Sci-Fi, fantasy and speculative Indie Authors Review discussion
Your genre of choice
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What do you write and why?
Mod
Like many others here, I was heavily influenced by Bradbury. But also by Octavia Butler, who in my opinion, does not get near the credit she deserves for pioneering science fiction with uncomfortable social themes. I'm also obsessed with the golden age of sci-fi (50s & 60s) and the future that time forgot versus what was accurately predicted. I'd love to one day work this theme into a book.
Mod
Christina, I haven't read much Octavia Butler, but I really like Ray Bradbury. He wrote some great short stories and one of my favorite novels, Fahrenheit 451.
Mod
I love that one as well, but I have to point to The Martian Chronicles as my favorite. In fact, the last book that I published began as a joke challenge to chronicle the zombie apocalypse in a similar style.
Butler has a very different style. I'd call the bulk of her work dystopian, but that's not quite accurate. I'm partial to her Xenogenesis trilogy, which has an alien species rebuilding Earth after we've destroyed it. Interestingly enough, the main theme is not a cautionary environmental tale, though there are elements of this, but one of tolerance and accepting that which is beyond our comprehension.
Mod
Christina wrote: "I love that one as well, but I have to point to The Martian Chronicles as my favorite. In fact, the last book that I published began as a joke challenge to chronicle the zombie apocalypse in a similar style."Sounds interesting. What is it called?
Richard wrote: "One sign of how unusual his style is is that, unlike most other authors, I can't think of any really successful imitators."I can't think of one either.
Mod
Going Green, but don't buy it, it's free this coming Sunday. :)
I'll keep that in mind next weekend Christina.
I'm a new indie working in Sci-Fi and I tend to wonder between hard sci-fi and soap sci-fi. I enjoy the stories where they just invent what they need to kill all of the bad guys, but I get bored when all they have to do is invent the nuclear powered wristwatch and everything is solved.I tend to use practical science in alien stories and I try to build more of a cultural social background to go with the alien technology.
Man, some of you folks are just beasts with your daily word count. I would be happy if I could consistently get 1000 a day but current circumstances do not permit that. I have the time, just not the energy. I deal with sinus issues because I'm allergic to Oklahoma. Working on getting out of here.Anywho, I will write anything that slams its way out of my thick skull. Though that mostly seems to be stuff on the "Weird" spectrum. My first novel is a Weird Western. I love the Weird. You can do so much with it.
I'm seriously toying with writing my first fan fiction as an in between project once I get this sucker done and selling. Something on the darker side of Star Trek. I love Star Trek. And I could use a proper try at more future sci-fi and less cyberpunk.
Mod
Hi Ashe! Don't get too down about the word count. I'm lucky if I get a full one thousand a day and I'm a full time writer (with a slight case of ADD, as my laptop is open in my lap, yet I'm replying here on my tablet, and my coffee is almost finished brewing... well, you get the idea). Weird western sounds interesting. How weird are we talking?
Yeah, I'm proud of my progress. I went from NOT writing regularly, to a Sun-Thur schedule and from a couple of sentences a day to 300-1000, depending on how I'm feeling. And we're all different and have to figure out our own ways of writing and I feel like I've done that in an effort to go pro.Ah, yes! Weird! Ranging from demons to eldritch horrors to aliens. This first book is strictly on the demon hunting path but I've got ideas for later books involving different bits of folklore and cryptids (creatures like Bigfoot and Nessie) and one that will end up downright Lovecraftian.
All of this with a demon-hunting Orc gunslinger for a protagonist. Here's the kickstarter if you're interested in seeing a bit more about it and maybe even kickin a few bucks my way. :)
Self-promotion aside, there's plenty going on and I'm dying to get it finished and out for people to read.
I like science fiction & fantasy because I can use weird ideas and create new worlds, aliens etc. Usually I have a romance developing out of the action, and ideally I prefer to be funny, which doesn't always work depending on the theme. Since I started self-publishing this year I am now reading more current fiction in the relevant genres, usually free or cheap ebooks.
I am going to blog about some older authors, as time permits (AuroraSpringerNovels.blogspot.com). My day job involves a lot of writing (science) so sometimes I need a break.
My latest WIP has people with paranormal powers and travel to several exotic planets. Not sure which genre will work and it will take longer since it is a trilogy.
Hello. Finally finding this thread.A bit about what I want to write: fantasy! I like the idea of having magic being an everyday occurrence, not something that requires any major gift or spell, or effort, but the little things. I've dipped into and out of different role play genre's over the years, and have always enjoyed those times I'm in a game session because of just this fact. Most of the authors I love reading to this day have some element of this in their work, even if the framework of the magic has a greater or lesser degree involved beyond the basics.
