My latest interview is with science fiction writer and YouTuber Bryce Parker, of Our Unobservable Universe.
Tell us about yourself! What would you like readers to know about you?
Bryce Parker: I got into science fiction when I watched Star Wars: A New Hope on VHS. I was four or five then, and I’ve been writing sci-fi stories ever since. Currently, I’m working on a series of sci-fi flash fiction stories that I read and turn into short videos on YouTube. It’s a unique way to showcase my writing and it has been quite fun to make the accompanying videos.
Alexis: That does sound fun and interesting. A friend of mine made a simple video of one of my short stories, and I loved it!
What book or books have most influenced you as a writer?
Bryce Parker: Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars should be required reading in schools. I read Kim Stanley Robinsons’ landmark trilogy in college and my writing hasn’t been the same since. His books distill the elements of good science fiction writing in a way that really clicked for me. There’s so much scientific detail in those books and it’s backed up with a strong narrative that spans centuries.
What are some tropes of fiction in your genre that you love/hate? Why?
Bryce Parker: This doesn’t just apply to science fiction, I see it in almost every genre, but I must say that I am not a fan of stories that justify abuses of power by their main characters. I don’t understand why writers have their stories treat things like warrant-less searches and torture as no big deal as long as the bad guy gets caught. Stories that do this normalize violence against civilians and give cover to those in power who commit real life atrocities.
Alexis: Agreed. Especially in times like these, when we’ve seen such vivid evidence of the abuses of power that police and government will wield against ordinary people.
What do you like to do other than read or write? Do you have any interesting hobbies?
Bryce Parker: I’ve made a lot of short films and that was one of the reasons that I decided to make my flash fiction stories into videos. I haven’t made any traditional short films in a while, but I might start again once the pandemic is over. For now, I’ll stick to my writing. I also have a fondness for pixel art. I’m not great at it, but you’ll find me posting my pixelly doodles on twitter from time to time.
What’s your favorite animal?
Bryce Parker: There are so many great animals on our planet that it’s impossible to say which is my favorite. Tragically, humans are responsible for the extinction of some of the best: including the thylacine (Australia’s apex predator), Steller's Sea Cow (giant manatee from Alaska), and the Chinese Giant Paddlefish (big weird fish). We’ve got to do better at not killing all the coolest creatures on our planet.
What advice do you have for other writers or people just getting started in writing?
Bryce Parker: Think about how you can present your writing. Not every story works best as a book, you could take your dialogue heavy manuscript and turn it into a video game visual novel, a podcast, or even a theatrical play. The possibilities are endless. The point is that if you can come up with a cool way to present your work you might find a new audience.
If you write scifi, what technology or innovations or scientific discoveries have inspired your work?
Bryce Parker: Any discoveries about the planets and moons of our solar system can inspire me to write a story. Recently, I got super interested in the methane lakes on Titan and, after a bunch of research, I wrote a flash fiction piece on it. Thank you NASA, astronomers, and astrophysicists for all your hard work!
Science Fiction Writer and YouTuber Bryce Parker, interviewed by Alexis Lantgen at Lunarianpress.com