We know them, we love them, science fiction stories. Why do they have such a hold on us and what makes them so fun to read? While there is surely more than a fair share of flubs in the genre, all of the great science fiction stories have a few things in common. These aspects of the story keep us coming back for more.
First and foremost, a good story has to be well written and entertaining. If the author jumps randomly around in the story and makes it hard to follow, the book will end up at the book bank before we ever come close to finishing it. It should also flow properly and not use difficult or confusing terms for the sake of the genre. Keep things on point and easy to understand, and we will turn page after page until the only thing left if the back cover.
The author also has to be gifted in painting a picture that we can wow ourselves with as we translate the words into images in our mind. With a movie, it is easy as they can make it as impressive as their budget allows. However, when we are reading words, those words need to immediately get our creative juices flowing and create a picture that literally makes our jaws drop as we turn the pages. If not, it is just another book.
The one key point to any good science fiction story is that we have to believe this could really happen. Authors need to tap into current technology and get creative with where they think it is going to go. Not only that, but they have to make it believable. Yes, they do need to go to the edges of the envelope, but not so much that the sci-fi story ends up as a fantasy story by the time the book is finished.
We also need to be able to identify with the characters. We actually need to want to become one of them or at the very least, root for them to become successful in their journey. Flying men or people who repel bullets are not realistic. However, serving your country, or your planet for that matter, is something that could definitely happen in the future.
One point of view is that while fantasy has no boundaries, science fiction stories do. Yes, they need to test our imagination, but we need to think these things could eventually happen or they simply are not true science fiction. The word science is in there for a reason, because the story needs to be based on actual science. The tail end of that may say fiction, but that is only because it has not happened, yet.
Rabu, 22 November 2017
Rabu, 25 Oktober 2017
Popular Science Fiction Concepts We All Love, But Will They Ever Become a Reality
The things about science fiction that makes it so popular are the concepts in which the movies are based. We are obsessed with knowing what the future holds for us and the writer's ability to project where technology will go into future plays a big part in the success of this genre. While there are a significant number of concepts used, here are some of the most popular ones we find in our movies today.
The future is the basis for many of the concepts we see in sci fi movies. There are quite a few things that we see that are fairly common in movies. Even borderline sci fi flicks like "Back to the Future" have fun by going back and forth in time to show how different variables in time can affect the future of mankind.
Flying automobiles are often used in futuristic movies, but we have to truly wonder if we will ever see this concept become a reality. We have enough accidents with cars being based on land. Imagine what would happen if our everyday travel was conducted in the clouds. Is it possible? Probably, but it is also pretty scary to think about a traffic jam where someone could fall to their death with a slight bump instead of getting a dented fender.
Many movies dealing with the future will feature some pretty gnarly sporting competitions. Many of these "games" are twists on the gladiator competitions of ancient Greek times. That alone should offer a hint as to whether these "games" will become a reality or not. Most world leaders are doing everything they can to promote peace. It is hard to fathom that the world as a whole would ever accept games where the winner and loser are determined by who is alive at the end of the day.
Time travel is another very popular concept, but will it ever truly happen? Imagine the havoc that would happen in the world if this type of technology ever fell into the wrong hands. We would have some true super hero and villain scenarios as the government would be forced to send people back in time to try to prevent the evildoers from changing world events as they actually happened. Wait a minute, didn't I just see a movie about that?
While science fiction movies are based on technology that is possible, some of the concepts will probably never actually happen, at least not during our lifetime. Unfortunately, our world is not ready for many of the concepts that we see in movies and read in books and stories. However, do not count them out for all of time. After all, isn't that what science fiction is all about?
The future is the basis for many of the concepts we see in sci fi movies. There are quite a few things that we see that are fairly common in movies. Even borderline sci fi flicks like "Back to the Future" have fun by going back and forth in time to show how different variables in time can affect the future of mankind.
Flying automobiles are often used in futuristic movies, but we have to truly wonder if we will ever see this concept become a reality. We have enough accidents with cars being based on land. Imagine what would happen if our everyday travel was conducted in the clouds. Is it possible? Probably, but it is also pretty scary to think about a traffic jam where someone could fall to their death with a slight bump instead of getting a dented fender.
Many movies dealing with the future will feature some pretty gnarly sporting competitions. Many of these "games" are twists on the gladiator competitions of ancient Greek times. That alone should offer a hint as to whether these "games" will become a reality or not. Most world leaders are doing everything they can to promote peace. It is hard to fathom that the world as a whole would ever accept games where the winner and loser are determined by who is alive at the end of the day.
Time travel is another very popular concept, but will it ever truly happen? Imagine the havoc that would happen in the world if this type of technology ever fell into the wrong hands. We would have some true super hero and villain scenarios as the government would be forced to send people back in time to try to prevent the evildoers from changing world events as they actually happened. Wait a minute, didn't I just see a movie about that?
