The idea behind "Colossus of Roads" first sparked in my head when I was pondering story ideas for Robert Hood's Daikaiju anthology. I had already written one or two giant monster stories, but I wanted something different from the norm. At the same time, I was developing a series of linked stories that involved elemental magic, a monster plague, and a conflagration so enormous (referred to as 'the Fire') it all but annihilated life in Australia. This series of stories was particularly bleak, so I wanted to end it with something positive. That's how the bedtime story narrative of "Colossus" came to be. Having the fable of the Colossus' defiant step told, father to son, in terms a boy could understand gave the story an element of wonder, redeeming what could otherwise have been a grim Australian post-apocalyptic piece.

"Colossus of Roads" is very much a fable to me. The blind faith given to the Colossus and the tenuous protection it provides could be thought of as akin to religion. For me, it also has the feel of a western where the retired gunslinger still exudes enough menace that sensible men won't challenge him, even though his better days are long behind him. To be more concise, this story is a fable about faith in illusions — with a giant metal Colossus, and a car chase!

The TiconderogaOnline editors and my First Reader both gave me great advice on how to strengthen this story and give it greater depth. I hope it has resulted in a story that lingers and is worth a second read to fully absorb the nuances.

  — Shane Jiraiya Cummings, September 2006