Today’s interview is with Michael Donoghue, author of “The Demise of Great Expectations,” one of the stories in Envision: Future Fiction.

Synopsis: Greg, a brilliant AI developer is facing financial ruin. He’s got one shot to turn things around. But his creation has other plans.

Michael, what prompted you to write “The Demise of Great Expectations”?

Gosh. I don’t know. Ideas rattle around inside my head, and the only way to stop them is to pin them down on paper. So! Many! Ideas!

How did you come up with the title?

I suck at titles. Well, that and coming up with character names. I always keep changing those two aspects in a story. It is a bit like one of those big fair wheels that you spin to win a prize. The wheel is the story, and each slice of it is a different story title. When the tic-tic-tic of the wheel stops, and the story finds a home, that’s when the title becomes permanent.

What was the hardest thing about writing the story?

It’s all hard! Hemmingway said that writing is easy, “All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” That will always be true, even though nobody uses a typewriter anymore. I’m no Hemmingway, but the process is still the same for me. I get an idea, maybe it’s a remark I overhear, something I’ve read, or an interaction I see … it really doesn’t matter how it comes to me. Then translating that idea into a story — difficult. Sometimes it gushes out and — bam — it’s done. Perfect. It’s such a joy when that happens. But for me, most often it’s like a scab. One that I just keeping picking at before I finally pull it off.

And the easiest?

The easiest? Procrastination.

Is any part of “The Demise of Great Expectations” based on real-life experience, or is it all imagination?

The only part of “The Demise of Great Expectations” based on real-life experience got edited out. I really liked it because it gave character background, but everyone else advised me to “kill my darling” and “skip the boring stuff.” That’s why critiques are so important.

Does the story contain a message?

I think that artificial intelligence will reveal a host of ethical and moral issues that we’ve only begun to consider.

How long have you been writing?

On and off since Junior High. (Thanks Mr. Coll, you were THE BEST!)

What first attracted you to writing?

Most recently, it was having to grout the kitchen tiles. When the options are, write or grout, writing is always going to win.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

The money. The fame.

And the worst?

When reality comes crashing down by a meowing cat on your chest at five in the morning and you realize that there’s no money or fame. Only … cat.

Can you offer any advice to other writers?

If your bag gets lost when flying on most major airlines, go buy replacement clothes/shoes/sunglasses etc. and keep the receipts. You will get reimbursed by the airline, and as long as the total is less than $500, most airline representatives can approve the reimbursement immediately.

What types of stories do you like to read?

Oh! I know the answer to this one! I like sci-fi stories, both short and long. Some literature, but more often long than short. I’m currently reading The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers, and it is B E A U T I F U L. I’m also midway through (it lives in the smallest room) Europe in Autumn by Dave Hutchinson. It’s okay, but not amazing. By the bed I’m half-done Tenth of December by master storyteller George Saunders. That’s a bit like eating salad, though. I’m sure it’s good for me, but I’m not really enjoying it.

Which writers inspire you?

Bad writers inspire me. When I read something sub-par that has been traditionally published, I get all, “I can write better than this! If they can publish, so can I!” I might be hard-wired for competition. OMG, I just realized why no one in my family will play board games with me!

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Writer’s block? Just do something else. Edit that old story. Submit a story that doesn’t need editing. Critique someone else’s story. Do some reading! Reading is so important.

What are you working on right now?

Right now I’m editing The Rules of the Game. It’s a sci-fi noir story about Bailey, a crusty old-school Time Cop who irons out wrinkles before they become waves that rip apart the time-space continuum. His new partner Kat is bright, young, volatile, and has some anger management issues. Together they have nothing in common apart from a DNA mutation essential for their job and the gut feeling that — despite all evidence to the contrary — a multiple winning lottery ticket is proof that Time Travel crime exists.

Do you write every day?

Writing makes me more happy than I’m able to describe. It’s amazing. I’d be delighted if I won the lottery simply because it would mean I could write every day. But, right now, life doesn’t allow that. Still, I’m so grateful to have already won the world lottery by being been born in Canada.

Would you be willing to share a few lines of your current work in progress?

When the same ticket won the lottery three weeks in a row, I knew it was time to save the world again. ~ Rules of the Game.

How much time do you spend doing research?

Lots! If it’s research, it’s not procrastination, right?!

Do you have a favorite inspirational quote?

I’m not really a quote person, but a colleague has this stuck to their monitor: Life is the hardest teacher, because it gives the test first and the lesson after. Also, I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade … And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.

Please tell us all about you.

Ugh. Talking about myself makes me squirm in my seat. Awkward. I’m socially awkward. How’s that?

Would you like to share an embarrassing or funny moment with us?

I’m painfully private and somewhat shy, so everything is embarrassing to me. Having people read my writing is like walking naked through a crowded street. I feel awkward and vulnerable. It’s like offering up a piece of your soul to strangers and asking them to judge it.

Where do you see your writing career in ten years?

Hahahaha, “career”! That’s funny! If I’m lucky, maybe there will be a few more stories out there. Maybe a couple of people will read them. And maybe one of those will even like them. That would count as a win.

What do you think the publishing world will look like in ten years?

No idea. I’ve thought a lot about the publishing world, but so far everyone’s predictions change like the weather. It’s all about print, and then it’s all about eBooks, and then it’s all about print again. First self-publishing is bad, and traditional publishing is good. Then traditional publishing is bad, and self-publishing is good. I think it’s safe to assume that publishing will continue to change, but I’m doubtful that anyone can accurately predict how it will be impacted by technology that hasn’t even been invented yet. CrAzY wonderful times!

What advice would you give your teenage self?

To be honest, I’m not sure of the value of doing that. It’s highly unlikely my teenage self would listen to any sort of advice!

Where can we find you on the Internet?

Don’t really have much of an Internet presence! There’s a Twitter account @mpdonoghue that gets used to keep track of publications. It’s not witty or informative though. There’s also an out-of-date Amazon author page somewhere. Guess I’m as socially awkward on the Internet as I am in person?

Thank you Kathy for this chat! And for the opportunity to be in your amazing anthology. It’s an honour to be included with such great writers!

Thank you, Michael. I look forward to reading more of your writing.

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