An Interview with Marc Scott Zicree
Interview conducted c. early 2010s
Introduction
Marc Scott Zicree is a science fiction writer and television creator best known for The Twilight Zone Companion and his work on series such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Babylon 5, and Sliders. His career spans prose nonfiction, scripted television, and long-form speculative storytelling, with a particular emphasis on expansive science fiction worlds.
This interview was conducted during a period when Zicree was actively reflecting on narrative structure, character voice, and the mechanics of serialized storytelling across media. The conversation focuses on idea generation, outlining, worldbuilding, and the practical discipline required to sustain professional creative output.
Zicree’s responses reveal a storyteller grounded in classical structure while remaining attentive to voice, theme, and moral clarity. His approach emphasizes problem-driven narratives, strong character identities, and the importance of satisfying resolution.
This interview is preserved as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, documenting the voices and working methods of contemporary genre creators.
MarcScottZicree_Interview
The Interview
Life as a Writer
When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
When I was ten, I saw Ray Bradbury speak at a library. That was incredibly inspiring. Seeing Star Trek and The Twilight Zone as a child sealed the decision.
When did you first realize that you have what it takes to be a writer?
When I realized I could earn money doing it. I sold my first short story at nineteen and was selling television by my early twenties.
Premise
Where do you get your ideas from?
From everything. A conversation, a movie, something someone says. Often ideas come from multiple elements converging rather than a single source.
How do you develop your ideas into a story?
I look for a beginning, middle, and end. You start with a problem, escalate it, and have the characters solve it. The story has to satisfy you first, or it won’t work for an audience.
Genre
Do you like to mix genres in your stories?
Sometimes. I enjoy science fiction, fantasy, horror, and comedy, but science fiction is where my heart is.
What genres would you like to explore in the future?
I’ve begun writing memoir material, particularly about my parents.
Structure
Do you work from an outline?
Yes. Especially with scripts, you need to know where you’re going. Structure is essential.
Plot
How do you build your story?
It varies. Sometimes you start with character, sometimes with situation. It depends on where the initial spark comes from.
Character
For you, what makes a great hero?
A distinctive voice. Heroes shouldn’t feel generic. If I can hear a character’s voice clearly, I can write them.
If one of your characters were to describe you, what would they say?
That’s up to the character. Sometimes they talk to me, and sometimes I direct them. It’s not always a one-way street.
Setting
How do you go about building your story world?
I like stories set in large universes. Science fiction allows you to define not just a world, but the rules that govern it. Worldbuilding is a major pleasure for me.
What settings would you like to explore in the future?
In Space Command, I explore our solar system and beyond over several centuries.
Theme
Do you like to know the purpose of your story before you sit down to write it?
Sometimes. But by the end of the process, I must know what the story is about. A story needs a point.
Dialogue
Do you have any favorite lines from your stories?
Yes. Lines that reflect a moral compass or emotional truth tend to stay with me.
Writing Process
Do you have a routine?
I prefer to write away from home—libraries, cafés, or quiet professional spaces—where distractions are minimal.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I maintain a regular writing schedule. Sometimes switching projects helps, but I keep working.
Story Development
How do you go about fixing a story?
I seek feedback from people I respect. Solutions often arrive when I step away briefly and let the problem settle.
How do you know when to stop?
A story is finished when the problem it sets up is resolved in a satisfying way.
Words of Advice
What words of advice would you give to new writers?
Read widely. Live fully. Write every day. Get professional feedback. Don’t work in isolation, and don’t stop.
Final Thoughts
What’s the best thing you’ve ever written?
“World Enough and Time.”
What are you working on now?
An epic science fiction series spanning generations and exploring humanity’s expansion into the stars.
Closing
This interview captures Marc Scott Zicree’s emphasis on structure, voice, and moral clarity as foundations of effective storytelling. His reflections highlight the importance of disciplined craft, purposeful narrative design, and sustained engagement with story across multiple forms.
Presented here as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, this conversation preserves a perspective shaped by decades of professional storytelling in both prose and television.