Part 51 (2/2)

I had just finished Seven Ancient Wonders Seven Ancient Wonders when the call came from the Federal Government asking if I would write a brand-new short-novel for their Books Alive campaign. Luckily, I had a new idea sitting in the 'Story Ideas' drawer of my desk ready to go, so I turned around, sat back down and started writing again! when the call came from the Federal Government asking if I would write a brand-new short-novel for their Books Alive campaign. Luckily, I had a new idea sitting in the 'Story Ideas' drawer of my desk ready to go, so I turned around, sat back down and started writing again!

And yes, at that stage, I'd already planned to direct a pilot shoot of Contest Contest, so I was in the midst of pre-production when I was polis.h.i.+ng both h.e.l.l Island h.e.l.l Island and and Seven Ancient Wonders Seven Ancient Wonders. I'm still not quite sure how I did it, but I figured I could sleep later! Believe me, I'm resting now.

Shane Schofield appeared in the Books Alive edition of h.e.l.l h.e.l.l Island Island. Will we see the Scarecrow again in a new novel? Will we see the Scarecrow again in a new novel?

A few things about h.e.l.l Island h.e.l.l Island, especially since I didn't do an interview like this in the back of that book.

I really enjoyed doing h.e.l.l Island h.e.l.l Island, and making it a Schofield book. I think it's a pretty kick-a.s.s story-bold, fast and mean mean; and yet still short. It was designed to be a kind of 'side-adventure' for Schofield; a minor mission that occurred in between books (although technically it occurs after the events in Scarecrow Scarecrow). You also have to remember that my fans in the US and other countries won't see h.e.l.l Island h.e.l.l Island, as it was a free book given out in Australia only, which I actually kind of like.

Will he appear again? I reckon so. He's a fun character, who's always getting into trouble, and they're the ones I like to write about. The question is, who do I write about next? Schofield or Jack West?

What is the latest movie news?

Hover Car Racer is still with Disney. Last I heard, Al Gough and Miles Millar were still at work on the screenplay. And, of course, I'm hard at work trying to get is still with Disney. Last I heard, Al Gough and Miles Millar were still at work on the screenplay. And, of course, I'm hard at work trying to get Contest Contest up and running as a feature film. up and running as a feature film.

I had an awesome time directing the pilot of Contest Contest earlier this year, which was the first twelve minutes of the book: this included getting a creature shop to build a fully-articulated Karanadon head and filming it in the stack of the New South Wales State Library. We also filmed in the abandoned train tunnels underneath Sydney, the Royal North Sh.o.r.e Hospital and even in the bas.e.m.e.nt of my house! Ah, movie magic. earlier this year, which was the first twelve minutes of the book: this included getting a creature shop to build a fully-articulated Karanadon head and filming it in the stack of the New South Wales State Library. We also filmed in the abandoned train tunnels underneath Sydney, the Royal North Sh.o.r.e Hospital and even in the bas.e.m.e.nt of my house! Ah, movie magic.

So, what's next for Matthew Reilly?

Sleep. Rest. And maybe play a bit of golf. It's been a very busy year and I need to slow down a bit. I'm just going to sit on my couch and read a bunch of non-fiction books! Although if I get Contest Contest up and running, then it'll be all systems go and I can sleep next year ... up and running, then it'll be all systems go and I can sleep next year ...

Any final words?

As always, I just hope you all enjoyed the book. I had a lot of fun writing this one and I hope you had just as much fun reading it.

M.R.

Sydney, Australia October 2005

Also by Matthew Reilly

ICE STATION.

TEMPLE.

CONTEST.

AREA 7.

SCARECROW.

HOVER CAR RACER.

h.e.l.l ISLAND (FOR BOOKS ALIVE, 2005).

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