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An Interview with Steven Gilligan

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The following took place on 8 August 2002, between the hours of 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm.

Q: What was the original inspiration for Elsewhere?

I just wanted to write a novel! The original idea was just going to be a reasonably bog-standard fantasy yarn to which I would be able to add my own unique and personal touches. All I really wanted to do was to see if I could actually do it – to see if I would be able stick to writing something for that long without losing interest.

Q: Did you undertake much research before starting work on Elsewhere?

Only in so far as I planned the chapter layout. I had a rough document which told me what I had planned to happen in each chapter. As the novel progressed most of what I had originally thought of was abandoned for new and better ideas. I found this to be an effective way to write – to have a chapter and plot plan that was flexible enough to be radically changed if necessary.

Q: Some readers, having seen your earlier work for New Words, might have been surprised to find Elsewhere to be a less experimental novel than expected. Was that a deliberate move on your part?

Absolutely. I enjoy writing in an experimental and cut-up style, much in the manner of Michael Moorcock's Jerry Cornelius books and a bit like Bret Easton Ellis. I think that particular style is very rich and evocative. When vital parts are deliberately left out it leaves more to the imagination of the reader and makes the work seem more mysterious. But I also know that it can make for difficult reading and the author is often perceived as being pretentious. I wanted to write something that had a cohesive plot and was filled with fun and action. I think I succeeded.

Q: Which part of Elsewhere did you enjoy writing the most, and which part did you enjoy reading the most?

I think the ending sections of Elsewhere were the most fun to write and also to read. I wanted the ending to be a surprise to the reader and for it to take them somewhere they weren't expecting to be.

Q: On your website, www.stevengilligan.com, there is a link to the website of Nerina Pallot, a winsome singer-songwriter. Add some wings, and she could easily be one of the Myreli - what do you think?

Ha ha! I think you might be right. Nerina has a great voice although I'm not sure I would describe as being winsome. When I wrote Elsewhere it was mostly autumn and winter and spending hours alone in my room tapping away at my laptop I found that her album was a great companion – so I'm sure there was some influence there. I actually sent her a copy and she tells me she's reading it at the moment while recording her new album!

Q: Without wanting to give too much away, some readers have been surprised by the ending for Elsewhere, and the change we see there in the female characters. How would you react to accusations that this change displays a measure of hostility to women?

I don't think it's hostile in any way towards women. The hostility comes form everyone and Jake is also filled with regret every step of the way. I was acutely aware that the female characters were either charming, feminine temptresses or muscular warriors with no middle ground at all. But the male characters followed similar paths. It is difficult to characterise strangers as you write them and sometimes they can take on a life of their own so don't blame me. It was deliberate decision to make the Myreli a matriarchal society but one where the main source of wisdom and learning came from the males. The lead character in my next work is female and perfectly well-rounded and balanced – so there!

Q: I understand that you didn't submit Elsewhere to agents, simply going straight to Silver Age Books. What is the appeal of working with a small press publisher?

One word – freedom. Although the intrusion of a ruthless publishing agent may have improved Elsewhere, I cherished the freedom to be able to write whatever I wanted. There's nothing particularly controversial in Elsewhere, so it's not the kind of work that would be open for brutal censorship. But in the end, I think it should be my decision and my decision alone as to what the content should be.

Q: Have you been pleased with sales?

The fastest selling Silver Age Book yet, who wouldn't be.

Q: What will your next novel be about?

I can exclusively reveal that I'm currently working on my next novel which is going to be called The Indigo Skies of Home. It's a science-fiction thriller about an alien woman named Hanikku who becomes stranded on a desert planet. She struggles with the harsh terrain until one day another spacecraft crashes to the surface of the planet. The crew of the new ship, three humans and one android, help Hanikku and together they try to escape from the planet with no name and try to discover what had brought them all there. It's about conspiracy, discovery, love, action, acceptance, artificial intelligence and tension that you could chew on!

Q: What other projects do you have planned? Are you intending to make any more animated films, for example?

I’ve not planned anything else as I've found that writing has sapped all my creative juices. As far as other projects go I intend that The Indigo Skies of Home is going to be the first of a trilogy called The Memory Empire. The second and third books in the series are going be titled Remembering Memory and Layer Over Layer. I had a great idea for the closing chapter of the final book and so I feel I have to write them now! One day, I will write a sequel to Elsewhere which will probably be called Nowhere.

 Q: Are we likely to ever see the return of your band, Master Zangpan and the Mechanical Housewife?

Not as long I live.

Elsewhere was published in 2002. You can read more about it here, read a sample of it here, or order it from Amazon.co.uk here.