Author Spotlight

Writing, Wit, and Worlds Beyond: An Interview with Author and Comedian Karina Fabian

Sep 08, 2024

Hey Readers!

One of my goals when I started A Busy Lady was to meet and connect with other writers, artists, entrepreneurs and creatives using their talents to make the world a better place. I never imagined when I set out to start this Substack, all of the wonderful and inspiring people I’d connect with!

This week I am absolutely thrilled to share an interview with Author and Comedian, Karina Fabian with all of you. Karina is the author to several science fiction novels as well as other works, a stand up comedian, writing teacher, and has her own fabulous Substack, Worlds of Fabian Space.

Enjoy!

As a freelance writer, you’ve covered many diverse topics. Which ones have been the most challenging, and how do you stay motivated through those projects?

When I freelance, it’s because I’m getting paid, so that’s my motivation. For me, the most challenging part of my freelance work was when I had to test business services by pretending to be a potential customer. I often had to psych myself up, and would remind myself that 1)I was getting paid, 2) It was the best way to get the information (often they would not talk to reviewers) and 3) A complete and honest review served our readers—and often, the company, too.

You’ve written fiction spanning zombies, dragons, and space. What draws you to these genres, and how do they intersect with your sense of humor?

When I read, I want to escape. I don’t want to experience problems that could just as easily transfer to me or my world. Thus, fantasy and sci-fi. The same goes for my humor—it doesn’t feel as mean when my poor dragon has to battle a terrible monster and then gets in trouble with the government because he despoiled the environment saving the town.

Plus, I love going beyond the “What Is” and into the “What If.”

You’ve worked on everything from serious devotional writing to lighthearted sci-fi. How do you switch between such different tones in your writing?

I let the story take me. I seldom go into a story thinking “I will make this funny.” It is or it isn’t. Some, like Idol Speculations (which is my dragon, Vern vs Godzilla), are obviously going full-bore humor, while others, like The Old Man and the Void (The Old Man and the Sea set in space) demand a high-intensity, adventure tone.

Sometimes, I think something will be just silly fun, but it gets serious on me. The latest Space Traipse book has a parody of ST:TNG “The Child.” Lt. Doall gets impregnated by an energy being and goes from conception to empty next in 72 hours. But it was also the story where she reconciled with her mother—and when Joleu returned to the energy beings, it just about broke her. In fact, it’s been over a year since I’ve written Space Traipse, because she needed time in my head to recover.

You’ve been teaching writing for over 15 years. How has teaching influenced your own writing practice?

They say the best way to learn something is to teach it. I have about two dozen classes I teach via webinar, and every time I review the material, I get a new insight or relearn a skill I’d let go—or am embarrassed by something that would have made a just-published book of mine even better!

I learn a lot from my students, too. They often have new insights or ideas to share, or they ask a question that makes me think, “I need to look more deeply into that!” Sometimes, it results in a new course.

In your parody of Star Trek, Space Traipse, you use humor to navigate classic sci-fi tropes. What’s your process for creating those comedic moments while still honoring the genre?

I think Galaxy Quest inspired me. It’s hilarious and plays on all the tropes, but it’s also smart and respectful. Even when people do stupid things, it’s not because they are stupid. When I write Space Traipse—or any story of mine—I write characters who are smart but who end up in stupid situations and sometimes make stupid choices. Seldom is anyone an idiot just to be an idiot. (Exception: zombies!)

My process for writing the Space Traipse stories that are direct parodies is to watch the episode with an eye for what dumb decisions were made or what the characters should have done if they’d had more screen time (or TBH, better writing).

Perfect example: Phasers. They have a fricking STUN SETTING!!! Why isn’t Security using that more often? Crewman running wild with a mind-altering virus? Stun them! Ambassador taken over by alien entity? Stun him and apologize when he’s de-possessed! Hostage situation? Shoot them both. Sure they’ll have a headache, but guess what?

Headaches Save Lives.

My husband and I yell this at the TV now: “Stun him! Headaches Save Lives!”

So, anyway… I watch the show, think about what could have been done and how my cast of redneck git-‘er-done characters would do instead, then ask how something even worse could happen for comedy sake.

I also look for other ways to insert humor. For example, I’m parodying “Tomorrow is Yesterday,” where the Enterprise is flung back to 1960s Earth. To show this, they have a radio announcement: This is the five thirty news summary. Cape Kennedy. The first manned Moon shot is scheduled for Wednesday, six am Eastern Standard Time. All three astronauts who are to make this historic
(Kirk signals it cut off)

Yawn.

