Part 5, read: Call for Feedback

Questions about process? Thoughts on chapter-reflection pairings? Feelings about the developing love story in the novel?

In the upcoming weeks, in a new multi-part reflection series titled “Infinite Lock-In,” I’ll dive deeper into concerns and criticisms about the Singularity. Moving past my objections to Ray Kurzweil’s utopia, I’ll start to engage with the ideas of a futurist and tech pioneer I admire, Jaron Lanier. Reflections are only for paying subscribers, so if you want to read what’s to come in “Infinite Lock-In” — as well as what I’ve written before on topics ranging from narrative technique to deconstructing religion — then please subscribe or upgrade your subscription!

Call for Feedback

Early on, I wrote some reflections about the process of writing Quibble, but for a while now I’ve focused exclusively on themes. After “Infinite Lock-In” (and one or two more reflections I’ve been cooking up), I may pivot back to process. Is there anything you want to know about my process? Or about any of the sources in the bibliography?

I’ve been purposeful in pairing novel chapters with thematic reflections. Were any of the pairings especially thought-provoking or eye-opening for you? Tell me about it!

In chapter 24, “Script,” the novel’s love story gets afoot. Chapter 11, “Adroitness,” was a teaser for it, of course, so I expect few readers are surprised Quill and Nish have become lovers. As chapter 27, “Consensus,” strongly hints, it’s not going to be smooth sailing for them. But for you, does the appearance of their love story seem to deepen the novel? Might you even be, I wonder, rooting for them? Or is all this an unwelcome distraction from the main thrust of the plot?

As always with calls for feedback, anyone can post comments on this page. Please tell me your thoughts, whether on anything above or anything else!