At the Intersections of Storytelling - an interview with Cody D. campbell

With a background in gaming and tech journalism, author Cody Campbell has a unique perspective on storytelling that allows him to explore deep themes like identity and societal challenges. We chatted about the moments that shaped his writing journey, the connections between literature and video games, and how his surroundings and personal experiences find their way into his stories.

How has your diverse range of influences, from classic literature to modern media, shaped your writing style and storytelling approach? Can you pinpoint a moment or work that profoundly changed your perspective as a writer?

It’s hard to quantify exactly how much all of the art that I’ve consumed has affected my writing, but I’d like to think that it’s helped me to get a broader perspective on storytelling as a whole. I make an effort to blend the larger ideas that are more commonly tackled in classic literature with the narrative form and pacing of more recent media in order to make it more approachable.

I think I’ve had several turning points in my work, but reading Beowulf for the first time was one of the earliest. The unique structure and the implementation of mythology has really stuck with me over the years, and I still find myself thinking about it fairly often.

Your short story collection is titled "Echoes of the Arcane." Can you discuss what "arcane" means to you in the context of your stories, and how this theme resonates with contemporary issues?

The word arcane is usually associated with ancient knowledge or magic. To me, it harkens back to this idea that there used to be more mystery in the world, and so we filled the gaps in our knowledge with myth and folklore.

Some of the stories in my collection are sci-fi, while others are fantasy, but a lot of them lean into this idea of using something fantastical to represent a source of mystery or anxiety.

Given your background in gaming and tech journalism, how do you see the relationship between storytelling in literature and interactive storytelling in games? Have any specific games inspired your writing?

It really depends on the game. Some, like Tomb Raider or The Last of Us, are fairly linear. There are moments of gameplay where the player has control between story beats, but the story itself is on rails which makes it a lot like a typical novel. Others, like Mass Effect or The Witcher, emphasise the importance of player’s choices. Everything still has to be scripted, though, so it works more like a choose-your-own-adventure novel where the player picks between limited options. Then there are games that give the player unlimited agency, but have virtually no narrative at all.

I think the game that influenced my writing the most is probably Final Fantasy VII. The story is predicated on this idea that the energy from all living creatures returns to the planet to become new life, but there is a super-powerful company called Shinra that is siphoning it to convert it into electricity and make super soldiers, killing the planet. The blend of spiritual philosophy and social commentary is something that has always stuck with me.

As a teacher of prose and sci-fi/fantasy writing, what unexpected insights have you gained from your students that have influenced your own writing process or philosophy?

All the writers in my workshops have brought their own voice and vision of storytelling with them. They all have unique perspectives and I’m constantly learning from them. Mostly though, leading these workshops has influenced my philosophy around giving and receiving criticism. It’s difficult to remain objective about criticism when it comes to a project that you’re passionate about, but it’s a skill that’s vital for the development of a piece. Likewise, it's easy to focus on areas that need improvement when reviewing a piece, but its just as important to give equal attention to the parts of a story that are working well.

Living in Corvallis, Oregon, how does your environment influence your writing? Are there specific local sights or experiences that have made their way into your stories?

The forests around the Pacific Northwest have been a huge influence on my work. I love the spooky feeling of the fog rolling in while you’re surrounded by trees. It feels like something out of a fairy tale. There’s a magic to it that I’ve done my best to capture in several of my stories.

You began writing at the age of 15. Can you share a pivotal moment from your early writing journey that solidified your desire to be a published author?

I wrote a poem in high school that I was very proud of. It was about conscience, illustrated by an angel on one shoulder debating with a devil on the other. It wasn’t anything I would ever try to get published now, but it definitely sparked something in me. I spent years writing juvenile poetry about being a sad and misunderstood teen, but a true love for writing was born out of it that I’ve carried for my entire adult life.

Balancing your roles as a writer and a journalist can be challenging. How do you navigate the creative demands of writing fiction versus the structured nature of journalism? Do you find one influences the other?

I have a regimented schedule for my writing that helps me to maintain that balance. Monday to Thursday, I’m in journalism mode. Friday to Sunday, I’m in fiction mode. Constantly practicing writing in AP style probably has affected my writing a bit on the line level. I think my narrative voice has maybe become more concise—less flowery and offering more clarity. I don’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing, but I do always look forward to the weekends when I get to indulge in the occasional metaphor again.

You mentioned working on another novel after "Geppetto’s Children." Can you give us a sneak peek into this new project? What themes or ideas are you exploring that differ from your previous works?

Absolutely! Geppetto’s Children is a science fiction novel about a man’s clone who wakes up on a distant asteroid, enslaved by a corporation that owns his very existence. Struggling to survive in a brutal mining colony where even death doesn’t offer freedom, John has to confront his fractured identity and decide whether to endure or risk everything for a chance at escape. As he navigates the harsh realities of his new life, John faces ethical dilemmas that challenge what it truly means to be human. It delves into themes of identity as it explores the struggle for autonomy in the fight against corporate exploitation and technological control.

The book itself is finished, and I’m currently seeking representation for it.

In what ways do you think science fiction and fantasy can serve as mirrors for society? Are there specific social issues you aim to address through your writing?

Science fiction and fantasy are often seen as simple escapism. There’s nothing wrong with escapism, but these genres also have the capacity to do more. The fantastical elements, (be they robots, dragons, wizards, or clones,) can all serve as metaphors for real life dilemmas. Echoes of the Arcane deals heavily with more individual themes of anxiety, fear, and hopelessness. My novels explore these themes as well, but they also have the space to take on a more societal view. Geppetto’s Children, deals with climate change, the consequences of late-stage capitalism, human rights, and exploitation. My next novel, Breaking Valhalla, focuses more on tribalism, the dangers of artificial intelligence, and the methods institutions use to control their populaces.

Many writers draw from their personal experiences to create relatable characters. How much of Cody Campbell can be found in the characters you create? Can you share an anecdote that inspired a character in "Geppetto’s Children"?

I’m sure there’s a small piece of me in every character I write, but the easiest parallel to draw would probably be to the protagonist of Geppetto’s Children, John. He has severe anxiety and is often uncertain of his place in the world. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for my entire adult life, so I definitely drew heavily on those experiences when crafting his character. It’s a lot easier to describe a panic attack when you’ve had one, though I certainly wouldn’t recommend it.

Cody D. Campbell is an Oregon State University graduate, a news writer for the tech and auto website SlashGear, and an instructor at Linn Benton Community College. He is also the founder of Wraithwood Press where he published his short fiction collection, Echoes of the Arcane. His writing has appeared in North Dakota Quarterly, Tales, and Writer’s Digest. Born in California, Cody now lives in Oregon with his wife, Shelby, and their lively Jack Russell mix, Echo.