Former Introduction Thread Showing 4,501-4,550 of 6,846

[G.G.]

Hello Keith, nice meeting you. :)

[G.G.]

Nice meeting you Renee.
Sending you a hello from across the world. :P

[Jeanette]

Wow Renee, what an inspiring story!

[[deleted user]]

Hi everyone

Lovely to meet you all, I'm Christopher Brunt and I have recently become a memeber of this group, but not yet introduced myself. I have just published my debut novel Ralph and the Purple Fly, a sci-fi satirical novel, which has in many ways been influenced by two of my favourite writers Bulgakov and Vonnegut!

I am also on Twitter as @CJBWriter and host a blog on my website www.christopherbruntauthor.com, where I help promote the work of other writers via reviews and mentions: so please contact me if you're interested.

I look forward to joining in and contributing to the monthly reads.

Chris

[Lettie]

Welcome Christopher!

[[deleted user]]

G.G. wrote: "Hello Keith, nice meeting you. :)"

Thanks for the welcome GG.

[Tom]

Hi everyone -- I am a ten year old boy cleverly disguised as a 63 year old grandpa. Most of the time I feel ten years old – sometimes I feel ten thousand years old. I have read science fiction and fantasy my whole life, beginning with some Tom Swift Sr. books my dad had. I moved on to H. Rider Haggard, H.G Wells, Jules Verne, etc. All the classics. I couldn't get enough of them. The second driving force in my life has been trying to understand who we are and what we're doing on this big ball of rock sailing through space. That actually ties in quite well with science fiction and fantasy. I've read extensively on physics and metaphysics, world religions, and pretty much anything that could provide clues to this most intriguing mystery. I've also practiced meditation for many years and have experienced many paranormal events. The events themselves don't especially interest me, but how they work and the physics of them does. I believe most of them to be the result of quantum physics which we simply do not understand yet. So... all that being said, I put the results of a lifetime of questing into a metaphysical fantasy adventure book called The Eleventh Ring. It is book 1 in the Bartholomew the Adventurer series. I am currently working on book 2 and having lots of fun. Oh -- I was a graphic designer and artist for over thirty five years before I started the Bartholomew series. I also have a psychology degree from Georgetown and an art degree from the Oregon College of Art (no longer exists). I won't talk about the book (much), but it's listed on Goodreads and also on Amazon. (only 99¢ -- I am not writing for the money) I think I can guarantee it is quite different from most fantasy books. Here is a quote from it:

“Blindly reaching out for his bottle of Madame Beffy’s Headache Tonic, he knocked over a vase filled with glass marbles. They fell to the floor with a great clatter. As he watched them bouncing and skittering across the floor, he had an unexpected thought. The wild, chaotic path of the marbles was not really chaotic at all. Each marble was precisely following the known laws of physical motion. He was not witnessing chaos, but order and perfection. Each marble was exactly where it should be at every moment in time.”

If you want swords and dragons this is not the book for you. If you like rabbits, metaphysics, magic, evil kings, infernal machines, spooky swamps, mystical islands and true love... you'll love it!

Thanks so much for reading all this -- I love this site!!

Tom Hoffman
Anchorage, AK

[G.G.]

Keith wrote: "Thanks for the welcome GG."

:)

Hello Christopher and Tom!

[Mark]

Tom wrote: "Hi everyone -- I am a ten year old boy cleverly disguised as a 63 year old grandpa. Most of the time I feel ten years old – sometimes I feel ten thousand years old...."

This strikes a chord! :-)

I see Bartholomew is a deterministic sort of character!

[Tom]

Mark wrote: "Tom wrote: "Hi everyone -- I am a ten year old boy cleverly disguised as a 63 year old grandpa. Most of the time I feel ten years old – sometimes I feel ten thousand years old...."

This strikes a..."
Absolutely. Events are linked together in ways we normally aren't aware of. Strings beneath the surface connecting events. And by our nature we draw people and events to us. Oh, I could tell you stories.... Or you could just read my fabulous new 99 cent novel! Ha!

PS For an insight into this, read Hidden Strings on my GR blog.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi all, welcome.

[Jeanette]

It's great how many new people are joining! I'm looking forward to some fantastic conversations!

[Jeanette]

I'm getting a little frustrated. The books that are selected so far have been ones that I can't get at the local library. Not even available on Overdrive. The Lathe of Heaven is on Overdrive in audio book format but not supported by my iPad or iPhone format.

