Debbie Urbanski, a sci-fi author, discusses AI at the end of humanity in her novel 'After World'. She shares insights on how daydreaming boosts creativity and using Scrivener for writing. The podcast touches on human extinction, nature's resilience, and post-apocalyptic fiction themes.
AI narrating humanity's end offers eco-centric perspective on climate change.
Collaborative editing process refines novel for deeper impact and complexity.
Deep dives
Exploring the Concept of Post-Apocalyptic Fiction and Nature's Resilience
Debbie Arbanski, the writer of the novel 'After World,' delves into the concept of post-apocalyptic fiction where an AI narrates the life story of the last human on Earth. Her novel offers an eco-centric solution to climate change, emphasizing that humans are just one species among many. Arbanski's inspiration stems from the book 'The World Without Us' by Alan Weisman, highlighting the potential thriving of nature in the absence of humans.
Utilizing AI as a Narrative Device in a Thought-Provoking Manner
Arbanski's decision to use AI as the narrator in 'After World' was prompted by her initial agent's suggestion to have a cohesive narrator after humans were extinct. The exploration of AI in a post-human world served as a unique narrative device and allowed Arbanski to reflect on humanity's impact on the planet. This addition to the story led to a different perspective on the extinction of humans and the continuation of life on Earth.
Navigating the Publication Journey and Embracing Collaborative Writing Processes
Arbanski's path to publication involved working with multiple agents and editors, each contributing to significant revisions and changes in her novel. Despite challenges and rewrites, this collaborative process enhanced the novel's depth and complexity. The experience taught Arbanski valuable lessons in novel writing and decision-making, ultimately leading to a more refined and impactful narrative.
After many years writing short stories and essays, Debbie Urbanski has published her first novel, After World, about AI at the end of humanity's physical presence on earth.