1.   In what ways did you try to remain true to the original Dune? 

 

Brian Herbert: I spent 5 years researching the life and writings of my father, in order to write the biography of him, DREAMER OF DUNE.  I then spent an additional year compiling a concordance of all 6 DUNE books that he wrote, creating a valuable reference work that we could use to make certain that all details we write in the new books are consistent with Frank Herbert’s vision of the Dune Universe.

 

Kevin J. Anderson: When we took on the enormous challenge of revisiting the marvelous DUNE universe created by Frank Herbert, Brian’s father, we both knew we had enormous shoes to fill.  Along with JRR Tolkien's LORD OF THE RINGS and a handful of other works, DUNE stands as one of the greatest creative achievements and arguably the most brilliant example of world-building in the history of literature.

 

One does not blithely attempt to do a prequel to the best-selling and best-loved science fiction novel of all time . . . and so the two of us placed at least as heavy a burden on our creativity as the fans placed on their expectations.  We wanted to tell a story with the complexity and depth of DUNE, with familiar characters and settings, but with adventures the fans have never seen before.

 

2.  Your first Dune prequel, DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES, has done very well.  Was working on the second book made more difficult by the success of the first or was the favorable response of you many fans a boon to your creative process?  What challenges did you encounter along the way? 

 

Brian Herbert: DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES has not only been received well by the fans, with letters of support and bestseller status, but it has also proven to be a hit with notoriously cranky critics.  It is a huge challenge to do better than that with the second book, but we honestly think that DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN is a slightly better story, with a lot more drama occurring—things that were set up in the first book are coming to pass in book 2.  With that said, book 3 becomes an even bigger challenge!

 

Kevin J. Anderson: Actually, HOUSE HARKONNEN was already delivered and we were working on the third book in the trilogy, HOUSE CORRINO, when ATREIDES was published, and so reader reaction came too late for us to incorporate it.  Since Brian and I both contributed our utmost with these books, there was nothing we could have done differently.  We are both convinced that these DUNE prequels are the best work we have ever done.

 

3.   Now that you have 2 books under your belts, how do you work together? What process works best for you?   Have you influenced each other’s writing styles over the course of the project? 

 

Brian Herbert: Actually, we have 3 books under our belt, because we are polishing up details of book 3 (DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO) right now.  Kevin and I agree upon a plot, with a detailed outline.  We then divide the chapters up, depending upon personal interest and skills.  After the first draft is written, we then rewrite each other’s material.  Not with a red pen, but on computer disks that we mail back and forth, between his home in Colorado and mine in Washington State.  We also get together several times a year.  Our writing styles were somewhat similar in the beginning, because each of us were so heavily influenced by the master, Frank Herbert.  This has made it easier for us to work together.  I have seen each of us improve in the writing process.  Working in the complex, demanding Dune Universe really exercises the mental muscles that are required in writing.

 

4.      What are your thoughts about the audiobook versions of DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES and DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN?  What are your thoughts about Tim Curry’s performance?  Did you enjoy the addition of music? 

 

Brian Herbert: I think that Tim Curry did a fine job with DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES.  I especially like his portrayal of doddering old Emperor Elrood, the father of Shaddam Corrino IV.  The portrayal is a bit “over the top,” but in the hands of Mr. Curry, this is a plus.  He is a master, and is obviously having a lot of fun with his material, just as we have enjoyed writing it.

 

Kevin J. Anderson: I loved it.  Brian and I listened to the first few cassettes while driving to some book signings for our HOUSE ATREIDES tour.  The music and production values contribute a lot to the full experience of the story; even though the BDD Audio version is abridged, the music seems to add back a great deal of the detail.  Tim Curry is a delight and we found ourselves laughing out loud at some of his characterizations.  It is terrific to have somebody do more than just "read" the script, but actually "live" it.

 

5.       Were you audiobook listeners prior to your latest works becoming audiobooks?  If so, what are some of your favorite kinds of audios?  favorite performers?

 

Brian Herbert: I am a person who likes to use every bit of time productively, so audiobooks are perfect ways to keep my mind active while I am in the car.  I tend to listen to classics or quality bestsellers.  My tastes are eclectic, including Frank Herbert, Ray Bradbury, George RR Martin, Ayn Rand, John Steinbeck, David Guterson, Dean Koontz, and Robert Ludlum.

 

Kevin J. Anderson: I picked up on audiobooks almost a decade ago, when I was commuting to work thirty minutes each way, each day.  Since it's rather difficult to *read* a printed novel while driving a winding California road (and other drivers don't appreciate it), audiobooks gave me a chance to catch up on many bestsellers and other books of interest.  I don't like the drastically abridged versions because often they don't make sense to me, but I love the experience of having someone tell me a story as I drive, or as I fold clothes, or cook dinner.