Blog Archives
Isolation And Uncertainty
The New Planet Policy follows a man facing personal and professional struggles who seeks salvation in space only to end up enduring mental experimentation from an alien race. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It would be easy to say that I was inspired to write Ian’s journey as a response to the isolation and uncertainty brought to us by the COVID pandemic, but this obvious answer is not true. In fact, this book was initially titled Cometh the Behemoth and was at draft complete status in 2015.
Somehow, that draft did not satisfy me and I could not release it. I felt Ian’s interior journey was inadequately written, and the manuscript was set aside. I expected it to ripen in my unconscious as it lay fallow. And it did.
Come early 2024, my attention shifted back to the book as finally some inspiration regarding Ian’s development gripped me; now I knew where he had been, what had happened to him, and how his experiences would shake up his settled personality, giving him a new chance at life. Within only a few days I removed approximately one thousand words, added in two thousand, and the book was done. (Well, the first chapter had to be updated to account for new technology that could not be ignored as the book is eternally set ‘twenty years from the present day’.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
The first chapters of the novel were written as far back as 1981. It began with only a tone in mind; the plot was entirely unforeseen. I had been writing a comedic novel and had wanted to revolve and explore a more darkly atmospheric universe. The sources of that darkness remained nebulous for many years until the off-world chapters were completed. As the action-oriented chapters were written, the focus modulated towards SF and away from horror/fantasy, as indeed this is where it culminates.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In The New Planet Policy I explore themes of isolation, personal relationships and how they evolve, or don’t, as well as the rebirth of hope that can be achieved with personal transformation. Ian meets many interesting characters during his travail, with a scant few of them being quite what we expect, and this reflects the actual reality of human complexity, the great puzzle which leaves any simple analysis wanting. Ironically, Ian learns a lot about humanity from all the non-humans he meets.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
When I wrote this novel, I had no inkling or inclination towards a sequel. It was only later when my focus had shifted from looking at Ian’s intrapersonal journey that I finally contemplated the actual results of his journey and how it had changed him. The last thing I wrote was the book blurb and it hints at this realization: [The story] ends with calm, but is it a prelude for something far worse? Things may still go very wrong for Ian and planet Earth. In fact, it seems inevitable that the happy ending will not endure. This adds a final, discordant note of realism: as with all life, any happy ending is ultimately transitory.
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Ian Hesse is not a lucky man. At least, not anymore. Everything collapses on him: his career, his marriage, his city, his country, and even his planet. He is forced to seek salvation among the stars, far from home and far from lucky.
Humanity must kneel, but it continues to breathe. Meanwhile Ian must endure unending mental experimentation which leaves him confronting his deepest fears. A hopeless situation, or a new beginning?
Unwinding a cosmic chain of rogue powers and trans-galactic malfeasance, it all ends with calm, but is it a prelude to something far worse?
The New Planet Policy
The New Planet Policy, by R. M. Kozan, is an exceptional addition to the sci-fi genre, weaving a captivating tale set in Ottawa, where a simple message from NASA to another planet sparks an unforeseen chain of events. The story kicks off with an encoded “Hello other world” message that is met with hostility, leading to a series of chaotic and negative occurrences in the previously peaceful city, creating the feeling that an alien trick has been played on Ottawa.
The protagonist, Ian Hesse, is a compelling character entangled in a web of personal and professional dilemmas. His struggles with his marriage and career are intricately portrayed, adding a layer of depth to his character as he navigates through the turmoil. Ian’s reflections on his circumstances, especially as he contemplates his future among the stars, are particularly poignant and relatable.
Kozan’s narrative prowess shines through in The New Planet Policy. The dystopian backdrop of Ottawa is vividly brought to life through his descriptive and graphic writing style. The dialogue and narration are expertly structured to maintain suspense, ensuring that readers remain on the edge of their seats. The plot is a riveting tapestry of trans-galactic intrigue and alien threats. Kozan masterfully keeps the readers guessing about how Ian will confront and overcome the challenges posed by the alien incursion. The novel’s unpredictability, coupled with its well-crafted plot twists, enhances its appeal. Kozan also excels in character development. Ian Hesse is a realistic and inspiring protagonist, whose backstory and growth throughout the novel are meticulously detailed. The supporting characters are equally well-crafted, adding richness to the narrative.
The New Planet Policy is a remarkable read, boasting a well-written plot, unexpected twists, and an engaging writing style. Kozan’s imaginative storytelling and ability to create suspense make this book a standout in the sci-fi genre.
Pages: 366 | ASIN: B0D3G9SM8L
The Butt of the Universe’s Jokes
The Voyages of Ralf follows the eponymous character on a series of adventures that he falls into and out of in humorous ways. What was the inspiration for the setup to this fun story?
Although my second published novel, The Voyages of Ralf is actually the first novel I ever completed. A very early version of it, created during my high school years, was based on three sequential short stories. Changes and updates occurred sporadically over the next few years, and then the manuscript lay fallow for decades until I began the final, complete re-write in 2019.
Despite the long interval between conception and delivery, the book retained its three-voyage format, and much of the story line of the original first two voyages. The third voyage was entirely reconceived this millennium. The pandemic provided inspiration to remain hiding in my room and finalize the manuscript during the spring, and into the summer of 2020, no doubt hastening the book’s release.
Ralf is an interesting and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
Borne in a gale of adolescent frustration and confusion, Ralf emerged as a non-character, the butt of the Universe’s jokes, a perpetual virgin and neophyte. He is often unsure what to do in the moment, and unclear about who is on his side; this leads to trouble. He has, however, ‘a good heart’, and by taking the side of those he deems on the right side of history, he stumbles through to better days.
The books takes a satirical view on several topics. What were some themes you wanted to explore in this book?
The book is intended to be fun; however, there are strong themes of humanism throughout. The impacts of racism (species-ism?), abuse of authority, malign impacts of abusive personalities, and the struggle for identity formation are revealed through a comedic lens. The idea of the alien mind fascinates this author, and how we deal with those who are different from us is at the heart of the book.
This is volume one in the series. What can readers expect in the upcoming volumes?
The next volume, tentatively titled ‘Love Triangulum’, will explore more of Ralf’s background, explaining what happened to his father, and settling Ralf’s true place in his Universe. Some previously introduced characters will return, but many exotically alien ones will also be introduced. The history of Martiankind has not yet been fully revealed. Also, the central tenets of the Alliance and its religion, Aronism, specifically the exaltation of beauty, were merely glanced upon, and their social impacts will be more fully explored.
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In a world where ‘ugly’ is a swear word, and the Equal Sign (=) is the primary religious icon of the status quo, Ralf is on a far-ranging adventure of personal discovery, growth, and a quest for the truth, even if it upends Martians’ long-held beliefs about themselves.
LITERARY TITAN 