My first novel, spawned from the simple question of "But, where did he come from?" completely took me by surprise. Up until I started working on that story, I had no plans of ever writing or publishing. I love telling tales, and have been known to keep an adult audience spell bound with tales for hours back when I still hadn't entered school. Guess, this is just an extension of that, and it has been a very fun ride, to say the least.
The funny thing for me is that I write for myself, but find it easier to keep going when I have others threatening mayhem if I don't finish the story. (Anyone else have this happen?) So, with that said, and the start of the saga out, I sort of feel obligated to keep my skin in tact by getting the rest of the tale out as well. And, that is what keeps me moving on "Followers of Torments."
I really am hoping, however, that the next series that's already starting to shape up, will be much, much lighter. Dark is all right, but there are times when it is hard to sit down to write because of how ugly the world is, and now nasty the main character is. Never would have imagined I would turn the villain into the antagonist!
I write primarily sci-fi, usually space opera and action/adventure/thriller. Sci-fi has been my favorite genre ever since I saw Star Wars when I was little, and writing Star Wars fanfiction is actually how I got started writing in the first place. Settings like those in Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica are huge influences for the settings in my own writing. There's just something fun about sci-fi because you can use your imagination and don't necessarily have to follow traditional "Earth" rules. You can make a lot of stuff up, but nobody cares because it's about technology and concepts that don't really exist (yet, anyway!)The trilogy I'm currently working on takes place in a fictional universe on a variety of worlds I created. While humans do inhabit this universe, most of my main characters are members of a different superhuman race. I have a lot of creative license with the plot and setting I'm currently working on, although I've got another novel brewing in the back of my head that would take place here on Earth, 50 or so years in the future. It will require more careful planning, but it should be a lot of fun to write when I get around to it.
I also like to write characters who aren't necessarily heroes, or, even if they end up saving the day in the end, they had their own agenda and don't really view themselves as heroes. To me, that's more realistic than someone who is completely selfless and just dedicates their entire life to helping/saving other people. For example, the main protagonist in my current series is a special operations agent who basically kills for a living, but because of certain circumstances, she ends up having to use her survival/fighting skills to save and protect people. I've always found anti-hero characters a lot more interesting than your average black-and-white heroes and villains, so they're a lot more fun to write.
In sci-fi and fantasy, adhering to, as you said, EJ, "traditional Earth rules" is just a big ol pile of bull. What is the point of going future or fantastic and not mixing it up?
(Tips hat) Hey, ya'll.I write humorous sci-fi/fantasy adventure stories. My characters are strange (sometimes bizarre). They would stand out a bit when rampaging through the electronics department at WalMart. I like to place those characters in an alien setting, just to see what they'll do. I'm not above using talking animals, sentient gas, sensitive machines, convoluted pseudo-science, extremely bad poetry, imaginary characters, nonsensical philosophers, shattered universes, or evil genius hair.
Some of my readers have told me that my writing is similar in style to that of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett. A few months ago, I realized that I probably have more in common with Lewis Carroll.
I love wild imagination. The weirder the characters, the more I like it. Confusion is good. I like stories that move quickly, throw me some unexpected twists, and make me laugh. As a reader, I would rather use my imagination to visualize the scene than wade through verbose exhaustive descriptions. (I get impatient quickly, so I tend to skip paragraphs or pages that are primarily consumed with extraneous description.) As a writer, I love revealing my character's mindset through their dialogue and actions. They argue with each other, interrupt and mock one another. In spite of their differences, some will rally together and fight for their friends. Others will flee in self-interest.
I also like story lines that diverge and converge throughout the book or series. I want to see the characters split off into their own adventures and then come back together at a later point. I know this flies in the face of common wisdom that tells us that there should usually be only one story line in a book, but I'm not the only one who enjoys multiple simultaneous story lines. To me, it plays out like a movie or TV show that is rapidly changing scenes. As a result, some of my readers have told me that while they read my stories, they felt like they were watching a movie. I love that.
Another tool I enjoy using is foreshadowing. I love to drop hints of something that is coming later throughout the story. Sometimes, the hints are designed to build anticipation. Other times, they are intended to set the reader up for a surprise. Some hints are dropped that won't be understood until much later or in a subsequent book. Other hints add tension and a sense of foreboding.
As a writer, I frequently create unnecessary challenges for myself. On a whim, I'll decide that a character can't speak in the first person or can only talk in rhymes. I do this sort of thing all the time. It's an irritating trait. I'll get a few thousand words down the road and then think, "Why did I do that?" My subconscious mind will eventually speak up just enough to tell me that it knows the reason and that I should stop whining. I've found it's a good idea to listen to my subconsciousness. If I don't, it has a tendency to get uppity.
Mod
I write humorous sci-fi/fantasy adventure stories. My characters are strange (sometimes bizarre). They would stand out a bit when rampaging through the electronics departmen..."
This sounds right up my alley. Yes, I hang out in dark alleys, reading books. Adding you to my must read list.
