Saving this to read for later. Thanks for sharing in Notes, Claudia! Since you compared my novel to Andy's work (totally undeserving of that) I've been more curious about his process.
One thing I didn't put in was that I've actually written to him before and asked about how he does his research. He said this: "People think I have all sorts of secret methods of research but the answer is I just Google stuff." I actually found that quite reassuring 🙂
Yeah, noticed that: "'humanity bad, corporations bad, nature good' and frankly I don't think any of those three statements are accurate." Straw man, anyone? For my money, the whole point of clifi is to raise complex questions about systemic problems. To over-simplify it to those three generalizations is plain wrong.
Food for thought there, especially for me as I've just written a novel with cli-fi elements in! And I'm currently on the final edit. Might have to give that evil strip-mining mulitnational CEO a devoted family man with a hobby running a sanctuary for retired donkeys. Jamie.
Hi Shoni. It's Jamie whose comment you liked on Ros Barber's Substack. I enjoyed your interview with Andy Weir – well done for bagging that one! I loved watching the Martian and really loved reading Project Hail Mary - can't wait for the film! Have you read Orbital by Samantha Harvey, a very different take on living in space but equally compelling in its own lyrical and reflective way? And while on books... do you know Ros Barber's novel Devotion? I mention it to you as it fits your 'optimistic sci-fi' brief. Its core conceit is the discovery by neuroscientists of the spiritual enlightenment component(s) of the brain that can then be simply activated by electrodes. Another great read. Thanks. Jamie.
Hi Jamie, nice to meet you, and thanks for the rec! I've been really enjoying Ros' Substack and will definitely look that one up. Also interested in your cli fi outing. Keep us posted!
What a fabulous inaugural outing for an interview series! I'm inspired. Love that you included the unedited email back and forth. The nosy snoop in me ate that up.
Thank you! It feels quite vulnerable but I need to start somewhere haha. One thing I've found is that authors have always been friendly and responsive when I've reached out, so I'd recommend it!
This is such a cool interview format! Congratulations 👏
Thanks so much. In future, I'll focus more on the subject. Just testing the waters and learning as I go :)
I think you found something interesting here. Looking forward to testing the waters with you.
Likewise 😀
Saving this to read for later. Thanks for sharing in Notes, Claudia! Since you compared my novel to Andy's work (totally undeserving of that) I've been more curious about his process.
One thing I didn't put in was that I've actually written to him before and asked about how he does his research. He said this: "People think I have all sorts of secret methods of research but the answer is I just Google stuff." I actually found that quite reassuring 🙂
Ha! Not surprising at all. I imagine it might be tough to get NASA to allow you a ride along with an astronaut!
He'd wish! 😁
Let me know what you think after you've read it! He completely trashed cli-fi, btw. 🫠
Yeah, noticed that: "'humanity bad, corporations bad, nature good' and frankly I don't think any of those three statements are accurate." Straw man, anyone? For my money, the whole point of clifi is to raise complex questions about systemic problems. To over-simplify it to those three generalizations is plain wrong.
Food for thought there, especially for me as I've just written a novel with cli-fi elements in! And I'm currently on the final edit. Might have to give that evil strip-mining mulitnational CEO a devoted family man with a hobby running a sanctuary for retired donkeys. Jamie.
This is brilliant and you are so funny. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Shoni.
Thanks Hanna!
Hi Shoni. It's Jamie whose comment you liked on Ros Barber's Substack. I enjoyed your interview with Andy Weir – well done for bagging that one! I loved watching the Martian and really loved reading Project Hail Mary - can't wait for the film! Have you read Orbital by Samantha Harvey, a very different take on living in space but equally compelling in its own lyrical and reflective way? And while on books... do you know Ros Barber's novel Devotion? I mention it to you as it fits your 'optimistic sci-fi' brief. Its core conceit is the discovery by neuroscientists of the spiritual enlightenment component(s) of the brain that can then be simply activated by electrodes. Another great read. Thanks. Jamie.
Hi Jamie, nice to meet you, and thanks for the rec! I've been really enjoying Ros' Substack and will definitely look that one up. Also interested in your cli fi outing. Keep us posted!
What a fabulous inaugural outing for an interview series! I'm inspired. Love that you included the unedited email back and forth. The nosy snoop in me ate that up.
Thank you! It feels quite vulnerable but I need to start somewhere haha. One thing I've found is that authors have always been friendly and responsive when I've reached out, so I'd recommend it!
Thumbs up for the asynchronous interview. You probably get a more thoughtful exchange that way than in the heat of the moment.
Yep! I think plenty of people are actually doing this. I'm just naming it haha.