Kenneth Morvant's Blog, page 77
November 22, 2013
November 22: Today in #Scifi History
The Incredible Hulk, Lost In Space, The Imortal, The 6 Milllion Dollar Man)
1996 – Mark Lenard, actor d @ 72 (Way Out, Planet of the Apes, The Incredible Hulk,
Star Trek, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century)
1971 – Walter Sande, actor, d @ 65 (Red Planet Mars, The War of the Worlds,
Invaders from Mars, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space,
The Navy vs. the Night Monsters)
1976 – Rupert Davies, actor, d @ 60 (Quatermass II, H.G.Wells’ Invisible Man)
1983 – Michael Conrad, actor, d @ 58 (Way Out, Twilight Zone, My Favorite Martian,
Lost in Space, The Immortal, Planet of the Apes, The Six Million Dollar Man,
The Incredible Hulk)
1932 – Robert Vaughn, actor (Men Into Space, Demon Seed, Starship Invasions,
The Lucifer Complex, Doctor Franken, Hanger 18, Battle Beyond the Stars,
The Ray Bradbury Theatre, C.H.U.D. II, Visions)
1935 – Michael Callan, actor (Journey to the Unknown, The Bionic Woman,
Swamp Thing)
1992 – Gene O’Donnell, actor, d @ 81 (Planet of the Apes, The Devil Bat)
1992 – Sterling Holloway, actor, d @ 87 (Twilight Zone)
1993 – Bill Bixby, actor, d @ 59 (Twilight Zone, My Favorite Martian,
The Incredible Hulk)
1995 – Joan Frances, actress, d @ 75 (Fahrenheit 451)
1997 – Joanna Moore, actress, d @ 63 (Monster on the Campus, Countdown)
1958 – Jamie Lee Curtis (Virus)
1940 – Terry Gilliam, ( Brazil, Time Bandits, 12 Monkeys)
1996 – Star Trek: First Contact released
1989 – Back to the Future II released
November 19, 2013
Christian Sci-fi or Sci-fi Christian
When I first started writing I noticed that labels get tossed around describing and categorizing books. Some will use the term supernatural and that was certainly the case, but it would be better if it was labeled romantic supernatural because the romantic theme was primary and the supernatural elements were weaved into the primary story.
I find the same issues with the label Christian sci-fi and I think it is more confusing for those with no beliefs and those who are ambivalent about religion. You have the Left Behind series that tells stories from the premillennial perspective (I”m a partial preterist myself) and other stories that follow the Ark story of finding a new world for humankind or rediscovering religion after a period of darkness where it wasn’t practiced.
I rather the term sci-fi from a Christian perspective. The stories can deal with a myriad of topics and scenarios, but the protagonist(s) actions are governed by their faith. Profanity is not used and sex is nonexistent or not described in detail in the story, although some authors feel that other characters in the story can engage in that behavior. I disagree with that view.
Sci-fi books from a Christian perspective are interesting, compelling stories every bit as good as regular sci-fi without the profanity and sex that permeates other works. It can be read by young and old alike.
What do you think?
September 22, 2013
August 21, 2013
Asterion is Free 8/21 through 8/25/2013 on Amazon
Beware the future
Original price $11.99 now free today through Sunday on Amazon
Kindle http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BC6TZCA
Book trailer http://youtu.be/FdIKfBSydOg
Josh Lisec, author of Phoenix Reich writes, “Asterion” is the kind of novel that doesn’t come around too often. But when it does, snatch it up. You’ll be up until five a.m. Or longer. What drew me into this speculative techno thriller is the combination of realism and relatability. Taylor Scott’s personality and values remind me of the wise sages I’ve met in church circles. But “Asterion” is anything but churchy. The character’s faith is a mainstay of the novel, but the main event was the all-too-real conspiracy in the Big Brother setting. The idea that “Asterion” can actually happen tomorrow made me take it off the scifi shelf…and give it a home on the nonfiction one. If you want a peek at a dystopian future that many of today’s pundits are prophesying, “Asterion” is the read for you.” Five star review
The future is coming. Are you ready?
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July 21, 2013
Should it be called Christian science fiction?
The category, Christian Science Fiction, elicits a lot of different reactions from people. Some think it refers to end time prophecy or Armageddon. My novel, Asterion, is compared to it and the funny part is, I’m a partial preterist. It might surprise some folks to know that Christians don’t like preachy books and we are interested in a good story. However, Christians do look for a clean book with no profanities or explicit sex and while they do like stories from a Christian viewpoint, areligious stories are also on their reading lists. That is where the question arises. Would it be more informative to label it Science Fiction for Christians or would another term fit better?
July 13, 2013
Tesla, Bringing science fiction to life.
Some of Tesla’s achievements:
Alternating current – We would not have long distance power lines without it.
Hydropower – Westinghouse utilized Tesla’s patents to make hydroelectric power.
Radio and television – In 1891 Tesla invented a transformer for the production of high frequency and high voltage electricity used in every radio and television.
Remote control – Patent for remote control by radio of moving vessels and vehicles, laying the groundwork for wireless telemechanics, robotics and satellite communication.
Radar – Principals dealing with frequency and power level, that were established in 1917 by Tesla.
Wireless energy transmission – World Fair in Chicago in 1893, Tesla transmitted electricity by firing up a series of phosphorous light bulbs with what he called electrodynamic induction.
X-rays – Röntgen is credited with the discovery of X-rays in 1895. However, Tesla’s experiments revealed some of the inherent dangers of using radiation on human flesh.
Robotics – Tesla imagined that robots would be able to perform labor in the future.
Earthquake machine – In 1898, Tesla claimed he had built and deployed a small oscillating device that, when attached to his office and operating, nearly shook down the building and everything around it.
A true visionary. Here are a few other places to learn about him:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikola_Tesla
June 24, 2013
He was legend
Richard Matheson passed away and that reminded me of his work The Shrinking Man. I first saw the movie when I was about eight or nine. In those days the special effects were pretty good. I know they pale in comparison to what we can achieve today, but for their day they were good. More than the struggle of man vs cat and spider was the ending. For the first time in my life, I was exposed to a story where the ending was not the happy ending where all was made right. However, in the face of adversity and uncertainty the protagonist faced it with a certain grace and courage. I’m a sucker for a happy ending, but not all endings are happy. How we face them is the lesson I learned from his work.
June 13, 2013
New cover and new free kindle days
Free Kindle days 6/19 through 6/23 for Asterion to introduce new cover.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BC6TZCA
May 5, 2013
Free promotion on Amazon May 6 and 7
Asterion will be free again 5/6 and 5/7. New cover and edit. If you already have the old copy, go to manage Kindle, delete and get again free on those days.
New cover and trailer
The new cover of Asterion is up and also the trailer on youtube http://youtu.be/dAQMMvjxF8Q
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