Behind “Lifeless”

“Lifeless” marked a turning point in my writing style. Prior to writing this, my work almost entirely revolved around dark fantasy and the occasional sci-fi adventure. I always had a proclivity for the grim, but with this story, I decided I wanted to push the envelope, and tackle more than just cheap violence and gore. It started as a vent piece, taking an unsettling nightmare I had experienced, and transforming it into a creative work. Spoilers ahead, by the way.

The prototype name for this piece was “Unliving”. It revolved around a world in which some faceless “them” had taken control of society in ways it hadn’t before, in response to an event that altered life itself. Things are upside down in more way than one: The dead are more able than the living, and instead of being respected, they are loathed; Prostitution and human trafficking are regulated, successful businesses, while housing and medical care have fallen to the side. It felt compelling to paint this picture of a world with strange and maligned morals.

The key moment of the story takes place when a dead brother and his living sister see eye to eye, and both experience a shock that reminds them that their lives, (or afterlife), is not as it should be. Bleak as it is, I could not bring myself (yet) to write a story with a truly sad ending, and so left it bittersweet.

After recieving positive feedback from friends, I felt empowered to ruminate on the compulsion to explore risky territory. It seems fitting to start this archive with the story that initiated my journey into less forgiving topics.

While I hesitate to pull punches, I will put here the idea that, for a long time, prevented me from pushing myself to broaden my horizons: I don’t wish to be interpreted as a shallow sadist or some such. My work explores difficult topics, and frequently features characters acting in ways that are uninformed, biggoted, or unhealthy. This doesn’t mean I think people should act that way. Its because I believe in confronting that behavior, dragging it into the light, and examining it. The life unexamined is not worth living, supposedly. Pain, confusion, and loss are part of life. QED, I think.