Sometimes when we label something dystopian fiction, I feel like we're trying very hard not to use the words 'science fiction,' because science fiction has those horrible connotations of rocket ships and bodacious babes. Paolo Bacigalupi babebodaciousconnotation share on social
When we live the 21st-century good life, almost every aspect of it is predicated on not looking at the implications of what we're up to. Happiness at this point has a lot to do with not looking, so you don't feel complicit in some vast and awful enterprise. Paolo Bacigalupi 21staspectawful share on social
I think there are narratives going on all the time that we think of as tangential - up until they turn out to be deciding factors in our lives. Paolo Bacigalupi decidefactorlive Change image and share on social
I'm definitely writing my fears. It's almost therapeutic to at least voice a terror, to say, 'I'm worried that Lake Powell looks low and Lake Mead looks even lower.' Paolo Bacigalupi fearlakelow Change image and share on social
When somebody keeps telling you, 'This book is amazing,' you sort of have this pleasing instinct to say, 'Oh, let me make you happy again; let me do that trick again.' Paolo Bacigalupi amazebookhappy Change image and share on social
All the definitions people want to put on you in terms of what kind of writer you are come with hidden meanings. If you're writing science fiction, you're writing rocket ships. If you write dystopian fiction, it's inequity where The Man must be fought. Paolo Bacigalupi definitiondystopianfiction share on social
I focus a little more on pacing when I write books in the young adult category, and of course there's the great American fear of anything sexual, so that's somewhat backed off in YA. Paolo Bacigalupi adultamericanback Change image and share on social
My conception of my ideal reader has expanded quite a lot as I've matured: Ultimately when I think of my ideal reader, it's someone who's not sitting down with the intention of automatically arguing with the book: somebody who's going to give me enough slack to tell my story. Paolo Bacigalupi argueautomaticallybook share on social
I don't know why we choose to reach out to help another person, or why we decide that we can't, and withdraw and try to care only for ourselves, but I'm fascinated by that choice. Paolo Bacigalupi carechoicechoose Change image and share on social
As an author, you're really grateful for the people who are supporting you, but on some other level, that can be a dangerous echo chamber. Paolo Bacigalupi authorchamberdangerous Change image and share on social
