Stoney M. Setzer's Blog: Zero Hour: Christian Speculative Fiction , page 6
December 24, 2011
The Greatest Story Ever Told
In honor of our Savior's birth, I'm devoting this blog entry to the retelling of the Christmas story. Reading this story every year is a Christmas Eve tradition at our house, and I wanted to share it with all of you. Merry Christmas!
Luke 2:1-20 (New American Standard)
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
Luke 2:1-20 (New American Standard)
Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
December 22, 2011
Backstory: "Just Passing Through"
This story is proof positive that "shelving" an incomplete story does not necessarily mean that it will never get finished. I actually started "Just Passing Through" back in 2007, with the idea of making it into a novella of about 10,000-20,000 words or so. In time, however, I came to a dead end and tabled it, leaving off with Colby confronting Verdict in the sewer. It wasn't until Crossed Genres magazine announced an issue dealing with villains that I came back to this piece. In rereading it, I came to an important decision.
In writing this, I found myself having to answer the question, "What causes a villain to become a villain?" In the strictest sense of the word, Colby is the criminal here, and guilty as sin, but he never meant to become that. Just as our sins and our poor choices take us to places we don't anticipate, so also was the case with Colby. I didn't want a Joker-esque villain who was evil incarnate; I wanted a man who wound up somewhere he never inteded to be, a figure to whom we could relate.
I also tried to do a little cliche-busting here. When I first started the story back in 2007, I had a definite idea about who Verdict would be, and it's hinted at in the beginning of the story. Without spoiling things too much, I ultimately decided to let that be a red herring. No sense becoming too predictable.
If I don't post again before December 25, Merry Christmas to you all. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
In writing this, I found myself having to answer the question, "What causes a villain to become a villain?" In the strictest sense of the word, Colby is the criminal here, and guilty as sin, but he never meant to become that. Just as our sins and our poor choices take us to places we don't anticipate, so also was the case with Colby. I didn't want a Joker-esque villain who was evil incarnate; I wanted a man who wound up somewhere he never inteded to be, a figure to whom we could relate.
I also tried to do a little cliche-busting here. When I first started the story back in 2007, I had a definite idea about who Verdict would be, and it's hinted at in the beginning of the story. Without spoiling things too much, I ultimately decided to let that be a red herring. No sense becoming too predictable.
If I don't post again before December 25, Merry Christmas to you all. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
December 16, 2011
Backstory: "Judgment Day"
The inspiration for "Judgment Day" actually came from a mixture of sources, like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle coming together to from a picture. Among the different elements coming together were:
The tendency of many Christians to ignore the Scriptural directive of Matthew 7:1-2, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." Yes, we're supposed to hate sin, but we're also supposed to love the sinner and try to lead them to the path of righteousness. How often do we get the first part right, only to miss the second completely?
The tendency of many Christians to ignore the Scriptural directive of Matthew 7:1-2, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you." Yes, we're supposed to hate sin, but we're also supposed to love the sinner and try to lead them to the path of righteousness. How often do we get the first part right, only to miss the second completely?
December 14, 2011
Another thought on outlining...
A while back, I had published a post about the importance of having an outline as you write. I've just read this article that deals with the same subject, and I thought I'd share it for the benefit of any aspiring writers out there:
http://christian-fantasy.com/2011/12/should-i-outline-my-novel-before-writing-it/
The author raises some good points, but I won't spoil it for you. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
http://christian-fantasy.com/2011/12/should-i-outline-my-novel-before-writing-it/
The author raises some good points, but I won't spoil it for you. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
December 13, 2011
Backstory: "Fealty"
As I have had a number of short stories published since the release of Zero Hour, I've decided to revive the "Backstory" series to share for all posterity what my thought processes were with each story. Well, OK, maybe posterity won't be overly interested, or maybe they will. Either way, this will allow me to get this information off my chest and to keep the blog going, good enough reasons for me anyway.
I believe I've mentioned before that I was an avid comic book reader as a kid, especially of Batman, and that it was here that I first discovered my desire to be a storyteller. Therefore, the idea of writing stories in the superhero genre has always been in the back of my mind. When Crossed Genres announced that their August 2011 issue would deal with the theme "Sidekicks and Minions," I couldn't pass it up.
At first, I was going to do a story about a professional henchman, a character named Alan Coleman who made a career out of hiring himself out to supervillains. In time, I realized that I couldn't do this concept justice in a single short story--although I did allude to the character in anticipation of having a longer story (maybe a novel?) to "connect" to it one day.
From there, I turned my attention to the idea of telling a story from the sidekick's point of view. In the process, a lot of Batman-influenced elements worked themselves into the tale: A male sidekick who later distances himself from the hero; a hero whose dedication runs toward obsession, eventually alienating said male sidekick; a female sidekick crippled in the line of duty; and a rogues' gallery of villains who try to eliminate the hero with intricate death-traps.
Beyond that, there's not much that I can tell you that wouldn't spoil the story...except that I thoroughly enjoyed writing this one. Hopefully, you will enjoy reading it as well. Feel free to leave me some feedback, and, as always, Philippians 4:13.--SMS
I believe I've mentioned before that I was an avid comic book reader as a kid, especially of Batman, and that it was here that I first discovered my desire to be a storyteller. Therefore, the idea of writing stories in the superhero genre has always been in the back of my mind. When Crossed Genres announced that their August 2011 issue would deal with the theme "Sidekicks and Minions," I couldn't pass it up.
At first, I was going to do a story about a professional henchman, a character named Alan Coleman who made a career out of hiring himself out to supervillains. In time, I realized that I couldn't do this concept justice in a single short story--although I did allude to the character in anticipation of having a longer story (maybe a novel?) to "connect" to it one day.
From there, I turned my attention to the idea of telling a story from the sidekick's point of view. In the process, a lot of Batman-influenced elements worked themselves into the tale: A male sidekick who later distances himself from the hero; a hero whose dedication runs toward obsession, eventually alienating said male sidekick; a female sidekick crippled in the line of duty; and a rogues' gallery of villains who try to eliminate the hero with intricate death-traps.
Beyond that, there's not much that I can tell you that wouldn't spoil the story...except that I thoroughly enjoyed writing this one. Hopefully, you will enjoy reading it as well. Feel free to leave me some feedback, and, as always, Philippians 4:13.--SMS
December 9, 2011
Write 1, Sub 1
My friend and editor Lyndon Perry recently posted on his blog, Bloggin' Out Loud, that he plans on taking the "Write 1, Sub 1" challenge in 2012. Basically, the challenge is to write one story every week or every month (depending on how you choose to do it), and also submit a story every week/month.
I'm going for it. Schedule constraints dictate that I choose the "monthly" route, but I'm going to give it my best shot. Keep my accountable, because time sometimes has a tendency to slip through my fingers. Thanks for your support, and remember, Philippians 4:13.--SMS
Here's the challenge, should you choose to accept it:
Write and submit a short story or poem every week (or month), starting the first week of January and ending the last week of December. Goal: 52 new submissions in 52 weeks (or 12 in 12 months). You don't have to write and submit the same story within the same week -- although that's what Bradbury did. Often it pays to set a story aside for a while and come back to it. The length of your story can be as short as Twitter fiction (140 characters) or as long as a novelette (15,000 words). Any style, any genre: whatever you write.
November 28, 2011
New Story on Fear and Trembling: "The Siege of Peter Marak"
Just wanted to take a minute and let you know that I have a new story up on Fear and Trembling. The title is "The Siege of Peter Marak," and it's the story of a man with a crippling phobia, faced with a terrible, life-or-death choice. Here's the link (and the artwork that they used for this one is awesome!):
http://www.fearandtremblingmag.com/2011/11/the-siege-of-peter-marak/
Of all stories I've had published so far, I must admit that this is one of my own personal favorites. I'd really like to get your feedback. I'm also trying something a little new with this story, in that I allude to another of my works in it, in an effort to "connect" some of my stories. So please, give it a read, and leave a comment. I'd really like to hear from you. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
http://www.fearandtremblingmag.com/2011/11/the-siege-of-peter-marak/
Of all stories I've had published so far, I must admit that this is one of my own personal favorites. I'd really like to get your feedback. I'm also trying something a little new with this story, in that I allude to another of my works in it, in an effort to "connect" some of my stories. So please, give it a read, and leave a comment. I'd really like to hear from you. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
Just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Today is a special day, the day we set aside to give God thanks for all that He has blessed us with. It is a day for food and family fellowship. And, at least in this house, it's a day for watching the Dallas Cowboys play and hopefully win a football game.
Seriously, giving thanks shouldn't be confined to one day on the calendar; we have been blessed too richly for that. Take a minute and think about everything you've been given, especially the stuff we tend to take for granted. Even the simplest things can be considered a blessing. In just a short period of time, you'll find yourself with quite of list of things for which to give thanks.
Have a blessed, happy, and safe Thanksgiving. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
Seriously, giving thanks shouldn't be confined to one day on the calendar; we have been blessed too richly for that. Take a minute and think about everything you've been given, especially the stuff we tend to take for granted. Even the simplest things can be considered a blessing. In just a short period of time, you'll find yourself with quite of list of things for which to give thanks.
Have a blessed, happy, and safe Thanksgiving. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
November 21, 2011
New Story on ResAliens: "Traveled So Far"
Hey, just wanted to let y'all know that I have a new, Christmas-themed piece of flash fiction on ResAliens. The title of the story is "Traveled So Far," and the link is here:
http://www.resaliens.com/2011/11/traveled-so-far/
It's a pretty quick read, so please check it out and leave me some feedback. Thanks! Philippians 4:13--SMS
http://www.resaliens.com/2011/11/traveled-so-far/
It's a pretty quick read, so please check it out and leave me some feedback. Thanks! Philippians 4:13--SMS
November 17, 2011
Updates to my Amazon.com listing/Shameless self-promotion
Just wanted to share with you that there have been some updates to my page on Amazon. I will post a permanent link soon, but until then, you can just click here:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Stoney+M.+Setzer&x=9&y=20
Yeah, I know, this is shameless self-promotion at its finest. Basically, this is more about getting the word out than anything else. So, if you get a chance, I hope you'll check some of these out, leave me some feedback, and spread the word. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Stoney+M.+Setzer&x=9&y=20
Yeah, I know, this is shameless self-promotion at its finest. Basically, this is more about getting the word out than anything else. So, if you get a chance, I hope you'll check some of these out, leave me some feedback, and spread the word. Philippians 4:13.--SMS
Zero Hour: Christian Speculative Fiction
The official blog for the Christian spec-fic works of Stoney M. Setzer, author of "Zero Hour: Stories of Spiritual Suspense." If you want to read "Twilight Zone"-style stories with a Christian worldvi
...more
- Stoney M. Setzer's profile
- 20 followers
