How did “Warning Notes From an Annihilator Machine” originate? What inspirations did you draw on?

Sometimes when I am not doing anything serious I allow different thoughts to run freely in my head. One of those many thoughts was wondering how cool it would be for humans to be able to see into the future.

The advantage of this ability would be to curb accidents, pandemic, plague, deaths etc.

But because of the abuse of this power, the creator of the Earth kept it away from us humans.

In the midst of these thoughts, I began to imagine how nature and the environment warns us against certain moves and actions that will cause us severe harm.

Humans by nature have the ability of choice. Do we take heed when we have been told of an impending danger or we just act oblivious of these warnings, just like the people of old in the era of Noah?

All of these ideas coagulated to form this story.

What is your writing space like? What do you like to have around for optimal creativity?

I like to write sitting on the bed, leaning against the wall with a pillow behind my back. I also like very slow music (Nordic-folk & dark pop) playing at a faint volume in the background.

Natural light peeping in from the window, chirping birds, occasional movement of vehicles, fresh air, and plantain chips to munch on.

Did you get stuck at any point while writing this? How did you get past that?

Yes-o. I got stuck many times. This is the first story I ever wrote without dialogue. At first it seemed like a project I’ll never be able to complete.

I’m used to always writing dialogue in my stories, so putting together over three thousand words without a single line of dialogue was tough.

I read and reread stories without dialogue. This helped me to move the story forward. I also engaged in other activities like watching wildlife documentaries to allow my head to breathe.

Is there anything you want to make sure readers noticed?

Focus should be on the ANM’s consistent effort to save the boy. He was willing to go the extra mile, even violate some laws to save a fraction of earth.

This for me means feelings can grow even from the hardest of hearts.

What are you reading lately? What writers inspire you?

I’m reading Sim Kern’s “Real Sugar is Hard to Find.” I’m a sucker for climate fiction works.

Authors such as Nnedi Okorafor, N.K Jemisin, Ted Chiang, Kelly Link, China Mieville, Marlon James, and Neil Gaiman, inspire me.

What are you working on lately? Where else can fans look for your work?

I’m working on a dark fantasy novellete about a wendigo terrorising a village.

I have works published in Reckoning, Clarkesworld, Our Move Next anthology, Solarpunk, Reactor (Africa Risen anthology), Nightmare, Omenana, and Science Fiction World.