Comments for Resources for Science Fiction Writers

Comment on 10 Laws of Good Science Fiction by Kyndra

Kyndra — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:56:17 +0000

Harsh? These rules should be mandatory! I’ve read so many terrible articles on writing. No matter what genre one is affiliated with, there is something to be learned from this article. Even a published writer needs a refresher on how to create a good villain! This was great and I bookmarked it. Thanks :)

Comment on List of Science Fiction Clichés by Michael Carter

Michael Carter — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:52:34 +0000

On the point about Anthropomorphic robots/androids. There are very obvious reason why sci fi writers make their robots look like humans – a machine that looks or sounds (HAL) like a human is much more likely to be accepted by humans. This is being reflected in real life. Look at all the robots cats and dogs coming out of Japan, and Asimo is a perfect example of a REAL anthropomorphic robot. Robots of the future will look like us because that is what people want. The robots from Robot Wars are not endearing to the average person, on the whole.
If you consider that we humans are nothing more than biological robots, then it’s hard to argue that evolution is a canny designer and knows how to make walking, talking and thinking machines (us). It makes sense to copy her design as closely as we can.

Comment on Chesly Bonestell, Mr. Smith Goes to Venus, March, 1950 by Keith Ward

Keith Ward — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:16:42 +0000

What! No comments?? Well, I have one. Here’s a huge thanks for not only having scanned and posted these incredible pages, but having the kindness to scan & post them in more than lo-to-medium resolution. Maybe you had the foresight to know that anyone interested in this stuff would want to experience it in detail. My hearty appreciatiation goes out to you. Wonderful set.

Comment on Character Sheet Generator by Gimly Stoneheart

Gimly Stoneheart — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 23:03:19 +0000

he ia Dwarf and a blacksmith. but his real passion is evocation magic. he is a specialized wizard of this school of magic.

Comment on 10 Laws of Good Science Fiction by Mick

Mick — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:54:44 +0000

Patrick posted it in the future

Comment on List of Science Fiction Clichés by Two things a writer has to beware of. Wrist cramps and… « Writing the Future

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 21:30:05 +0000

[...] that we simply don’t enjoy because they have just gotten stale… and at worst green. This site provides a wopping list of sci-fi clichés. Some of them are listed as forgivable, while some [...]

Comment on List of Science Fiction Clichés by Michelle (mush)

Michelle (mush) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:01:39 +0000

Oh! Okay, now I know which one you were talking about.
I actually didn’t write that one. Everything I submitted had either “Mush” at the end or “MM.” You must have replied to my comment instead of Creative-Theory’s by mistake. (Our icons look very similar.)

++++

The one I thought I submitted (but didn’t) is sort of like a variation of the second time-traveling physics you mentioned in your earlier comment.

I don’t know if it actually has a name, but I call it the ‘Trunks Theory’ after the Dragon Ball Z character who used this method of time travel.

The Trunks Theory basically means that the character isn’t going to the past, but instead, going to a parallel universe that simply isn’t as far along in the time stream as us. During the time that the character is messing around in some other parallel universe, time is still moving forward in his home time stream. In other words: If it’s February 13th here, and you go spend a week in a post apocalyptic world filled with terminators, then it will be February 20th here when you finally get back.

The benefit of this from a sci-fi writers’ point of view is that the hero of the story will not return to his home time stream only a few minutes after his past self left.
The Trunks Theory lets all sorts of conflict filled plot points happen:

1. The characters’ family is free to assume that the character is dead

2. The title wave that the character was escaping from is not going to be a danger once he returns.

3. The character is able to bring in new matter into a different universe. If he brought enough materials from one universe to another, he might be able to change the mass of our planet Earth and make the gravity too strong for humans to live on.

4. He won’t have any memory of his past self (actually other-universe self)

and so on…
I guess I’m just bringing this up because you mention that there are only 2 acceptable possible ways that time travel stories can have. An abridged version of what I was saying is: “there is something like a 3rd way that time travel can happen.”

Comment on List of Science Fiction Clichés by Mechanical

Mechanical — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:20:32 +0000

‘Time travel stories where time is linear (i.e. going back will affect YOUR present, and not just spin off another that doesn’t affect you), but in which the characters discuss correct versus incorrect “time lines” (thereby contradicting their own belief that time is linear).’

I think that’s the one Creative-Theory was asking about. I hope so anyway, it’s the only time-travel one I remember :)

Comment on Vintage Fly Fishing Equipment by Peter Morse

Peter Morse — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:19:14 +0000

I inherited a fly tying kit from my grandfather. It is made by Heck from San Francisco. It is loaded with hackles, hooks, feathers, vice, threads of all colors and materials. I was wondering how much it might be worth. If you need photos i,d be glad to send them. Thanks.

Comment on List of Science Fiction Clichés by Michelle (Mush)

Michelle (Mush) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 22:13:26 +0000

Thank you for the complement, I pride myslef on reading the most hanious of unpubishable fiction. ;)

But as for the time travle cliché. I can’t find the one you are talking about up there in the list. (I could have sworn I submited at leat one time-travle themed entry, but I haven’t been able to see find it again.)