In The Works

Main Projects

8254

My main project, 8254, is a negative utopian story that I’m hoping will be my first published novel. I’m still working on the synopsis for this story, I have the habit of not sharing until I’ve finished, but if you’re curious when it comes to the difference between negative utopia and dystopia then I can share that.

The line between dystopia and negative utopia can be a little blurred at times, but the basics are;

• Dystopia is usually an environment or society where the inhabitants are aware their situation is unpleasant, but aren’t willing to or can’t change it. V for Vendetta, one of my all time favourite graphic novels and movies, is a great example. There’s more below the surface, but going by face value alone you know the situation isn’t pleasant, and it’s not truly hidden. That story is also more totalitarian (being a society ruled by an overbearing government who controls all or the majority of the facets of that society), but it’s still a great example of people living in an unpleasant environment without being completely brainwashed.
• Negative Utopia on the other hand, is akin to dystopia, but it hides it. It’s an environment that gives the appearance of being a utopian society; perfect, providing everything, all citizens are happy or at least content, and therefore unaware that they are truly brainwashed and their happy existence is a complete sham.

The idea of a utopian society is meant to be one of peace with nothing to disrupt it and nothing sinister going on behind the curtains, but my novel explores the inability for society to be so perfect and peaceful. I’ve always had an interest in mental conditioning and controlling societies. I think it was inevitable I would end up writing a story which delves into such subjects.

Side Projects

The Eye Project

Currently a collaboration between myself and my partner involving photography. We’ve only just begun so I won’t divulge any more, but it’s on it’s way to becoming a main, non-writing, project.