Exploring History and Science Fiction on the Oregon-California Trail
Matt Mallinson is an author, historian, and long-time member of the Oregon-California Trails Association, who also has a strong interest in the film industry. His work often draws on history, science, and the environment to create stories rooted in the American landscape. His latest novel is set on the Great Plains, where a chemist and a young woman uncover secrets of the past through a mysterious connection to the natural world. The book reflects Mallinson’s interest in history, the land, and the choices that shape our future. His debut novel The Writer Upstairs, is more than a book; it has been adapted into a short film that showcases the world of the book and some of the characters, as well as an audiobook.
We spoke with Matt about his inspiration, his ties to the pioneer trails, and the themes behind his writing.
Without the past, we would not have the present, and there would be no future.
Matt Mallinson
What inspired you to combine science, history, and environmental themes in your latest novel?
Whether one is presenting a topic to a large convention audience, college or high school classroom, or just a small group of individuals, the speaker must know the intended audience to keep the subject engaging. The same for novels: know your audience. No matter one’s age, they can find intense interest in at least one of the three: science, history or environmental themes. All subjects are relatable to the reader.
Can you tell us about the reclusive chemist and the mysterious woman? What drew you to these characters?
Actually, the characters found me. No joke. Most good novels need a love interest, and these two, from their prior lives, seemed to have the need to bump into each other and connect. The two, and another major person in the novel, spent their well-structured and calculated early educational years being taught together. Eventually, their career paths separated the chemist and our mysterious woman, eventually coming together in the middle of the chemist’s family mountain.
How did your experience with the Oregon-California Trails Association influence the historical aspects of the book?
The Mallinson family has a deep and rich history in this area. I have grown up with family stories about the Civil War, watching the battles from an adjacent hill. Farming during good and bad years. A Native American that was always supplied a place to stay on his travels. Molly, Rex, and a variety of work animals. Gunplay, fist fights, and everything else that happened during frontier travels. These learnings gave me an appreciation of history and that we should make every possible effort to learn, treasure and respect the past. Without the past we would not have the present, and there would be no future.
Your book trailer is very thorough and well produced, and you act in it as well. Why did you think it was important to put so much effort into a promotional video?
I feel very strongly about the messages that we need to learn from nature, past cultures, current issues of the world, and ways to not only solve problems but to prevent new ones. We should meld the knowledge of the past with present knowledge to try to create a better future. I feel that the videos will increase people’s awareness of this present novel and the series soon to follow. I hope the more people that read these, the better place the world can become. As far as acting? Who better to play the part than the one who created the character!
What do you hope readers take away from the novel, both in terms of story and larger themes about the planet and human connection?
For a story to be of interest, it should be relatable to its readers. The Writer Upstairs is very relatable to common issues we all face. Every animal species has an expiration date. I hope these topics will stimulate enough people to take some actions to help postpone the human expiration. Working together to solve problems instead of pointing fingers or following the almighty dollar should allow us to prosper into the next millennium. We face world hunger, energy shortages, and overpopulation, just to name a few. We should search for the best solutions, not the ones that make the most financial sense to only a few.
How has living on the oldest road west of the Mississippi influenced your perspective as a historical fiction writer?
I grew up on an 1850s family farm along the trails. My children are the sixth generation in this area. I own the first natural springs that the westward travelers stopped at after they disembarked the steamships on their way to Independence. If I am quiet at night, I think I can hear the voices of the half million people that walked down this road. My mother was considered the historian for the county. I remember her looking at the large trees and saying, “If only trees could talk.” If I could be like The Writer Upstairs, I could tell more stories. She knows how to listen.
