I was the only one who fed them, cleaned them and looked after their well being, all in a non god-complex way, of course. But it was because of me that their quality of life was so good.
I chuckled to myself and said “I wonder what it would be like if I was one of the fish inside.” Perhaps with a fish on the outside being the sole provider...
From then on I could easily imagine a group of humans living inside and a small story began to form.
When I finally couldn't hold all the details in my head I had to put it somewhere and a crude story formed on a ragged piece of paper.
I had no intention of writing a story but was intrigued by the idea, the concept seemed almost unique. To be honest before the thought hit me, I couldn’t write at all and it has been a long learning process to get even close to something readable.
Thinking back on my childhood I realise that I was heavily influenced by “small concepts” I think it started with ants (they still fascinate me), watching them scurry back and forwards in a world that must have been overwhelming in size to them. A single foot or child’s hand could destroy days of hard graft and murder their comrades instantly.
I remember watching the borrowers by Mary Norton every week on TV and it held me enchanted with the little people living like mice in a human’s house, sleeping in matchboxes and “borrowing” everything they could. I guess it was 50-50 that I could have become a thief.
How the Humanarium blended into science fiction rather than solid fantasy? I have no idea, I guess a love of the stars and trying to make it seem plausible were key ingredients.
Anyway, there’s plenty more ideas of where to take the series, so I guess we’ll take the adventure together.
Chris.