Senior self-publishes science-fiction novel
Kat Timpf
Issue date: 2/19/09 Section: Arts
After working on it for about two years, senior Joshua Done has self-published his first novel, a science-fiction work called "The Exile Empire."
In it, an alien invasion has destroyed Earth, leaving the remnants of mankind to wander through outer space. When they meet the defeated inhabitants of another planet, the two groups join forces to fight a common enemy and reestablish a civilization.
On a dare from his little brother, Done started the book, he said, but he's been interested in writing and science fiction since he was "knee-high to a grasshopper."
"I like the fact that you can explore ideas that normally you wouldn't be given the opportunity to examine that are more awkward in a normal universe," Done said. "Like, you can't just wipe the slate clean on Earth. If you want a new concept, the only way to do that is in a science-fiction universe."
Still, Done said he has tried his best to remain true to Newtonian physics, since that's what his readers will understand best.
Done said he also tried to make his characters accurate representations of mankind. He described his novel's hero, James Arelius Ursidae, as more of an "anti-hero," and said the book explores the question of whether someone can "really be a hero without becoming a monster."
"The actions of the main character would be considered the actions of a villain, but the motivations of the main character would be considered the motivations of a hero," Done said. "Then again, he just has some actions that are not guided by his pure intentions."
Done said European, Roman and Asian story ideals have influenced his novel.
Senior Lindsey Bolser, a science-fiction fan and friend of Done's, did all of the final editing last semester. She said she liked it so much, it distracted her from her studies.
"I was editing it right before finals started, and I didn't want to put it down," Bolser said. "He's got a way with words - there are some scenes I can actually hear music in the background. It's epic, absolutely epic."
In it, an alien invasion has destroyed Earth, leaving the remnants of mankind to wander through outer space. When they meet the defeated inhabitants of another planet, the two groups join forces to fight a common enemy and reestablish a civilization.
On a dare from his little brother, Done started the book, he said, but he's been interested in writing and science fiction since he was "knee-high to a grasshopper."
"I like the fact that you can explore ideas that normally you wouldn't be given the opportunity to examine that are more awkward in a normal universe," Done said. "Like, you can't just wipe the slate clean on Earth. If you want a new concept, the only way to do that is in a science-fiction universe."
Still, Done said he has tried his best to remain true to Newtonian physics, since that's what his readers will understand best.
Done said he also tried to make his characters accurate representations of mankind. He described his novel's hero, James Arelius Ursidae, as more of an "anti-hero," and said the book explores the question of whether someone can "really be a hero without becoming a monster."
"The actions of the main character would be considered the actions of a villain, but the motivations of the main character would be considered the motivations of a hero," Done said. "Then again, he just has some actions that are not guided by his pure intentions."
Done said European, Roman and Asian story ideals have influenced his novel.
Senior Lindsey Bolser, a science-fiction fan and friend of Done's, did all of the final editing last semester. She said she liked it so much, it distracted her from her studies.
"I was editing it right before finals started, and I didn't want to put it down," Bolser said. "He's got a way with words - there are some scenes I can actually hear music in the background. It's epic, absolutely epic."
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