| Bond." I wanted to bring back all the elements from those novels, such as the gambling scenes and the detatailed descriptions of meals. I think that they're important in a Bond novel. I actually had to do some convincing to one of the publishers that this is what the fans wanted, too. Further, Fleming always used very simple, realistic and believable gadgets. Something that could be concealed on the body, for example. I've attempted to stay in that same mindset when it comes to gadgets. I've considered upgrading from the Walther PPK to the P-99, but Bond'll use both. He's going to have a little more high-tech car, though; that's in the second book.
HMSS: What else can you tell us about the second book? BENSON: It takes place in Texas, Greece, and Cyprus. That it involves the "Cyprus Situation;" the conflict between Greece and Turkey. That's all I can really share with you now. HMSS: There's a chapter in ZMT called "Walkabout," in which Bond is lost and wandering the Australian outback. Was this written for Bond as a "self-actualization," as the chapter title infers? BENSON: The Aborigines go on a rite-of-passage called a "walkabout." I named the chapter that, because Bond's stuck in the outback and has to find his way back to civilization. I wanted to pit Bond against the elements, which has rarely been explored. It was a way to get kind of surreal, hallucinatory imagery. The thing with the Aborigine girl was originally written that she was naked. My Australian sources strongly objected; they said I'd receive a lot of flak for that because aborigines are not that way. They dress in blue jeans and speak English. I guess my original conception was that they spoke another language. And so I changed the scene.
HMSS: Ursula Andress or Famke Janssen?
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BENSON: Hmmm.....tough one. Ursula Andress. HMSS: There is not a lot of interior perspective of Bond himself in ZMT. He seems a shadowy figure. Will different aspects of his character be explored in subsequent novels? For example, has he fully recovered from the death of Tracy? BENSON: Bond was always shadowy. He's a brooder. In the second novel, I'm hoping to give him more personal angst, which I don't get into now. But he has recovered from Tracy's death. That was my attempt in "Blast From the Past." HMSS: Do you envision other characters from Fleming's Bond novels returning, such as Bill Tanner or May? BENSON: May will be in the second novel. Bill Tanner will be in all of them. Moneypenny will return, and Felix Leiter will also be in my next novel. I don't know if I should give this away yet...there's a character from "From Russia With Love" that will appear in my second book. HMSS: By the way, what are the official release dates for "Zero Minus Ten"? BENSON: April 3 in the UK; May 5 in the USA. HMSS: Your "James Bond Bedside Companion" is regarded as the expert tome on all things Bondian. Any plans as regarding revising? BENSON: There are alway plans, (laughs), but no publisher wants to do it right now. I'd like to get it out again, and now that I'm writing the books maybe it'll generate some interest. It's a tricky thing though, now that I'm writing the novels, to critique others' work. It feels awkward. But I'd like to see it out there so people can get it again. HMSS: Will you be writing the novelization of "Tomorrow Never Dies"? |