Mel Loja is a freshman at UP Diliman. He likes reading HG Wells, Isaac Asimov, Dan Simmons, Terry Pratchett, and John Steinbeck.
Where did the story idea for “Grin” come from?
Currently one of the few remaining flaws in AI-generated images is their inability to depict a human hand. Hands drawn by AI tend to have either too many fingers or too few. I expect this defect will be corrected within the next few months or years, but for now it is the mark of the beast, so to speak. The hollows and their mishappen teeth are a reflection of that.
What came easy to you when it came to writing this story?
The style of narration was a natural fit. I wanted this to be a slightly disconcerting experience, and so I chose to write the story as a long and impersonal monologue.
What was the most challenging thing you had to overcome to complete this story, and how did you deal with that?
Over the course of this extremely short story I was forced to come up with some surprisingly extensive world-building. All the details I added tended to complicate the plot, so I recalled Edgar Allan Poe’s advice to concentrate my efforts on achieving a singular effect.
What are the top three writing tips you would like to share with all aspiring storytellers out there?
- Submit to the best magazines out there. For science fiction, that includes Asimov, Analog and Clarkesworld. There is no harm in trying. Rejection is a natural part of progression, so don’t be afraid to shoot for the moon. Even if you come up short, you’ll still make it far.
- Do your research. Find out which magazines you want to be published in and obtain copies of their latest issues. Read their featured stories to get a sense of the market and what their readers prefer. Either tailor your stories to cater to that market, or find someone else to sell your work to.
- Get to the point. The greatest sin a writer can commit is to be boring. Immediately go for the jugular–let the reader know that they’re in for a treat. So much depends on your first line or your first paragraph.
What’s the one thing not mentioned in your profile that you would like people to know about you?
I have received no formal training in writing. I believe anyone with an unhealthy obsession with books can become a writer, provided that they suffer an appropriate amount in life, make note of this suffering and draw on it for inspiration in their work. Of particular importance is the act of taking notes not only of one’s own suffering, but also the suffering of others. Empathy only comes from pain, and empathy is the wellspring of all great literature.