While science fiction movies are based on technology that is possible, some of the concepts will probably never actually happen, at least not during our lifetime. Unfortunately, our world is not ready for many of the concepts that we see in movies and read in books and stories. However, do not count them out for all of time. After all, isn't that what science fiction is all about?
Jumat, 13 Oktober 2017
A Brief Look At Some Of The Best Science Fiction Books
When it comes to buying science fiction books, there are endless titles and stories to choose from. This can confuse some while others might throw up their hands in desperation. It certainly is very difficult to pick the best and yet there are a few books that really do stand out from the rest and so are worth mentioning.
The Time Machine by H G Wells ought to top every list of best science fiction books. This was a story that was considered to be the best of its time. It was published way back in 1895 and it used the term Time Machine for the very first time and since then time machines have been associated with devices that make it possible for a human to travel through time.
This book involves the hero who is a Time Traveller who has successfully demonstrated to some of his friend that there is indeed a fourth dimension and devices are available that help in moving people back and forth through time which is the fourth dimension referred to by the author.
The hero then starts on a mission to build a large enough time machine to help transport him in time. He therefore embarks on a journey that takes him into the future. It is certainly a very compelling story and one that everyone ought to read through.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein is another excellent example of the best sci-fi books that one can find today. This story involves a person called Valentine Michael Smith who is a human being that has been raised on the planet Mars by the Martians. He returns to planet Earth while he is still in the early years of his adulthood and is transformed by the culture of our planet.
This is one of those stories that touch upon human taboos including homosexuality and cannibalism as well as nudity. Jubal Harsha is the main figure in this story and also in later works published by Heinlein. This particular novel has become a classic cult novel and is an excellent work of science fiction.
The Lensman Series written by EE Doc Smith is another one of the best books in the genre that are available today. The Lensman series introduced a number of innovative and novel concepts and many new ideas were introduced in this novel that was later used to solve problems that however were not related to science. In this respect, this series was groundbreaking and was part of a very new genre.
The Time Machine by H G Wells ought to top every list of best science fiction books. This was a story that was considered to be the best of its time. It was published way back in 1895 and it used the term Time Machine for the very first time and since then time machines have been associated with devices that make it possible for a human to travel through time.
This book involves the hero who is a Time Traveller who has successfully demonstrated to some of his friend that there is indeed a fourth dimension and devices are available that help in moving people back and forth through time which is the fourth dimension referred to by the author.
The hero then starts on a mission to build a large enough time machine to help transport him in time. He therefore embarks on a journey that takes him into the future. It is certainly a very compelling story and one that everyone ought to read through.
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein is another excellent example of the best sci-fi books that one can find today. This story involves a person called Valentine Michael Smith who is a human being that has been raised on the planet Mars by the Martians. He returns to planet Earth while he is still in the early years of his adulthood and is transformed by the culture of our planet.
This is one of those stories that touch upon human taboos including homosexuality and cannibalism as well as nudity. Jubal Harsha is the main figure in this story and also in later works published by Heinlein. This particular novel has become a classic cult novel and is an excellent work of science fiction.
The Lensman Series written by EE Doc Smith is another one of the best books in the genre that are available today. The Lensman series introduced a number of innovative and novel concepts and many new ideas were introduced in this novel that was later used to solve problems that however were not related to science. In this respect, this series was groundbreaking and was part of a very new genre.
Rabu, 11 Oktober 2017
Best Science Fiction Novels in Modern Times
Science fiction is a genre of movie making and novels that is surely alive and well. Few people walking around have not watched an episode of Star Trek, read or watched Harry Potter, or headed to the movie theater to watch Terminator or one of The Matrix movies. While the movies are great, nothing beats settling back with a book and letting the mind create the visuals we imagine instead of someone else's vision.
Harry Potter - Yes, the movies are fantastic, but the books are where the true pleasures lie with this series. There are plenty of sci-fi series novels, but few of them are as well constructed as the Harry Potter books. Rowling has often stated she knew exactly where this series was going from the moment she took pen to paper, and anyone who has read the entire series would be hard pressed to argue that very fact.
Oryx and Crake - A great tale about how the corporate world's greed could lead to an apocalypse. Anyone who has ever wondered what goes on those laboratories will enjoy this book. It taps into modern times and tells a tale that could be all too real. Few readers have put this book down without asking themselves quite a few questions about where our world is headed.
Rainbows End - Anyone having wondered what the future holds in terms of medical marvels will love this book. Imagine being regarded as a brilliant mind only to suffer from a debilitating disease. Now imagine the world finds a cure but that once brilliant mind is now regarded as average. Instead of having everyone marvel at your intelligence, you merely struggle to keep up with everyone else. The book makes a lot of assumptions about where today's technology is going but definitely evokes plenty of questions by the time the last page is turned.
