An Interview with Larry Niven
Interview conducted c. early 2010s
Introduction
Larry Niven is a seminal figure in modern science fiction, best known for Ringworld, The Mote in God’s Eye, and Lucifer’s Hammer, as well as for his long-standing editorial role in the Man-Kzin Wars series. His work is widely recognized for its rigorous engagement with scientific ideas, large-scale conceptual worldbuilding, and an emphasis on narrative logic grounded in extrapolated physics.
This interview was conducted during a period when Niven was actively engaged in both solo and collaborative projects, continuing a career defined by prolific output and sustained influence. The conversation focuses on idea generation, outlining, revision, and the practical mechanics of storytelling shaped by decades of professional experience.
Niven’s responses are characteristically direct and economical. They reflect a storyteller focused less on theory than on function—what works, what communicates, and what sustains narrative momentum. The interview captures a pragmatic philosophy developed through long practice rather than abstraction.
This interview is preserved as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, documenting the voices and working methods of contemporary genre creators.
LarryNiven__Interview
The Interview
Life as a Writer
How did you get into writing?
Brute force. I wrote stories and mailed them out until somebody bought one.
When did you first realize that you have what it takes to be a writer?
When I received a check for twenty-five dollars. I knew I had stories to tell; I didn’t know anyone was listening.
Premise
Where do you get your ideas from?
I do a lot of reading. Sometimes that generates a story. Often I don’t know where ideas come from until they’re already there.
How do you develop your ideas into a story?
I sit down and start writing—usually with an outline.
Genre
What kind of stories do you enjoy working with?
Whatever seems to have the shape of a story.
What genres would you like to explore in the future?
I’ve touched most of what calls itself science fiction or fantasy. I have no interest in zombies, westerns, romance, or self-help.
Structure
Do you work from an outline?
Usually, yes.
Plot
How do you build your story?
With difficulty. It’s hard work, and it’s an art form that doesn’t lend itself easily to fixed rules.
Character
For you, what makes a great hero?
He’s a bit of a tourist. He doesn’t get motion sickness. He’s not smart enough to stay out of trouble, but he’s smart and lucky enough to get out of it.
If one of your characters were to describe you, what would they say?
That I sit around too much, sleep too much, and need to look around me more. That any time I get sick, so do they.
Setting
How much time do you spend researching the setting for your stories?
I generally do the research for fun, and the story grows out of that.
What settings would you like to explore in the future?
New exoplanets. Pluto. Earth entering an ice age. And heroic fantasy in collaboration with others.
Theme
Do you like to know the purpose of your story before you sit down to write it?
Absolutely. I prefer to know the ending, even if I change it later.
Dialogue
Do you have any favorite lines from your stories?
Yes. Lines that mark a moment when an idea snaps into focus or a limit becomes visible.
Writing Process
Do you have a routine?
I sit in front of a computer. No music.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
Badly.
Story Development
How do you go about fixing a story?
Fixing is easier than writing. I read it over, rewriting as I go, until there’s nothing left to fix.
How do you know when to stop?
When I’m running short of things to fix, I send it to an editor. That usually starts another round.
Words of Advice
What words of advice would you give to new writers?
Have a story to tell. If you can tell it at a party, it’s ready.
Final Thoughts
What’s the best thing you’ve ever written?
That depends on who’s asking.
What are you working on now?
Multiple collaborations and revisions across several projects.
Closing
This interview captures Larry Niven’s craft philosophy at a mature stage of a long and influential career. His answers emphasize clarity, structure, and function over abstraction, reflecting a worldview shaped by sustained engagement with both science and narrative form.
Presented here as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, this conversation preserves a voice that helped define hard science fiction while demonstrating how discipline, curiosity, and persistence can sustain storytelling across decades.