Today, I’m very excited to chat with both Peter F. Hamilton and Gareth L. Powell about their newest novella, Light Chaser. This story multi-faceted story packs an explosive punch, taking us through an action-filled journey that spans centuries and worlds. The science is impressive, the technology is dazzling, but it’s Amahle and the journey she goes on to find herself that readers will connect with the most.
Today, we talk to Peter and Gareth about their writing day, the process of co-authoring a novella, and what each of them have planned next.
Thank you so much for talking to me today! Can you tell us a little about yourselves? How did you get started writing?
PFH: It was something I’d always wanted to do, which I think comes from being a big reader when I was younger. I had the opportunity in my mid/late twenties (too much spare time) so I started off writing short stories, and progressed to a full novel over the next few years.
GLP: Like Peter, I always wanted to be a writer. In primary school, at the age of six or seven, I wrote a story called ‘Death Trap’ and my grandmother said I should be a writer. After that, my fate was sealed. If I read a good book, I immediately wanted to write my own version. I filled spiral-topped reporter’s notebooks with thinly disguised Star Wars/Battlestar Galactica/Blake’s 7 fanfic. The story recounted the adventures of a crew of intrepid space traders and their aged vessel, The Argo. As it was handwritten, there were no rewrites. The story progressed episodically, with new adventures or plot twists thrown in whenever the pace started to lag or I watched a particularly exciting episode of Star Trek or Doctor Who.
Sadly, I’ve no idea what became of those notebooks. I can’t even remember the title of the story. The books went astray decades ago. I suppose they may be hidden away in a dusty corner of the attic, but I haven’t laid eyes on them for 40 years. Maybe they’ll show up one day – but on the whole, it’s probably for the best if they don’t.
What does your typical writing day look like?
PFH: Typical. As in, before the deadline rushes up and I’m writing till the early hours and most of the weekend. In the morning I’ll read through what was written yesterday and polish as best I can. That way, by the afternoon I’m mentally back in the story at the point I finished, so I can carry on writing the new stuff. I’ll also amend the chapter notes if anything new has emerged in the story.
GLP: Since the pandemic hit, there’s been no such thing as a typical day. I used to write while the kids were at school, and in the evenings after they’d gone to bed. Lockdown meant they were home all day, and as they’re now older teenagers, they stay up later than I do! I have to snatch writing time in between parental duties, and make the most of those stolen moments.
You both write individually, how was it to work on a book together? How did that process differ from your writing individually?
PFH: The process was different because we wrote alternate sections, so although it was plotted out in advance in considerable detail, I would wait until Gareth delivered his section before I’d write mine and send it back to him. Despite the sections being very distinct, I wanted to see what he’d done before moving the character on. There were often aspects he’d created which I’d reference.
GLP: I found the whole process very exciting, because it meant I got to read a Peter F. Hamilton story before anyone else! It was also a lot of fun, as we passed sections back and forth, and incorporated each other’s developments into the next section. In that sense, it kind of felt that the story took on a life of its own, as it morphed and unspooled before us.
Light Chaser is such an immersive world with an expansive plot packed into such a tight narrative. What were the biggest challenges in writing this story?
PFH: For me it was continuity. The sections were by necessity set on very different and diverse worlds, but the overall story arc had to flow easily taking those experiences into account. We did a lot of polishing in the editing to make that flow as smooth as possible. I think we succeeded, certainly the editor didn’t ask for any massive changes or point out glaring errors.
GLP: The action takes place over vast distances and huge swathes of time, so it was a challenge to maintain continuity and urgency, but I feel we managed it. Certainly, the few reviews I’ve read since it came out speak of the constant ramping-up of tension.
Are there any Easter eggs or cross-connections between Light Chaser and any of your other worlds?
PFH: Not really, although without spoilers, the physical/metaphysical aspect of the universe is the same as my earlier novella, A Window Into Time. But that’s all, there is no other connection between the two.
GLP: Although the main character, Amahle, shares a certain spiritual kinship with some of my other characters, Light Chaser is entirely its own thing.
Would you write more in this world? Why or why not?
PFH: Probably not. The story of the Light Chaser is self-contained.
GLP: We told the story we set out to tell.
Do you have plans to write any more books together?
PFH: No current plans, but never say never.
GLP: That would be a lot of fun, but as Peter says: no current plans.
What are you reading, listening to, watching right now?
PFH: About to start reading Austral by Paul McAuley. Listening to The Human Demands by Amy Macdonald. Streaming The White Lotus.
GLP: I’m working through Megan E. O’Keefe’s Protectorate trilogy and enjoying it immensely. Listening-wise, I’m currently obsessed with St. Vincent’s new album, Daddy’s Home, which I’ve been playing on heavy rotation. And I’m late to the party, but I’ve just finished bingeing Star Wars: Rebels, which is just fantastic, and the best Star Wars I’ve seen since The Mandalorian.
What book would you guys recommend to readers? To aspiring writers?
PFH: For readers, Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, which is what I can only describe as pure SF, set in the far future with some intriguing aliens. Writers, The Dervish House, by Ian McDonald, whose prose is never less than perfect.
GLP: For readers, I echo the recommendation for Adrian Tchaikovsky, and also suggest Aliette de Bodard’s Xuya series of novelettes, especially The Tea Master and The Detective. For aspiring writers, I’d recommend Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
PFH: The usual, because it’s the best: just keep writing.
GLP: And don’t stop reading!
What’s next for you both?
PFH: I’ve just finished writing my Arkship Trilogy, and I’ll be going back to large-scale space opera again, set in a new universe.
GLP: My novel Stars and Bones is due out from Titan in Feb 2022. It’s the first of a two-part space opera that takes place after aliens have kicked humanity off the planet Earth in order to give the biosphere a chance to recover.
Gollancz will also be publishing an expanded edition of my book: About Writing: A Field Guide for Aspiring Authors.
