Very often science-fiction writers treat the ideas of religion and spirituality as being quaint at best and harmful at worst. Characters who believe in a higher power are often ridiculed for their faith, for not supplicating themselves before science as being the be-all/end-all. There are exceptions to this tendency; however, positive religious SF stories are… Continue reading Religion in Science Fiction
Tag: Writing
Writing My Novel: On Reaching Goals
The fall semester starts in just under a month. I have maybe two full weeks before faculty conferences begin for the new year, which means that my wonderful summer of writing time is drawing to a close. That’s okay because I have far surpassed the goal I set for myself at the beginning of the… Continue reading Writing My Novel: On Reaching Goals
3 Short Reviews for 3 Short Stories
I love short stories. They’re hard to write, but when done well, their effect can be far more powerful than a longer form. It takes a lot of careful wording and plotting to be able to make a short story, and since the second half of my summer’s goal has been to write a few… Continue reading 3 Short Reviews for 3 Short Stories
Writing My Novel: 7 Ways Reading Makes Better Writing
The first day of a composition class, I ask my students a simple question: “Who in here likes to read?” I consider the inquiry a success if I have two people raise their hands. Most of the time all I get are a few sneers, blank stares, and no hands in the air. I ask… Continue reading Writing My Novel: 7 Ways Reading Makes Better Writing
Writing My Novel: Kill Kill Kill
One of the major philosophies of fiction writing is called “kill your darlings.” In it, anything is fair game when it comes to editing. No matter how much the writer loves a sentence or word or scene or even character, if it does not advance the plot in a tangible way, it must be cut. … Continue reading Writing My Novel: Kill Kill Kill