version of humanity that will have as little in common with us as we have with Cro-Magnon man. The next three to five decades will place humanity firmly on the path to this new reality.

I don’t mean to sound gloomy, because the destination will be pretty damn good for the most part. It’s the transition that concerns me; technological evolution will proceed so rapidly that many will fall by the wayside. Underdeveloped countries may fall far behind, lost forever. Even in technology-rich North America, pockets of people may lose their way. Don’t let it happen to you.

Genetics

DNA can be considered the program code guiding the development of our bodies. Each of us caries DNA in our cells, and this DNA provides the instructions that lead to the growth and formation of our minds and bodies. As we begin to understand this code, as well as the other mechanisms of our bodies, we have an increasing capability to intervene. By manipulating DNA, by adjusting processes, we will be able to prevent or cure disease, enhance intelligence, strength, speed and other factors and increase the human lifespan. Are there any limits? Probably, but we have a long way to go.

Artificial Intelligence

In comparison to other animals, our bodies are weak, we don’t have lethal teeth or claws, we’re not that big, we don’t reproduce quickly or in large numbers, we can’t fly or even run very fast … well, you get the idea. So why are we such a successful species? You know the answer, of course — our magnificent brain. Intelligence wins out. At least it has so far.

It’s clear that increasing our intelligence improves our survival prospects. We have learned that the computer, combined with the right software, can display a certain degree of intelligence, which we can harness for our own purposes. In certain limited areas — such as playing chess — artificial intelligence can defeat the best humans. Although humans are far ahead of the machines in broad based intelligence, the differential is shrinking. Some experts predict artificial intelligence will catch and then surpass us in as little as three or four decades. I’m not sure about the timeframe, but I am sure that we will enhance the not so magnificent capabilities of our brains with artificial intelligence. Wireless connections to networked AI will provide these fortunate individuals far greater intelligence than unconnected humans. Over the coming decades, we will begin to rely more on artificial intelligence than our native brainpower, even for individuals with minds genetically enhanced. The combination of genetic enhancements and networked AI will push us up the evolutionary scale.

Robotics

If artificial intelligence will gradually surpass our natural intelligence, what about our bodies? Sure, they will be genetically enhanced, but it’s not going to stop there. Robotics will play a big role, but not the kind of mechanical man we have become familiar with through the movies. No, the type of robotics I anticipate are the artificial components built into our bodies. We are already familiar with artificial hips and knees, prosthetic leg extensions and replacements, hearing aids and glasses. Why not a second mechanical heart for a backup or to supply extra blood when the workload is extreme? Why not super strong but lightweight supports built into your arms and legs, all run by your artificial intelligence? Get the picture? Like our brains, our bodies will gradually give way to mechanical devices superior to our original body parts.

Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology is the process of building with molecules, even atoms, which will allow us to precisely design and fabricate virtually any body part. This could be a tiny object that would fit into a human cell or something as large as a bone or organ. At some point, we may be able to build tiny medical bots in the cells, which could monitor the performance of biological parts. Or we could build more efficient blood cells, perhaps self-powered so that a heart is no longer required. In any case, nanotechnology will enable us to fabricate replacements that may be superior to the original items.

Considerations and Conclusions

Some people would ban most, if not all, of the technological developments that we have outlined. This may be due to religious or moral beliefs that we shouldn’t tamper with God’s design. Or they may be concerned that these technologies could get into the wrong hands, such as terrorists or rogue states. Even with the best of safeguards, serious problems that may endanger human health, or even survival, might appear many years after implementation. In any case, the development of a superman could lead to conflict between the haves and have-nots in our society.

These are serious considerations, but there is no turning back; the genie is out of the bottle. Superman is coming and he’s moving with super speed. Our best hope is to combine government regulation with scientific self-monitoring. If the advanced nations can agree on a course of action, Superman may be the best thing that’s ever happened to us. But if things get out of control …

Visit my Amazon Profile

Excellent thriller, with some parts that feel a bit William Gibson'ish. But the author has his own style, utilizing today’s fast paced cutaways, but unlike the populist press, he finishes each chapter before he cuts.  Ronco has been a senior executive in lots of technology firms with a deep cross discipline knowledge. But you won’t need his depth of knowledge to really enjoy this book.  I really liked it and read it in basically two sittings.  This is a good coast  to coast plane ride book. You may not be able to put it down. I found his scenario on stock market disarray very prescient!.

