The Tradeoff Between Science and Story

Posted on October 15, 2013 by GarryRogers

See on Scoop.it – Nature Conservation & Science Fiction: #EcoSciFi

In today’s comments we fretted over the definition of average, oohed and aahed over some DIY costume skills, and (with the help of Gravity’s science advisor) teased out the precise intersection of science and story-telling.

Garry Rogers‘ insight:

When the science is inaccurate the story is no longer science fiction. It becomes fantasy. That’s fine, but even fantasy has rules. Departure from accuracy without new rules can get you bad reviews.

See on io9.com

Is the Internet Good for Writing? Part 1: Affirmative – Lingua Franca – The Chronicle of Higher Education

Posted on October 14, 2013 by GarryRogers

See on Scoop.it – Nature Conservation & Science Fiction: #EcoSciFi
Taking this side of the question is Clive Thompson, author of the new book Smarter Than You Think: How Technology Is Changing Our Minds for the Better. Thompson says he is “regularly astonished by the quality and length of expression I find online, the majority of which is done by amateurs in their spare time.”

The length part, at least, is inarguable. Thompson, a journalist who has specialized in covering technology, asserts, “Before the Internet came along, most people rarely wrote anything at all for pleasure or intellectual satisfaction after graduating from high school or college.” Now, according to his back-of-the-envelope cyphering, people compose about 3.6 trillion words a day via e-mail, blogs, and social media—the equivalent of 36 million books, give or take.

So, does frequent writing provide beneficial practice and improvement regardless of length?

See on chronicle.com

Author Resources

Posted on October 2, 2013 by GarryRogers

Print Journals Accepting Email Subs

Diane Lockward provides a list of print journals that accept online submissions. As of September 28, 2013, the list included 133 journals.
Go to Diane’s website for updates.

Recent additions are indicated with a double asterisk.
Number of issues (x) given after the journal’s name.
Reading period is given.
Journals marked “no sim” do not accept simultaneous submissions.
Some journals have additional annotations.

Reviews of Corr Syl the Warrior

Posted on September 25, 2013 by GarryRogers

Reviews of Corr Syl the Warrior

Recent reviews:

“A beautifully written YA novel that will captivate environmentalists and sci-fi fans of all ages.” Kirkus reviews (starred review).
“It is an outstanding book. It’s one of those books you get excited over; that have you turning to the next page and reading more, even if it’s two in the morning.” Amazon Review by MaryAnn.
“Unique and highly original. It drew me in and was difficult to put down.” Goodreads review by BozBozo.
“I found it refreshing, extremely unique with funny, laugh-out-loud moments, too. It’s targeted at YA, but anybody who enjoys hard fantasy will like this book.” Louise Wise at http://louisewise.com.
“This is undeniably a commendable story, one that sci-fi and fantasy fans will definitely love and talk about for a very long time.” -Barnes and Noble Readers’ Favorite review at by Lit Amri.
“There is really nothing more you can ask of a story than is found here in Corr Syl the Warrior. The pace is brisk and keeps you engaged, the characters are so believable that Lactella gives me the creeps long after I’ve finished, and I’ll be glad to find what Corr and Rhya are up against in the promised sequel. ” Amazon review by Paula H.
“Three Words: Action, adventure, thrilling. Age Recommendation: Whenever, it’s perfect for those looking for a thrill, no matter if your 9 or 99.” Bianca Blossom, Cherrybooksomtree.wordpress.com.
“…a most unusual and interestingly told tale that elicits empathy for the characters as well as the conditions it describes.” Amazon review by John H. Manhold.
“The truly hardcore, sci-fi fan will be delighted and entertained by the pace and deep thought involved in this novel. A must for the serious sci-fi reader.” –Barnes and Noble Readers’ Favorite review by Bill Howard.
“Part two was where the book really captured my interest with a very interesting and creative choice of villain. I was hooked at this point and the story started to fall into place for me. I started to notice a hint of humour in places and I found myself not wanting to put the book down.” Amazon review by Chettsgeni.
“It has cool action scenes and a few interesting side plots to go along with it. I really like how the writer makes an effort to explain the science and the way the Tsaeb work as a society in a way that makes logical sense. I really enjoyed this book.” Claireamber.blogspot.com.
“Engaging and entertaining, it has all the literary ingredients of a successful novel. Indeed, this is more than just a story about a young warrior’s adventure but is also a reminder of how humans are abusing the environment. This is a concern that has been expressed in very many ways but this one is certainly one of the most imaginative. -Barnes and Noble Readers’ Favorite by Marie Beltran.
“For a first novel, I have to say this book is as well written as any I’ve read, and I read a lot. I liked it.” Unpublished Review sent to author by Truman Burgess.
“An original story, great concept, I want more! Rogers has developed an alternative Earth, where we are the invasive species! An original approach to force the reader to evaluate how interconnected we are with everything alive on this planet. Excellent presentation of the politics of conflict and a thorough understanding how even amongst like species there can be political agendas. The book should be titled ‘Corr Syl the Negotiator and Strategist, Scientist, and Warrior’. I read it in one sitting – I like that, when a book grabs hold of me, makes me see things from another perspective, makes me think – and then makes me want more when I put it down.” Amazon review by Kristine Uhlman.