This is the perfect place for comedy, so I did some research on outrageous DJs of the 1960s:

There was a staticky yeow! of excitement, then, “All right, you hip cats! That was Mother Popcorn—brother, I need one of those! We’ll get back to grooving with the golds, but first—let’s talk about that moon shot. I’m going to be glued to the tube Wednesday 6 am. We’re going to beat the Ruskies. Man they gonna freak. Make love, not war—and let’s do it on the Moon, baby!

“But let’s get deep: what’s it all mean, man? Lay it on me—555-ONEB. Meanwhile, let’s kick back with Zager and Evans.”

Now, he’s taken on a life of his own! The entire story will be peppered with this DJ egging on the hip cats of Omaha to defend the Moon People against the Establishment. I think in the end, he may get a visit from Gel (my gelatinous life form) who will tell him that if he pretends it was a hoax, then someday Gel will return to make him a “Moonman.”

You’ve mentioned that you aren’t a huge fan of zombies. How did you come to write about them, and what’s been the most enjoyable part of the process?

Things are always more palatable with a generous dose of humor! I’m not a horror fan, and I don’t like my zombies scary and gross. However, I was asked by Kim Richardson, a friend and publisher of Damnation Books, to write a zombie story for their anthology, The Zombie Cookbook. Then a friend egged me on, so I wrote a story where they were simply a device for a lot of puns. However, people liked the story and asked for a book with the main characters.

My zombies aren’t standard zombies—they are not really sentient, but have some of the same habits and mannerisms they acquired in life. This made them great for slapstick, jokes about society, and political commentary. We were living in California at the time, so that part was especially cathartic!

background pattern — Photo by chris panas on Unsplash

Your love of science fiction is evident in both your writing and personal life. How do you think the genre allows for deeper exploration of human nature and societal issues?

First, you can take “What If” to its logical—or ridiculous—extremes. Then, you can remove it from Real Life ™ which (when done right) gets people to enjoy the story and maybe absorb the lesson without feeling preached to.

Now, personally, I don’t think about societal issues or heavy themes when I write. Even Neeta Lyffe, Zombie Exterminator was more about poking fun at current trends rather than making any kind of thematic commentary. However, people have found a lot of “meat in the fluff,” as one reviewer put it.

What that says to me is that stories will tease out issues on people’s minds, which makes sense.

A book really is a conversation of sorts. Readers add to the story in their own way through what they imagine, where they find emphasis, and what resonates with them.

From zombies to space colonization, you’ve covered a wide array of themes in your writing. What’s a topic or genre you haven’t explored yet but would love to?

I’d like to stretch myself with a romcom or funny women’s fic. I have some stories in mind, but they are taking a back seat.

In the meantime, I just submitted my first middle-grade sci-fi.

You’ve taught time management skills for writers. What’s your top tip for balancing a busy life with creative writing projects?

Patience. Something will suffer somewhere at some point. Forgive yourself and move on.

However, also understand where your priorities are. Looking back, I wish I’d devoted a little more time to the kids when they were little.

What new projects are you currently working on?

Gapman is in serial on my paid Substack and will come out in November. (Subscribers get a free ebook copy)

I just submitted Zach Augustine in Stowaway to Saturn to a big traditional Catholic publisher. It’s my first traditional publisher submission in a long time, but I wrote it with a specific audience in mind, and they are the best way to reach that audience.

I finished reformatting and revising the Mind Over series. I got the rights back to these books a little over a year ago and have been meaning to get them out. I’m rapid-releasing them as the Madness of Kanaan series Jan-April 2025.

Author Bio

Catholic writer and comedienne Karina Fabian applies her talents to what she loves the most. Her performances exude the joy as well as the humor of the many wonderful facets of the Catholic faith. As such, she’s entertained local and national audiences in parishes and conferences. Other topics she loves are Florida, the writer’s life, getting old, and memory issues.

Her secular humor is clean, customized, and positive. Her relatable, energetic style engages audiences and leaves them pumped up even after the show.

Karina is available for conventions, congresses, faith gatherings, and any event where you need a little lighthearted, full-hearted fun.

Links

https://karinafabian.com

https://substack.com/fabianspace/subscribe

*All photos, if not otherwise noted, are used with the permission of Karina Fabian.

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