Zachariah Wahrer's Blog, page 15
January 6, 2016
Where Are We Now?
Just published a new poem, titled Where Are We Now? at PoetsUnlimited on Medium. Check it out and let me know what you think.
January 3, 2016
January 2, 2016
"Utopia Gone" Serial Publishing at Wattpad
I decided to publish Utopia Gone over at Wattpad. I'm using their serial publishing format, so if you haven't already read the story, it might be a fun way to join in. I'm doing a part a week.
From the story description: "Alone in the world, the man enjoys life. He has no name, nor needs one. Every rock, tree, mountain, and sea: he knows it all in detail. He has no memory of how he arrived on the planet, only a blissful love of his surroundings. When the starship comes, his life makes a dramatic change.
This short story from novelist Zachariah Wahrer offers an intriguing view of the future, one filled with wonder, fear, and fantastic locations."
Hope you enjoy!
Love life,
Zachariah Wahrer
"Utopia Gone" Serial Publishing at Wattpad
I decided to publish Utopia Gone over at Wattpad. I'm using their serial publishing format, so if you haven't already read the story, it might be a fun way to join in. I'm doing a part a week.
From the story description: "Alone in the world, the man enjoys life. He has no name, nor needs one. Every rock, tree, mountain, and sea: he knows it all in detail. He has no memory of how he arrived on the planet, only a blissful love of his surroundings. When the starship comes, his life makes a dramatic change.
This short story from novelist Zachariah Wahrer offers an intriguing view of the future, one filled with wonder, fear, and fantastic locations."
Hope you enjoy!
Love life,
Zachariah Wahrer
December 25, 2015
"Breakers of the Dawn" 50% Off Coupon
As a special gift to all of you, I'm giving a 50% off coupon for "Breakers of the Dawn" at Smashwords. Use the Code "VZ52G" when checking out. It's the perfect thing to load on those new eReaders! Code only lasts until Monday (12/27/15). Download Breakers of the Dawn at Smashwords.
"Breakers of the Dawn" 50% Off Coupon
As a special gift to all of you, I'm giving a 50% off coupon for "Breakers of the Dawn" at Smashwords. Use the Code "VZ52G" when checking out. It's the perfect thing to load on those new eReaders! Code only lasts until Monday (12/27/15). Download Breakers of the Dawn at Smashwords.
December 18, 2015
On the Importance of Sci-Fi
Stories play a big part in the human psyche. Their usefulness is obvious from an evolutionary standpoint. They are lessons, allowing us to have the experiences of another, without having the mess of actually doing it. There is no need to make mistakes, expend energy or have the risk of impacting our own relationships or wellbeing. We can put our cognition into the mind of another, and live their life.
Science fiction is no exception. The stories are just set in a reality that doesn't (currently) exist. But sci-fi does more. It allows us to dream of what could be and, unlike paranormal or fantasy, these dreams might perhaps one day become true. Even the term "science fiction," which was coined back in 1851, means: "In which the revealed truths of Science may be given interwoven with a pleasing story which may itself be poetical and true." (From William Wilson's A Little Earnest Book upon a Great Old Subject). Obviously, that definition has changed somewhat over the years, but the principal has remained the same: Combine science with a story that could be true.
I ran across an NPR article the other day with this quote in it:
Science fiction also has the ability to make scientific discoveries relatable to the masses. It illustrates how technologies might be used. It also warns us what might happen if we go down the wrong road. Sci-fi teaches us how we might one day deal with contact from an extraterrestrial lifeform. It shows us who we are, or who we might be.
There are many lists online that show just how many different things were created in sci-fi before becoming a reality. More important than those gadgets and gizmos, however, is how science fiction can inspire the human spirit. The desire to see strange worlds and walk in fantastic places is powerful. Science fiction allows us to indulge this need to explore while inspiring us to expand our knowledge of the real world. It motivates us to take care of our own planet so that perhaps we might have time to develop the technology to go to others.
I love many genres of fiction (fantasy and horror being favorites), but science fiction will always be at the top of the list for these reasons.
Alien Night
Love life,
Zachariah
Science fiction is no exception. The stories are just set in a reality that doesn't (currently) exist. But sci-fi does more. It allows us to dream of what could be and, unlike paranormal or fantasy, these dreams might perhaps one day become true. Even the term "science fiction," which was coined back in 1851, means: "In which the revealed truths of Science may be given interwoven with a pleasing story which may itself be poetical and true." (From William Wilson's A Little Earnest Book upon a Great Old Subject). Obviously, that definition has changed somewhat over the years, but the principal has remained the same: Combine science with a story that could be true.
I ran across an NPR article the other day with this quote in it:
"It is very well-documented that people who work for NASA have been inspired by science fiction," says Calla Cofield, a reporter for Space.com who covers the space industry. "And there's always a back-and-forth, you know, between science fiction and reality. All of this is about dreaming about what's going on off the surface of the Earth."I think this hints at a symbiotic relationship between dreamers (authors) and do'ers (scientists and engineers). Without both, there is no forward progress.
Science fiction also has the ability to make scientific discoveries relatable to the masses. It illustrates how technologies might be used. It also warns us what might happen if we go down the wrong road. Sci-fi teaches us how we might one day deal with contact from an extraterrestrial lifeform. It shows us who we are, or who we might be.
