The Word for Writers

An interview

by trent wilson
10/10/07
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The newest and most interesting writer on the Internet is Jim Monnin. A personal friend of mine and a faithful Christian. His work most certainly glorifies Jesus which is why I felt a need to write about him.

He's written a half dozen short stories so far which can be viewed at his Xanga blog. He also has a spot here at faith writers where he's read many of your own articles. You can view it at:

Since Mr Monnin was kind enough to permit me this interview, I so felt the need to put it here for other faithful writers to see. Since he is a member here at faith writers too it also seemed fitting. We discussed mostly his short story Jory which appeared in FLCC's local magazine the Ghost of Ben Franklin. It can also be viewed here.

What is Jory about in your mind?

Monnin: Contact at Jory? It's basically a challenge to both Christians and atheists alike. That's why I wrote it the way I did. It was meant to ask readers of both persuasions what are the boundaries of what is religious. And what are the boundaries of science. I used Science fiction because Sci-fi allows for the kind of metaphors that intellectually removes the reader from the current arguments going on. My hope is to create a fresh new perspective for the reader.

At the Meeker's party last year you had said that you thought science fiction is too secular these days.

Monnin: What I said was, Sci-fi has for to long been solely in the hands of the non religious. I think this has hurt Science fiction a great deal. I think it's hurt Christianity too. If not for the more obvious reason that Sci-fi is so popular, then just think about this: Jesus himself used stories often to teach. Unfortunately too many denominations consider science Fiction to be the equivalent of blasphemy.

You said that you think this has hurt Science fiction a great deal. Would you care to elaborate on that?

Monnin: Well, I think it's created a sort of onesidedness to science fiction. Sci-fi is at it's best when it's left unhindered. For example the best sci-fi this year was Transformers. Don't you think it says something when a comic book out does all other concepts in the sci-fi arena?

What is your favorite Science fiction?

Monnin: That depend on which kind of media you're asking about. For example my favorite Sci-fi book was Crichton's "Jurassic Park" But My favorite sci-fi series was Star Trek: The next generation. Well at least seasons 3, 4, & 5. Best movie was Empire Strikes back and Favorite all around in audio/visual media is an episode of the original Lost in space series called "The return from outer space". So you see that my tastes are plentiful.

Back to Jory I've already heard several people ask if the "creatures" in the Jory story are Aliens or something else?

Monnin: Well that is an interesting question, isn't it? I have my own theories about what they are. And I may get more concrete in them in future stories, but I left it open for a reason.

You seem to allude to Arther C Clarke a lot in the story. Is he a favorite of yours?

Monnin: He is but if you will notice I also referred a lot to "Mimzy were the Borogoves" By Lewis Padgett. I just love how he described things in his stories.

Did you see the movie that came out this past year?

Monnin: The last Mimsy? I saw it. I thought it fell well short of the ideals Padgett put into the original story. The most spiritual part of the story seems to be the point that Lex looks back and see's the universe we live in as an explosion.

What were you hinting at?

Monnin: The ironic thing about that is the only person who's complained to me that they don't understand how Lex saw the dead people was a preacher believe it or not. Jory as I said is about boundary's. And that is simply one of the boundaries I was covering.

So what are you doing next?

Monnin: I'm currently working on an essay series covering important issues that effect all of us. I'm working on the details for get my own site for that. Also I'm going to be releasing one more short story in the next week or so. It will be posted at the Xanga site.

Thank you all for reading.