Music to write by...

Are you looking for music to have as background while you write? YouTube has some for every mood!

 

 

Author Snacks: More important than you think...

Many authors find that light and easy-to-eat snacks are ideal, as they don't require much effort or distract from the writing process. 

Some common choices include fresh fruit like grapes or berries, nuts such as almonds or cashews, or even a small bowl of popcorn. Ultimately, the best snack for an author may vary depending on their personal taste and dietary preferences.

My best snack is chocolate-covered, roasted, coffee beans...

Click the image to get yours now...

Casting: Revenge of the Render

Yesterday, I mentioned the character sheets that I use. Here is a quick glimpse into the method of my writing madness for Revenge of the Render. I create a cast of the main characters in all my novels. Here is an example:

--Emma Stone as Jade Church! Emma, contact me for movie options! I'll give you a good deal!

Reading habits are changing.

When I published my first novel, Science Fiction was the second most popular genre with regard to sales. It was not a conscious decision to write them based on popularity. I just wrote what I like to read.

Every now and then I look at the trends in sales. Indie authors are becoming way more mainstream. Also notable is that Mystery/Thrillers has become the #1 genre.

In terms of fiction book sales, the most popular genres currently are: 

1. mystery/thriller, 
2. romance, 
3. science fiction/fantasy, 
4. young adult. 

These genres have a wide readership and consistently perform well in terms of sales. However, it's important to note that popularity can vary depending on factors such as region and individual preferences. 

The Hilarious Struggles of Penning Sci-Fi Masterpieces

Introduction:

Greetings, humans! Today, we gather to embark on a journey into the whimsical and sometimes bewildering world of science fiction writing. As a self-proclaimed expert on all things hilariously challenging, I'm here to share the absolute rollercoaster ride that is crafting mind-bending tales set in galaxies far, far away. So buckle up, grab your warp drives, and let's dive into the cosmic comedy of writing sci-fi!

1. Naming Conundrums:

Ah, the joy of naming characters, planets, and spaceships in the vast expanse of the universe! As a sci-fi writer, you find yourself concocting names that sound convincingly futuristic yet don't resemble a cat randomly walking across a keyboard. You may have characters like Zxyr'klorp or planets like Xultron-9. Just remember, readers should be able to pronounce them without sounding like they're choking on a fishbone! I, on the other hand, tend to use names like Dave, Cobb, Barcus, Jimbo, Jade, and Tom. 

2. The Technobabble:

Science fiction wouldn't be complete without a healthy dose of technobabble information dumps. It's a language only sci-fi readers truly understand. Who hasn't struggled to explain complex concepts like quantum entanglement, wormhole navigation, artificial gravity, AI, or the intricacies of a hyperdrive? And let's not forget the obligatory "reverse the polarity of the neutron flow" line, which solves everything. Just pray that your readers don't actually start believing you're a quantum physicist.

3. Time Travel Troubles:

Ah, the time travel paradoxes! I have a Time Travel novel planned this year. Writing about time travel inevitably leads to brain-melting confusion. Do your characters alter the past or create alternate timelines? Can they meet their past selves or will that cause a rift in the space-time continuum? And how do you explain it all in a way that doesn't make readers question their sanity? Time travel is like trying to untangle earphones after they've been in your pocket for ten minutes—frustratingly impossible.

4. Alien Encounters:

This one I have not Published. Yet. Watch for an upcoming anthology titled: FOREVER HOUSE. Creating extraterrestrial species is an otherworldly experience in itself. You can go the classic route with green-skinned humanoids or get wild with beings that communicate through interpretive dance. But be warned: writing alien dialogue can be as tricky as learning a new language. Can you imagine trying to decipher "Klaatu Verada Nicto!" without a universal translator? It's a linguistic puzzle that may leave you feeling more lost than an astronaut floating through the void.

5. Creative Worldbuilding:

Building an immersive sci-fi world is a delicate balance between scientific plausibility and artistic imagination. You want to create a universe that captivates readers without making them question the laws of physics. But hey, who needs realism when you can have floating cities, artificial-gravity sushi bars, and talking all-terrain-vehicles? As long as you have a consistent set of rules, you're free to let your imagination soar like a rocket ship fueled by pure quirkiness.

Conclusion:

So there you have it, intrepid writers and sci-fi enthusiasts! The challenges of writing science fiction are as vast as the universe itself, but they come with a side-splitting dose of laughter as you write. Even if you kill millions of people on the first page of your first book (yes, I did that.) From navigating the treacherous seas of technobabble to tackling time travel paradoxes, every step in creating a sci-fi masterpiece is an adventure filled with joy, confusion and a whole lot of "what in the multiverse did I just write?"

So, my fellow cosmic readers and writers, keep your pens charged, your ideas flowing, and your sense of humor intact as you journey through the vibrant cosmos of sci-fi storytelling. The universe eagerly awaits your tales of wonder, absurdity, and the occasional alien stand-up routine. Happy writing, and may the force of laughter be with you! 

WANTED: Beta-Readers

I am looking for a few Beta-Readers for my next novel: 

     THE LAW OF LUMINA

What a Beta-Reader does is read my novel before it gets published and make recommendations for improvements. 

You'd get to read the book early and maybe even get thanked in the Acknowledgements!

If this sounds like fun email me at: martin.wilsey@gmail.com

--Let me know if you are interested!

A Review from D. Fischer

Call for Short Stories

Tannhauser Press is planning a new anthology:

      Whispers of the Apoc

This is an open call for a collection of Tales from the Zombie Apocalypse.

We are looking for stories with the following features:

• 5,000 to 20,000 words
• Stories about survival
• Character driven stories
• Setting in 2017
• Various setting locations
• Urban, suburban, rural, desolate
• No previous experience required
• $25 to $100 per story
• More details available
• Deadline is currently not set

If you are interested, a document with all the foundation additional details are available. 

Email me at info@tannhauserpress.com and I will send you full info.

Writer's Life

My daughter graduates from college today.

I will not be doing any writing today beyond this.

But there will be coffee....

Writers Life

I never get writers block but there are things that stop me from writing enough. Some of them are obvious. Others, not so much.

• Work. I have a full time job. I usually write for a couple hours after work. If I work late, it is my writing time that suffers.
• Traffic. I live in Northern Virginia, West of Washington DC. Where it is the worst commute in the country.
• Sleep. If I don't get enough sleep it is difficult for me to write.
• Hunger. Man it is distracting if my belly is growling.Many a chapter has been written after some toast.
• Visitors. If friends or family stop in unexpectedly during writing time, it doesn't happen. We have an open door policy at my house and love visitors.
• Cats. Sometimes Bailey is very demanding and decides to lay down on the laptop.It requires closed doors at times and even then the yowling is distracting. 

That's just a quick list. Random stuff can also distract. I just make sure to leave the TV off and do NOT open Facebook. They can be black holes.

--Now I'm hungry!