How to Think About Technology in World Building

This workshop will train you to see and think about “technology”—both fictional and nonfictional—in new ways that help you tell compelling stories. We’ll examine a broader definition of technology and take on the perspective of a worldbuilder, someone who must conjure a novel and concrete vision for others. Interactive exercises will allow participants to put these new ways of seeing and thinking into practice. Intended for writers of all levels. Please come to the workshop with a piece of technology (existing or invented) in mind you’d like to feature in a story.

Prerequisites: This workshop is suitable for writers at all levels of expertise, so there are no requirements per se. However, prior to attendance, it would be helpful for you to think about a piece of technology that you wish to feature in a story. This can be something real (a new programming language you’re excited about; an old gadget that you love; a new startup idea; a hand tool that you know intimately …) or something fictional (a web site you wish someone would make; a program that you want to craft; a new method of space travel; a boat powered by phlogiston in a parallel universe  …). You don’t have to do much thinking—a vague idea in mind is enough.

About Ken:

Ken Liu (http://kenliu.name) is an American author of speculative fiction. A winner of the Nebula, Hugo, and World Fantasy awards, he wrote the Dandelion Dynasty, a silkpunk epic fantasy series (starting with The Grace of Kings), as well as short story collections The Paper Menagerie and Other Stories and The Hidden Girl and Other Stories. He also authored the Star Wars novel The Legends of Luke Skywalker.

Prior to becoming a full-time writer, Liu worked as a software engineer, corporate lawyer, and litigation consultant. Liu frequently speaks at conferences and universities on a variety of topics, including futurism, cryptocurrency, history of technology, bookmaking, narrative futures, and the mathematics of origami.