Spotlight Author: MattMacBride

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

Genius, Sexy, Loaded ... I'm definitely none of those!

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

Geography. I grew up in the north of England so anywhere else seemed exotic.

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

A fighter pilot ... a dream that never got off the ground unfortunately.

What does Tevun-Krus mean to you?

I've only recently discovered Tevun-Krus but it seems like a great way to showcase your work to a like-minded audience and share visions of the future, both dystopian and utopian.

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

I've been an avid reader since childhood and average about two books a month (mainly hard science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy and crime thrillers). I can't sleep if I don't read for an hour. The last couple of years I've been doing an online English Lit. / Creative Writing degree so my reading has concentrated on the set texts for my course, which have included many different genres, including some of the classics and poetry.

I only began writing about five years ago, when I took a step back from the business I was running, so still consider myself very much on a learning curve. Since starting my degree I've become a compulsive (but not very organized) scribbler and always keep notebooks handy to jot down ideas. I write every day, usually in the early mornings and, although most of it gets binned, I do find the odd 'diamond in the dust heap' (to quote Virginia Woolf) which sometimes evolves into a story I consider good enough to post on 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!

Okay, so I don't want my crew too happy about this, so nothing upbeat.

If my lights have gone out I want 'All the Little Lights' by the brilliant Mike Rosenberg (aka Passenger):

https://youtu.be/OkxVxox--Io

Follow that with 'Don't Give Up' by Peter Gabriel:

https://youtu.be/VjEq-r2agqc

And lastly, just to generate a few more tears 'Shallow' by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper:

https://youtu.be/bo_efYhYU2A

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

If I had to pick one from the many contenders it would have to be Neil Gaiman. I love his straightforward unpretentious style, his boundless imagination, his characterization and, most of all, his emphasis on the importance of 'the story'.

I try to emulate his style when writing in the fantasy genre but it's going to take a lifetime of practice before I'm anywhere near his proficiency!

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

Well, it has to be my hard Sci-Fi novel 'The Apex Gene' which is published on Amazon Kindle. It was on Wattpad for several months and attracted some nice comments but I decided to publish it so I could enter it in the 2021 Cygnus Book Awards (an ISBN or ASIN number is required for eligibility).

I loved writing this novel because it provided an opportunity to explore and research some fascinating scientific hypotheses which are within the bounds of possibility, such as the theoretical existence of a 'counter-earth', gravity shielding, electromagnetic drives and gene manipulation.

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

When evolutionary biologist Toby Jardine published his paper on 'Intelligent Design', refuting many of Darwin's theories, it wrecked his career and made him a laughing stock. Years later he gets the chance to prove his theories correct when extraterrestrials arrive at a U.S. space station and disclose the true origins of homo sapiens to the small team aboard. But his hopes of restitution are dashed when it is decided that the shocking revelations would cause chaos among the pandemic ridden population of Earth. Toby then discovers that the aliens have a sinister ulterior motive for making contact. They are determined to acquire 'The Apex Gene', detected in autistic savant children. The team must find a way to neutralize the danger posed by the aliens while keeping their existence a total secret from the rest of mankind.

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

I would use the term 'Magical Realism', where the line between fantasy and reality becomes blurred. The aforementioned Neil Gaiman is a master of this genre so it certainly has a big influence on my writing and I use it in the two novelettes I have on Wattpad, and in some of my short stories.

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

Total Recall ... one of my biggest regrets in life is not keeping a diary. I would love to be able to clarify all my vague memories, and maybe discover some new ones.

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

According to my wife, I am!

Seriously, I would want to go and explore my home planet. I've already seen quite a lot of this one.

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?

I'm a quaker. If you look at the exponential rate of technological advancement over the last 100 years I believe we are not far from the 'intelligence explosion'. The problem for me is that I see quality of life decreasing as technology is increasing. Although they are now indispensable, I think people were happier leading simpler lives before the internet and smartphones.

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

Probably Jenny Agutter in the 1976 film 'Logan's Run'.

Current? Not really a crush but I admire Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in 'The Hunger Games' trilogy.

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

That's a difficult because the great majority seem pretty awful. One I think might be an okay place to go is Megalopolis in Edward Mullen's 'Prodigy'. I'm not much of an outdoor person so the idea of living in what is essentially an enormous shopping mall with easy access to every imaginable facility is appealing!

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

In my limited experience, I would say don't beat yourself up about inventing a new or different scenario for a science fiction story, they've all been done. Concentrate on a different approach or fascinating characters. Apart from that, edit diligently making use of spelling and grammar checkers then leave it for a few days before editing again with 'fresh eyes'.

When selecting stories to read I go for short intriguing descriptions rather than 'scene-setting' lengthy explanations or prologues.

Thanks for the interview!