Simon Chambers, an everyday construction worker, finds his mundane life upended when he is suddenly abducted by a strange alien craft. What begins as a harrowing experience quickly propels Simon into a universe filled with astonishing revelations and unforeseen dangers.
This punchy synopsis heralds the start of Colin Curtis’ spirited sci-fi adventure, The 9th Colony: The Hornet’s Nest. This rollicking adventure novel boasts themes of complex socio-political commentary, surviving amid uncertainty and even an alien abduction — and more is based on the author’s own experience than you might at first think. But how exactly does an author craft such a complex world and unforgettable characters? And what does Curtis have to say about the existing powerhouses in the sci-fi genre?
We got a chance to talk to the author himself about his writing, his research process and his vision for where the series might be headed next.
Q: The 9th Colony appears to blend sci-fi, military strategy and survival themes. What inspired you to create this particular universe, and how did you go about developing its unique atmosphere and setting?
I’m a huge sci-fi fan and have personally experienced some strange phenomena myself. The issue I have with most of the giant sci-fi franchises is that they are based on fantasy. I wanted to create a story that was closer to a possible reality. This story is based on my own personal beliefs.
Q: How did you balance crafting relatable human characters with portraying their challenges in a high-stakes, futuristic colony setting? Were any of the characters inspired by people you know?
A: Like most writers, we all draw on past experiences from the characters that we’ve come across in our lives, so once you are able to associate each character with these memories, it’s actually quite easy to develop their traits based on past experiences with real people.
Q: What are the central themes you hoped to explore in Hornet’s Nest? Are there any social or political issues reflected in the narrative, and how do you hope readers will interpret them?
A: My intention in this story is to provoke readers into questioning everything. To explore humanity’s challenges and our place in the grand scheme of things, to entertain and to inspire deeper reflection and critical thinking into the failings of humanity that occur on a day-to-day basis on our own planet.
Q: The science and technology in the story play a crucial role. How much research went into creating the technological aspects of the book?
A: It’s true that there is a lot of science and technology in this story, and even more so in the sequel which is about to be released. And yes, of course a tremendous amount of research went into developing these threads, as I wanted everything to have a taste of reality to it.
Q: The title Hornet’s Nest suggests a volatile and dangerous situation. How did you approach building tension and conflict within the colony’s narrative? Was there a particular scene or conflict that was especially challenging to write?
A: the characters in the ninth colony were carefully developed and introduced to create a family of people that readers could warm to and associate with. The title Hornet’s Nest is there to suggest that this family group of people are uprooted and thrown into the fire where they will have no choice but to step up to the mark, if they have any chance of survival. I believe the scene where they awaken in confinement followed by a creature attack, is the scene that dawns on the characters the gravity of the situation that they now found themselves in.
Q: Were there any works of literature, film or real-life events that influenced The 9th Colony? How do you think it compares to other sci-fi epics in terms of its tone or themes?
A: I’d have to say that the original version of War of The Worlds was an inspiration to me, and as I’ve already said, I have experience two unexplained UFO type events that have sat with me for many years. I believe that, given the right backing, this trilogy is closer to a possible reality that could actually happen. That’s what sets it aside from the other sci-fi giants, and it’s why it could quite easily become the next box office smash hit.
Q: Given the depth of Hornet’s Nest, do you envision expanding The 9th Colony into a series or exploring other facets of its universe in future works? If so, what can readers expect next?
A: yes, I believe that this story of an average working-class guy that has his world turned upside down will appeal to the public, and is written with a TV miniseries in mind, and eventually to hit the big screen for millions to enjoy for decades to come. In life, things do go wrong and the unexpected does happen. Amidst all the chaos and uncertainty, heroes do rise from the most unexpected places. The sequel to this story is about to be released, along with several issues of a comic book, and the third book is in the making as we speak.
The 9th Colony: Hornet’s Nest is available for purchase here.
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