Interview with Arlo Tratlonovich

Published 2015-01-31.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
Uh, must have been some fairy tale, when I was a child. As I don't remember it, I can't say very much about a possible impact. But who knows?
How do you approach cover design?
Top-down. Saying this, all covers of the Galactic Alliance series are planned. Most of them are done.
When did you first start writing?
In the beginning of the eighties. Boy, it was an amazing time, then.
What's the story behind your latest book?
Basically, the "Galatic Alliance" tells the future history of mankind as being part of the named alliance of galactic civilizations. The story begins in the year 2166, approximately 150 years from now. By this I ensure that the story will not be ridiculed by recent events in a few years, which might happen easily. On the other hand I avoid writing stories of the year 3000+. These would be simply fairytales.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
To see, how the characters take over control, develop their own ideas and get an own life. As an example, in "Seven" Tia was supposed to be Pierres girlfriend. She did not like it and elected Nicolas instead. I did not plan it this way.
What are you working on next?
I am usually working in parallel on different ends of the Galatic Alliance. At this very moment I am finalizing the English versions of first two books, "Exeter" and "Seven", completing the German version of the third book, "Falcon" and developing some ideas for books 11 and 12.
Who are your favorite authors?
Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Clive Cussler, Michael Moorcock, William Voltz and K.H. Scheer - in no particular order.

Logically, I read a lot. If I would have to name one, I'd probably name Clive Cussler. Like me, he is doing a lot of background research. Also, he is a master in combining seemingly "normal" crimes with events having happened a long time ago, in the past. You might find traces of this idea in my books, too.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
Traveling, visiting my animal friends, watching movies, surfing the internet, and, last not least, doing my job.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Sure. It was part of a treatment for a Science-Fiction-Movie in 1983. Actually, I was providing the scientific and cultural background aspects. The movie itself was a minor success, although it was the starting point for an astonishing career - of the director. I won't mention his name, though.
What is your writing process?
Top-Down. From the first idea I break down the different parts, until I end up at different scenes. These, I later on only need to fill with dialogues. It is similar to the movie making process.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Dean Koontz - Strangers
Stephen King - It
Clive Cussler - Atlantis rising
Michael Moorcock - The Great Rock'n Roll Swindle
William Voltz - Fünf von der CREST

In fact, some of them might be replaced by other books of the same author. So, the named books act as representatives of the authors' work. Authors, who influenced my work significantly.
What do you read for pleasure?
Is there any difference? If reading a book would not be accompanied by pleasure, I would stop reading it. Which happens sometimes, but rarely.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
Necessity.
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Latest books by This Author

