Last year, I asked noted science fiction writer Paul Park if making one’s protagonist a science fiction writer could cause the character to be more sympathetic to a reader, because the occupation comes with a built-in hardship. He chuckled and said “yes, I think that’s right.” But beyond pulling emotional strings, a science fictional science fiction writer inside of a science fiction story seems like the kind of paradox one could potentially use to the destroy the universe. Is this my real life or is the “story” of my “life” ultimately the fabrication of a blogger named “Ryan” on a science fiction blog? Wait. Better stop thinking that thought or I may cease to exist.
While I struggle with the existential reality of being a science fiction version of myself, treat yourself to these six examples of invented SF writers who exist in science fiction narratives.
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