So without further ado (I've always wanted to say that), let's jump in and get our feet wet.
1. I noticed in the novel, some of the main characters refuse to call the undead "Zombies". Why is that?
-"dead heads" as they're called in the book are not your text book "zombies". Zombies in most of the genre are the dead coming back to life. Dead heads were living people that were infected by a virus. They need to eat living tissue to stay alive or they decay because the virus is actually feeding on them. If they starve, they will liquefy as the virus eats everything including bone tissue.
2. Where is Fair Lakes, MN?
-mostly, in my head. But you won't find it on any map. I've modeled it after Fairmont, MN. Where i currently reside. I've taken some liberties with certain parts of the town, but for the most part, every building or area you read about in the book, i've either lived in or been to. I've given the five lakes that run through the center of town "moon names" to coincide with the mythical county the town is the county seat for: Moon Valley.
3. What is the best way to kill a "dead head"?
-As per usual, the brain. The R.A.C.-V base of operations is the frontal lobe of the brain. It turns that part into a sponge and the host loses all reason and is easier to control. So either decapitation or destroying the brain completely is the only way.
4. Do you believe in a zombie apocalypse?
-I don't think something like in the book could ever really happen. while i tried to make the virus and the epidemic seem as real as possible, I don't think an all out "zombie apocalypse" could happen. Logic would dictate that it would be impossible for a human body to function like they do in the movies or in most stories. This does not rule out that some sort of pandemic that would make people go "insane" and kill each other. But i think there is enough firepower in the world to stop that before it got out of hand.
5. Why do some "dead heads" run while others just shamble around slowly?
-i think an infected's mobility would depend on certain factors. If they are newly infected or well fed; i think they would be able to travel faster. But ones that have been infected for awhile or haven't fed in a long time would move slower because their body has begun to deteriorate.
6. What would be the best weapons to dispense dead heads with?
-shotguns are a favorite. Don't have to aim as much and can easily be modified to handle easier. Like a Remington 870. Shells, say a dragon fire round, can mess up a whole lotta zombie. The AR 15 is also a great weapon and more efficient than the M16. Unfortunately, the last stronghold in Moon Valley only has M16s in stock. The 1911 handgun has always been my favorite, with a hollow point bullet. If you don't have access to any firearms...hammers do great blunt trauma, as do baseball bats. Knives, hatchets and axes are great, but they also get stuck in bone marrow pretty good, and who wants to wrestle with a knife or axe when you've got a horde breathing down your neck.
7. Will there be a sequel to Zechariah 14:12?
-that's hard to say, because when the story first started out; it was a short story. "The Last Stronghold" (midnight snacks). I was asked to expand it into a novel. I really didn't think i could do it, but i did. I honestly thought "how the hell do you go on at novel length about the zombie apocalypse?" But it happened, and it actually gave the characters time to introduce themselves better so you would care about them getting munched on. I would like to say that how "Zechariah" ended is how it ended, but my mind never listens to me. So if it wants to write more about zombie survival...
8. What are your favorite zombie movies/shows/books?
-Night and Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero. Not too keen on his later projects, they became sort of campy.
-The Walking Dead. This was probably a dream come true to my young zombie loving mind. It is so well done in both writing and acting.
-World War Z (novel). The book is probably one of my favorites out there on the zombie genre. Didn't like the movie version, that was disappointing.
-Shaun of the Dead. Got to be one of the most funniest zombie flicks out there.
-Zombieland. very entertaining but wanted to see more zombies.
-28 Days Later. The brits really know how to do up an apocalypse right. Loved the whole plot line and everything.
-Ranger Martin and the Zombie Apocalypse. (novel) a really great spin on the genre. the characters are believable and the action is very descriptive.
-Apocalypse Z(novel). This book was translated to english from espanol. I got addicted to this book and found out there was a sequel, but it hasn't been translated yet. dammit!
9. Is the president in the book a democrat or a republican?
-hahahaha. To be honest his personality came from a few presidents of both parties. I really wanted his character to represent America, strong and powerful, but in the end...very human.
10. Is there really a government lab testing facility in Manhattan, Kansas?
-Yes. In fact, i watched a special on Discovery that they did on real life people who were prepping for a zombie apocalypse and this facility was in that program. One of the things i noticed was that the place kept their test animals outside and birds and other wild animals mingled with the test animals. The place also sits in the middle of town and is pretty close to the city's water table. I had found my place for the beginning of the outbreak.