I could ask the library to order them but that takes months to process so that's no good.

Sigh. Just trying to save money.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I'm not sure so forgive my asking... Do libraries in Canada have a version of interlibrary loan?

[Jeanette]

Yes they do, but online I can search all the libraries that are a part of it and none of them have had them so far. They are very apologetic but nothing they can do quickly.

[Mark]

Amazon allows ebooks to be loaned for a couple of weeks... Not ideal, especially as it's when other people will be reading the book, but it's one idea.

[Jeanette]

They do?? I had no idea!! How?!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Ouch. Too bad. I'v3e run on that lately.

More and more the library has less and less.

[Balkron]

I was born April 10, 1970 in Logan, IA and lived there until the age of 12. I moved to Phoenix, AZ and lived there for 22 years. After my divorce (Phoenix was not big enough for the 2 of us) I decided to move back to Iowa where I reside now.

I have a degree in CIS (Computer Information Systems) and I am a huge computer geek. I sold my first computer program at age 12 for $20.

I work as a Consultant and I manage development teams for large companies. I have been a consultant for 20+ years.

I am married and I enjoy a vast number of things such as Kayaks, 4X4, Horses (I own 3 one is on my profile picture), gardening, computer games, reading, people watching, and going to interesting places.

I have read 40+ books so far this year and my goal is set at 80. I don't feel like listing them all so you can check out my profile if you want to see which ones.

I read mostly Sci-Fi / Fantasy and I am in the search of story tellers like Rothfuss, Jordan, Weeks, Lynch, Card, etc. I avoid pompous writers like Huxley and Whitehead. I want to escape in the story not be impressed that one can use a Thesaurus.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi Balkron, welcome.

[Arpan]

I was born April 12, 1981. Lived in India (all over it, actually) and hopped over to Toronto for a bit, with some travel over North America.

I run my learning consultancy with my wife, and I'm also an author who has just published the first in a fantasy tetralogy. I've been working on Book 2 and am juggling billable consulting work and non-billable book writing!

My wife who's also my business partner and book publicist is an incredible person who makes all my whims possible. I also have a black cat who has so far proved to be remarkably lucky.

I read anything I can lay my hands on, but Fantasy definitely tops the list. Terry Pratchett is my Elder God and Neil Gaiman is the Younger. They are responsible for me summoning the courage to strike out on my own into the murky world of literary agents and publishers (though I was lucky enough to find two angels for both roles).

[Mark]

Jeanette wrote: "They do?? I had no idea!! How?!"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custome...

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Welcome.

[Nadia]

Hey everyone, I'm Nadia from Boston. I would definitely consider myself a sci-fi/fantasy virgin. For the longest time I was always drawn towards the chick-lit scene (embarrassing to admit, yes) but then I found myself getting bored with everything I picked up. So a couple years ago I started reading fantasy and I was hooked to say the least.

I'm currently reading The Lies of Locke Lamora and so far I love how gritty and raw Lynch's style is! I'm super excited to broaden my horizon and read some great books!

[Arpan]

Thank you, Mike!

[Mark]

Nadia wrote: "For the longest time I was always drawn towards the chick-lit scene (embarrassing to admit, yes) ..."

Nothing wrong with chick-lit, everything wrong with formula. There's some of that in speculative fiction as well. Hopefully, forums like this will help us all avoid the bad books.

[Alan]

Nadia wrote: "Hey everyone, I'm Nadia from Boston [...] a sci-fi/fantasy virgin [..] currently reading The Lies of Locke Lamora ..."

Hi Nadia

You have certainly started with the good stuff!
Remember there is a lot of dross about - and even when you have eliminated that, the good stuff you are left with won't always be to your taste!

However, the good one you have started with was mentioned in this discussion - I suggest you take a look!

[Kate]

Hi everyone! Very pleased to meet you all. I am a longtime sci-fi/fantasy reader. (Born in '76, just to keep up with the trend of the thread.) I was raised on Star Wars and Spielburg, and imagine that all got into my veins. Early on, it was comic books. When I was still quite young, I became obsessed with Robert Aspirin's 'Myth' books. Well, there's a lot in between then and now, and I'm not going to try to list them all here. But the sci-fi/fantasy has carried over into my own writing. I am an author who is currently writing a sci-fi/dystopian series, and I also have a couple of fantasy books in edits.

