Fibonacci, Honeybees, and Unique Spins
One of the coolest things about meeting other writers is hearing the variety of backgrounds. Writing is a profession where people come from all different walks of life, adding their own areas of expertise, perspective, and voice into their work. I’ve met chemists, lawyers, professors, etc. who each put their own unique spin on their writing.
My unique spin: math.
I’ve always loved math. I studied Applied Mathematics in college, and still foster a deep appreciation for the subject.
When I heard about an anthology seeking YA science fiction stories featuring female protagonists in STEM savvy roles (Brave New Girls, in case you’re interested), I seized the opportunity! Not only would I be supporting a cause I believe in (getting more girls interested in STEM fields), but I’d also be combining my two passions, math and storytelling.
I wrote about something I’ve always been fascinated with: the Fibonacci sequence.
The Fibonacci sequence is a sequence of numbers where any given number is the sum of the prior two numbers. The first few numbers in the sequence are: 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21,…
But the really cool thing about the Fibonacci sequence is the ratio between any number in the sequence and the number that comes directly before it (for example, 13:8), which the further out in the sequence you go, gets closer and closer to approximately 1.618:1, also known as the Golden Ratio.
The Golden Ratio exists in nature. There’s evidence of it everywhere: seashells, flower petals, the human body (Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man), and honeybee family trees, just to name a few. It brings to mind one of my favorite philosophical questions relating to math: does math exist because humans discovered it, or does it exist independent of human thought?
I ended up writing a dystopian short story about a future society where the government maintains power by controlling the honeybee population, and a young girl named Fi who discovers the truth. Regardless of it’s selected, it was a crazy fun story to write, and I hope highlights some of the awesomeness of Fibonacci.
What’s your unique spin? Have you noticed a theme, or expertise, that always manages to seep into your stories? Have you found opportunities to let it shine?
What I’m reading: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling (because I can’t help rereading Harry Potter at this time of year…)
What I’m listening to: Air — Love 2
[…] My short story is a dystopian about a future society where the government maintains power by controlling the honeybee population, and a couple of kick-ass girls who discover the truth. (You can read about my inspiration here). […]