Q&A With Dan Ronco
Author: Dan Ronco

Daphne Hayden, DNS News Anchor, interviews Dan Ronco in 2012
regarding Unholy Domain, his visionary novel. Ms. Hayden appears
as herself in both PeaceMaker and Unholy Domain.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: I've found your biography online at Dan Ronco,
and I know you have not one, but three degrees: Chemical
Engineering, Nuclear Engineering and Computer Science. Why so
many?

DAN RONCO: It's my nature. I'm never satisfied, always looking
for the next challenge. My career has been like that, too. First
I designed nuclear reactors, next I became a Partner in a huge
accounting and IT consulting firm, then President of a small
software company and finally a General Manager with Microsoft.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: So how did you go from technology guru to
writing a novel?

DAN RONCO: After more than two decades in the IT business, I
felt that it was time to do something else. Although I loved
working at Microsoft, 70 hour weeks and heavy travel take a
toll. Besides, I had been thinking about writing a novel for
years, but hadn't made much progress. It was time to choose. So
I left my job and concentrated on writing.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: You're much better looking in person. Trash that
photo on the cover of Unholy Domain.

DAN RONCO: Well, I was trying to look author-ish. Guess it
didn't work.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: In your first novel, set in 2012, PeaceMaker a
Windows-like operating system is infected with an intelligent
virus, leading to a shutdown of computers across the globe. With
Windows computers so widely used, could this really happen?

DAN RONCO: Software terrorism is already a threat, and it will
grow over time. Every time a new virus attacks Windows, someone
has to detect and report the problem, programmers have to
develop and distribute a fix, and millions of users have to
apply the fix. A relatively slow process, but it works as long
as the virus isn't too destructive, doesn't spread too fast (or
secretly) and doesn't evolve too rapidly (the fix won't work if
the virus can change tactics). In PeaceMaker, I envisioned a
fictional virus attack that exceeded these parameters. At some
point within the next decade, a terrorist may be capable of
launching such a sophisticated attack.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: PeaceMaker and Unholy Domain have been touted as
the first two books of an anti-technology trilogy. Is that true?
What are the books about?

DAN RONCO: My stories dramatize the question: how much
technology is too much? The first novel, as you know,
illustrates the consequences of a runaway, lethal computer
virus. My new novel, Unholy Domain, set in 2022, considers the
meaning of being human as artificial intelligence begins to
approach human intelligence. It takes a hard look at what I
believe will be accelerating conflict between science and
religion. The last book of the trilogy, set in 2025 and
tentatively titled Tomorrow's Children, considers the risks and
benefits of genetic engineering.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: You didn't really answer my question. Don't your
books warn against the continuing growth of technology?

DAN RONCO: It's clear to me that the exponential growth in
technology over the next two, three decades will bring
incredible change to our society, possibly beyond our ability to
cope. Whether that's anti-technology, well, I'll leave it for
the reader to decide.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: Scientists and the clergy are already in
conflict over issues such as evolution, homosexuality and
abortion. You believe it will get worse?

DAN RONCO: Without a doubt. Consider a few emerging issues.
Should we enhance capabilities such as intelligence, athletic
ability, beauty or health through gene manipulation or
artificial components? If so, who gets the enhancements? Should
human cloning be permitted? Should an intelligent robot have the
same rights as a human? Does God care if we evolve into a new
species? Should we allow artificial intelligence to approach and
possibly surpass human intelligence? These issues will shake the
foundation of organized religion as never before.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: I see what you mean. Complex issues, no easy
solutions. Must the novels be read in chronological sequence? Do
you have to be an engineer to understand the technology in the
novels?

DAN RONCO: First and foremost, I wrote the novels to entertain
a reader who enjoys thrillers or science fiction. If you can use
a computer, you will have no problem with the technology in my
stories. Although the novels are all consistent with each other,
each is a self-contained story. You can read them in any
sequence, so just start with the one that most appeals to you.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: How long did it take to write your novels?

DAN RONCO: Including research, I have been working on the
trilogy for about eight years. Not full-time, but I try to write
three to four hours per day on average. Tomorrow's Children will
be complete in a few months, so I have dedicated a big chunk of
my life to this work.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: What lessons have you learned as a writer, and
what changes would you make if you could start over?

DAN RONCO: When I started, I had no idea how difficult it is to
write well. I thought that once you had the concept for the
story, the words would just tumble out of your mind onto the
page. Man, was I wrong. Every word in your story must have a
reason to be present, and it must convey the right shade of
meaning. Extremely difficult, but what a feeling of satisfaction
when you get it right.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: The women in your novels are highly unusual to
say the least.

DAN RONCO: I knew we were going to get into this.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: Don't get alarmed, I think it's a good thing.
Your female characters are beautiful, smart, tough and
physically strong. I particularly like Darlene Duboski, DoubleD
as you call her. How did you come up with this amazing woman?

DAN RONCO: DoubleD isn't really that unusual, if you think
about it. She's the culmination of a long-term evolution.
Today's females are bigger and more athletic than previous
generations. Go to any workout facility and what do you see?
Plenty of women. And not just doing aerobics, either. Pumping
iron, pushups, building their strength against all manner of
exercise machines. They're dropping baby fat and showing off
lean, hard muscles. Not that they are becoming bodybuilders
(although some do), but they are not the women of your mother's
generation either.

Drive around town and you'll certainly come across a jogger.
What's the gender most of the time? And she's probably setting a
fast pace, too.

Muscles are no longer solely a masculine domain. Check out the
ladies playing basketball or tennis, let alone the boxers. Not a
wimp in the bunch. Title IX has opened the door for women to
excel at sports, and they are succeeding. You want to see Serena
Williams or Mary Pierce getting ready to serve a cannonball at
you? I don't. That doesn't mean today's women aren't as
beautiful or sexy as previous generations. I think they look
better, actually, with their lean, athletic figures.

DoubleD — and many of my female characters — are based upon
this new model of femininity. They are just as tough and smart
as the men, and they don't take a backseat to anyone. Damn sexy,
too.

DAPHNE HAYDEN: Kudos to you! I couldn't agree more.


About The Author: Dan Ronco's expertise in engineering and
computer science infuses his fast-paced techno-thriller Unholy
Domain with detail and authenticity. His second novel, it warns
of the looming clash between religion and advanced science.
Visit http://danronco.com.