Visit my Amazon Profile

Dan Ronco spent several decades working as a computer programmer and consultant before turning to writing fiction. Unholy Domain is his second novel. It is a sequel to his debut, Peacemaker, and the middle of a planned trilogy. The book is quite accessible on its own, however; I have never read Peacemaker but had no problem getting into Unholy Domain.

In 2012, the “Peacemaker” computer virus was let loose on the Internet, causing over one million deaths as the world’s infrastructure fell into chaos. Over the next decade, the devastation caused by Peacemaker and the tightening restrictions on technology imposed by frightened governments has brought about an economic depression that has left society on the brink of collapse. Millions have turned to a militant new religious movement, the Church of Natural Humans, which condemns advanced technology – and especially any blurring of the line between man and machine – as a temptation of the Devil that will destroy humanity. Its secret paramilitary wing, the Army of God, wages a bloody underground war against the propagation of new technology. In the background lurks a secretive and power-hungry group called the Domain, flooding the black market with illegal new technologies for their own mysterious ends.

The main character is David Brown, a college student and the son of the late Ray Brown, the man notorious for unleashing Peacemaker on the world. He receives a time-delayed message from his father, written ten years ago, in which his father tells him that some other unknown party is responsible for Peacemaker. Intrigued by the possibility that his father might be innocent, David sets out to learn as much about him as he can in the hope of finding something that will clear his father’s name.

It will be a hazardous journey. David is feared and hated by many for his heritage. The Army of God thinks that David can lead them to their hated enemies, the Domain.  And those responsible for Peacemaker are moving again, hoping to finish what they started a decade ago.

Unholy Domain is an enjoyable book that straddles the border between science fiction and techno-thriller, and should appeal to fans of both. Its speculative elements appealed to me as a science fiction fan, but it is very near-future setting makes it more accessible than most science fiction.

The story is interesting and fast-paced, alternating between David’s search for knowledge and the machinations and struggles between the Domain and the Church of Natural Humans, until the different characters’ paths start colliding towards the end. I found all of the different strands of the story interesting; I did not, while reading a chapter focused on one plot thread, find myself wishing it would end soon so that I could go back to one that was more interesting. That is sometimes a problem with novels that jump between different subplots and perspectives, but Unholy Domain avoids it.

Ronco does action well, and the fights and shootouts that often come up in the story have a nicely balanced feel, giving enough description to make things vivid but still maintaining a very fast pace.

Plot wise, my only complaint is that the book ends somewhat abruptly, which is a common difficulty with the middle of trilogies. The climax is very quick, and the book concludes very shortly afterwards. I found this somewhat frustrating, though it speaks well of the skill with which the buildup is done.

I quite liked some of the characters, especially the antagonists. Adam Jordan, leader of the Church of Natural Humans, initially appears to be a somewhat generic evil religious fanatic, but is revealed to be a more interesting character as the story progresses. While thoroughly villainous, he has considerably more humanity than is usually seen in this sort of character. The leadership of the Domain is also done well, and given more depth through small touches- something as simple as showing a villain’s family can be surprisingly effective in making them seem more real.

I would recommend Unholy Domain to both science fiction readers and fans of contemporary thrillers. I liked it a lot, and look forward to seeing what Dan Ronco does next.

John Markley is a newspaper reporter and freelance writer from Illinois, and has been addicted to science fiction since elementary school. His other interests include history, science, video games, and martial arts. He maintains the blog Vast and Cool and Unsympathetic.

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is excited to have as our guest, successful businessman and engineer Dan Ronco, who is also the author PeaceMaker and Unholy Domain.

Good day Dan and thanks for participating in our interview.

My pleasure, Norm.

Norm:

When did you first consider yourself a writer and how did you get started in writing? What keeps you going?

Dan:

If you ask that question to most writers, they will tell you about their first short story written at age eleven. Or nine. How they always knew they would become writers. Not me. Although I loved reading fiction beginning at age eight at the local library, the thought of writing novels never crossed my mind. I spent an entire career in the IT business and I loved it, but as the years went by the work turned stale. And when your career becomes boring, it’s time to do something else.

