by Andrew Hinshaw
So, the wonderful folks at Ground have graciously asked that I submit a blog post about my submission “The Mad AI”, a prologue to a novel that I hope to publish before the year the story takes place (2173). When I started developing “The Mad AI” prologue, I did what many (if not all) authors do when they sit down to write. They ask themselves, “What would I want to read?”
But before we go there, in full disclosure, this is my first blog post. Ever. Okay, well, not ever, if you count the cringe-worthy Myspace rantings of a hopelessly immature man-child that I posted twenty or so years ago (wait…is Myspace even a thing anymore? Other than being used as a spicy quip in the ever-growing sardonic internet lexicon?) I digress.
*Bangs head on desk.*
Stop trying to sound so smart, Andrew. Be an annoying jackass. Stick to your strengths.
What was I saying? Oh, about trying to decide what I would want to read as a basis for what I would try to write. Clearly then, I should’ve tried to emulate Allie Brosh alot or just posted a never-ending stream of cat memes. How did I arrive at science fiction?
Well, I’d say early in my reading adolescence I was enamored by horror. Anne Rice, Stephen King, Richard Matheson. I loved the idea of people put in bad situations and seeing how they work things out (or fail to, as the case may be). I particularly loved Rice’s vampire series. The idea of being granted a powerful gift that gave you superhuman abilities…but at a price. Be careful when making deals with the devil, so to speak. However, more recently (as in the last 15 years or so) my interests have shifted to science fiction. John Scalzi, Drew Karpyshyn, Pierce Brown.
Beyond all of that, however, I really wanted to develop characters that felt real. At first, I didn’t really realize that was so important to me. I thought I would want to read is a story set in a frightening yet fantastical world filled with gunfights, cool tech and wisecracks. But in retrospect, I found the thing that I constantly worked the hardest on – was distinct characters that had relationships, hopes and dreams (despite living in a post-apocalyptic world). That’s always been a sticking point for me. I’ve read authors – including a few of “the greats” and most of the time (but not all) the craft was fantastic, but most of the time I didn’t care about any of the characters. In thinking of one of these books (which I will not name) I remember a massive, enigmatic spaceship littered with a strange history and alien robots that one day just started floating through our solar system. A team is sent to explore the ship, but try as they might, the origins and purpose of the vessel remains elusive. Some might argue that’s problematic in and of itself. But I didn’t take issue with the beans never being spilled. What I took issue with was–ask me to name a single character from that book. Do it. I dare you. I double-dog dare you motherf—ahem. My apologies. I was channeling my inner Jules Winnfield.
So, my answer to name a character of the above mentioned book would be: “Uh…Susan? Pretty sure there was a Susan. Maybe two even.” Then I’d glance over at my cat and whisper under my breath, “no idea”.
Gunnery Sergeant Kate Deseo felt real to me. While she’s a hard-ass (as my mother fondly referred to her), she’s also a concerned soldier whose first duty, though she may only admit it to those closest to her, is the wellbeing of her fellow soldiers. I can empathize with her. I can understand her frustration with being told to go on a mission with limited intel, while knowing, as cliché as it is to say, no plan survives first contact with the enemy. She’s forced to think on her feet, against a much more powerful and ruthless foe. Even then, she’s still not good enough.
That’s where the Mad AI comes in. For her, I wanted to create an artificial intelligence that had some personal demons. It’s not a far stretch to think that if (or more likely when) humans create Strong AI – an actual, sentient artificial intelligence – it’ll likely be burdened with some (if not all) the warts humanity has. Resentment, denial, hatred. But perhaps some of the good would also pass on. Longing, understanding, maybe even hope. The Mad AI, who is later known as Aya, has a heart. She also has demons. And maybe that’s why I’m writing this novel in the first place. Or maybe that’s why most writer’s write: we have demons we need to get out on the page and figure out what they are. Sure, the backdrops change, the plots change. But good characters stay the same.
As for the backdrop, the setting? A technocracy verses a theocracy on dying planet riddled by misinformation and savaged by pollution. If that sounds vaguely familiar, it’s not. It’s 100% original. Man I’m clever! Now, if only I could insert a couple of sophomoric jokes, a dash of military fanboying and some good ol’ fashioned horror, we got the makings of an interesting story here.