I write fiction, lots of it, in multiple genres for over forty years, and have completed four novels in that time all available on Amazon. If you are new to my work, here is a bit of a primer for you on what you can expect.
My Origin Story
I grew up watching re-runs of the original Star Trek series, and I think that set me on the path of looking at the universe differently with the intention of seeing its diversity, the uniqueness of its culture, and the understanding that we as a species can be more than just groups fighting over pieces of the planet we were all born on. The series soaked into my brain. I distinctly remember watching it every Saturday as my mother got my brother and me out of the bath and ready for bed. It was as much of a part of my childhood as afternoon cartoons, Sesame Street, or The Muppet Show.
I went to see Star Wars in a re-release in 1978 at the very impressionable age of 5. I will never forget right after the opening crawl when the camera pans down to the limb of Tatooine and Princess Leia’s ship, Tantive IV, streaks by overhead followed by the pursuing Star Destroyer. My brain chemistry changed forever. I was hooked and never wanted to be free.
Later that same year, my mother’s boyfriend and I sat down on a warm summer evening, ordered a pizza, and put on PBS for a special 15th-anniversary screening of 2001: A Space Odyssey. After that, I could not get enough. I consumed as much of the classics of Sci-Fi as possible. I have my opinions, of course, but I am so happy to see this branch of speculative fiction have this renaissance it is currently enjoying.
What My Fiction is Like
I’ve already written too much on this intro page, so let me sum up the salient points in this quick list. This is very broadly painted strokes of my influences and is by no means exhaustive.
- Favorite Author: Isaac Asimov (I’m currently reading the Foundation Trilogy again, this time in Spanish)
- Favorite Movie: The aforementioned 2001
- Favorite sub-genre: Tied between time travel and solarpunk/cli-fi (climate fiction)
- Favorite TV Show: The Twilight Zone, Star Trek TOS/TNG, and Futurama in a 3-way tie.
The Fiction Genres I write in
- Science Fiction: Cyberpunk, Solarpunk, Cli-fi, Post-Apocalyptic (positive, not doom and gloom), Retro-futurism, and AI related. Think Blade Runner, Strange World, 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson, Futurama, 2001, Just about all of Asimov
- Horror: If you enjoy The Twilight Zone, Tales From The Darkside, The X-Files, Stephen King, or H.P. Lovecraft (his tone not his politics,) you will find something similar
- Paranormal: Ghost stories, cryptids (Bigfoot, Jersey Devil, Nessie, etc.), metaphysical (Altered States,) or “Slipstream” (inception and similar)
- Romance: I know, seems odd, but it always has a sci-fi or paranormal theme. I’m good at it. It sells. What’s a boy to do?
Gosh, that’s a lot. Happy reading! Feel free to drop me a line if you want to chat about your influences and favorites.
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Foreshadowing: The Future Hidden in Plain Sight
A man finds an ancient book in a cluttered attic. What could it mean? What is it foreshadowing?
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Structure: How to use “Save the Cat”
Today, as part of my fiction writing series, we embark on a fascinating exploration of the “Save the Cat” writing technique. This is a revolutionary approach to storytelling that has captivated writers and audiences alike. Originated by screenwriter Blake Snyder, “Save the Cat” offers a unique structure for crafting engaging narratives. At its heart, the…
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Tone: Expert Techniques for Mastering the Art in Fiction Writing
Introduction In the intricate tapestry of fiction writing, tone is not just a thread, but the very color that gives life to the narrative. It’s the voice behind the words. It is the subtle yet powerful force that shapes how readers feel and react to the story. But what is tone, exactly? In essence, tone,…
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Indie Publishing: Wide or Narrow, Which is Better?
In the realm of independent publishing (indie publishing as we say in the trade), authors are faced with a crucial decision: should they go wide or go narrow when distributing their books? This choice can significantly impact their reach, earnings, and overall success in the highly competitive world of self-publishing. In this post, we’ll explore…
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Mood: How to Craft a Compelling Narrative
“Bart, He’s Establishing Mood.” One of my very first insights into the craft of writing, and using mood, was watching the very first “The Simpson’s Halloween Special,” which is also the seminal episode of the “Treehouse of Horror” anthology broadcast every year. It really was a masterwork of retelling a few classic horror/sci-fi related stories…
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"Exit 57" appearing in "Yay! There're Here!"
One of my short stories, “Exit 57” is appearing in the great anthology “Yay! They’re Here!” by Dead Fish Books. I will let the editor, Helen Davis explain the content: “The Aliens are coming! The Aliens are coming! O Happy Day!And then…the course of First Contact never runs smooth. We present to you a collection…
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How to Navigate the Lonely Seas of Creativity as an Independent Writer
The Loneliness of the Independent Writing Journey Writing is a fairly a solitary endeavor, and independent writers often find themselves battling the loneliness that comes with it. Without a traditional office environment or colleagues to interact with, writers may experience isolation and a lack of motivation. While the most introverted of us thrive with reduced…
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Vignette: Sagittarius
I wrote this vignette based off the first novel I ever attempted to write: Sagittarius. I was an undergraduate when I embarked on writing a space opera in the vein of Asimov’s classic Foundation series. The book, not the Apple+ “adaptation.” Set 200 years into the future when humanity develops a new FTL drive. It…
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Vignette: The Rogue
I wrote this vignette coming home from the office on the train. The concept of rogue planets captured my imagination. Imagine a world cast from its home system and banished to the cold dark of deep space. This inspired a vignette to spring into my mind. Since then we have discovered that the cosmos brims…
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Vignette – New Jersey, July, 2153
It’s cold today. The kind of cold that reminds you what winter is actually like. Not the kinda winter we usually get, the colder than autumn. This is gloves and hat weather, even for me. The older I get the more I don’t like the cold, but the more I appreciate it. Yet it wasn’t…