Authors Interviewing Characters: G.G. Kellner

HOPE, A HISTORY OF THE FUTURE (April 19, SparkPress) is the passion project of writer and artist G.G. Kellner and is truly unique as a philosophical cli-fi (climate fiction) dream of what could happen with our earth if we save it. In a literal and physical climate that is bogged down by hopelessness and worry, Kellner offers readers an alternative future with HOPE.

When a book from the year 2200 mysteriously falls into the library of the Denzell family, each member, nudged along by their cat Plato, takes a turn reading its mythical pages. As they uncover the story of Gabe, Mia, and Ruth – a saga of adventure, endurance, romance, mystery, and hope that touches them all deeply – they realize that this history book from the future has fallen through time and space into their hands to teach them something vitally important.

Filled with supportive historical documents as well as unique artwork from Kellner, Hope is a vision of what our future on Earth could be, using scientific projections and historical and legal precedence, that will capture mind, heart, and soul with literary prowess and real-world themes.

G. Kellner  interviews Joyce Denzell one of the main characters in her book Hope, A History of the Future

G.G. : Hi Joyce, thanks for agreeing to talk with me. I know you are really busy with reading manuscripts and taking care of kids and a household. 

Joyce: Sure, honestly, it’s nice to talk to another woman. Would you like a cup of tea? (Joyce pours hot water from a kettle on the stove into two cups. She pushes a small basket of tea bags towards me across the kitchen table)

G.G. : You have two jobs, a house, a husband, and five kids between you and Marq. How do you keep it all together?

Joyce: I honestly don’t know somedays. Except I steal little moments, like this, for myself.  I also escape into books. The world is a pretty scary place. But inside a book I’m transported away.

G.G. : What is it you want to escape? 

Joyce: Reality.

G.G. : What “reality” are you most afraid of? 

Joyce: Well, I guess the truth is I’m really afraid to look into the future. (Joyce looks nervously around) Do you mind if I smoke?  (Joyce goes into the other room and brings back a pack of cigarettes and an ashtray) Do you want one? 

G.G.: I do, but I quit years ago. I’m afraid if I start, I won’t be able to stop again. (Joyce lights her cigarette and opens a window) What about the future is most frightening to you?

Joyce: (Joyce takes a long drag on the cigarette between her fingers) I know I have to face it but I don’t want to. (She pauses for a long moment watching the smoke drift out the window) We really messed up the future–– the environment I mean. I’m afraid for my kids and I guess for myself. I feel pretty powerless. 

G.G.: I know that feeling. I don’t think you are alone. Have you told anyone how you feel? 

Joyce: Well, not really. It’s hard to talk about. Sometimes at night I can’t sleep so I talk to Plato. 

G.G.: You mean the cat? (Plato strides into the kitchen as if on cue and winds his long tail in the shape of a question mark around Joyce’s leg) 

Joyce: I want to talk to Marq and the kids but somehow talking to the cat is easier. People probably wouldn’t believe me, but I think he understands. 

G.G.: The cat? What is it you think he understands? 

Joyce: A lot. (Joyce pauses for a moment and reaches down and runs a hand along Plato’s back. Plato gives me a dismissive glance with his green eyes before looking lovingly back up at Joyce.) I haven’t told anyone ––yet, besides the cat, but I found a strange book in the library this morning. The book seems to have fallen through time and space and into the house. I was in the kitchen this morning and I heard a clatter in the other room. I went to investigate. And there it was–– a book from the future in the middle of the room! The date inside the cover says in was written in 2200! But how could that be? I don’t know what to think.

G.G. : Can you show me the book? (Joyce looks around the corner toward another room, to a big chair near a window with lots of books piled around it.  

Joyce: I would. I don’t really want to keep it to myself. But truth is I don’t know where the book is. It keeps moving around ––like it has a life of its own! I found it in my daughter Grace’s bedroom this morning! I took it away from her. I don’t know what she might read in it about the future. I’m not ready to face things or talk to my kids about it.  

G.G. : What do you mean? What is the book about? 

Joyce: It says it is the History of the World ––BUT FROM THE FUTURE!  Compiled by a group called “The Committee for Remembrance” sometime after something called “The Great Change.” (Joyce inhales the smoke from her cigarette and then lets it out slowly. It seems to calm her a little)

G.G. : The Great Change? 

Joyce:  Yes, apparently the world as we know it is about to change. At least according to this history book from the future.  I’m scared but Lord knows the world can’t keep going along like this either.  Do you have kids? 

G.G. : I do. 

Joyce: Then maybe you know how I feel. I’m scared but I can’t just give up either. I don’t have the luxury anymore of not thinking about the future. Hey, I need to get dinner on and get back to work. Thanks for coming by.

G.G. : Thanks for the tea Joyce. And by the way –– not to be a spoiler, but I think it’s possible the future might come out better than you think. 

Joyce: If the book appears again, I’ll let you know.  (Joyce puts out her cigarette, stands up, and goes to the refrigerator. Plato follows her, tail in the shape of that question mark still. I swear he looked over his shoulder and winked at me as I was leaving the kitchen.)

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Gayle G. Kellner lives on an island in the Salish Sea in a home that has been in her family for over 100 years. She is a writer, artist, poet, and former educator. Gayle is a weekly guest on the community radio program The Brown Briefly, a humorous look at politics and culture. When she isn’t writing, reading, or painting you can probably find her wondering the beaches and forests of her island home with her dog, Pippi, or swimming in her beloved Salish Sea. Gayle is allergic to cats. Visit her at www.gaylekellner.com

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing