M. Duda's Blog: The Cryo-Freeze II, page 3

The West Highland Way

Two weeks ago I completed a 96 mile hike. Starting in Milngavie, Scotland, I continued north. It was rough (ancient) military roads, mountain ascents and unpredictable weather all the way. My legs dragged the rest of me to the finish at Fort William eight days later.

Rugged? Yes. But it was the adventure that mattered. And without some trials, it would be a boring story to tell.

Footing was always a concern. The early southern part of the trail sometimes diverted. From Rowardennan to Inveraran, nearly twenty miles of rock climbing and a narrow trail impeded my progress. (The guide book promised only 14 miles.) And in the northern highlands, scree and slick rock could trip up the unwary.

Adventure Doesn't Come Easy
The trail always delivered new surprises. In just one day, I could walk in warm sunshine, freezing rain and pelting hail. On the route to Kingshouse, I had overlooked the need for gloves in May. I arrived at the hotel with swollen hands and chattering teeth.

But would I have given up at any time? Not a chance. Because to have done so would give up the opportunity for amazing views and a sense of accomplishment.

Hidden Surprises
To look down and over the shoreline of Loch Lomond was breathtaking. Rob Roy's hideout teased me nearby. Further on, I passed the small lochan where Robert the Bruce's sword supposedly lies submerged in its dark waters. And I dared the walk up the Devil's Staircase. You could never experience this if you had driven a car to Glen Coe.

The adventure grounded me in a way that daily routines cannot. As a result, I forgot about computers and gadgets that are so far removed from reality. Technology can disconnect us as humans. But on the trail, new friends were made, a camaraderie formed by similar trials of endurance. And a warm meal never tasted better than after a long hike in cold rain.

All That is Gold
So how does a fantasy story play into my hike? When I was a teenager, J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy was one of my favorite reads. As I walked the West Highland Way, I imagined meeting elves in the dark forests on the moors. Dwarves guarded their precious mines on top of Ben Lomond. And Shelob's Lair waited somewhere north of Balmaha.

Hiking the trail was an adventure with hardships and many rewards--personal satisfaction, new friendships made and introspection. Only a quarter of those who begin actually finish. When I completed the West Highland Way, I treated myself to some Scotch. It's a drink that has to be appreciated like the trail itself. At first, it can be daunting. But remember, "All that is gold does not glitter... ."

The West Highland Way: Adventure into Fantasy

Like fantasy stories, the West Highland Way offers adventure for hikers on the trail.

The post The West Highland Way: Adventure into Fantasy appeared first on Author Michael Duda.

So What is a Science Fiction Book?

A science fiction book explores the what is possible or could be possible by the use of scientific extrapolation. Four story elements define the genre.

What is a Science Fiction Book?

A science fiction book is defined by its setting.
A science fiction book is heavily weighted by a trope(s) or sci-fi element(s) in the book.
All setting and story elements in a science fiction book are relayed through a character.
Unlike many other genres, a science fiction book may or may not have a happy ending.

The Multiverse and Unexplored Planets

When you think of a science fiction book, what setting does the story take place in?

You may think of a rocket ship landing on a volcanic planet swirling in ash and hot gasses. Or a futuristic Earth civilization brought to its knees by an artificial technology that has decided that humans are inefficient. Or an orbiting space station where humans and aliens trade Xeno credits for Doskorian wine.

In other words, each setting exists due to a technology. So it’s a matter of extrapolating something in the here-and-now into the future to create that setting. Or time travel into the past for a comparison.

Not that this technology necessarily exists now. Or if it does exist, the real-world technology is not used in a fictional way. Maybe the technology could never exist. That’s not really the point.

In other words, the technology provides an illusion of what could be possible to create a new world. Its wish fulfillment (or a warning) grounded in scientific extrapolation.

Little Brother by Cory Doctorow satisfies readers of dystopian science fiction books. It’s a near-future setting that exists creepily too close to our own reality.

What makes this police state possible is surveillance technology. Every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. Certainly a warning. However, it’s a science fiction book that also scratches the itch to take down an overbearing system.

Dark Matter and Time Travel

Near Earth. Star spanning. Galaxy spanning. Faster than light. Aliens. Alien planets. Time travel. What do they all have in common?

They are tropes, literary devices that reappear again and again.

Tropes are powerful. Any time one of the listed ones (above) appears, that book is almost always labeled as science fiction. It’s difficult for us to disconnect the story from the genre. The reader automatically applies the science fiction label to the book.

However, this isn’t always the case. Tropes don’t always turn the book into sci-fi. For instance, say that you are reading a time travel romance. What genre would you label this book?

If you said romance, you’d be right.

Despite the time travel element, the book would contain such a strong romantic plot that science fiction readers may search out other bookshelves for different story. But falling in love with an eighteenth century duke or duchess sure makes for a fun read.

The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut demonstrates classical tropes used in a science fiction book. A journey to Mars, aliens and interplanetary wars. Without a doubt, this story oozes sci-fi genre.

Fact: Kurt Vonnegut used his prisoner of war experience to write a bestselling book.

Arthur Dent Hitches a Ride

Aliens act in ridiculous ways. And Arthur Dent sees every flaw.

Paper-pushing Vogons won’t act on emergencies without a signature. A two-headed Galactic President’s steals a prototype ship because he might be bored. Or something. And hyper-intelligent beings try to dissect Arthur’s brain.

Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams serves as a great example of setting through character.

Through Arthur, we see everything with his fresh eyes. This allows him to relay information to the reader with his selected details. Details that interest Arthur. And he will be sure to give you an opinion.

Why even write an electronic guide titled, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy? Better ask Ford Prefect. The answers seems silly to one of the last surviving humans. And geez, Ford. Did you really think that Earth’s dominant life form was an automobile?

What if the story was told from the viewpoint of the paper-pushing Vogons? Chapter One would have us sitting in their spaceship waiting on Earth’s final countdown. Jeltz remains unsympathetic to humans, disorganized creatures who were notified about an intergalactic bypass years ago. Didn’t they read the paperwork?

The altered version of the book would conclude at chapter one. A higher level Vogon didn’t authorize a second chapter.

New Wave Science Fiction Paves a Way

The hero always wins in the end. Or does he? Does she always win?

By the 1960s, writers began to change that. Harlan Ellison comes to mind. Have you read, I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream? It’s a classic example of New Wave sci-fi. The main character remains alive at the end, but…

Fact: Harlan Ellison voice acted animated characters in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated.

In other words, New Wave science fiction writers moved away from a prescribed happily-ever-after. And for a while, it resonated with readers. But eventually science fiction book sales declined. And readers moved away from the fad.

The horror genre offers great examples of twists on happily-ever-after. Good conquers evil…for now. The lesser evil remains. A shred of hope for the future. This is kinda, sorta where darker New Wave sci-fi goes. The movie series with Warrant Officer Ripley plays into this.

Odd John by Olaf Stapledon is an older example of pre-New Wave science fiction.

John is a superhuman. He’s also not exactly likable. But he’s interesting for sure. He recognizes his superior abilities and sets himself apart from other humans.

The book works up to a somewhat unhappy ending for the observed character. I won’t give it away. But a reader might expect that this is the type of concluding dilemma from New Wave.

Michael Duda is the author of several collections of short stories and weird science fiction. His works can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and more.

His latest short story will be included in an anthology along with many other amazing fantasy and sci-fi writers.

Besides Stars in the Winter Sky, you can find a list of his other books here.

What is a Science Fiction Book?

A science fiction book explores the what is possible or could be possible by the use of scientific extrapolation.

The post What is a Science Fiction Book? appeared first on Author Michael Duda.

Paranormal Short Story Mayhem and Cat Troubles

Publishing a paranormal short story. And a science fiction short story. Therefore, I’m always staring at the computer screen.

Meow. Meow.

Here’s a complimentary head scratch, kitty. No treats. Sorry.

Back to the computer screen.

Waking from an Eternal Sleep was just placed on pre-order. A science fiction short story. I’ll add it to a collection of three more new sci-fi short stories.

When? Hmmm. Two more of the short stories are under consideration for sale. I better wait for contracts to get sorted out. Guess the collection is published later.

Meow. Meow.

Fine. Here’s another head scratch.

Back to work. So what else?

Another short story sold. A professional market. Good, good. The story touches the heart. Better not say more until the contract is sorted out. This one will be added to a much larger collection of short stories.

And I’ve finished a paranormal short story, Stars in the Winter Sky. It’s fun ghost fiction that’s not too scary. Guess this one can be published now. Then add it to the larger collection.

Meow. Meow.

