In this futuristic apocalyptic tale, war is raging both in real life and in cyberspace. Online communities have formed divisive factions which recruit people jaded by the vagaries of western living. These factions are in violent conflict with each other to garner territory in a society increasingly ruled by corrupt algorithms seeking to control minds with biased information through online feeds. The internet has become a dangerous weapon, a weapon which is gradually taking over the world.

 

We spoke with Luise about building her futuristic dystopia, how our lives today (especially online) have helped her in shaping the narrative for this saga, and where the journey is headed next.

 

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Your novel explores a futuristic world and combines many societies under one narrative. How did your experiences living abroad (a total of fifteen years!) inspire your writing and worldbuilding?

 

We often underestimate our similarities. While our beliefs can be shaped by our national cultures, there are fundamental human desires shared universally, such as to protect ourselves and our loved ones, and to live freely and safely. These universal aspirations heavily influence our life choices.

 

Moreover, despite certain Western nations leaning towards protectionism, globalization continues to surge forward. Shared platforms like social media, movies, and news are fostering a global consciousness. This shift means our divisions are less about where we come from and more about our shared values and truths. As a result, new global communities of like-minded individuals are emerging, reshaping geopolitics in real-time.

 

Global agglomerations, such as trade and military alliances, are getting more and more powerful, which challenges the power of nations. I know this is an old discussion, but today global agglomeration building is happening in the context of global mass media. In some ways, the world has become the battleground for all kinds of public, private and civic actors swaying the support of global populations.

 

Migration, too, plays a pivotal role, growing inexorably across the globe like an unstoppable force. Rather than resisting this tide, we might contemplate what a world shaped by mass migration could look like.

 

I explore the concept of a world without nations in my work, not as an idealistic wish, but as a provocative thought experiment. The influence of multinational corporations, global media, and mass migration on shaping our societies cannot be ignored - they are redefining traditional notions of national identity.

 

Rather than fighting the inevitable and, in the process, fueling further conflict, we could ask ourselves: How do we achieve global peace in a world that is globally interconnected and inseparably intertwined?

 

On another level, drawing from my extensive travels and experiences living abroad, my novel is a tapestry woven from familiar places I hold dear. Each location not only serves as a backdrop but also enriches the narrative with its unique cultural insights and human stories.

 

Lastly, my background in academic research, particularly in economics focusing on cities and societies, informs my perspective. I observe the pendulum swing between protectionism and globalization throughout history. This oscillation reflects our human tendency to react to perceived shortcomings, whether by retreating behind national borders or embracing global interconnectedness.

 

In fiction, I can extrapolate beyond historical patterns to explore potential futures, such as the ramifications of escalating tensions between nations or even a third world war.

 

 

The conflict of your book stems from a toxic online cyberspace, divided into factions and capable of very real threats to the wider world. How have the events of the Internet today shaped your story?

 

The conflict in my novel emerges from a dystopian cyberspace where online factions wield tangible power, reflecting the unchecked influence of the internet in today’s world. The internet has become an autonomous force, creating communities of shared beliefs that transcend traditional societal structures, democracies and nation states. These online communities operate outside conventional rules, often manipulated by algorithms that amplify extremes, leading to polarization and vulnerability to misinformation and manipulation. In this way, the internet contains a propensity of radicalism.

 

Governments can make politics, but people using the internet as connecting tissue to form global communities of like-minded is a force to be reckoned with. These communities of like-minded are not necessarily formalized nor formally recognized as a community by their members. They can be a lot more subtle. Like an invisible undercurrent, they can sway entire populations into action, sometimes against the official government politics and allegiances.

 

In the book, I imagine that populations no longer sympathize with their fellow countrymen and women, but rather sympathize with global populations and algorithms on the internet. They start to mobilize with these populations and algorithms, maybe even against their national governments. What happens to nations, governments, and national identity in that context? Since I wrote the book, in 2022, many more things have happened that support the narrative of the book.

 

Yet, in my writing, I strive to avoid political bias, preferring to present a nuanced reflection of our world’s potential futures.

 

 

Another inspiring factor of Going Places, Somewhere and Nowhere is your trio of female protagonists. Why did you write an apocalyptic tale with three female leads?

 

In “Going Places, Somewhere and Nowhere,” another compelling element is the trio of female protagonists navigating an apocalyptic landscape. This choice stemmed from personal experiences and reflections during a period of personal crisis, which spurred my writing journey. It allowed me to explore themes of resilience and survival through a female perspective often overlooked in narratives of war and crisis.

 

The book contains elements I have thought about most of my life but been unable to get speak as an academic, because that is a different discipline. As a fictional author, I can speak what I observe and believe, while still deeply rooted in my extensive research background.

 

 

Going Places, Somewhere and Nowhere is now available in audiobook form! Did you always intend on turning your book into an audiobook? What are your experiences of audiobooks?

 

I have relatively little experience with audiobooks, but I believe the increase in book sales is largely due to audiobooks. Readers can listen to books while in transit and on trips. It is very convenient.

 

 

Now this is the first in a trilogy of adventure stories. What can you tease to us about the next edition: Going Places, United and Divided?

 

The trilogy is a continuation of this exploration across generations and through evolving societal landscapes. The trilogy, akin to Nordic family sagas, spans generations and explores the human condition against the backdrop of monumental societal shifts. Nevertheless, like the Nordic family sagas, throughout, the narrative remains rooted in the complexities of human relationships and the resilience of local communities.

 

The second installment, “Going Places, Together and Apart,” delves deeper into the quest for global peace amidst the remnants of a shattered world, juxtaposing advanced technology with a return to primal conditions.

 

The third instalment “Going Places, Ebb and Flow,” grapples with the aftermath of global conflict and the profound impacts of climate change.

 

In essence, my novels are a mirror to our world’s potential paths, offering not only cautionary tales but also glimpses of hope and human connection amidst uncertainty.

 

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For more, please visit Luise’s websites:

-  https://www.going-places-book.com/

-  https://www.luisenoring.net/

 

 

And stay tuned for more from Luise Noring as the Going Places saga continues!

-  Going Places, United and Divided releases Spring 2025

-  Going Places, Ebb and Flow releases Summer 2025

 

 

 

Going Places, Somewhere and Nowhere is available now in paperback.