J.D. wrote: "I actually can't lock myself into any one genre."The support for J.D's post was great. Until I saw the comment and the reactions to it, I probably believed publishers and authors alike were in favour of the pigeon holes. It's nice to see so many people writing for themselves first and the market second. The caveat is obvious: it will in most cases take longer to win a following, but surely the rewards are greater.
It makes sense that my writing should be an expression of who I am. If I was a genre I'd probably be a mash-up of black comedy, horror, paranormal thriller, technothriller, romance... and a few others. If anything, I'd like to make myself even more difficult to market by attempting to get them all into a book. Sadly I've only been able to get four out of five into my current project. Note to self: must try harder.
An editor once told me that publishers would not know what to do with my book, Kronos Duet, because, as she put it, it was "literary science fiction."I haven't read a lot of science fiction, other than some Bradbury, Philip K. Dick and early Heinlein, and here and there some Vonnegut. But I find myself writing speculative fiction, with dystopian themes, paranormal themes and similar. I have found some absolute masterpieces that are 'just my cup of tea,' such as Martin Amis' Time's Arrow and Russell Hoban's Riddley Walker. They are my benchmark, I suppose you could say. I'm presently writing one post-apocalyptic novel, and another dystopian novel, and working on a sequel to Kronos Duet. I suppose all of them will be somewhat literary, while dealing with big, speculative ideas.
Can I refine my comment from earlier about writing fantasy? I know there are a ton of subgenres out there now, and so far the closest that I can peg mine to is "dark", but not dystopian, nor do I think it will remain dark. Not sure what it fits in except the general umbrella.I've read sci-fi, my introduction was Smith's "Lensman" and "Skylark", but I quickly graduated to Heinlen. Now I'm going to have to go hunt up some non-opera sci-fi stuff, just to see what else is out there. (Blame dad. He's the one who got me hooked on the space operas.)
Ubiquitous wrote: "(Tips hat) Hey, ya'll.I write humorous sci-fi/fantasy adventure stories. My characters are strange (sometimes bizarre). They would stand out a bit when rampaging through the electronics departmen..."
Mwahahrgh! It sounds as if you approach it the way I do. I have a variety of wacky species in mine, too, and I also love putting them in odd situations to see what they do.
I'm currently writing some sci-fi with a hint of paranormal and a space opera.
Cheers
MTM
I write 'hard' science fiction, specifically stories about the future of space where all the science and technology is as close to reality as I can get. Not warp-drives or zombies. I started writing for my own satisfaction as I enjoy working out what such a society might be like. Now I'm as much interested in getting young people excited about real space travel, as early sci-fi did for me when I was wee.
I can't wait to see your stuff Richard! the best stories are the ones you write for yourself.
Hi K.P. you look like you're right in my demographic. If people don't mind, I'll post a link to my book here...The Dark Colony
Hello, all. I write urban fantasy and have thought about short stories in psychological thrillers. The reason I write is because I want to share my stories after having experience so many others.I mostly read in all sub-genres of fantasy and sometimes science fiction.
Hi all! I've made up stories since I was a kid. In 3rd grade, we'd get a list of new vocabulary words every week, learning how to spell and use them in sentences. But the crowning achievement every week was the piece we had to write by Friday, using all the words we had learned. Most of the kids wrote essays, but I made up stories where my classmates were characters.
As far as my adult writing career is concerned, I started writing almost 15 years ago because it was what I always wanted to do.
I'm considered a fantasy author. This I accept, albeit reluctantly, because I don't read the genre. But I devour folk tales and fables. I consider my work to be fairy tales for an adult audience. My reasons for writing in this genre/style are because there is something about using elements of magic and suspending the rules of mundane reality that makes it very easy for me to say what I want to say. The stories come out effortlessly and they feel good to write.
Ella Bandita and the Wanderer
Hello everyone!Aliens has always fascinated me. The movie Starman and later on the series always left me wanting more so I've decided that if I couldn't find what I wanted to read, I'd write it.
I also have a thing for vampires and love to incorporate them into the mix for kicks.
Yvonne wrote: "Jules Anne, The Dark Crystal is one I did enjoy but I watched it sometime last year and found I'd gone off it a bit. I just watched Labyrinth again last week. Still a classic. I can't do normal e..."
I 100% agree, the Labyrinth is one of my all time favourite movies!
I also drift between genres a bit. I mostly write YA or NA paranormal/supernatural low fantasy or horror. However, I was recently told I'd be good at writing paranormal suspense. I was once told that it was best for authors to stick with a single genre, but I find it's hard to do so with speculative fiction, as it is so easy for the subgenres to cross over. Lots of time I can't distinguish what my books will be until they're conpleted. I'll start off writing with one genre in mind, but then the story will veer off later on into another.