I like a wide range of books, but I don't really enjoy when things become too technical. I love humor, but I like stories that are grounded with something real (so, say Xanth didn't really do it for me, even though I love Piers Anthony's other stuff). And I really love dark, gritty, deeply moving stuff. As a writer, I'm obsessed with story craft, so if something is truly well-written and unique I deeply appreciate that.

I write reviews and participate in a blog geared toward Indie authors, so I would particularly love to hear about any high-quality, amazing work by Indie authors. I have little patience for poor writing, though, so please don't tell me about anything that is full of grammar problems and all that. I will throw a book over my shoulder in about two seconds if I run into such things. :)

Anyway, I look forward to getting to know you all! Thanks for having me as part of your group!

[Balkron]

Nadia wrote: "Hey everyone, I'm Nadia from Boston. I would definitely consider myself a sci-fi/fantasy virgin. For the longest time I was always drawn towards the chick-lit scene (embarrassing to admit, yes) but..."

This is an excellent book. If you enjoy Lynch, you may want to try Rothfuss next. The Name of the Wind is one of the best stories that I have had the honor of reading.

[Alan]

Balkron wrote: "you may want to try Rothfuss next...."

Hmmmm
Balkron, give Nadia time to settle in! I agree Rothfuss is pretty good, but Ye Gods it is long and somewhat demanding of the reader. I think it will go down in the list of 'Greats' eventually - but Great can mean oversize as well as excellent. I have just finished it, and will have a review of it posted up in a few hours - but for now, my advice is put it on the TBR pile and read some lighter stuff first.

[Balkron]

Balkron, give Nadia time to settle in!

I am more the start at the top type. My first experience with Fantasy was The Eye of the World. I think of Jordan and Rothfuss as story tellers not so much as authors.

I disagree that The Name of the Wind is demanding. It is a really good story, one of the best. The only demanding part is the wait for the 3rd book.

The Wheel of Time is also a tremendous story but it can be demanding and overwhelming (13 books with 2 more planned to complete the story).

[Balkron]

Killian wrote: "Balkron wrote: "
Balkron, give Nadia time to settle in!

I am more the start at the top type. My first experience with Fantasy was The Eye of the World. I think of Jordan and Roth..."

I think it will take 16 books to finish the Wheel of Time. Brandon Sanderson is working with Jordan's wife to put the story to rest. The loss of Jordan was a travesty.

[Kate]

Killian wrote: "Balkron wrote: "
Balkron, give Nadia time to settle in!

I am more the start at the top type. My first experience with Fantasy was The Eye of the World. I think of Jordan and Roth..."

I stopped reading somewhere in the 7-10 stretch. I think I got tired about reading how fine the sea folks' porcelain was. :/

[Balkron]

Killian wrote: "If anyone can fix WoT, it's Sanderson. His style is kind of like Jordan's, except kind of..well..better."

I have read Mistborn and plan to read more from him. Sanderson has a 5 star rating from me (only 9 authors have a 5 star rating from me) so I know he is really, really good. As for better than Jordan, we will have to agree to disagree. I just feel that Jordan was a better story teller.

As for fixing the Wheel of Time, he jumped at the chance to finish Jordan's story. He is one of it's biggest supporters and I am sure he will be the first one to tell you he isn't fixing anything. Can't fix what isn't broken.

[Balkron]

Kate wrote: "Killian wrote: "Balkron wrote: "
Balkron, give Nadia time to settle in!

I am more the start at the top type. My first experience with Fantasy was The Eye of the World. I think of..."

Some of the later books were forced. Just remember he was fighting cancer for most of them. If you have ever tried to write a book you know how hard it is. Now add in all of the effects and stress of having cancer. I will give Jordan the credit he deserves for such an effort.

[Kate]

Killian wrote: "Balkron wrote: "Kate wrote: "Killian wrote: "Balkron wrote: "
Balkron, give Nadia time to settle in!

I am more the start at the top type. My first experience with Fantasy was [book:The Eye of t..."

I will definitely give him that. Writing is hard work. I can't imagine what it must have been like to battle cancer and try to get all the story down before he ran out of time.

I truly enjoyed all of his books I read, but I think I grew tired. As a writer, I always felt like the story could use a really good edit. I probably would have chopped those books in half! But, that said, I did love them. So I can forgive the excessive detail. There were some things that Jordan did very, very well.

