Marianne de Pierres Interview
01/08/2004 . Source: Orbit Books Team 

The author of Nylon Angel on the dark futures of cyberpunk, cutting her teeth on A.C. Clarke, media manipulation, and how studying Film and TV as an undergraduate has influenced her science fiction writing.

Is NYLON ANGEL a one off, or is the first in a series of adventures to feature Parrish Plessis?

MdP: NYLON ANGEL is the first of three near-future action adventures featuring Parrish. The second book is called CODE NOIR and will be out later in the year. The third is set to follow approximately six months later.

Could you give readers a nutshell description of Parrish?

MdP: Parrish is a highly volatile but very compassionate grrl. She stands close to two metres and has an vitality that attracts people, and trouble.

Is she really as hard as the cover blurb makes out?!

MdP: When she has to be. But she also understands the psychology and usefulness of bluff and bluster.

She sounds like a grrl with a philosophy for life...?!

MdP: Parrish has a terribly soft side. She will go into bat for anyone she cares about, but has some major issues with other people prescribing how her life should be. I guess you could say she's is like a dog with a bone about personal liberty and that's because she's lived without it.

The Tert, where Parrish lives, is in the crazy gang-run 'burbs of a megacity. Is this a vision of future Earth?

MdP: I think those things are already in place. In Parrish's world they're maybe just a little more exaggerated - maybe not.

And is this the direction you think our world is headed?

MdP: I think the supercity thing is. In Australia particularly, the coast is heavily populated and will eventually encompass the entire coastline. The decay of decency? Well, we can fight to preserve it, or we can devolve. It's really up to us.

Even though the Tert warlords and pretty nasty pieces of work, and everyone on the streets is out for something, it seems as though the Media are the real enemy in NYLON ANGEL. Was media manipulation a theme you wanted to explore in the Parrish Plessis books?

MdP: Absolutely. I wrote this novel before the whole reality TV thing exploded - so perhaps we're a good way there in that aspect. I believe that the advancements in telecommunications have given Media the tools to shape and distort our reality. Although this may not be at the same conscious, sinister level as portrayed in my novels, it bears more consideration than we give it. I was just thinking recently that e-mail may be 'the thing' that saves us from a Parrish future - because word of mouth can often diffuse or challenge the propaganda we are being fed. (it can also distort as well, but I think it successfully undermines anyone holding the 'monopoly' on our perspectives).

As NYLON ANGEL begins, Parrish gets into some pretty serious trouble with not just the media but also her psychotic boss and a bunch of other ganglords. And that's before most of the shit hits the fan! Has she bitten off more than she can chew?!

MdP: Parrish? Never. That grrl's got endurance. Her main problem is she only ever understands a small percentage of the picture. Sort of like being in the (boxing) ring with a paper bag over your head.

Without giving too much away from the later books, can you give us a hint as to how things might turn out for her?

MdP: NOPE. Geez, Ezine, where's the fun in that? You've got to come for the ride on this one.

NYLON ANGEL has a very cinematic feel. Have movies influenced your writing to any degree?

MdP: I studied Film and TV as an undergraduate and find that I think in very visual terms. And yes, there are some movies deep in my psyche. I remember doing a tutorial assignment at University on Mad Max 2. I think I watched it thirty times. The whole anarchy thing and Bruce Spence saying 'kerchunk kerchunk.. buzzards drawn to the smell of guzzeline' is etched into my brain. I also think Ripley(Aliens series) rocks. And am fascinated by the skillful management of the Farscape storyline - paticularly series three and four. The humour and more than occasional plummet into utter darkness that kept it dynamic and credible.

How much have other authors impacted on your writing style?

MdP: Gibson, Noon, Lethem and Stephenson are writers I've particularly enjoyed. But my earliest influences as a teen were a peculiar cocktail of Zane Grey, D.H. Lawrence and A.C. Clarke. So I do like to write in varied styles. My short fiction tends to be more romantic and lyrical for the most part. That said, I've got a short piece coming out this year that is a similar style to the NA series and features a character called Gin Jasckson who is like Parrish but without the overdeveloped conscience.

If you were going to be stranded on the moon, which novels would you want with you?

MdP: Vermillion Sands anthology by J.G Ballard. Twilight Beach anthology by Terry Dowling. Lilith's Brood by Octavia Butler and probably something by Mary Gentle.

And seeing as we're off in conjecture land, if you were somehow transported into the future you've created, where would you go and what would you do?

MdP: I really don't want to be anywhere there much. So lets keep my vision in outfield.

Two more quick questions ... can you describe NYLON ANGEL to potential readers in one sentence?

MdP: A near future action adventure with a femme fatal who will gouge her way into your heart and head.

... and when can fans who've already got a piece of Parrish read her next adventure?

MdP: July 2004 CODE NOIR is out. And wait until you see Larry Rostant's new cover. WOW!

Thanks to Orbit Books (and Ben Sharpe) for permission to post this interview. For more details of their SFF authors and books, visit Orbit at www.orbitbooks.co.uk