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Tracey Martin | Imagining Next Week. Or Maybe Next Year.
Confession time: Although my RedZone series ( REVIVE and
RESIST)
is science fiction, I donβt really consider myself a science fiction writer. My
true writing loves are fantasy, paranormal, and oodles of romantic angst. When
it comes to reading or watching TV and movies, sureβbring on the androids, the
aliens, and the technological impossibilities that fill my head with wonder.
But
the thought of writing such things myself? That always seemed a little too
impossible. When I got the idea to write REVIVE,
however, the nagging that this had to be my next project wouldnβt quit. It was
time to confront whatever was holding me back from trying my hand at a genre I
enjoyed.
Like with so many hang-ups, I realized my reluctance stemmed from fear, in this
case, the fear of getting things wrong. Logically, I know I will always get
things wrong in my books. Everyone does because no one can be an expert in
everything. But having been trained in science, and as someone who does
research
for a living, the idea of getting my science wrong especially rankled. Maybe it
wouldnβt have been such a big deal if I were planning a grand space opera where
the science was indistinguishable from magic, but REVIVE and
RESIST
are firmly rooted in time and place. Not just on earth, but on an earth almost
identical to the one weβre living in now.
How do you predict tomorrowβs scientific breakthroughs? Technology is
developing
so quickly these days that even last yearβs inventions can feel dated. And just
as importantly, can you tell what kinds of technology isnβt going to change?
Filled with anxiety, I decided there were two ways I would handle the issue.
The first was to make the timing in my world unclear. The setting for REVIVE and
RESIST
is a trope thatβs sometimes called Twenty Minutes in the Future. This is an
undefined year that shares many similarities with now while also providing
license to create whatever new technology that a story calls for. In the
RedZone
world, self-driving cars and tablet computers that can be folded like a
piece of paper and be carried in your pocket live along side normal vehicles
and
pens and paper.
The second way I handled the changes was by narrowing my scope, focusing on the
technologies and sciences going through the most rapid changes. Aside from
self-
driving cars, I chose to focus heavily on biomedical engineering. It seems
almost every week some new breakthrough is happening in the medical world, and
this dovetailed nicely with the science I was creating to inform my characters.
As a bonus, I got to put those psychology degrees I accumulated years ago (but
rarely use) to a purpose, drawing on what we know about neuroscience and
extrapolating fantastical ways we might manipulate our brains.
Only time will tell whether I guessed wisely or if the cyborgs that roam
RedZone's world are as big a bust as flying cars turned out to be.
And now that Iβve made my choices, I realize the bigger challenge was never
making predictions in the first place. It was the same challenge I faced when I
wrote my urban fantasy series: creating a coherent, believable world where my
characters could run wild. Because whether science or magic defines their
lives,
thatβs the real reason I read and write. For the literal and figurative
explosions. And REVIVE and RESIST have plenty of both.
Giveaway
What technology do you wish for in the future? Leave a comment below for a
chance to win $15 Amazon gift card and a copy of either REVIVE or
RESIST.
(Paperback for US winner; Ebook for international winner)
Earning a doctorate in psychology convinced Tracey Martin that imaginary
people were way more fun than real ones. Plus, they make better minions. From
this revelation an obsession was born, and sheβs been writing stories of kick-
ass girls and women (and the guys who deserve them) ever since.
She loves fantasy and SF, likes her music epic, and prefers her movies to
contain explosions. A city girl at heart, she doesnβt understand how she and
her
husband ended up living in New Hampshire, but sheβs vowed to escape one day.
Until then, writing keeps her off the mean, small town streets.
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Truth is a powerful weapon--but explosives never hurt.
Sophia can run but she can't hide. RedZone is on her tail and those of the six
techaugmented soldiers who escaped its clutches with her. If she could only
focus on fighting her way to safety, she might live long enough to disappear.
But it's not just her own backside she needs to watch out for.