Free Book Promotions

Posted on September 22, 2013 by GarryRogers

Free Promotions for Indie Authors

1. A free promotion for SciFi and Fantasy authors begins tomorrow. Sign up now.

CommuniCATE has free promotions for other genre. Find the details here.

Corr Syl is a Finalist in the AZ Authors Literary Contest

Posted on September 17, 2013 by GarryRogers

Corr Syl Finalist

Corr Syl the Warrior is a finalist in the Arizona Authors Association 2013 Literary Contest. Places will be announced at the annual awards banquet in November. Wish me luck.

Welcome

Posted on August 31, 2013 by GarryRogers

Welcome to my blog about nature conservation. I call it #EcoSciFi because I use science fiction as well as non fiction to express the blog’s underlying nature conservation theme. Check out my new novel to see how I’m doing. Continue reading →

Birds of Arizona–Update

Posted on August 12, 2013 by GarryRogers

Birds

Great Horned Owl chicks

Wild birds are seen more often than the members of any other vertebrate wildlife group. Birds include more species than the other groups, they occur in more habitats than most of the others, and they are more active during daylight hours, and during winter when other groups hide or sleep. Add the visibility of their colors, distinction of their songs, and variations of their flight patterns, and you will understand why bird checklists are more common than checklists for other species.

The U. S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center website (website link in References) provides 29 bird checklists for small areas around Arizona. The lists include seasonal occurrence and other information. The WildBirds website owned by Thayer Birding Software provides online field guides with songs and video. The Arizona Bird Committee (ABC) provides printable state and county checklists. The links are in the Arizona Bird Reference list below.

Numbers of Birds

World: 10,000
*North America: 1025
*Arizona birds: 548
Arizona birds at risk of extinction: 264
*Approximately 10% are introduced or of uncertain status

Arizona Bird Conservation

Naturalists sometimes think of birds as useful indicators of general environmental conditions; the ‘canary in the coal mine’ idea. In 2011, the Audubon Society reported that the annual Christmas Bird Count records showed that many species were declining. For example, over the past 50 years, sightings of Loggerhead Shrikes, a common species throughout Arizona, declined by 72 percent. Our canary has begun to sway. Continue reading →

Evil Characters in Science Fiction, #Writing, #SciFi

Posted on July 18, 2013 by GarryRogers

Evil Characters

Antagonist characters are often evil. In fantasy, evil characters are born, but in science fiction and most popular fiction, evil characters develop with experience. Authors don’t have to detail the experiences, but they probably should have them in mind so they can write coherent characters.

Evil can be mild or extreme. Some of the familiar expressions of mild evil are envy, insult, jealousy, sarcasm, physical violence, and the selfishness that lets an individual place its interests above the interests of others. At their least extreme, these behaviors are merely irritating. At their most extreme, they are dangerous.

Experiments (e.g., The Stanford Prison Experiment) have demonstrated the “situational” nature of evil. They have shown that circumstances can produce evil behavior with frightening speed. Because of this, evil is commonplace. Fortunately, evil rapidly induced, just as rapidly fades. Hannah Arendt discussed how the “banality of evil” could cause ordinary people to produce something as extreme as the Holocaust.

Nancy Kress describes five types of villains in her book “Dynamic Characters.” My evil characters are Kress’s ‘examined’ characters. A term she uses to refer to characters whose experiences you must describe sufficiently to explain and justify the character’s behavior. As always, Kress makes useful suggestions, and I recommend reading her comments as you build your evil villain.

Evil behavior is often permanent. Fortunately, evil that is both extreme and permanent requires long bouts of extreme experiences and is therefore uncommon; serial murderers, arsonists, and so forth are rare. I think of extreme cases of permanent evil as true evil. Truly evil characters are pure. They have no altruistic traits. They will use you for security, fun, and food. Since they have their own special moral code, they will not feel guilt for their behavior. They will suffer a sinner’s remorse only if they let you escape or if they fail to make the best use of you.

Here is an excerpt from Corr Syl the Warrior that shows how true evil can develop: Lactella (click the name then click the excerpt link on the page that appears).