Yesterday I was lucky enough to be invited to give an author talk at my local Glen Street Theatre in a ‘showcase’ organised by my local library. Out of the house. An actual audience. Full of book fans! Thank you, Northern Beaches Libraries!!
I was honoured to be on stage with fellow authors, Petronella McGovern and Vanessa McCausland, while branch manager Kathleen Whelan hosted a Q&A style panel discussion. We were asked some fantastic questions!
Worldbuilding was a question close to my heart – how do authors build the worlds in which they write. I had some examples of worldbuilding handy and had a lot of fun sharing them:
I was also asked this little beauty:
It has been said that when the science runs out, the fantasy begins. Or does fantasy fuel science? Please comment.
For me, the answer is of course: both happens!
We have to imagine a scientific theory before we test it; we have to imagine ‘what if’ before we know what to develop and explore. In that respect, imagination comes first. For example, did you know Star Trek imagined many scientific developments we now know and love today: Bluetooth technology, voice-activated systems, USB drives, touchscreen, MRI scans, 3D printing? Fantasy fueled science.
But then, I was inspired by science ‘running out’ to write my novel Towards White, which explores where the electrical energy in our bodies might go after we die. The conservation of energy theory states that in a closed system, one form of energy must always become another form of energy, energy cannot simply disappear. Science also says that when we die, our bodies decompose and join the nitrogen cycle. But what about the electrical energy in our brains and nervous system? Electricity is too efficient a form of energy to simply dissipate, or entropy, as heat. So what becomes of it, does it too became another form of energy? Read my novel to find out my imagined thesis, he he!
There were more questions too, about how aspiring writers might tackle a blank page (some ideas over here!!), my passion for inclusive community creativity, the role of libraries in the creation of written content, and how we each used libraries as a children. I think I said I would live in a library if I could – and it’s true! I love libraries!
Our Mayor Michael Regan also gave a speech about how proud he was of our community throughout Covid-19, and library executives thanked everyone for their support. Writers and readers have a symbiotic relationship – we rely on and thrive off each other. So I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you too – for reading this!
Eleven lucky audience members also won book packs, including books by me! I had to quickly sign them before the showcase started…
Books are the best presents!
Maybe when you’re thinking about giving your next gift, you could make it a book!! An author out there would surely be very grateful – I know I would!
Great question. And great answer! It really is both ways. Glad you got out of the house too 🙂
Thank you, Zoya! It was so good to be among people again :0)