At her side is her boyfriend, Kyle. He's the reason she found the courage to
escape, and she'll do anything to keep him and his secrets out of RedZone's
hands. Only problem is, since she was once sent to capture him, he has good
reason not to trust her.
In fact, there's not much trust to go around. RedZone keeps finding them,
suggesting someone is a traitor. And if that's not enough to recapture the
group, the organization has a backup plan. One that will force Sophia and Kyle
to choose between safety and risking everything one more time.
Warning: Contains killer robots, mutant college students, and dangerous super
soldiers. And those are the good guys. It's enough to make a rogue assassin
wish
she were taking her philosophy final instead.
Comments
22 comments posted.
Re: Tracey Martin | Imagining Next Week. Or Maybe Next Year.
Read minds.
(Marissa Yip-Young 6:08am November 19, 2015)
The main thing for me would be cures for diseases like Cancer and
Alzheimer's Disease. I'd also like to find a way for people to
be more protected from any type of sinister forces who want to
harm them in any way - be it a human force shield of a sort or
something, to keep people more protected.
(Peggy Roberson 7:34am November 19, 2015)
Cures for chronic diseases such as arthritis or Alzheimers.
(Deb Philippon 8:36am November 19, 2015)
A cure for cancer.
(Pam Howell 9:42am November 19, 2015)
Cures and rapid healing
(Colleen Conklin 11:56am November 19, 2015)
A cure for so many debilitating diseases and world peace!!!!!
(Susan Patterson 12:00pm November 19, 2015)
A better reading and auto dosing machine for diabetics,
and a viable affordable self driving car. I see how hard
it is to balance food intake and insulin dosing from my
work and wish it were easier for people in general. I
would want the car for myself, I am notoriously poor at
directions and would prefer to sit back without worrying
about it.
(G. Bisbjerg 1:40pm November 19, 2015)
Cures are a big thing that I think the entire universe could really utilize. One
big one for me specifically would be a cure for diabetes, especially since so
many people have that in today's society.
Another cool thing would be cars that could fly!
(Lily Shah 2:16pm November 19, 2015)
Kindle is my dream!
(Diane Pollock 6:43pm November 19, 2015)
Cure for Chronic illnesses which are debilitating.
(Sharon Berger 6:54pm November 19, 2015)
Oh man, sci-fi/fantasy/paranormal is my weakness!!!
I actually don't know what future technology I would wish for... Maybe better solar powered resources or something that would lessen fossil fuels before earth's resources run out. Also to prevent further depletion of the ozone plus air/noise/water pollution clean-up
(Lisa L. 10:44pm November 19, 2015)
When you mentioned making mistakes when writing it made me think of the last book I read. The author didn't know the difference between crocheting and knitting and kept making the heroine do both at the same time.
(Gladys Paradowski 1:29pm November 20, 2015)
Since we already have cell phones, etc. like Star Trek's telecommunicators, how about their transporter system too?
(Elaine Seymour 1:57pm November 20, 2015)
they have robot for thing now we need something to hlep th kid deformity and then the poverty in the state we have to see how we get it cclean up
(Desiree Reilly 10:17pm November 20, 2015)
This sounds so good!
(Lauren Koerner 11:36pm November 20, 2015)
Teleportation, since I never can be on time and deliveries could almost be
instantaneous. I hate running to the store for one last thing.
(Laura Gullickson 2:19am November 21, 2015)
to cure diseases.
(Wilma Frana 4:52pm November 21, 2015)
The ability to "feel good" all the time.
(Richard Burr 4:59pm November 21, 2015)
self driving transportation
(Beth Elder 4:59pm November 21, 2015)
No wars , that all energy for cars and homes were free.
(Deb Pelletier 10:15pm November 21, 2015)
i would love to see time travel happen.
(Sarah Hansrote 3:07pm November 27, 2015)
Cure for diseases or at least better medication. I would
love to have a pain free day.
(Brittney White 12:27pm November 29, 2015)
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