Time Traveler's Wife - An incredible concept that was taken to incredible levels in the book. The movie was very good, the novel was great. Imagine having a condition that literally has you jumping from decade to decade, year to year, or century to century at any given time. On the other side is the person who has given you their heart, never knowing when you will disappear or how and if you will come back to them. If you enjoyed the movie, the book will take you to places only touched upon by the film. A truly great read.
Harry Potter - Yes, the movies are fantastic, but the books are where the true pleasures lie with this series. There are plenty of sci-fi series novels, but few of them are as well constructed as the Harry Potter books. Rowling has often stated she knew exactly where this series was going from the moment she took pen to paper, and anyone who has read the entire series would be hard pressed to argue that very fact.
Oryx and Crake - A great tale about how the corporate world's greed could lead to an apocalypse. Anyone who has ever wondered what goes on those laboratories will enjoy this book. It taps into modern times and tells a tale that could be all too real. Few readers have put this book down without asking themselves quite a few questions about where our world is headed.
Rainbows End - Anyone having wondered what the future holds in terms of medical marvels will love this book. Imagine being regarded as a brilliant mind only to suffer from a debilitating disease. Now imagine the world finds a cure but that once brilliant mind is now regarded as average. Instead of having everyone marvel at your intelligence, you merely struggle to keep up with everyone else. The book makes a lot of assumptions about where today's technology is going but definitely evokes plenty of questions by the time the last page is turned.
Time Traveler's Wife - An incredible concept that was taken to incredible levels in the book. The movie was very good, the novel was great. Imagine having a condition that literally has you jumping from decade to decade, year to year, or century to century at any given time. On the other side is the person who has given you their heart, never knowing when you will disappear or how and if you will come back to them. If you enjoyed the movie, the book will take you to places only touched upon by the film. A truly great read.
Minggu, 24 September 2017
Recommended Science Fiction Anthology Reading for Sci Fi Fans
There was a time when anthologies were some of the hottest novels in bookstores. Various works all under one simple roof was an incredible way for readers to enjoy multiple authors without having to find all of the books or short stories on an individual basis. While this type of book has become passé for some genres, it is still alive and well in the science fiction niche.
Ace High is a collection of stories put together by George R.R. Martin. It is actually one of a series of books that anchors itself to two main plots and manages to tie them all together by the end of the book. Martin actually uses several of his own stories within the work, "Jube" and "Winter's Chill", to keep the anthology rolling and on point. The book was released in 1987.
Astounding Science Fiction was known by its readers to publish some of the most notable stories of the time. It only made sense for the magazine to gather the best of the best and release them all in a single work. In 1952, editor John W. Campbell did just that and The Astounding Science Fiction Anthology was released. It contains works from authors such as Robert A. Heinlein ("Blowups Happen"), John R. Pierce ("Invariant"), and Lester del Ray ("Over the Top").
The Golden Age of Science Fiction takes some of the most notable stories of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s and puts them in a single collection. The book was originally published in 1981 as a hardback and then re released in 1983 as a paperback. Noting the contribution of such authors as Anthony Boucher ("The Quest for Saint Aquin"), Philip Latham ("The Xi Effect"), and Isaac Asimov ("The Machine That Won the War"), it is easy to see why the title was chosen. This is a must have for fans of this era.
Many of the early masters of science fiction can be found in The Other Side of the Moon anthology. First published in 1949, this 416-page masterpiece holds many of the roots of the genre within it. Works such as "The Star" (H.G. Wells), "The Strange Drug of Dr. Caber" (Lord Dunsany), "Beyond the Walls of Sleep" (H. P. Lovecraft), and "Pillar of Fire" (Ray Bradbury) are all included. Simply put, this book contains just about every influential science fiction writer of the time.
Anthologies are great because they often contain stories we can no longer find as individual publications. Even if we can find them, they are often considered collectors pieces with a price tag that is far out of our range. All of the anthologies listed above contain works from some of the best authors in the genre, yet thankfully, are easily found in single works for our reading pleasure.
Ace High is a collection of stories put together by George R.R. Martin. It is actually one of a series of books that anchors itself to two main plots and manages to tie them all together by the end of the book. Martin actually uses several of his own stories within the work, "Jube" and "Winter's Chill", to keep the anthology rolling and on point. The book was released in 1987.
Astounding Science Fiction was known by its readers to publish some of the most notable stories of the time. It only made sense for the magazine to gather the best of the best and release them all in a single work. In 1952, editor John W. Campbell did just that and The Astounding Science Fiction Anthology was released. It contains works from authors such as Robert A. Heinlein ("Blowups Happen"), John R. Pierce ("Invariant"), and Lester del Ray ("Over the Top").
