Q&A with J. P. Moore discussion

TOOTHLESS was a big project. It began as a podcasted audiobook in 2009, and is now a trade paperback from Dragon Moon Press. The book tells the story of Martin, a failed Templar Knight who dies in battle only to be resurrected as a zombie. He's a gifted servant to his new master, but life isn't done with him yet!

Interested in anything about podcasting or writing TOOTHLESS? Want to know more about my inspirations? Curious about what comes next? Ask away!

How much did the story change (both content and quantity-wise) from podcast to print?

Chris wrote: "How much did the story change (both content and quantity-wise) from podcast to print?"

Hi, Chris! Thanks for the question.

I tightened up the middle of the novel a bit. I also added a few pages near the end to revisit Lil's story. If you've listened to the podcast, you know that the audiobook leaves her behind at the end of chapter 16 (book 2, chapter 8).

Aside from that, and some stylistic tweaks (writing for audio is a little different from writing for print), the book and the podcast are quite similar.

I just finished the second episode of The Walking Dead. Unlike virtually everyone else, I don't think the show is very good, and frankly have no idea why I watched the second episode. The show's blatant un-originality got me thinking about how regurgitated most zombie stuff is, and I thought about how Toothless is an exception. Since everyone else apparently thinks it impossible, how did you manage to go a different direction with a zombie story?

I haven't watched the second episode of The Walking Dead yet. I liked that the pilot made me feel something about the characters, yet still managed to throw a lot of action at me. I've never read the comic book, so it's all new to me.

The blurb about the second episode on my channel guide has me a little worried, especially after your verdict. Department store? Really? Drag out that tired setting a little later, maybe, after you've established your spin. But the second episode? Big risk.

I never set out to write a zombie story. It just kind of ... happened. I wanted to write a redemption story. The zombies, the Templars, the medieval stuff--that was just how I stayed interested. As long as I focused on that bigger idea of redemption, I felt pretty centered.

So often, genre fiction ends up being about plot and world-building. And zombie stories seem to rely on certain conventions that most folks are afraid to avoid. Virus. Eating people. Etc. Focusing on something other than plot, I think, is what you need to put a fresh spin on it all and tell the story that matters. Maybe with a little depth and pathos, too. And telling the story from the zombie's POV ... I didn't have a choice but to try to give him some depth and originality, otherwise there'd be no reason to believe he deserved any redemption. He'd have been just another zombie, waiting for some hero to cleave his head wide open.

I'm glad to hear that you think it worked for Toothless. Thanks for sharing that!

I think, ironically, Walking Dead has been playing it safe from the get-go. Everything has been lifted from previously successful zombie films (specifically 28 Days Later and Dawn of the Dead). Unfortunately, I don't think the target zombie audience wants anything all that different.

It's been awhile since I listened to TOOTHLESS, and since I can't afford a copy yet, I'm going to quit whining about Walking Dead and re-listen to yours.

See the thread in this group about winning a copy! There are a few ways to get your hands on a free (even signed) copy. The ebook will be available soon, too.