Tevun-Krus #68 - SkyPunk

Author Spotlight: @squirrelg

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

Petty, lazy

What did you want your nickname at school to be?

Gladwrap

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

The founder, composer and multi-instrumentalist of a metal band (let's face it, I still want that)

What's your favourite quote?

"As long as you don't choose, everything remains possible." From the film Mr Nobody.

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

I read and write whenever I have a spare moment from my full-time study. I have google docs everywhere so I can write on public transport, at home, at a cafe, etc etc. As for reading, I need to read a physical book because I can't passively focus on anything electronic.

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!

Seven Names by Tesseract, I Tokuni by Eivoer, Tempest by White Moth Black Butterfly

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

Lars Kepler - the influence they have on my writing is on my pacing and character-driven, thrilling twists. I wouldn't have my plots any other way now.

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

My (then-)newest work in progress, Nocturne!

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

In the late 22nd century, Esteria, an ancient vampire looking for zen rescues a street girl from the organ black market. What Esteria doesn't realise is that the girl is the reincarnation of an abnormally powerful and destructive shapeshifter, and everybody far and wide wants the girl one way or another - dead, weaponised, contained, controlled... Just not Esteria's plan of helping her avoid mass destruction by letting the girl develop her powers in a stable environment.

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

The knowledge I have from the mythical "real life" feeds into the sorts of characters and worlds that I write, but I don't like anything to stand out as "from my life". If there's something like that, I'd take care to disguise it. I don't want my writing to be about me. I want everyone to be able to take something from it without knowing about my personal life.

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

Telekinesis, because I would love to use my mind to move shit. Mind over matter.

What would you do if you woke up to discover you were Superman?

I'd quit my (Superman's) job as a journalist and fly to another planet.

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?

It excites me! I was almost going to study to become a mechatronics engineer. I'm always team robot, team alien... I'm not sure if I'm even human. (I don't want AI to make people lazy though.)

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

Eugene from the movie Gattaca was my first sci-fi crush. My current one is still probably him.

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

Can I say none because I don't want to die yet? Maybe the world from One World Over Time by JulieRodelli would be fun. I haven't caught up yet though, so I don't know if I might die.

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

Just because your world is cool, doesn't mean you can neglect the characters! And don't be afraid to work on your story again and again. Sci-fi is such a hard genre to get right, but writing is all about focused practice. You'll have the story you want to tell on the page eventually.