Shaping a World in Flux

In a ‘time of polycrisis’ how can our ecofiction reflect that, while remaining readable, even enjoyable? In an age of increasing inequality, geopolitical tension, and ‘shifting baseline syndrome’ is this even possible? We consider the challenges of shaping material. We’ll look at the fundamentals of workshopping, adopting a myco-culinary approach: baking. Next, we’ll consider form, with an especial emphasis on ‘found structure’ and bio-mimicry—finding inherent forms in nature, thereby creating a marriage of form and content in writing that seeks to robustly engage with environmental issues and ecological concepts in an aesthetically-synchronous way. We will focus on specific geographical features, as well as topographical approaches in general. We will look at temporal approaches also. We will also consider how we can use different kinds of text—intertextual, paratextual, and heteroglossic approaches comprising docemes from old and new media to provide ‘texture’ and a healthy range of voices.