Tevun-Krus #104 - SoulPunk

Author Spotlight: @wdhenning

Welcome to this month's Author Spotlight interview! This time we're joined by the fantastic wdhenning! Come take a gander...

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what words wouldn't you use?

Extrovert, chatty, deceitful (if you're willing to take my word for this).

Think back to when you were in school. What was your favourite subject?

Chemistry. I was a science geek.

When you were a young 'un, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Some sort of scientist (ended up being a chemical engineer).

What does Tevun-Krus mean to you?

It is a wonderful platform for things science-fiction and highlighting Wattpad authors. And who knew there were so many punk sub-genres?

Tell us about your reading/writing habits. If you're not a writer, then simply the former will suffice!

Being retired and under no time pressure to publish (except for various Wattpad writing contests with things like deadlines), I write when I like. And enjoy it. That being said, I tend to write more during late evenings. I generally draft chapters on an old PC, run them through a grammar checker, then, when satisfied, copy/paste into Wattpad.

As your crew casts your lifeless body into the heart of the nearest star, list three pieces of music likely to be rattling the bulkheads of your beloved vessel!

At that point, I probably wouldn't care what music blared, but okay, a thermonuclear funeral playlist: "Another One Bites the Dust" (Queen); "Carry On Wayward Son" (Kansas); "Ghost of a Chance" (Rush).

Who is your all-time favourite author? How much, if at all, has their work influenced your writing style?

My favorite author varies from time to time, but overall, I would say it's Isaac Asimov, particularly for his Foundation series. His world and society building fascinated me.

Of everything you've written, which piece is your favourite?

My latest novel, and by far my longest work, "Children of the Sun and Moon".

Pitch the above story to us. Make us really want to read it!

For over a millennia, the genetic Line of the Sol Empress reigned over the scattered planets of the Sol Commonwealth, exerting her constitutional authority and influence for the betterment of all humanity. In a brazen nuclear attack, she and her daughters were murdered. Priestess Celeste Ciel went on the run, carrying with her the last hope for a new Empress. Alone and labeled a terrorist, Celeste stowed away on the cargo starship belonging to a man nicknamed 'Moon', a loner and cynical ex-military engineer who would rather be left alone. Powerful corrupt forces feared the precious package she carried and spared no expense or atrocity to hunt her down. United by reluctant circumstance, Celeste and Moon fled across the galaxy in a desperate quest to restore the Line of the Empress.

To what extent does the mythical 'real life' influence your writing?

Reality is just the illusion we tend to agree on. Nonetheless, while speculative fiction bends reality by definition (which is the fun part), there must be bridges to shared experience to bring the readers in.

If you could have any superpower, what would that be and why?

Hmm, I would say super clarity, a kind of clairvoyance, I suppose. With this power, the outcome of any decision might be understood before making it.

What would you do if you woke up one day and suddenly realized you were an alien from another world?

That could be an interesting story prompt. Let's just say that discovering I was not human would be life altering. But given usual society behavior, I think I would keep that bit of information secret.

The Technological Singularity presents a rather daunting, some say inevitable, future. Does the prospect of that level of artificial intelligence excite you, or leave you quaking in your space boots?

There is much speculation by really smart people on this topic, but I think no one really knows what will happen, or even if it will happen. But it does make for a great trope in science fiction. Most times, the Singularity is a super AI that gains sentience, power, and acts contrary to humanity's interests. YvonneKindle had a unique take in her story "Listener", where self-aware AI's tended to suffer from depression, rather than becoming self-absorbed or evil. My gut feel is that if there is a future danger from Technological Singularity, would come in the form of a human-computer hybrid. But what, me worry?

Who was your first Sci-Fi crush? Who is your current one?

I wouldn't call it a 'crush', given the alternate connotations, but the first science fiction story I recall drawing me in was the classic "A Wrinkle in Time". Maybe I'll go read it again. A current 'crush' will vary with time, but now, I would say RJGlynn's edge-of-your-seat dystopian adventure "Salvage". If there is a sub-genre called Parkour-Punk, this would be it. Incidentally, the author recently knocked me out of Tevun-Krus's Ultimate Science Fiction SmackDown semifinal.

If you could experience the world of any Sci-Fi story on Wattpad, which would that be and why?

As much as I enjoyed reading many Wattpad Sci-Fi stories, there are few of the fictional worlds I would like to actually experience. They tend not to be true utopias, or else the story would not be that interesting.

And finally, any words of wisdom to new and aspiring Sci-Fi writers?

I am hardly one to be giving literary advice (still trying to figure out commas), but here goes. Read and write what you like. A lot. And be open to constructive critique. Also, try to make it fun. Basic stuff, I know.