Gerald M. Weinberg

Gerald M. Weinberg (Jerry) writes "nerd novels," such as The Aremac Project, Aremac Power, First Stringers, Second Stringers, The Hands of God, Freshman Murders, and Mistress of Molecules—about how brilliant people produce quality work. His novels may be found as eBooks at or on Kindle. Before taking up his science fiction career, he published books on human behavior, including Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method, The Psychology of Computer Programming, Perfect Software and Other Fallacies, and an Introduction to General Systems Thinking. He also wrote books on leadership including Becoming a Technical Leader, The Secrets of Consulting (Foreword by Virginia Satir), More Secrets of Consulting, and the four-volume Quality Software Management series. He incorporates his knowledge of science, engineering, and human behavior into all of writing and consulting work (with writers, hi-tech researchers, and software engineers). Early in his career, he was the architect for the Mercury Project's space tracking network and designer of the world's first multiprogrammed operating system. Winner of the Warnier Prize and the Stevens Award for his writing on software quality, he is also a charter member of the Computing Hall of Fame in San Diego and the University of Nebraska Hall of Fame. The book, The Gift of Time (Fiona Charles, ed.) honors his work for his 75th birthday. His website and blogs may be found at http://www.geraldmweinberg.com.

Read more of this interview.

Website: http://www.geraldmweinberg.com
Twitter: @jerryweinberg
Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jerry-weinberg/6/146/916
Blog: http://secretsofconsulting.blogspot.com/

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The Myth of Writers Block
The University of New Mexico Law school interviews Jerry on a variety of publishing questions. (see 2 other videos for the rest of the interview). In this interview, Jerry debunks the myth that prevents so many would-be writers from actually writing. He gives examples of what to do when you think you're "blocked."

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• Dory Cove on Sep. 13, 2010
  
  Although I'm not what would be considered a romance reader, the story of Dory Cove hooked my interest. The principal characters are lovely people–nice enough to root for them and want to read more. I knew theirs was a romance, so things would eventually work out for Penny and Davey, but I wanted to see how it would happen. The fine writing made it an enjoyable trip. Before the romance between Penny and Davey could work out, Penny had to come to accept Dory Cove life and overcome her fear of the sea. To me, this was the difficult task, and I could identify with her fears and other emotional reactions. This part of the story made it not just a simple romance (if romance is ever simple), but a compelling tale of life and death by the ocean.
  
• First Impressions on Feb. 03, 2011
  
  For me, one trouble with short stories is they're either too long or too short. If they're not very good stories, they're too long, but if they are good, they're too short. I want a novel, at least. Maybe a trilogy, or a never-ending series. After reading Mr. DeLee's "Kickin' It South of the Border," I decided it was one of the too short variety. I simply hadn't had enough of bounty hunter, Grace deHaviland, so I bought "First Impressions." My only problem with that decision was that the two stories together are too short. I want more of Grace. So get busy, Mr. DeLee. Let's make a collection of Grace Notes—even a novel probably wouldn't satisfy me. In the meantime, you readers can at least have two fine reads, then maybe we'll both pester DeLee for a third. A fourth. A ...
  
• Gabriel & Mr. Death on Feb. 05, 2011
  
  If you've ever faced death, or ever had a dog, you'll understand Susan Kroupa's story—as told by Gabriel, Sally Ann's black-and-tan hound. And you'll cry, as I did—tears for what was and tears for what might have been. But also tears for what is, and what is to come.
  
• Night of the Aurora (Salmon Run - Book 1) on May 14, 2011
  
  In my long life, I've visited many countries and 49 of the 50 United States. My one significant omission is Alaska, which was always the one state I thought most worth seeing. Well, I may not manage to reach Alaska physically, but J.A. Marlow has taken me there—and on an alien spacecraft, to boot. I couldn't have asked for more of an adventure than joining the Callahan boys as the arrive in the frozen north to claim their inheritance—a "haunted" lodge in the wild, wild wilderness. I could go on with my praises, but I'm now rushing off off to read the second book in this fun adventure series.
  
• Bad Agent, No Catnip! Bad Career Advice and Questionable Misinformation from the World's Worst Literary Agent, Sydney T. Cat on Aug. 10, 2011
  (no rating)
  I love it, but my literary agent German Shepherds don't like Sydney giving away the secrets of our game. Of course, they don't care for cats anyway, except for desert, though they love their litter boxes. If the best way to deliver painful messages is in humor, Sydney's done the best job of revealing the pain a bad agent can inflict on a cowardly writer. Thanks, Sydney. You may not earn the rest of your fees, but $4.99 is a bargain.
  
• Dead Hypocrites on Dec. 13, 2011
  
  I'm frequently asked to explain why I take the "easy way out," rather than fight my way through life's difficulties without the "crutch" of my religion. Well, anyone who thinks faith is the "easy way out" ought to read Dead Hypocrites. It's a brave work, confronting the issue of professing to be a Christian and yet preaching against your very own secret sins. Perhaps, as a Quaker, I take another "easy way out—by eschewing preaching altogether. Dead Hypocrites gave me plenty to think about. First, of course, it's a moving mystery, and can be read as entertainment without needing to serve any higher purpose. But at the same time, it does an extraordinary job of showing one person's struggles to retain his belief in God, in the face of a devilishly murderous world. Each of us has times when our faith is put to the test. Author Laura Ware has constructed what might be the ultimate test for her protagonist, detective Dave Hill. When you read Dead Hypocrites (and you should), you'll definitely be grateful you will never have to face this test yourself. And you'll be inspired to read how one person wrestled with his own test and ... Oh, but I'd better not give away the ending. That would be a sin.
  
