1. What the Hell am I Doing?

What the Hell am I doing?

The question has pummeled its way to the forefront of my mind more than any other.

So, you fancy writing a novel? You don’t know the first thing about writing. Well, maybe you’re an okay writer, you have been practising for a long time. But you don’t know the first thing about storytelling! What do you know about the construction of Sci-Fi and horror beyond a few surface level observations from the games you play and movies you watch, the books you used to read? What do you know about electromagnetism, spaceflight, physics, biology, micro-organisms, nanotech and other such mumbo jumbo? What on Earth do you know about writing mystery, compelling characters, dialogue, motivations and interactions? What do you know about crafting scenes, not just explaining something that’s happening, but crafting it, justifying it, linking it in with a greater story that in any way deserves to be told?

Just wait until Reddit gets its hands on you. Let’s say you somehow make a drop in the endless ocean of content that bombards the common consciousness every single day – what will they all have to say? Ahh, but you’re getting carried away, let’s start with the people who know you first. I’m sure they will support you, but who can blame them if they share a few giggles and knowing looks once you close the door behind you? Does he really think he’s going to be the next Crichton? It’s cute he’s got something to keep him busy, but gee, I hope he doesn’t get his hopes up! Or worse, ask me to read it.

Ahhh, welcome to the spin cycle of self-doubt – running every day from 9am! Sprinkle in some social anxiety, a healthy dash of self-diagnosed imposter syndrome, a motivation crisis and a sensitivity to… everything… and you have a surefire recipe for success! Self-deprecation aside, I am blessed to have a wonderful, supportive network around me, and I treasure every second that you all spend reading my words.

Now, allow me to introduce you to my passion. The mission statement goes a little like this:

It’s a sci-fi adventure story, exploring how we deal with isolation, fear, mortality, and that pesky disorientation that comes when things don’t turn out the way we thought. On the surface, I hope it to be a compelling journey of mystery and survival on a planet that is both a character and a key piece of the puzzle. Beneath this, I explore the isolation and division that we feel every day, the fearful loneliness that engulfs us whenever we ponder our destiny, and the beautiful, messy, human concepts of hope and love and ambition that charge us to get up and face the futility anyway. And what’s it going to be called, you ask?

I’ve got no f*****g idea.

My posts here will cover my progress and my processes, from tangential essays to revelatory Eurekas moments, and on special occasions, sneak peaks and reveals of the story as it unfolds. As I write this, I am halfway through my penultimate draft, some one hundred and eighty pages or so, and have extended the story so far to a select group of readers.  Please reach out if you’d like to join them!

Thank you again for coming. I dearly hope you enjoy the ride,

With love,

JSH