Mere Rain's Blog - Posts Tagged "speculative"
Fix the World
I and the other contributors to the newly-released science fiction anthology Fix the World were kindly invited to share some thoughts, and reading recommendations, with Amazing Stories.
Nine ‘Fix the World’ SF Anthology Authors Discuss Story Inspirations
Mere Rain, "In Light"
The work of fixing the world is never done. But it may get easier.
Inspiration for your story?
“We’re from the government and we’re here to help.” Everyone laughs. Reagan made it a joke and so did Men in Black. My friend who went to work for the government as a naive and optimistic college grad quotes this line and laughs, but bitterly, because he’s disillusioned after years of wanting to help and feeling stymied. Why is it so hard to fix things, anything? Why is it so hard to get help? What would it be like to live in a society where being helpful and trustworthy was the default, where admitting problems and asking for help was normalized? Where we fixed things before they were horrifically broken?
Next for you as an author?
I’m working on a historical fantasy and a contemporary romantic fantasy. I’d like to revisit the world of this story and elaborate on earlier space-exploration era that’s alluded to briefly by the characters, but I probably won’t have time this year. Of course, as soon as I say that I have this idea I really want to write… Excuse me, I just have to make a few notes, I’ll be right back…
To Be Read Next?
I’m looking forward to Firebreak, the new release by Nicole-Kornher-Stace, in which a woman discovers that her country’s celebrity super-soldiers are actually war orphans who were enslaved and experimented on for profit, and determines to take down the corporation that controls them and everyone else.
I also want to read Aliette de Bodard’s Fireheart Tiger, a romantic fantasy set in a universe inspired by precolonial Vietnam.
These are two authors I trust to bring insightful views, but in an entertaining and character-driven way.
Nine ‘Fix the World’ SF Anthology Authors Discuss Story Inspirations
Mere Rain, "In Light"
The work of fixing the world is never done. But it may get easier.
Inspiration for your story?
“We’re from the government and we’re here to help.” Everyone laughs. Reagan made it a joke and so did Men in Black. My friend who went to work for the government as a naive and optimistic college grad quotes this line and laughs, but bitterly, because he’s disillusioned after years of wanting to help and feeling stymied. Why is it so hard to fix things, anything? Why is it so hard to get help? What would it be like to live in a society where being helpful and trustworthy was the default, where admitting problems and asking for help was normalized? Where we fixed things before they were horrifically broken?
Next for you as an author?
I’m working on a historical fantasy and a contemporary romantic fantasy. I’d like to revisit the world of this story and elaborate on earlier space-exploration era that’s alluded to briefly by the characters, but I probably won’t have time this year. Of course, as soon as I say that I have this idea I really want to write… Excuse me, I just have to make a few notes, I’ll be right back…
To Be Read Next?
I’m looking forward to Firebreak, the new release by Nicole-Kornher-Stace, in which a woman discovers that her country’s celebrity super-soldiers are actually war orphans who were enslaved and experimented on for profit, and determines to take down the corporation that controls them and everyone else.
I also want to read Aliette de Bodard’s Fireheart Tiger, a romantic fantasy set in a universe inspired by precolonial Vietnam.
These are two authors I trust to bring insightful views, but in an entertaining and character-driven way.