• Shadow Life on Dec. 21, 2011
  
  Some books you can't put down until you reach the end. Those are rare enough, but even more rare are the books you can never put down. Their stories stay with you for the rest of your life. You might say they live a sort of "shadow life" inside your head, becoming active when triggered alive by some scene or event. Shadow Life is such a book. Shadow Life started me thinking deeply about a number of serious issues in our modern society, such as, - The truly important things in a person's life are the same whether the person is gay, straight, bisexual, or asexual. - How a simple label, once given, can change a life forever, and never be entirely erased. - How weak a lonely individual is, and how strong he becomes when he teams up with another lonely individual. Shadow Life's writing is movingly clear, its protagonists truly alive, and its lessons unforgettable.
  
• Jessica Falls on Feb. 22, 2012
  
  I had promised to review Terry Hayman's novel, Jessica Falls, but as the story drew me into its web, I was having trouble figuring out how to communicate with my readers. To begin with, Jessica Falls is not your usual plain vanilla mystery. I didn't know how to describe the book--until I ran across a quote from the protagonist/narrator, Weston Long. His own words pretty much told the story: "...a big part of why I was still here, now chased and threatened by gun-wielding types, was because I needed to understand what made Jessica Pollard tick. What made her who she was that she could twist me around her baby finger? What gave her that power? Or maybe it was just part of my own psychic Dumpster diving. I needed to go deep into her decadence to understand the dark patches of my own soul." I don't know how women readers will respond to this story, but as a man, I responded to virtually every page with memories of that mysterious beautiful woman who "could twist me around her baby finger." Like Wes Long, I endured beatings (both physical and psychological) as I pursued my own "Jessica." But unlike Wes, I didn't have to contend with every crime in the book: murder, embezzlement, fraud, rape, assault, drug dealing, incest, and even cruelty to animals. No, Jessica Falls is not a comfortable story, but it's one you won't be able to put down until both you and Wes have learned about "the dark patches" in your own soul.
  
• Masks on May 28, 2012
  
  For the first few pages, E. M. Prazeman's Masks had my mind reeling—much the same feeling as culture shock. I read on, carried through my puzzlement by the luscious writing, until I realized that the feeling actually was culture shock. Young Mark Seaton, dreaming of becoming a sailor like his father, lives in a world similar to an archaic version of ours—similar but for the culture shock. For Mark, there is nothing shocking about his world—until his mother is murdered, his father disappears, and he is kidnapped and sold into a world of perverted nobles to be trained in the masked arts of seduction, treachery, and murder. Mark grows to manhood unable to escape this immensely rich, exotic world, but never quite accepting its immoral premises. When a duel kills both masked opponents, he seizes upon one of their identities and escapes to an island world in which he feels more at home. But this new world is just as beset with intrigue as the one he escaped, but now he finds himself at the conspiracy's center. His hope for a good, honest life is not yet to be fulfilled. To save his new home, he must return to the one from which he escaped. Luckily for the delighted readers of Mask, Mark's adventures will be continued in Confidante, Book Two of The Lord Jester's Legacy.
  
• Exotics #2: Xanadu House on June 25, 2012
  
  As an adult, I'm not supposed to admit that I enjoyed reading a book for younger readers. But as a grandfather, it's okay for me to tell how much my grandkids will enjoy De Kenyon's book, Xanadu House. Xanadu House is Book 2 of The Exotics, and it's a bit hard to get started if you haven't read Book 1 (a problem which is readily solved). A bit hard, that is, if you're an adult with the adult kind of mind that insists on every question having a logical answer. On the other hand, Xanadu House has all the kinds of things kids love--as the cover promises, spies and magic. Plus likeable kids galore, and hateable ones, too. And mysterious characters doing incredible things. The Exotics are shape-shifters, each one having an animal side to call upon, sometimes intentionally and sometime by accident. Rachel's mom turns into a bee. Her friend, Babra, a cute cocker spaniel. Digger is a mole, and Rachel, our heroine, discovers her alter-ego is a gecko. Her gecko-form allows her to walk on ceilings and slip through small spaces so she can escape traps and also spy on plotting adults and kids. Xanadu House is a refuge for exotics, but in this sparkling adventure, there's really no place to hide that's entirely safe. That's just another reason kids will love the book.
  
• Naero's Run on April 30, 2013
  
  It was with some trepidation that I began to read Naero's Run. It is well and truly a space opera, and over the years, I've become more demanding of space operas. They're like the little girl with the curl: When they're good, they're very very good, but when they're bad, they're horrid. Well, much to my delight, Naero's Run is one of the good ones. It has all the usual fantastic tech, plus some original stuff to spice up a fast-moving story. To top it off, I fell in love with Naero, as she made her run to save the galaxy from unspeakable tyrants. It's pure entertainment, and that's exactly what I want my space opera's to be. As a bonus, the story raises some important philosophical questions, but doesn't slow down a bit for them. If you're a fan, you'll be pleased you read Naero's Run.