Guangzhou science fiction writer Fenxing Chengzi (Fractal Orange) has recently taken home the Best Novelette for China's most prestigious science fiction award Galaxy Awards. In just over four years since he began his writing journey in late 2018, Yu Kun, with his pseudonym "Fenxing Chengzi", has garnered 19 domestic science fiction literary awards, making him well-known and highly regarded among science fiction enthusiasts.

At the age of eight or nine, Yu first encountered science fiction novels. At that time, he knew nothing about the term "science fiction", but the seed had already been planted. Before graduating from university, the man found himself in a state of deep melancholy. He tried to write an email to science fiction writer Liu Cixin to seek advice on the craft of science fiction writing.

In Liu's response, he mentioned that one should both gaze at the stars and keep their feet on the ground. He advised Yu to find a job first and embark on science fiction writing once his survival needs were met. As a result, Yu temporarily set aside his aspirations in science fiction.

The turning point came in 2016 when Yu was on a business trip in Libya. After completing his work in Istanbul, he planned to return to the Libyan capital, Tripoli, but unexpectedly found himself stranded in a small city called Benghazi.

Upon disembarking, both Yu and his colleague had their passports and plane tickets confiscated. A military-looking officer instructed them to wait on the tarmac for further instructions. In that moment of hunger, hardship, and facing a grave threat to their lives, Yu asked himself a question: "If my life were to end like this, what would be my regret?" The clear answer is that science fiction was his greatest passion. Fortunately, Yu returned safely to his home country. After resigning from Huawei in 2018, he embarked on a journey of science fiction writing in the truest sense.

"I never considered myself a 'science fiction writer hindered by Huawei'. Each life experience is a form of accumulation. It is the expertise I possess and my past experiences living abroad that provide a constant stream of material and inspiration for my science fiction writing," Yu told a reporter from Yangcheng Evening News.

Recently, post-90s generation writer and financial professional Hai Ya from Shenzhen won the 81st Hugo Award for Best Novelette with his work "The Space-Time Painter". "It's a historic moment that the current Hugo Award being granted to the writer from Shenzhen, which indicates the rise of science fiction literature in the Greater Bay Area after years of cultivation." Yu believes. The Greater Bay Area has caught the attention of many as it is home to several science fiction authors who have been working behind the scenes. Typical examples like Chen Qifan, Wang Nuonuo, and Tan Gang are all GBA local authors who have drawn inspiration from Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Their works demonstrate a profound understanding of technology.

Speaking about his future writing plans, Yu said, "I am currently working on a story about the Sanxingdui site, attempting to blend the history of Sanxingdui with the ancient history of Chinese civilization. Additionally, there will be a sequel to my awarded work. I attempt to explore further whether humanity can break free from the constraints of artificial intelligence and obtain a clear understanding of history and reality."

独家访谈｜广州科幻作家“分形橙子”：我不是被华为耽误了的科幻作家

近日，广州科幻作家分形橙子凭借作品《笛卡尔之妖》获得中国科幻银河奖最佳中篇小说奖。自2018年底开始创作以来，短短四年多，于鲲以“分形橙子”的笔名揽得国内19个科幻文学奖项，为圈内科幻文学迷所熟知和追捧。

于鲲从八九岁开始接触科幻小说，当时他的脑海里还没有“科幻”这个词，但这颗种子已经种下。大学毕业前夕，于鲲陷入了一种非常苦闷的情绪。抱着试一试的心态，他给科幻作家刘慈欣写了一封邮件，请教科幻创作的事情。

刘慈欣在信中说，人既要仰望星空，也要脚踩大地。他告诉于鲲，应该先找一份工作，等到衣食无忧后再开始科幻创作。于鲲因此暂别科幻写作。

真正的转折点出现在2016年，当时于鲲在利比亚出差。在伊斯坦布尔完成工作后，他原计划是返回利比亚首都的黎波里，没想到飞机在利比亚一个小城市班达滞留。

下飞机以后，于鲲和另一个同事的护照、机票都被没收了，一个军官模样的人让他们在停机坪等消息。在那饥寒交迫、生命面临巨大威胁的一瞬间，于鲲问了自己一个问题：“如果我的这辈子就这么结束了，那我的遗憾是什么？当时我在想自己最喜欢的是什么，答案就是科幻。”万幸的是，于鲲平安回国。2018年从华为辞职以后，他开始了真正意义上的科幻创作。

“我从不认为自己是‘被华为耽误了的科幻作家’，每段人生经历都是一次沉积。正是我所掌握的专业知识以及过往的海外生活经历，为科幻创作提供了源源不断的素材和灵感。”于鲲告诉羊城晚报记者。

近日，中国“90后”作家、深圳金融从业人员海漄凭借作品《时空画师》获得了第81届世界科幻大会雨果奖最佳短中篇奖。“这次雨果奖花落深圳是一个标志性事件，意味着大湾区科幻文学经过多年的孕育，开始崛起。”于鲲认为，人们开始注意到，大湾区本身也有一些一直默默耕耘的科幻作者，如陈楸帆、王诺诺和谭钢。他们都是湾区本土成长起来的作家，不少作品取材于广州和深圳，对于科技的内涵也有较深入的认知。

谈及未来的写作计划，于鲲说：“我正着手写一个关于三星堆的故事，试图把三星堆的历史和中华文明的远古历史相结合。此外，还将推出《笛卡尔之妖》的续集。人类能否摆脱人工智能的束缚认清历史和现实，这是我想继续探索的方向。”

文｜记者 梁善茵
图｜受访者提供
译｜陈萱
责编 | 王楠
校对 | 周勇