Okay, kitty. You win. My lap is yours.

You sure do purr a lot when you’re happy. Okay. Another head scratch for you, kitty. Guess I’m not getting any more work done today.

Paranormal Short Story Mayhem and Cat Troubles

Okay. Another head scratch for you, kitty. Guess I'm not getting any more work done today.

The post Paranormal Short Story Mayhem and Cat Troubles appeared first on Author Michael Duda.

Cat Troubles and Pre-Order Mayhem

Okay. Another head scratch for you, kitty. Guess I'm not getting any more work done today.

The post Cat Troubles and Pre-Order Mayhem appeared first on Author Michael Duda.

Make it Snake Eyes

I look over my suitcase. Toothbrush? Check. Shaving kit? Check. Bouncy attitude? Nothing under the folded shirts.

Maybe I misplaced it in the bedroom. It’s not under my unmade bed. Not in the pile of dirty laundry on the floor. I forgot to check the nightstand. Nope. Nothing in here but pens, discarded phone chargers, and my favorite pair of underwear. How’d that get in here?

I flop back onto the bed, wiped out and feeling unprepared. I just stare at the ceiling. The Las Vegas workshop is this Friday. Fifty-some fiction writers. Several anthology editors. My own submissions. After slogging through slush piles and my own editorial work. And they want table of contents? With original titles? Geez.

I’m making this worse than it needs to be. Worsening it? Worser? Is that a word? My sixth grade English teacher would have scolded me. Now I’m scolding myself. Gotta’ quit overthinking this.

I get back up and close the suitcase.

There’s nothing left to do but print the flight tickets. The dirty laundry can wait. I head downstairs to my computer.

Why does my home office comfort me? The led monitors give off a warm glow. The desk chair is broken in just right, cupping my butt perfectly. The keyboard makes soft, soothing clicks. No pressure, no deadlines. This is where I belong, not Vegas.

But a writer must write.

Click, click, click. Tickets printed.

Nothing left to do. I ooze into my chair. It’s arms seem to lovingly wrap around me. But my motivation feels like a deflated balloon. I just stare at the wall and wait for Friday.

Got to snap out of this. It’s Vegas! Bright lights, shows, all night gambling.

I shake my head. I can envision the scene. Hours and hours of rifling through hundreds of stories. Everyone is red-eyed and droopy. Finally, an editor looks over one of my works. He squints behind his coke-bottle glasses.

Then a sneer curls across his bearded lips. He holds my story up high for the groups benefit. “This is how NOT to make a story.”

I watch him with horror.

He looks at me and begins to laugh. Then the other editors laugh. Then everyone else joins in. They’re pointing fingers at me.

I sink down into my seat, but not low enough to hide my eyes from their ridiculing faces. The only thing I can do is make a break from this fiction apocalypse.

So I run out of the conference room and into a casino. People are gathered around a red velvet craps table. They’re cheering and having a good time.

I watch them from the sidelines. A cocktail waitress comes over. She smiles and holds out a silver tray. I gulp down two vodka martinis and feel a little better. Better enough to join the group at the craps table.

Someone hands me a pair of dice. They feel like cold stones in my hand. A chill fills my body. But I throw them anyway. Seven. Everyone at the table cheers. That’s a better response than a sneering editor. So I roll again. Eleven. More cheers.

This keeps going on. I can’t seem to lose. Maybe things are getting better for me.

But then I look up from my winning streak. The editor with the coke-bottle glasses is standing across the table. He’s sneering. And so are all of the other editors. The rest of the group presses in around me. They’re all sneering.

I’m trapped in. I swallow hard and roll the dice. Another seven.

“Keep throwing them. You can never leave this table. We will taunt you forever and ever,” the editor with the coke-bottle glasses says. Then everyone laughs.

Sweat is pouring off my brow. I keep throwing the dice, hoping for a snake eyes. I just need one losing roll to get off this nightmare table. Seven again. Everyone else keeps laughing.

That’s when I snap out of the bad dream. I’m still staring at my office wall. The flight tickets are in my shaking hand.

Thinking.

Friday. Vegas. Conference rooms. Editors. Only one week. How bad can it really be?

And on My Next Roll, Make it Snake Eyes

Friday. Vegas. Conference rooms. Editors. Only one week. How bad can it really be?

So Much for Winter Wonderlands

I can't decide which is worse: getting sick or the winter storm that just hit us.