In this five-minute news spot from All Things Considered, the NPR team speaks to Andy Wier, author of the Science Fiction thriller The Martian, the source material for the new Ridley Scott film starring Matt Damon. Here Wier speaks about how he wrote the book that most Mars experts agree is likely the most scientifically accurate depiction of life on the Red Planet in science fiction history, including depictions of what it would actually take to reestablish communications after being cut off from earth, how a stranded astronaut would really grow food, and, most importantly, all the mathematics that it would take to survive. Wier, a computer programmer by trade, made the first draft of his novel available on his website in order to make sure he was getting his facts straight; he then rewrote the novel according to the feedback he received. Readers interested in both Mars and the writing process will find much to enjoy in this short clip and the corresponding article.