Anyway, I was sitting in my office at Microsoft one night, frustrated by a couple of emerging problems: the increasing number of virus attacks on my client’s systems and the ongoing litigation with the Department of Justice. The more I thought about these problems, the more frustrated I became. Suddenly the solution hit me – get out of this business and write a novel.

What if a great (fictional) software company lost an anti-trust lawsuit and was ripped apart by the DOJ? What if the leaders of this once-great company decided to have their revenge by building an intelligent, deadly software predator into their flagship software product? That’s the premise of PeaceMaker, my first novel.

What keeps me going? That’s easy --- I love everything about the writing process: research, developing the concept, creating that first draft, and then the rewriting and polishing until the story just hums. Then the feedback from reviewers and, best of all, regular readers. What’s not to like?

Norm:

I noticed that you are drawn to writing techno-thrillers. For our readers who are not quite sure what is a techno-thriller, perhaps you can enlighten us and why have you become interested in this genre?

Dan:

I love thrillers.

Every once in a while you read a novel or see a movie that keeps you glued to the story with such excitement that you can’t turn away until you know how it turns out. Everything is moving so fast, and you’re so swept up in rapidly unfolding events that you don’t dare leave the story for even a moment. The tension builds; you feel every jolt until a breathtaking climax leaves you exhausted.

That, Norm, is a thriller.

How did that movie grab you by the neck and take control? Why that novel and not a hundred other novels?

There isn’t a simple answer. There never is when you’re examining a work of art. I don’t pretend to know all the secrets of a great thriller, but I’ve learned a few things I’ll share with you.

First, I consider my novels to be speculative thrillers, rather than techno-thrillers. Techno-thrillers focus on hi-tech gadgets in the present time, while speculative thrillers peer into the future, usually to extrapolate a barely noticeable developing condition. Tom Clancy writes techno-thrillers, Philip K. Dick wrote speculative thrillers, Michael Crichton is somewhere in between.

The first and most important ingredient of any thriller is emotion. If you don’t feel the story in your gut, it’s not a thriller. And not just any type of emotion. A great romance can break your heart, but that’s not the emotion that fuels a thriller. Not that romance can’t be part of a thriller, but it’s not the what’s-going-to- happen-next excitement of a thriller.

A great thriller builds up to an emotional high that lifts you up and takes you along for the ride. Consider Rick Deckard “retiring” androids in Blade Runner or Clarice Starling hunting Buffalo Bill in Silence of the Lambs. At first we tag along with Rick or Clarice, then gradually bond with them and feel every emotion they experience. They are both vulnerable, flawed characters, but we can feel for them, and ultimately, feel with them. Their highs and lows become ours.

A great thriller is unpredictable going forward and completely logical looking backward. Who would have guessed that a creature would burst out of a guy’s chest in Alien? Or that the FBI agent in charge of the investigation would be the killer in The Poet? On the other hand, as you look back, it’s believable that this alien creature could be so dangerous or that an FBI agent was the killer.

The plot usually features deadlines. If they don’t capture the villain soon, something terrible — an assassination, a virus outbreak, a nuclear explosion - is going to take place. You can almost hear the clock ticking. Or is that your pulse?

A great villain is a necessary part of a first-rate thriller. Perhaps a charming psychopath such as Dr. Hannibal Lecter from Silence of the Lambs or megalomaniac Dianne Morgan from Unholy Domain. The villain must be more than a match for the protagonist, who battles overwhelming odds while in constant danger. A great villain will stir feelings of hatred, fear, revulsion and maybe a little admiration in the reader or moviegoer.

The setting and all the action must be believable. For example, if the action takes place in a specific locale, then all the details (streets, landmarks, major buildings) had better be correct. If bad writing forces the reader to stop believing, then all the air comes out of the story.

In a speculative thriller, the author’s extrapolation must seem believable and entirely possible. The PeaceMaker virus is quite intelligent in defending itself, but the actions it initiates stay within the capabilities of a near-future artificial intelligence.

And, of course, there is the climax. It must be exciting, unpredictable, resolve the major issues and yet remain consistent with the storyline. Fatal Attraction and Jaws have terrific climaxes that bring the story to a thrilling conclusion.

So that’s it — a few insights regarding thrillers. A speculative thriller must follow the rules just like any thriller, even though the story takes place a few decades in the future. Difficult to describe, but when you see a great thriller, you know it.

