Sci-fi author Eugene Clark chats with me about his new hard science fiction novel, Teen Cults.
Bio:
Eugene Clark is the pen name of a successful serial entrepreneur turned futurist writer based on plausible hard science fiction. He makes complex science and technology both approachable and entertaining, raising important questions that face our civilization in the near future.
Welcome, Eugene. Please tell us about your current release.
Teen Cults is the third volume in a seven-part series about the creation and lives of genetically engineered children. Esther Stein narrowly avoids her first assassination attempt finding herself struggling with adapting to computerized cybernetic organs damaged during the attack. Martin Allerton struggles with price of power and with Esther attempt to harness their growing abilities to create their own societies and civilization.
What inspired you to write this book?
My own experiences with IVF inspired the series. This volume I wanted to create a female led cult and what that might look like but with advanced technology and resources. All the technologies are “just around the corner” so I wanted to imagine what people could do with them.
Excerpt from Teen Cults:
Esther asked, “Does this minor ask the local police to protect him day and night? Maybe a policeman gets killed time to time in the crossfire. Or does this minor spare the police all this trouble? What does the police prefer?”
Officer Jack replied, “The rule of law. That is my oath.”
“And what about the higher law? The law of survival? Does a person not have the right to live?”
“The higher law is the rule of law. Now will you surrender quietly?”
Jack said this with fear, and Esther found herself almost enjoying it. Marcy had told her that power was a thrill. The coldness she felt before changed to delight, more satisfaction than joy.
What exciting project are you working on next?
Completing the series which is nearly finished.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Nine years ago I wrote a non-fiction work on the emotional challenges of small business entrepreneurship. I found the process very enjoyable and went on to try fiction writing inspired by many authors who started later in life.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I spend probably four hours a day writing and the rest reading. I have an active interest in philology and it comes across in my writing.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I have a great interest in philology which is reflected in my main character’s intellectual curiosity. For instance, the ancient Greeks had seven words for “love” where in modern English have to interpret the word by context. Also characters attempt to place themselves in a historical context. They understand that their actions have historical implications and make a guess at it, correctly or incorrectly. I like red herrings, double and triple entendres, I also have a great love of paradox, lesser of two evils, damned if you do or don’t, anything that goes up against moral boundaries. I also have a great desire to make humor in serious matters.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
For most of it, rich and independent. Once I got those, I decided I need to give back in a way suitable to my particular life.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
My books are meant to entertain across a wide spectrum. I make fun of everything, and my hope is that you laugh very hard while reading my books. The sex and violence are mostly off screen. Unlike traditional science fiction, I got rid of space travel, magic powers, aliens and fantasy elements and instead evolve my characters over years with long term projects in between. It’s not classic good versus evil either, but characters attempting personal achievement and facing impossible moral questions.