Action Pulp!

January 29, 2026

By Adam Messer

“I’m Science Fiction Author Patrick F. Johnson.” – Science Fiction Author Patrick F. Johnson. 

I met Science Fiction Author Patrick F. Johnson and quickly became mutuals with him during my early days on TikTok. He is a wry, clever and witty fellow whose deadpan humor about life, work, family and writing tickle your brain.

Please introduce yourself. 

I’m Science Fiction Author Patrick F. Johnson. 

What genres do you write and why? 

I write science fiction primarily, but will dabble in other genres as long as there are aliens. Or if I can’t think of a good science fiction reason for something. Endowment is fantasy, for that reason, and has no aliens. It does have a talking [male unit] though, which was impossible to think up a science fiction reason for.

What is your earliest memory of reading? 

I can’t remember ever not reading. My mom says I started early. I got away from it in high school because I was a hoodlum, and they wanted us to read old dusty, boring books. The earliest full length novel I can remember is the novelization of the original Star Wars movie. I think I was 7 or 8 years old. It was a thick boy.

When did you know you wanted to write? How did it happen? 

I saw the original Star Wars in the theater when I was 5 years old. I always had that ‘what if’ thing going when thinking about other people’s stories. Eventually I started thinking up my own but I put off getting started since I had other creative projects in the works. It wasn’t until we moved and I lost my music recording space that I got the itch to try writing books. I think I always knew that once I started, I’d have a hard time stopping.

What’s one of your favorite scenes in one of your books? 

It’s probably when Joe Norris dies on the toilet. That happens in my first Cheap Book: Aliens Versus Vampires Now With Mermaids.

What makes a good character? A bad one? 

I’d say it’s mostly about the execution. Some say to make your main characters flawed and the villains need to have depth, but sometimes it’s just fun to write Mary Sue characters. 12:23 was all Mary Sues and it was fun because they knew it.

What moves the story for you? 

I think I’m right in the middle between plot-driven and character-driven. If dialog-driven isn’t a thing then it should be because dialog is the bridge between the two sides of the coin. And that’s where the jokes live.

What is your favorite book and why? 

I don’t like to play favorites but I sure have read Stranger in a Strange Land way too many times. That was written before Heinlein went off the rails with all the weird n*pple stuff. Brother to Demons, Brother to Gods by Jack Williamson is what got me back into reading near the end of high school. The English teacher left for maternity leave and the sub let us pick our own books to read for a book report. Best sub ever.

What do you want to say to your audience? 

I’d mostly like to say thanks. Kind words always go a long way to help motivate us. Don’t be afraid to read Green. You’re not expected to admit it if you have read it. And you guys rock, except Brenda.

What advice do you have for new writers? 

I don’t like to give advice since most advice sucks, and good advice isn’t appreciated, especially if it’s free. So I’d say to ignore advice and find a process that works for you.

Do you have anything else you would like to add? 

Thank you, Adam, for undertaking this journey into a heart of darkness. You’re a good dude.

Website: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07932V4TN

TikTok: Science Fiction Author Patrick F. Johnson

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