Month of Joy: Werewolves In Space… Why not? by Joyce Chng

This is supposed to be my Month of Joy post. You know, where I post what makes me happy and joyful. To be honest, I am not feeling joyful now because I keep getting reminded that I am not welcome in the science fiction and fantasy community. The gatekeepers, the old guard, want to keep people like me out of the picture because I don’t write hard science fiction.  Or legit science fiction, even. Or that I am not white, not USian, not trad. pubbed etc. And besides, you all get my country confused all the time. No, Singapore is not in China. And no, Singapore is not just like the land of Crazy Rich Asians. It’s like so much more.

The old guard will probably think werewolves in space is too far-fetched, too preposterous. Oh wait, it’s also space opera — but where’s the hard science? Where are the hard scientific facts? I doubt they will ever read it anyway. And it has slice-of-life and domestic scenes — probably too ‘girl cooties’ for their masculine sensibilities. Already I hear the mutterings of ‘sjw’ and ‘POC’.

Whatever.

I had great fun writing werewolves in space. The story itself was inspired by Babylon 5 and all the science fiction TV shows I’d watched. I loved the cinematic battle scenes, the gorgeous landscapes, the drama and — most of all — the story. It’s the story that captivates me all the time and keeps me glued to the screen. It’s story that gives me joy and now I am writing a story about werewolves in space, wolves in human skins commanding starships…  Throw in Chinese mythology, festivals, family dynamics and age-old strictures… and you get story.

Isn’t science fiction ultimately about story?

Not just technobabble, science facts, space travel, speculation about other planets and beings.

Story.

Story that keeps us warm and hopeful for a better future, encouraged, uplifted, supported.

Story that involves an inclusive society focused on peace, kindness and compassion.

Story that everyone has a voice and is represented.

A narrative that doesn’t gate-keep, doesn’t throw people under the bus, doesn’t discriminate.

A narrative that gives us joy.