The Galactic Alliance XMas Special: Hathor - Saturnalia
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Again, in this year's XMas Special Hathor plays the major role. However, we make a huge leap in time - and land in ancient Rome. The title of the story is therefore - logically - "Saturnalia". Hathor tells about the prehistory and meets on the occasion of the Saturnalia a visitor from the homeland, whom she not expected to see. It is none other than - Cleopatra.
Die Galaktische Allianz XMas Special: Hathor - Saturnalien
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Auch im diesjährigen XMas-Special spielt Hathor wieder die Hauptrolle. Allerdings machen wir einen gewaltigen Zeitsprung - und landen im alten Rom.Der Titel der Story ist demzufolge "Saturnalien". Hathor berichtet über die Vorgeschichte und trifft anlässlich der Saturnalien auf eine Besucherin aus der Heimat, die sich inkognito in Rom aufhält. Es ist niemand anders als - Kleopatra.
Die Galaktische Allianz - Das Prequel: Wie Alles Begann, Band 2: Unter fremden Sternen
Series: Die Galaktische Allianz - Das Prequel: Wie Alles Begann. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 75,960. Language: German. Published: February 8, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
Am 6. März 2022 vollführt die Raumsonde WREN ihre erste erfolgreiche Transition durch den Hyperraum. Nach weiteren drei Jahren ist es dann endlich soweit: die GREYHOUND, der erste bemannte Transitionsraumer, startet am 5.7.2025 seine Expedition ins Tau-Ceti-System. Dort, unter fremden Sternen, erleben Markus, Lily, Chad und Vince Überraschungen, die alle ihre Vorstellungen weit übertreffen...
Die Galaktische Allianz XMas Special: Hathor - Das Lichterfest
Series: Die Galaktische Allianz. Price: Free! Words: 8,090. Language: German. Published: December 20, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Historical » Ancient
Wir treffen in diesem Special zum ersten Mal auf eine schillernde Persönlichkeit – Hathor, die in der Zeit des alten Ägyptens als Göttin der Liebe, der Musik, des Tanzes und einiger anderer Dinge auftritt. Hathor wird in der Geschichte der „Galaktischen Allianz“ eine besondere Rolle spielen.
The Galactic Alliance XMas Special: Hathor - The Feast of Lights
Series: The Galactic Alliance - Special. Price: Free! Words: 8,120. Language: English. Published: December 19, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » General, Fiction » Historical » Ancient
We meet for the first time in this Xmas Special a dazzling personality - Hathor, who acts in the time of ancient Egypt as the goddess of love, music, dance and some other things. Hathor will play a special role in the history of the Galactic Alliance.
Die Galaktische Allianz, Band 3: Falcon
Series: Die Galaktische Allianz. Price: $7.99 USD. Words: 145,740. Language: German. Published: October 21, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
Die Spur der Fremden, die für den Überfall auf den Solva-Frachter TE-SORN verantwortlich sind, führt offenbar in den Ceres-Sternenhaufen. Als Konsequenz werden groß angelegte Aufklärungsmissionen im Ceres-Sternenhaufen beschlossen. Eine dieser Missionen hat den Kristallplaneten Falcon zum Ziel, auf dem die größten Vorkommen des Hyperkristalls Y-Fluorit gefunden und abgebaut werden...
The Grande Galactic Bouffe
Series: The Galactic Alliance - Special. Price: Free! Words: 5,470. Language: English. Published: July 27, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » Utopias & dystopias
After the events in the Ceres star cluster, other protagonists also find time to follow their usual businesses. Tami Hethal, the Solvanian GSA Agent, has been reassigned to a special training in Jiuquan. At the same time, her friend Rolf Katman is planning to visit the Grande Galactic Bouffe...
Die Galaktische Allianz - Das Prequel: Wie Alles Begann, Band 1: Wettlauf in den Hyperraum
Series: Die Galaktische Allianz - Das Prequel: Wie Alles Begann. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 100,570. Language: German. Published: May 23, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
Im Jahr 2166 ist die Erde, auch Terra genannt, ein vollwertiges Mitglied der Galaktischen Allianz. Im Jahr 2020 ist die Erde dagegen vollauf mit ihren eigenen Problemen beschäftigt. Wie konnte es zu dieser überraschenden Wendung kommen? Diese Geschichte erzählen die Bände von "Die Galaktische Allianz - Wie Alles Begann".
Focus Weilheim
Series: The Galactic Alliance - Special. Price: Free! Words: 4,750. Language: English. Published: May 19, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Science Fiction
While during missions on Exeter, Seven and Falcon crucial information could be gathered, a new problem arises on Terra surprisingly in the small Bavarian town of Weilheim. Could it be, that here decisive leads regarding the history of the aliens might be found?
The Falcon Mystery
Series: The Galactic Alliance - Special. Price: Free! Words: 7,220. Language: English. Published: May 19, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Science fiction » High tech
The trace of the strangers who are responsible for the attack on the Solvanian freighter TE SORN, leads to the Ceres star cluster. As a consequence, large-scale reconnaissance missions in the Ceres star cluster are initiated. One of these missions has as its destination the crystal planet Falcon, where the largest amounts of the hyper crystal Y-Fluorite are found...
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