Exploring the Future of Humanity
RL Clayton discusses his inspiration, the intersection of science and fiction, historical influences, and metaphysical themes. He shares insights into self-publishing, writing challenges, and how his engineering background shapes his narratives.
RL Clayton’s journey from a career in engineering to becoming a prolific author is a testament to the boundless reach of imagination. With a background spanning computer hardware, mining operations, and even aquaculture, Clayton weaves his extensive technical knowledge into gripping narratives that traverse science fiction, historical fiction, and techno-thrillers. His fascination with evolution, technology, and metaphysical themes adds a thought-provoking depth to his works, challenging readers to explore the future of humanity, the intricacies of history, and the unseen forces shaping our world.
In this interview, Clayton shares insights into his creative process, the inspirations behind his diverse body of work, and the challenges of shifting between genres. From honouring the legacy of female aviators in Wings of the WASP to delving into the mysteries of existence in I, Ghost, he offers a compelling perspective on storytelling, self-publishing, and the ever-evolving landscape of literature.
What inspired you to explore the theme of human evolution in the Evolution River Series, and how did you approach such a complex concept?
In my youth, I wondered about evolution from the standpoint of what if humans were only one step, what’s next? With the rise of genetic science, I felt the next step was when we became the designers of life. Making this idea into a story was the fun part. As I wrote, the characters took the story away from me saying “Sea Species is not the end.” They led me to the end of evolution. In my mind, evolution is a part of creation.
How did your mother’s experiences as a WASP during WWII influence the writing of Wings of the WASP, and what message do you hope readers take away from it?
As a WASP, (Women Airforce Service Pilots) my mother was a strong woman, driven at times. I wanted to write a tribute to her and the WASP, but not another documentary. A novel with a storyline illustrating the tribulations these women endured to aid in the war effort seemed right. The WASP and other women serving outside of the traditional roles was the beginning of a new norm. I also wanted to show that all men weren’t comfortable with the strict roles assigned. Society continues to evolve. Thank you, Mom.
What was the biggest challenge in shifting between genres like science fiction, historical fiction, and techno-thrillers?
My first books were science fiction (The Evolution River Series) which allows the mind to explore situations and concepts beyond what’s outside your door. The Characters led me in this endeavor of exploring the human race and maybe something better. I have always thought we are limited by the size of our brains and our senses allowing us to only experience the physical world. I know there’s more. By the characters (remember, they design life) creating a connected and collective mind those limitations expand and the universe opens up. It was in The Envoy. I introduced a character, The Prophet. This mysterious man appears to be an envoy from God whose mission is to unite the religions of the world. And so much more.
Switching to a historical novel wasn’t difficult for me. It was basically my mother’s and the WASP’s story in a novel. BUT I do like to create great leaders, heroes. That is something we are lacking today.
My children’s book, Penelope the Pooting Spider was a lark inspired by my granddaughter. She is terrified of spiders, so I thought if she collaborated with me that might abate. Didn’t work.
My tech thrillers, The Dead Series, are where I reside for fun in writing. My main character, Kiki Russell has moved past the best men snipers in the world. Each book reflects my background as an engineer where I introduce technology and situations. Though they are my ideas, I have since found many of them are reality. Dead Reckoning (pub 2016) involved a bio and cyber-attack with the result that changed the face of warfare. Economic warfare has replaced much to the kinetic warfare of the past. Each book addresses the hot topic of the day. Dead Space has a character named OPS, an AI. The commentary OPS presents about human civilization is humbling at times, humorous at others. These books run as a series with common characters. I realized that The Prophet in the Evolution River series had no backstory, hence, Risen from the Dead. This tied the Evolution River series with the Dead series. I rewrote a little of Sea Species to include characters of the Dead series. Other characters are common to both. A timeline of the Evolution River series (moving millennia into the future) and the Dead series (near future) exists. They are a continuum with the Dead Series taking place before and during the beginning of The Envoy. It was fun bringing them together.
How does your background and life in Tucson shape the settings and narratives of your books?
I have lived in Tucson sixty-five years and love the Sonoran Desert. Most of the books include southern Arizona. I live within my characters and try to write what I know. My background as an engineer shows up in the tech my books.
Can you share more about the metaphysical ideas woven into your works, especially in the Dead series?
I have always had a metaphysical streak. It permeates the Evolution River series with a view beyond this life. The Dead Series hints perhaps what happens is part of a greater plan and humans are not the only step in evolution. Also, is the idea that we shouldn’t make God into our own image.
Just out, my latest book, I. Ghost, is my first endeavor into paranormal. It’s not like any other ghost story, being written by the ghost. It is deeply into the metaphysical and what lies beyond death, related first hand. This book was more of a struggle to write because taking on the persona of someone dead wasn’t easy. Nor was imaging nothing.
As a self-published author, what advice would you give to aspiring writers considering this path?
I self-published because I was impatient. Sea Species had a time line as genetic engineering is rapidly progressing. Substantially less of it was science fiction when I finished from when I started. Hence, the self-pub path. Advice: GET A GOOD EDITOR! (Not a friend telling you what a great piece you’ve written) TAKE CRITICISM AS CONSTRUCTIVE LESSONS (A good editing group is fellow writers trying to make each other better writers.) I start with an outline, though my finished product rarely resembles that. In outlines one can write down ideas without those pesky details. WRITE! My stories take shape as I write, the plot takes twists and turns in my mind usually about three AM. Sleepless nights are my most productive period. WRITE! Don’t wait until you have everything finalized. Writing is not a solo operation. Join the community. Get a good graphic artist for your covers. It’s the first thing people see.