Norm:

Did your writing career ever conflict with your career as a scientist?

Dan:

Yes, I’m not a Renaissance Man. As a professional, I’ve learned that I only do one thing at a time really well. Being a top flight engineer/consultant is a demanding, seventy plus hours a week job. If you want to be the best consultant you can be, then dedication is a requirement. The same is true for writing, athletics, business management, whatever. I left consulting several years ago to become a full-time writer. I hope readers enjoy my work, but rest assured, whether they do or not, I’m working hard to produce the best work I can. No way I could be a nine-to-five consultant and then write a few hours at night. I would have been mediocre in both areas. Others might be able to do that and become excellent writers, but it wasn’t in my DNA.

Norm:

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? How much of your books are realistic?

Dan:

All of my writing is realistic; otherwise, the reader puts aside my book. I work hard to place my reader in a world set a few decades in the future, so it must be consistent with current technology and culture. In other words, the reader should find the world of Unholy Domain believable as an outgrowth of our current environment. This requires a great deal of research. As a result, I read constantly in subjects such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, robotics and other advanced technologies. I have a passion for technology, so reading isn’t a chore, it’s a gift. I am equally fascinated by human values and culture, such as economics, terrorism, politics and religion. Searching for stress points, I attempt to project current technologies and trends two or three decades into the future, then find the crossover points of the trend lines.. Unholy Domain, for example, explores the potential for conflict between religious fundamentalists and scientists on the leading edge of artificial intelligence. My stories exist at the point advanced technologies threaten our institutions, beliefs and even our survival.

Norm:

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

Dan:

The complexity of the storylines, without a doubt. My stories include multiple plots and several POV characters, all meshed together in a spider’s web. Make a significant change anywhere and it ripples across the story like a pebble dropped into a pond. I have learned to develop a detailed outline and a scene flowchart before I write a word. These tools enable me to gain control of my novels. I can follow all the interrelationships in my mind, and track any change through the chart. Not that I don’t make many changes as I write, but at least I have the tools to manage my story.

Norm:

Could you briefly tell us about your latest novel, Unholy Domain?

Dan:

Unholy Domain delivers all the excitement of a great thriller while also delving into provocative themes: the bioethics of genetic engineering, the question of what limit (if any) should be placed on technology, the problem of reconciling faith in God and respect for his creation with the technological promises of artificial intelligence, and the age-old issue of family ties and the loyalty of a son to his father.

It’s 2022, a decade after a devastating computer virus was unleashed upon America and the world. Civilization has crumbled in an economic collapse that rivals the Great Depression of the previous century. During this harsh decade, the schism between those who think technology will save the world and those who believe it to be the tool of Lucifer has reached a boiling point. The Church of Natural Humans, led by the charismatic Adam Jordan, is determined to roll civilization back to a pre-computer era. His beautiful African-American lover, Moesha Jefferson, leads the Army of God, a cult of fanatics within the Church, in a series of murders of anyone they consider a technologist.

David Brown, the gifted but troubled son of one of the most hated of criminals, receives a delayed email from his long dead father, the software genius Ray Brown. The world believes that David’s father unleashed the computer virus that caused the death of more than a million people and led to the global depression, but the email suggests that his father was on the trail of the real criminals. David has grown up in a hostile atmosphere due to his father’s crimes, so he resolves to discover who his father was, and if he really was to blame for the virus. His only memories are of a man made erratic by too much alcohol and driven by his passion for technology.

Dianne Morgan is a ruthless woman. She leads the Domain, a secret society of technologists developing Sentinel, an artificial intelligence with the ability to seize control of the Internet and all other computers. Needing money and muscle to achieve her obsession for power, Dianne enters into a partnership with organized crime, led by Maria Vitullo. Vitullo, it is rumored, seized power within the Families by murdering her uncle, the former Don. Vitullo controls the technology black market for the Domain, as well as providing soldiers in the war against the Army of God.

As David tracks through his father’s startling history, he stumbles into this hidden war. Fearing that he will expose the Domain, Dianne orders Vitullo to kill him. However, Moesha has her own plan: to keep David alive so she can follow his trail to the Domain and then eliminate all the technologists. Hunted by killers from both organizations, David unravels his father’s secrets, comes to terms with his own life, and then falls in love with a woman from his father’s past.