There are many lists online that show just how many different things were created in sci-fi before becoming a reality. More important than those gadgets and gizmos, however, is how science fiction can inspire the human spirit. The desire to see strange worlds and walk in fantastic places is powerful. Science fiction allows us to indulge this need to explore while inspiring us to expand our knowledge of the real world. It motivates us to take care of our own planet so that perhaps we might have time to develop the technology to go to others.
I love many genres of fiction (fantasy and horror being favorites), but science fiction will always be at the top of the list for these reasons.
Alien NightLove life,
Zachariah
December 11, 2015
New Adventures
As some of you may know, over the past 15 months I have been traveling the US and Canada with my wife, living in a van and spending most of my time rock climbing. It has been an amazing adventure and an incredible experience. I've learned much, made new friends, and strengthened bonds with old friends and family. I've also been able to make a fair amount of progress on the second book of the Dawn Saga. If you'd like to read more about our experiences on the road, my wife has been keeping a blog over at The Vanventures of Zach and Sarah.
Now that our time living on the road is drawing to an end, I'm a bit sad as well as excited. I'll get to begin writing full time again, which I'm very happy for. There was just something so amazing about living minimally and going rock climbing as much as possible, though! In the beginning of January 2016, Sarah and I will be moving to Las Vegas for 3 months. Sarah is returning to work as a travel nurse and with Red Rock Canyon so close by, we will still get to do plenty of climbing. I think this is a great progression for us.
In terms of writing, I've been working on the second book of the Dawn Saga. It is coming along quite well and should be entering the editing phase in the next few months. I also have plans to release a couple short stories. Sarah and I have begun work on a book about the adventures of our time on the road. It will be a how-to since there are quite a few people interested in how we did it, but will also feature stories and insights into our experience. Now that I have a more reliable Internet connection, I will be able to blog more as well!
I'm looking forward to the next few months and for what life has in store for me beyond that...
Dish
Love life,
ZW
Now that our time living on the road is drawing to an end, I'm a bit sad as well as excited. I'll get to begin writing full time again, which I'm very happy for. There was just something so amazing about living minimally and going rock climbing as much as possible, though! In the beginning of January 2016, Sarah and I will be moving to Las Vegas for 3 months. Sarah is returning to work as a travel nurse and with Red Rock Canyon so close by, we will still get to do plenty of climbing. I think this is a great progression for us.
In terms of writing, I've been working on the second book of the Dawn Saga. It is coming along quite well and should be entering the editing phase in the next few months. I also have plans to release a couple short stories. Sarah and I have begun work on a book about the adventures of our time on the road. It will be a how-to since there are quite a few people interested in how we did it, but will also feature stories and insights into our experience. Now that I have a more reliable Internet connection, I will be able to blog more as well!
I'm looking forward to the next few months and for what life has in store for me beyond that...
DishLove life,
ZW
New Adventures
As some of you may know, over the past 15 months I have been traveling the US and Canada with my wife, living in a van and spending most of my time rock climbing. It has been an amazing adventure and an incredible experience. I've learned much, made new friends, and strengthened bonds with old friends and family. I've also been able to make a fair amount of progress on the second book of the Dawn Saga. If you'd like to read more about our experiences on the road, my wife has been keeping a blog over at The Vanventures of Zach and Sarah.
Now that our time living on the road is drawing to an end, I'm a bit sad as well as excited. I'll get to begin writing full time again, which I'm very happy for. There was just something so amazing about living minimally and going rock climbing as much as possible, though! In the beginning of January 2016, Sarah and I will be moving to Las Vegas for 3 months. Sarah is returning to work as a travel nurse and with Red Rock Canyon so close by, we will still get to do plenty of climbing. I think this is a great progression for us.
In terms of writing, I've been working on the second book of the Dawn Saga. It is coming along quite well and should be entering the editing phase in the next few months. I also have plans to release a couple short stories. Sarah and I have begun work on a book about the adventures of our time on the road. It will be a how-to since there are quite a few people interested in how we did it, but will also feature stories and insights into our experience. Now that I have a more reliable Internet connection, I will be able to blog more as well!
I'm looking forward to the next few months and for what life has in store for me beyond that...
Love life,
ZW
Now that our time living on the road is drawing to an end, I'm a bit sad as well as excited. I'll get to begin writing full time again, which I'm very happy for. There was just something so amazing about living minimally and going rock climbing as much as possible, though! In the beginning of January 2016, Sarah and I will be moving to Las Vegas for 3 months. Sarah is returning to work as a travel nurse and with Red Rock Canyon so close by, we will still get to do plenty of climbing. I think this is a great progression for us.
In terms of writing, I've been working on the second book of the Dawn Saga. It is coming along quite well and should be entering the editing phase in the next few months. I also have plans to release a couple short stories. Sarah and I have begun work on a book about the adventures of our time on the road. It will be a how-to since there are quite a few people interested in how we did it, but will also feature stories and insights into our experience. Now that I have a more reliable Internet connection, I will be able to blog more as well!
I'm looking forward to the next few months and for what life has in store for me beyond that...
Love life,
ZW