The Golden Age of Science Fiction takes some of the most notable stories of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s and puts them in a single collection. The book was originally published in 1981 as a hardback and then re released in 1983 as a paperback. Noting the contribution of such authors as Anthony Boucher ("The Quest for Saint Aquin"), Philip Latham ("The Xi Effect"), and Isaac Asimov ("The Machine That Won the War"), it is easy to see why the title was chosen. This is a must have for fans of this era.
Many of the early masters of science fiction can be found in The Other Side of the Moon anthology. First published in 1949, this 416-page masterpiece holds many of the roots of the genre within it. Works such as "The Star" (H.G. Wells), "The Strange Drug of Dr. Caber" (Lord Dunsany), "Beyond the Walls of Sleep" (H. P. Lovecraft), and "Pillar of Fire" (Ray Bradbury) are all included. Simply put, this book contains just about every influential science fiction writer of the time.
Anthologies are great because they often contain stories we can no longer find as individual publications. Even if we can find them, they are often considered collectors pieces with a price tag that is far out of our range. All of the anthologies listed above contain works from some of the best authors in the genre, yet thankfully, are easily found in single works for our reading pleasure.
Senin, 11 September 2017
Why Not Sell Science Fiction Books That Have Ceased To Interest You
When people become involved with science fiction books they tend to enjoy not just the stories but they also love communicating with others that share a passion for such written material. This in turn makes them want to collect and perhaps even sell memorabilia related to futuristic stories events and things. The characters around which these stories and the plots of the stories help to encourage others to create memorabilia items that highlight the best of the character and plot of such books.
There are many people who would like to sell memorabilia related to science fiction books. If you are also interested in joining the community of sellers there are some questions that you should ask yourself before becoming involved in the sale of such items.
It is important that you have a passion for such items and in addition you must also be keen on collecting the best such items. As a collector of such memorabilia you might find that after some time that you do not wish to hold on to this or that item. In such an instance it might be a good idea for you to sell off the unwanted item.
Once you have decided that you want to sell off an item or two your next step is to decide on the avenues available to you to sell the item. In addition, you will need to find a market or some buyers that are interested in purchasing science fiction books.
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities available that will ensure that you succeed in making contact with buyers. However, you must still make an effort to explore as many avenues as you can as this will help you find more people who wish to buy what you are selling.
After finding a market for your items it is important that you price the product correctly. In order to find a proper price for your books you will need to consult a guide or other such book.
You must also understand that even if a particular published work is very important to you, it may not have the same significance for the buyer. This means that you will need to price the product according to what the market (or buyer) accepts and not according to the value you put on the book. So, be as objective about pricing the product as you can as this will help you to sell the book with minimum fuss or bother.
Online auction are a good place to sell science fiction books. There are other auction sites as well that are worth checking out. Be sure to provide a lowest acceptable price and also set your own reserve price below which you are not willing to sell the books. This will help guarantee that you will at least make some money for your efforts and for the book.
If you want to set a fixed price then you should think about advertising your product in a paper and you can also sell science fiction books at conventions on the subject. However, at a convention there may be some competition for these books because others might also be selling their books there.
There are many people who would like to sell memorabilia related to science fiction books. If you are also interested in joining the community of sellers there are some questions that you should ask yourself before becoming involved in the sale of such items.
It is important that you have a passion for such items and in addition you must also be keen on collecting the best such items. As a collector of such memorabilia you might find that after some time that you do not wish to hold on to this or that item. In such an instance it might be a good idea for you to sell off the unwanted item.
Once you have decided that you want to sell off an item or two your next step is to decide on the avenues available to you to sell the item. In addition, you will need to find a market or some buyers that are interested in purchasing science fiction books.
The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities available that will ensure that you succeed in making contact with buyers. However, you must still make an effort to explore as many avenues as you can as this will help you find more people who wish to buy what you are selling.
After finding a market for your items it is important that you price the product correctly. In order to find a proper price for your books you will need to consult a guide or other such book.
You must also understand that even if a particular published work is very important to you, it may not have the same significance for the buyer. This means that you will need to price the product according to what the market (or buyer) accepts and not according to the value you put on the book. So, be as objective about pricing the product as you can as this will help you to sell the book with minimum fuss or bother.
Online auction are a good place to sell science fiction books. There are other auction sites as well that are worth checking out. Be sure to provide a lowest acceptable price and also set your own reserve price below which you are not willing to sell the books. This will help guarantee that you will at least make some money for your efforts and for the book.
If you want to set a fixed price then you should think about advertising your product in a paper and you can also sell science fiction books at conventions on the subject. However, at a convention there may be some competition for these books because others might also be selling their books there.
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