I'm beginning to see that as much as I like to ask questions about structure, characterization, plot, and other elements of fiction, many writers don't plan those things: they just let them unfold. Yet despite the fact that this week's guest wrote his story pretty much as he went along, everything came out beautifully. How did that happen? Listen!

Tony Williams has spent his working life in education, initially as a teacher, later as an administrator, and finally at a university. He took early retirement a couple of years ago to focus more on his writing and editing.

He works from home editing Jane's Ammunition Handbook for Jane's Information Group. He is also editor of The Cartridge Researcher, the monthly bulletin of the European Cartridge Research Association. He collects and researches ammunition, especially of the military variety.

Please join Tony and Writing Show host Paula B. as they discuss:

* How the idea for Scales came to him (it's unusual!)

* How he turned the idea into a complete book, and why it took him so long to do so

* Why he structured the book the way he did

* What type of narration he chose and why

* What drives the story forward

* Where Scales falls in the science fiction continuum

* How this book fits into his overall writing career

* Why he writes science fiction.