T K Greenleaf

NAME: T.K. Greenleaf

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR WORK:

 I write character-driven scifi that explores future of human and other-than-human cultures as we struggle to adapt to changing technologies and environments. My first book, DUO – In which an empathic healer tries to save a genetically engineered assassin before she destroys a colony on Europa – explores how gene doping may one day rob us of our ability to choose our own lives.

ANY FAVOURITE BOOKS AND AUTHORS?

 Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake” series, for its humor, imagination and and deeply written characters. I love serious stories that incorporate a light touch of humor here and there to break up the tension. “The Martian” by Andy Weir, which is a ripping great story with a terrific character, and again, those little touches of humor as he faces off with a planet that is trying to kill him. “Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K. Le Guin, which when it was published in 1976 was a groundbreaking exploration of how gender roles dominate society.

WHAT PUBLISHING ROUTE HAVE YOU TAKEN WITH YOUR WORK?

 I am an indie publisher, and I use that term very deliberately because I have formed a publishing company and have taken a professional approach, hiring top editors and designers. I’m a marketing pro in my day job, so I have plenty of skills and resources to do it the right way. I did shop the book to agents and had multiple offers to represent me, but I wanted to use the opportunity to learn all I could about book marketing. I may try the traditional publishing route for my next book. I think there are many advantages to both routes.

WHY DO YOU WRITE SCI-FI?:

 For its unique ability to explore culture and society. One of my degree is in anthropology, and I find it endlessly fascinating. Alien worlds and societies, and seeing their impact on individual characters, pushes us outside the ingrained assumptions that make culture invisible to us in our everyday lives. That’s the intellectual answer. I also love cool technologies, weird beings, and a ripping good story that’s well told.

 EARLIEST MEMORY OF THE GENRE?

 In fourth grade I found “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeline L’Engel in the school library. I took it home, read it cover to cover, then, the next day went back to the library and said “How much money for this book?” The librarian said “Honey, we’re not a bookstore.” I said “Well, you’re not getting it back, so you better order another one.” I got in a lot of trouble, but I never did give the book back.

 ARE THERE OTHER GENRES THAT YOU WRITE, OR CROSSOVER INTO?

 I write mainstream literature as well. I have two novels plotted and ready to write, but will probably table those projects for a couple of years because SF is my true love. It does affect my SF writing, though. I enjoy working the techniques of literary novels into SF stories. The trick is to do so with slowing the pace of the story, because SF readers simply will not stand for a lot of description and exposition, no matter how beautifully written.

 WHEN YOU THINK OF YOUR READERSHIP, WHO DO YOU IMAGINE YOU’RE WRITING TO?

 Readers who 1) love a really good page turner that grabs you so hard you can’t put it down; 2) want to fall a bit for deep, well-realized characters; and 3) who want a story to give them some deep “aha” moments to think about when they return to the real world.

 ANY BOOKS WHICH INSPIRED YOU?

 The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. Wonderful anthropology and she made me feel deeply for her protagonist, Emilio Sandoz. Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood, because she writes so beautifully and creates such a wide range of fully realized characters. And she’s occasionally hilarious in between the very, very serious scenes.

 WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AROUND FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN SCI-FI?

 I think it’s changing and widening and that’s a wonderful thing. I love that there are more woman protagonists, however, too many of them are women acting like men and performing traditional male roles. For me, the novelty of women being starship captains, warriors and military fighters is wearing off. I’d like to see the genre continue to expand to include women in a wider variety of both roles and ages. Margaret Atwood did a wonderful job with that in her Oryx and Crake series.

 DO YOU THINK BEING FEMALE BRINGS ANYTHING DIFFERENT TO THE GENRE, OR IS IT IRRELEVANT?

It absolutely brings a different focus. Women tend to be more emotionally aware. As writers that tendency enables us to reveal more of the inner landscapes of our characters. Many of us are more inclined to look for emotional truth than scientific fact, which I think is a bit frustrating to some traditional or “hard” SF fans. With DUO, I get a lot of non-SF readers saying “I didn’t know I liked scifi until I read your book.”

 FINALLY, ANY LINKS TO YOUR BLOG, WEBSITE, FACEBOOK PAGE, TWITTER, FUNNY-CAT-PICTURES-CAPTURED LINKS.

 Web and blog: tkgreenleaf.com
Facebook: facebook.com/tkgreenleaf
Twitter: @tkgreenleaf

INTRO - WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT?

So, new blog, new concept. A big wave to all! I'm planning to use this blog for a series of interviews with females who are writing science fiction at the moment. I have a load of guest posts over at my other blog jozebwrites@blogspot.co.uk, and I welcome all sorts from all types of writers, in all genres (feel free to shout out if you're interested.) This blog is a little different, so I decided to split them. I wanted to know more about what women are out there writing science fiction, and what sort of stuff they're writing. I have lots of contact with the sf community, but I don't run against many women writing sf in comparison to males or, indeed, females writing fantasy. So, I decided to out there and ask who was writing it, and if they'd tell me all about themselves. The plan is that an interview will go up on the second and fourth Friday of the month. But, be warned, I have one of those funny things. You know, a life... and if sometimes I run a little behind or, even, a little ahead - be kind to me, if you can. :) If anyone fancies being interviewed, give me a shout and I'll pop you into my little black Darth Vader notebook to follow up on. In the meantime, I'll update the blog with shout outs on my twitter account @joz1812, as well as on my facebook page. So, um... let the chatting begin.* *I'll get around to a cake party at some point** **Fizzy wine might be included.