Hi. I'm new to this group, but moderate over at the Time Travel group. I noticed a couple familiar faces here who likewise share my affinity for temporal navigation.I love writing time travel because it is a genre of sci-fi that can open so many doors. If you can access all of time and space, you have a lot of material on your hands.
My two time travel novels have a moderate scope, but the world of the characters is continuously expanding to include a larger universe. I love the practical aspects of time travel. I've worked hard to develop consistent rules for the world that keep the readers from having to suspend too much disbelief at once. I'm a harsh critic when it comes to obvious time travel plot holes so I work to never violate my own rules. I love time travel that is functional and useful, not just a there and back again jaunt. The possibilities for adventure will keep me writing for a long time.
Mod
I was once told ..."
Same here on the genre issue. I don't care if it's considered bad form. I write what is in my head, not what might be similar to my last book. I think this rule is losing a lot of backing with the rise of self-publishing.
I write in a couple different styles. One is in a serious, darker tone, and I deal with issues of morality and choice--most of my published work is this style. It tends to be very character-focused. I write epic fantasy, dark fantasy, contemporary fantasy, and science fiction.The other is lighter, sillier fare. I've had one story published in this style ("This Doesn't Appear to be the Alien I Paid For") and I'm working on self-publishing an urban fantasy series that's meant to be more of a beach read.
I love writing in both styles. They each provide a refreshing break from the other.
And I'm all for genre-blending. I think it can bring a fresh whiff of air to something that's a bit old and tired :)
I am almost 30 and have been reading since I was able to do so at 5 and i still do not understand anyone getting fussy because an author wrote/writes in several genres. No one is gonna tell a sculptor they can't paint as well. Why would you tell a writer they have to adhere to one style? I know though, publishers gotta have "markets." God forbid someone have more than one market. Ooooooh!
I write like how I read; I skip from story to story and genre to genre, therefore I'm currently working on a few projects simultaneously.My passion project is a dystopian science fiction novel, though I'm pulling a lot of influences from real historical events (I'm finding myself greatly influenced by WWII literature).
I've also been working on a set of high fantasy novels, though I'm basing a lot of my setting and themes on medieval Asia as opposed to medieval Europe.
I've also been dabbling in supernatural horror, and I'm really enjoying it and considering doing more of it when I've gotten some of my other projects out of the way.
I know they're not genres covered in this group, but I would love to write historical fiction or even a non-fiction history book someday, but I think I'd need money and time to do the research so that's a far-off goal. Does anyone else have other genres they like to write that aren't covered in this group?
I also write in more than one genre. I have a YA/NA dystopian thriller, Counteract, that was released in August. The second volume in the series is due out in June. I absolutely love writing for young adults, and I'll definitely do more series after this one. But my other passion is historical nonfiction. The research I've done for my nonfiction is like solving a mystery. So maybe it's not all that different from writing thrillers after all! CounteractFips, Bots, Doggeries, and More: Explorations of Henry Rogers' 1838 Journal of Travel from Southwestern Ohio to New York City
I write horror, because that's what I see in the world. I see stupid people that would do well with a pickaxe in their face. Every day, I go to the store and just people watch while I'm in line at the cashier. This chick needs to die because she's writing a goddamn check. Who uses checks? Come on. Oh, and that guy... With the case of beer. You know he's gonna go home and rape his sister... I guess I just have a sick and twisted mind.
Glenn wrote: "I write horror, because that's what I see in the world. I see stupid people that would do well with a pickaxe in their face. Every day, I go to the store and just people watch while I'm in line at ..."
But, to look on the bright side, we're all gonna die.
But, to look on the bright side, we're all gonna die.
My favourite expression of Ken's uplifting sentiment: 'nobody gets out of here alive.' Someone knows who said that, I bet.
Mod
Well, someone who proved this to be true said that. ;) I for one, plan on challenging this assessment.
As I've always said, "If I can't take it with me, I'm not going."
Mod
The correct quote is 'No one here gets out alive' and it's a book title,
for a biography of Jim Morrison, who apparently was a noted singer of popular songs. I assume the phrase was from a lyric of his.
Jim Morrison was the lead singer for the Doors in the 1960s. Very good, very popular, cutting edge band, and their biggest song was "Light My Fire." He died young, of natural causes. (Death by drug overdose was considered a natural cause for rock legends at the time)
This quote comes from a song by The Doors called Five to One. I used to listed to them a lot for a while during my college days even though Jim Morrison was long dead by then. I've always thought they were very good.
Mod
And at an eerily average age for rock stars.
According to the movie, Mozart died of complications from partying. But I'm sure there were extenuating circumstances. Apparently he was a rock star ahead of his time.
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I've just published my second novel Perfect World. I'm currently taking a mini-break from writing before working on follow ups to both my published novels and also drafting some ideas for this year's NaNoWriMo!