Hey Team!
We’re three weeks from the release of chapter one, and I wanted to dive a bit deeper into the origins of "Monster" and the creative process that brought it to life. Feel free to listen to the episode, read the summary, or both if you want an A in the class. :)
As we discussed last time, the idea for "Monster" initially stemmed from the age-old advice of "writing what you know." I was going to share how Monster fits into that adage, but it's hard to do without giving away spoilers. So before jumping into that, I thought it might be fun to just talk about what kind of book it is.
In Almost Super, my protagonist’s original “dud” superpower was the ability to see timers counting backward over everybody’s head. When the timer got to zero, that person passed gas. It’s a middle-grade book, and kids like bathroom humor.
We ended up changing the power, but I had a question crop up in my writer’s brain: What if those timers counted down to a person’s death?
The idea intrigued me. I soon discovered that other creators had already experimented with the concept, so I wanted an additional layer to the story—something new to add to this “trope.” I thought about this idea for months, turning it over and trying to find a new angle.
At the same time, I stumbled upon an article by Nick Bostrom titled "Are You Living in a Computer Simulation?"
I realized that the idea of a timer and living in a simulation fit together quite nicely. The “timer” could be a manifestation of the simulation's code. All I’d need to do was come up with a reason for why a person could see that code, and then there are all sorts of delicious questions. Who is running the simulation? For what purpose? What would a person do if they believed they were in a simulation? What would a person do if they knew when other people would die? The idea opened a Pandora's box of ideas.
A second concept that I’d always played around with was the strange effects of matter at the quantum level and how that might also play into the book. Three physicists won the 2022 Nobel prize in physics around this “concept,” proving that . . . wait for it . . . the universe is not locally real. This means the moon isn’t there unless you’re looking at it (okay, not really, but kind of).
One day, I was walking into a store, thinking about timers, and I had an idea for a scene in the book. It came in a flash, and I realized this was the answer. This was the new level and depth I needed. The new idea gave me the character, plot, theme, and the “truth.” Within 2 hours, I had the whole book outlined.
That scene . . . can’t be shared because it’s too much of a spoiler, but it’s coming—soon—and I think it will be worth it. :)
Okay, so what kind of book is Monster? It’s best described as a contemporary, speculative, fiction thriller. It’s set in today’s world with just the slightest of twists. This twist introduces all sorts of moral and ethical dilemmas, questions about right and wrong, and the complexities of human nature. The protagonist must race against not just time, but a literal timer. And the stakes are high.
I mentioned in the podcast that I hope each chapter I post on Substack becomes a conversation. I’d love to hear about thoughts and reactions, both from a reading perspective, as well as from a writing one. A writer makes choices about what to point their camera at. I want and love feedback. Also, I’d love feedback on the concepts. If you’re familiar with Bostrom’s ideas, do you think we’re in a simulation? Is that just too far out there? I’d love to hear about them in the comments. And as we get deeper into the book, I hope you feel comfortable sharing your thoughts, ideas, and feedback.
Below are the two articles mentioned in the podcast:
Are You Living In A Computer Simulation? — Nick Bostrom
The Universe Is Not Locally Real, and the Physics Nobel Prize Winners Proved It —Daniel Garisto
So excited! Such a fascinating thing to think about. I agree with other comments that it is fun to hear how you developed your idea.
Just finished the podcast. I'm pretty sure you left an Easter egg at the end. If so, how fun! If not, you may want to check your edit :-)