Although Norton is famous for her creation of exotic worlds, most are anchored in reality and based on careful research. Key Out of Time takes place on Hawaika, an island paradise like the South Pacific islands, especially Hawaii. Why do science fiction writers usually create people and places that strongly resemble those we know on earth? Can we truly empathize and become interested in the totally unfamiliar? Can we really imagine what is beyond our world of reference?

Has any science fiction writer been successful creating the completely unfamiliar, both in regard to people and environments? An examination of the popular Star Trek television series will show primarily humanoid characters and earthly settings. This may lead to a discussion of whether we are mostly looking for affirmations of our own experiences in literature and whether we are incapable of going beyond. Another approach to the novel...