[Drake]

Hey guys I am a teenager born in California. I am very pleased to be in this group and discover new books to read. My favorite subgenre in science fiction is dystopia. I enjoy a wide variety of books. I read a lot and love tech in stories. Plot twists are a welcome sight. So yeah I hope to find some fantastic books here and get to know you all!

[Drake]

Killian wrote: "
I saw on your bookshelf that you liked 1984 and Brave New World, so if you want to try some more literary dystopian stuff, you might want to try out Ray Bradbury's most famous book, Fahrenheit 451. "

Thank you for the suggestion I will try that soon.

[Greg]

Welcome Dragonforest29 and Kate and anyone else further up I missed :)

[Garry]

Hello!

I'm Garry, 32, from Staffordshire in the UK (where the pottery comes from!). I've loved science fiction ever since I first 'heard' War of The Worlds, watched Dr Who (yes - from behind the sofa sometimes), and picked up The Lord of The Rings aged 9 and read it for the first time. (I've read it about a dozen times since).

Other than Tolkein and Pratchet, I tend to be more into the science fiction side of things now. My interest in speculative fiction was really piqued by reading a HUGE anthology of North American short stories - loads of Asimov, Philip K. Dick, Margaret Atwood and such like.

I am a writer and a musician (I won't promote my book here though - will put it in the appropriate thread) - I only mention it here as that is my actual job. I write plays, scripts and stories for commercial, community and my own projects. I compose music for similar things. My literary work is speculative fiction, but I've also written historical drama scripts, comedy, children's stories and all sorts in my pursuit of a life less ordinary (after spending ten years working in a bank during my twenties!). I've had the occasional success with broadcast and performance.

So, that's me! I look forward to jumping into some discussions and getting to meet you all!

Thanks

Garry

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[Nick]

Hi gang,
I'm Nick Burnette and go by N.R. Burnette as a pen name. I've been writing for six years and have written four books. I live in and am from the Pacific Northwest, but an enlistment in the USMC had me in North Carolina long enough to enjoy sweet tea and great BBQ. I don't read many books, but I'm trying to do lately. My latest effort to help promote my work is by making indie PC video games that tie into the story of the novels. I'll have to let you know how that goes. Great to meet everyone here,
Cheers!

[Michelle]

Hi everyone, thought I should probably register myself on this here Introductions forum.
I joined up this week, having always had an interest in scifi and fantasy books, and just perusing your bookshelf you have some excellent recommendations that I can add to my towering piles of books to read.
I do dabble a bit myself in writing, but I'm very lazy with it, and so have not really proceeded much farther than entering a few comps.
I read "Red Country" this week, and loved it! And am looking forward to reading more recommendations and chatting with other SF/F readers about them.
Hola!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi N.R, and Michelle, welcome.

[Christina]

Hi, I'm Christina. I'm a super-avid reader- my annual goal is to read 200 books, and I usually come pretty close! This year, I'm not reading as much, because I'm writing my own historical fantasy. With more limited time, I'd like to be pickier about what I start, and this group looks like a good resource. Trying to write fantasy myself has given me a whole new level of respect for those writers who do it so well (and gives me more sympathy for those who don't quite pull it off).

I read a lot of different genres, but in fantasy, I love LOTR, Dune, Narnia, and Song of Ice and Fire. Last year's favorite book was Lies of Locke Lamora (I think I read all three books in three days). Right now I'm reading Rosemary Kirstein's Steerswoman series, and really enjoying it.

I will probably start working my way through this group's list!

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi, welcome.

[[deleted user]]

Hello, all. I'm Jack (duh!). I read a little, I write a little, but I'm thinking that with a membership this big, this would be a good place to learn something... If only I can keep my mouth shut and my ears open, figuratively speaking!

[Jim]

Jack wrote: "Hello, all. I'm Jack (duh!). I read a little, I write a little, but I'm thinking that with a membership this big, this would be a good place to learn something... If only I can keep my mouth shut a..."

Welcome aboard, Jack.

I've read some of your comments in other discussion groups; so please don't keep your mouth closed too often; you have experienced some things and possess some knowledge that could prove helpful.

[[deleted user]]

Jim wrote: "I've read some of your comments in other discussion groups; so please don't keep your mouth closed too often; you have experienced some things and possess some knowledge that could prove helpful...."

A wonderful thing to say, and my thanks for it, but I've given up and left some groups because every time I've opened my mouth, I've found a Moderator's foot in it. Anyway, you can't learn anything new when you're too busy telling everybody the things you already know.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Hi welcome.