Challenge 94

If you haven’t yet read the current installments of Gaia and Made It Way Up, you may find it useful to read the Challenge before doing so.

The End of a Beginning and the Beginning of an End

Tala Bar has sent her heroine, Dar, literally on a whirlwind flight to a world that has undergone an ecological apocalypse. As she and Nim trek across the landscape, they are continually awed by its newness, and Dar has a premonition that she and Nim are about to encounter something unexpected.

Ian Donnell Arbuckle’s short novel approaches its conclusion. Bernard and Lane have played rock-scissors-paper to decide who will make the first flight in their home-made rocket ship. Now, it’s time for reflection.

Both Gaia and Made It Way Up refer to natural catastrophes. How are the references similar? How are they different?

Gaia almost necessarily uses realistic description and narrative; Made It Way Up uses relatively little and is practically a radio play. Would you have added any narrative or description to Made It Way Up?

Both Gaia and Made It Way Up contain elements of mystery that maintain the readers’ curiosity. How do Tala Bar and Ian Donnell Arbuckle lead the reader from one episode to the next?

As an extra, unofficial Challenge, we’ve noted in side conversations with Ásgrímur Hartmannsson that “Catnips,” as it stands, is an excellent beginning of a short novel. Who would you choose to collaborate with him on a middle? On an ending? What kind of continuation would you choose? Horror? Mystery? Shoot-’em-up? Comedy? Social satire? Slapstick? Who knows, space aliens might work, too. “Catnips” continuations are invited!