So are dinosaur bones a complete sham?
Just for the record, I do not believe the Earth is 6,000 years old. Some of the people I grew up with do. They believe Satan put dinosaur bones on the Earth to tempt us into believing in things like evolution and science.
While I like to respect everyone’s belief system, I have a hard time with this one. I think we can say with some scientific confidence that dinosaur bones are legit. But I’m not a paleontologist, just a humble writer, so I’ll leave all the science to the people with the fancy degrees and big shovels.
Do you have a favorite dinosaur?
Yes! My favorite dinosaur is the Ankylosaurus, which looks kind of like if a tank had a baby with an armadillo. They say it’s the last of the non-avian dinosaurs, and they still haven’t found an entire skeleton. I’ve always liked it because I think it is the dinosaur that looks least likely to bite my face off. Then again, I’m not a paleontologist.
If there were a living species of animal that was the creation of the devil, which species do you think it would it be?
Monkeys. I’ve been chased by monkeys in so many different parts of the world I can’t even list them here. Apparently you’re not supposed to make eye contact with them, which reminds me a lot of middle school. Come to think of it, maybe that’s why I got bullied so much. Though I’m pretty sure being a bisexual atheist in a small town didn’t help.
If Stolas were around today, now do you think they’d use social media to perpetuate this dinosaur bone theory?
How do you know Stolas isn’t already using social media? ;)
How, if at all, has your Masters of Science in Information effected your writing and storytelling?
My Master’s degree has dramatically impacted my writing and really my entire view on life. My specialty is in Archives, which makes me a librarian of historical documents. (I mean it would’ve if I hadn’t sold out and gone corporate.)
The study of archives has made me understand that history and stories have always been political, biased, and always will be. From the documents we deem ‘worthy’ to be kept in an archive, to the people we decide are ‘interesting’ enough to interview, all of what is studied is based on our choices. These decisions are extremely powerful in how we tell the stories about who we are and what we’re doing here.
I don’t think there’s such a thing as the Truth in relation to any of this. I think right and wrong are unfortunately subjective. That said, what I love about History and Writing is that we can poke along the edges of what we believe and explore the corners of who we are. Every story is powerful and worth listening to and reveals a little more about us as a collective whole.
Also, I think that these things can help us learn empathy and get curious about the people around us, and I think when we meet each other with empathy and curiosity, we will automatically start treating each other better and in turn make the world a better place.
How do you think Aym would feel knowing Stolas’ plan was a success and people believe dinosaurs were real today?
To be honest, I’m not sure he would have cared all that much about the dinosaur bones. I think he would love climate change, though, and all of these forest fires. Aym is a pyro of a demon.
How many times has this story been rejected by other markets?
I wrote this story specifically for this submission call. Though the idea has been floating around in my brain for decades.
When I heard as a kid, this idea that Satan put dinosaur bones on earth to trick us, I wondered how he could’ve pulled off this prehistoric treasure hunt. I assume he would’ve had to have gotten a lot of help.
What’s a great short story you’ve read recently?
I just read the story “Teddy Bear Pancake” by Chris Scott in Weird Lit Magazine that blew my mind. It’s about the end of death on Earth. HUGE premise, right, but he tells the story with these two little characters in a diner eating pancakes. I love the idea of attacking these enormous ideas with just small, normal people.
What book are you reading right now?
One book? That’s cute. I’m reading about eight books right now and usually am.
Craft: Verb Your Enthusiasm
Short stories: Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart
Novel: The Hero of Ages AND Taken by the Alien Next Door
Nonfiction: Humans: A Monstrous History
Graphic Novel: Bowling With Corpses
Do you have anything else you’d like to share?
I’m looking for an agent for my debut novel, A Sign of Murder, which is a modern fantasy mystery with romantic elements.
So if anyone knows an agent who likes dark humor and too much sarcasm, send them my way. The book’s pretty funny too.