I had the recent opportunity to interview Ryan Galloway, author of the YA Science Fiction novel Biome. In this interview he talks about some of the psychology behind the story concept, the challenges faced by his main character, and what is next on his writing horizon.
Tell
us a little bit about yourself.
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| Author Ryan Galloway |
What
inspired your latest book?
Biome was inspired by a kind
of psychological curiosity. I wondered how we might treat each other—for better
or worse—if we could literally see the way we all think about the world, one
other, and the ourselves, firsthand. When Lizzy is given the memories of her
peers on Mars Colony One, she is challenged to do exactly that.
How
would you categorize your book?
The book is classified as Young Adult Science Fiction, though I’d say it
leans more toward New Adult. That category is (currently) still developing.
Introduce
us to your lead character. What is it
about this character that appeals to you as a writer?
Elizabeth is a strong person, but her strength comes from denial and
repression. Understandably, she struggles to relate to other people—even her
closest friends. For me, getting to see how Lizzy grows (or struggles to grow)
when she is more-or-less forced to relate, is compelling.
How
did the book come to be titled and how does it relate to the story?
A biome is a naturally occurring habitat in which certain plants can grow.
While there are literally biomes on Mars in which the cadets cultivate certain
species, the title relates more to the social and psychological bubbles in
which we live. As Elizabeth’s bubble is “popped,” she is forced to exist in a
more difficult, uncomfortable environment.
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| Available Now |
Tell
us more about the cover design.
The base photograph for Biome’s cover was originally part of
a fashion look book called "Digitalized," which was created by
Spanish designer Alba Prat. My partner, who is a graphic designer, used that
base to create the cover you see today. Being an indie author, I was grateful
to have so much input over the final product.
How
much of your experience is in your book?
When I was writing Biome, I
did my best to be vulnerable. Which is to say, I put a lot of my personal
experiences, ideals, and beliefs into the story. Though I hope the book reaches
a wide audience, I also recognize that vulnerability can be a tricky thing.
Some people will connect with my convictions—others may not.
How
much research did you put into your book?
Naturally, any Science Fiction novel requires a lot of research. It
helped that we’ve learned so much new information about Mars over the past few
years. Though my origins are in fantasy—making up your own rules requires its
own kind of homework—it was a lot of fun to study another planet, and to dream
about scientific breakthroughs in the near future.
What
advice might you give aspiring authors?
In my experience, your most extreme praises and criticisms can be pretty
off-target. I think the truth lies more in the middle. The best advice I can
give an aspiring author is to simply be who you are. Write your own
convictions, and write them honestly. No one else can tell a story from your
perspective. If you really want to connect with readers on a deep level, you’ll
have to go deep with them. It may not be popular with everyone, but it’ll be
real. And that’s what matters.
What
specific authors or books influenced how you write today?
I’ve always been most inspired by the books in which an author speaks
honestly about a difficult truth. J.K. Rowling, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Nicole
Krauss are some of my favorite authors. The History of Love is a book I consistently come back to.
What
is next for you?
Next up is an alternate-history novel about the dawn of industrial magic
in Athens, and the only young man in the city who can’t use spells. I’m hopeful
for a late-summer release in 2017. The sequel to Biome is on my list after that.
Biome Synopsis
Inside the gleaming domes of Mars Colony One, seventeen-year-old Lizzy
Engram and her fellow cadets work to make the Red Planet habitable. They spend
their days growing plants in the giant biomes, eating meals pumped out of 3D
printers, and waiting for the terraforming to be complete.And every Sunday night, the doctors erase their memories.
Week by week the procedure is carried out, and no one suspects a thing. Until one morning, Lizzy wakes up with all of the missing memories. And not just her own, but the memories of every cadet on the planet—from the boy who falls in love with her every week, to the girl who wants to ruin her life, to the cadets who have disappeared since landing.
Now balancing the desires, fears, ideas, and secrets of the entire colony, Lizzy has six days to figure out what the doctors are hiding—and how to stop them—before they erase her memories again.
Or worse, make Lizzy the next to disappear.
You can find more information on Ryan Galloway and Biome at the following places:
Biome Book Page
Ryan Galloway Author Page
Twitter: @ryangallows
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