Norm:

In Unholy Domain how did you develop the plot and characters? Did you use any set formula?

Dan:

No, my writing is not like painting by the numbers. I start with one or more themes (such as fear of artificial intelligence) and develop the plot lines and characters to expose the themes. The characters are portrayed in shades of grey, with complex motivations neither all good nor bad. I generally work back and forth between the plot and characters, developing the outline and flowchart until I have a story that works. Then I write the first draft, making sure the story is clear, compelling and credible with lots of emotion. At least a half-dozen rewrite cycles follow, as I add complexity, engage the reader’s senses, sharpen the writing, fix the grammar and make sure the hook and the climax are compelling.

Norm:

Can you tell us how you found representation for your books? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish?

Dan:

One of the biggest mistakes I made with PeaceMaker, my first novel, was not checking out the publisher thoroughly. When he called me, I was thrilled, and it seemed that everything was working out. Wrong. The publisher was a nice guy, he was very enthusiastic about my novel and we seemed to hit it off. However, he had a couple of problems: he had been in business less than a year and really didn’t know much about book marketing; and he was underfunded, so he couldn’t hire an experienced editor or cover designer. As a result, his business went underwater and all his authors were left scrambling. That’s why I had to become the publisher for PeaceMaker, which consumed a great deal of my time. So the lesson is to avoid becoming dreamy-eyed when a publisher offers to pick up your book. Treat it like making an investment. Check out the size, experience, financial resources, number of employees, references from other authors, bookstores that carry his works, etc. Better to walk away than sign up with someone who doesn’t have a good track record. I checked out Kunati carefully, and they have been an excellent publisher for Unholy Domain.

Norm:

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Dan:

When I decided to leave consulting to become a novelist, I GREATLY underestimated the difficulty of the writing process. Develop your idea and just key it into the PC, right? I had no concept of the years required to become a competent writer, let alone a good writer. I’m putting the finishing touches on my third novel, but eight years have passed to reach this point.

Norm:

Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)

Dan:

It is clear that technological change will turn our society upside down within the next few decades. Humans will have to adapt rapidly to gain the advantages of evolving social and technological innovations. Indeed, we will have to adapt rapidly just to survive.

Eight years ago, I scoped out a trilogy of novels to expose three oncoming challenges; computer viruses enhanced with artificial intelligence (set in 2012), the oncoming clash between religion and technology concerning what it means to be human (2022), and the beginnings of the integration of human and artificial intelligence into a network entity (2032). Each novel was written as a thriller – packed with adventure, sex, greed and romance – as well as realistic science, technology, and government intervention. The three leading characters – Dianne Morgan, a female mega-billionaire obsessed with power; Ray Brown, her onetime lover and a brilliant software architect; and David Brown, Ray’s genetically gifted son – were fascinating and all too human.

PeaceMaker was released in August, 2004 and Unholy Domain was published in April, 2008. The final novel of the trilogy, tentatively entitled Tomorrow’s Children, should be released in 2009. Although the novels are consistent in world building, character and plot development, each is a stand-alone story, so they may be read in any sequence.

Genetic engineering and artificial intelligence continue to rapidly evolve in Tomorrow’s Children, touching off a human uprising based in Africa against the Domain. Ray Brown leads the African tribes in their war against the increasingly human androids of Dianne Morgan’s Domain. When David Brown evolves to the brink of integration with Sentinel, the most advanced AI developed by the Domain, Ray has one last chance to save his son and maintain humanity as a distinct species.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about your and your books?

Dan:

Checkout my website and blog at http://danronco.com.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Dan:

Since its release, reviews published in Bookpleasures, Midwest Book Review, Amazon and other websites have been very generous in praising Unholy Domain. However, I have been surprised by how many reviewers have compared my work to such talented writers as Philip K. Dick, George Orwell, William Gibson, Dan Brown and others.

I’m not sure what readers are finding in Unholy Domain, but something seems to resonate. Maybe it’s the fast pace or the visionary ideas that creates a link to their favorite authors. Or it could be something that never occurred to me. Not that I’m complaining. Being compared to writers such as Philip K. Dick, George Orwell or any of the others is quite an honor for a new writer.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.

Click Here To Purchase Unholy Domain

Click Here To Read A Review Of Unholy Domain contributed by one of bookpleasures' reviewers