Interview: Sylvia Engdahl

What inspired you to write STEWARDS OF THE FLAME and in the paranormal genre in general?

Two things: first, I wanted to show what I believe is wrong in today's attitude toward health care and end-of-life-issues -- that aspect of the book is not paranormal at all; it is, unfortunately, the logical conclusion of current trends. And second, I wanted to explore in an adult novel how, and why, a civilization might begin to develop the paranormal abilities possessed by the characters in my Young Adult novels Enchantress from the Stars and The Far Side of Evil. I believe most of these -- ESP, for example -- do exist and will be widely developed by humankind in the distant future, although the story includes some that are exaggerated to the point of being more symbolic than real. I have always been fascinated by these abilities, although I myself possess no trace of them. And they represent what to me is the most important aspect of life -- the power of the human mind.

Are there any specific authors or books that influenced your writing?

Not really, as mine is quite different from most science fiction and certainly is not fantasy. Among the authors whose work I've enjoyed most are Tolkien, Ursula Le Guin, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Robert Heinlein (his early books, not his later ones), Dean Koontz, and my friend Shirley Rousseau Murphy.

Do you have any future book releases you'd like to mention, paranormal or otherwise?

I'm writing a sequel to Stewards of the Flame, but I don't know yet when it will be published. The sequel goes more deeply into what it would be like to develop a culture in which the use of so-called "paranormal" abilities is common.

What do you like most about the paranormal genre?

Its assumption that there's a lot more in the universe than is recognized by today's science. And its optimistic view of the human condition -- the idea that good and evil are real and meaningful, and that good wins in the end, even though often at a price.

What paranormal book are you currently reading or have recently read?

Does nonfiction count? I highly recommend Chris Carter's book Parapsychology and the Skeptics, which explains why most scientists reject the evidence for ESP and why in reality it's consistent with science. As for fiction, I've recently read Shirley Rousseau Murphy's Cat Deck the Halls and Dean Koontz's The Darkest Evening of the Year.

If you could visit any author's paranormal world or characters, whose would it be?

I'm still searching for a novel about a world I'd personally like to visit -- it would be one where most people have psi abilities, but also high technology. It seems that virtually all fictional worlds in which paranormal powers are widespread are based on an assumption that these powers are an alternative to technology, which I don't believe is true. In my view, they are advanced capabilities that develop in the general population of a world only after its civiliation is mature and high technology is well-established. Much as I admire some fantasy authors, I have no desire to visit a pre-industrial civilization.

Everyone knows about the cliché battle between vampires and werewolves -- which side are you on?

I've got to admit that I wasn't aware of this battle because I'm not interested in supernatural beings (except Shirley Rousseau Murphy's talking cats), and I haven't read any books about vampires or werewolves. I know, of course, that they are metaphors -- but if I'm looking for metaphorical portrayals of human characteristics, I'd rather read about extraterrestrial aliens.