In the beginning…

Having written one of the very first works of science fiction, our post today is about the brilliant Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstien; or The Modern Prometheus.

The most recent Frankenstien movie, this time refreshingly focused on the author’s life titled Mary Shelley, stars the beautiful and talented Elle Fanning. It reveals how Mary’s tragic life inspired her writing of the novel and more importantly how her husband Percy Shelley did not – write the novel that is – something that had been in question for many reasons, none more disappointing than her sex alone.

“The question is not how did Mary write Frankenstein, but why is it so hard to believe that she did? After all, she left behind the kind of thinking she enjoyed: the leaping, near intuitive intellect she gives Dr. Frankenstein. Just the sort of “aha!” that can suddenly, and brilliantly, synthesise a number of apparently unrelated ideas, exactly as Mary’s story does.” Fiona Sampson – The Guardian.

In terms of advice I am sure Mary would have cautioned about co-authoring our novel, given the difficulties she faced, both professional and personal.

Perhaps the introduction of our “monster”, at the very last chapter of the first novel would have surprised her. Undoubtedly she would have applauded our efforts to tell his story in the second novel. Nevertheless, the praise we crave to hear from her is for the story telling itself.

Did we capture the oftentimes destructive climate and culture of our time? Did we effectively weave together a mystery from a number of unrelated events, theories and characters? Did we echo Mary’s timeless message that even the best intentions can quite easily lead to the most horrific outcomes? Have we managed to illustrate the horrible consequence of refusing to accept failure, regardless the cost?

While it would be very easy to quake in her giant footsteps, instead her words offer encouragement to co-authors endeavouring to writing a trilogy in what has now become very popular field. It is so very true, as we sit down again and again, determined to finish our own story, that we make the choice to continue anew each time.

The beginning is always today. – Mary Shelley