Would you want this ability yourself?

By Allison Winn Scotch

When people hear the premise of my new book, The One That I Want, in which my protagonist is given the unwelcome ability to see into the future, the first thing that I’m usually asked is, “Would you want this ability yourself?” And it’s a question that I’ve given a lot of thought to. My first inclination was “of course,” and then, with further consideration, I realized what a slippery slope this might be. What if I saw something that I didn’t like, something in which my family was harmed, something like 9/11 when the world imploded? What then? What would I do with that knowledge other than spend the rest of my days frantically wondering what, if anything, could be changed.

It leads to the bigger question though: how would our world – and history – be altered if people knew what was going to happen? Sure, of course, we’d jump at the chance to undo terrorist atrocities and plane crashes and personal tragedies of friends and family who were diagnosed with incurable diseases two months too late…but then what? There would be a ripple effect: if something hadn’t happened, everything else would shift too. Some people would argue that their lives would be better off, but surely some would argue that you don’t mess with fate and that what has happened has happened.

It’s an interesting – and difficult – concept to grasp. I’d be hard-pressed to say that if given the option, despite not really wanting to see into the future, that I wouldn’t accept the responsibility – and thus change history – if I knew that I could prevent atrocities such as 9/11. I mean, who wouldn’t say that? Who wouldn’t want to salvage those lives lost and in doing so, not only change the future for their families and loved ones, but also shift the future of our nation? Before 9/11, none of us walked around with the thought that we were vulnerable, that – as I frequently wonder when I see a plane overhead downtown Manhattan – if we’re still vulnerable. If I could eradicate that fear, wouldn’t I, shouldn’t I? But then what?

Allison Winn Scotch is the New York Times bestselling author of The One That I Want, Time of My Life and The Department of Lost and Found. She lives in New York with her husband, and their son, daughter and dog. To read more about the author and the book (which released today, Shaye Areheart Books), please click here.

IMAGE: Former Twin Towers – New York, New York

Congratulations to the following winners of this book!

Meg, Angie, Kelcie, Christine, and Jessica!

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Rachel W.

Thank you for the giveaway, as always!
http://www.punctualityrules.com –Deb

It’s a fascinating question, and I can’t wait to read it … my copy will be here tomorrow. (So please don’t enter me in the giveway. I’m proud to have paid for my copy.) For the conversation, though? As a rule, I wouldn’t want to see into the future. Too much pressure to want to try to play God, or something. Given the option for some kind of super-power though? I’d pick teleporting, please…
http://brainpopcorn.wordpress.com Meg

Always a fascinating question (and the basis for not a few truly excellent time travel stories, among other things). Sounds like a great read!
Stace

Wouldn’t want it – only those with god-like power and god-like goodness should ever be given a god-like power. Just too much we CAN’T see, CAN’T know. Too much.
Angie D

I can’t wait to read this book!! Thanks for the giveaway!!
http://aseaofbooks.blogspot.com/ gwendolyn b.

Hmmm. Seeing the future doesn’t necessarily mean you’d be able to change it. I don’t think I’d want to know — but I DO want to read this book and find out how the protagonist copes with her “gift.” I’d guess that it would be incapacitatingly sad to be able to foretell the future.

Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book and to explore the question further!
librarypat

This sounds like an interesting story. Read the review on Amazon. The book asks some interesting questions. I personally don’t think I would like to be able to see the future. I have premonitions now that come true and that is bad enough.
Kelcie

Sounds like a very interesting book. I’d love to read it!
Audra

Oh — I would (I think) love to see into the future, but clearly I’m not thinking through all the implications!! I’d love to be entered in the giveaway for the novel! Thank you!
http://booktumbling.com/ christine (booktumblin)

This seems like a book that will raise some great questions and give second thought to what many may believe would be a gift not a curse. Interesting!
Jessica B

I’d always worry whether or not people would believe me. Unless I’d developed a reputation as someone who always fortold the truth, who would believe me if I predicted something like 911? That, to me, wouldn’t make it worth it. I’d know that all of these things would happen, but would doubt my ability to change them.

This sounds like a fascinating book and I’d love to be entered in the giveaway!
Mystica

I’d like to be entered please.
http://www.wondersandmarvels.com Editor

Thanks everyone! The winners of this book are: Meg, Angie, Kelcie, Christine, and Jessica!