Posted by admin on 29 Jan 2010 under books
Gail Pruszkowski
Have you ever had a phrase running through your mind and couldn’t quite remember the exact words or where you heard it before? Well if it had anything to do with the world of science fiction you will probably find it in Science Fiction Quotations: From the Inner Mind to the Outer Limits, a treasure trove of wit and wisdom from literature, movies and TV. This Hugo-nominated work was researched by Gary Westfahl and includes over 2900 quotations from the world of science fiction and fantasy.
Some quotes are better known than others but they will all amuse, enlighten or get you thinking. Authors range from personalities such as Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury through the alphabet to Edgar Allan Poe and George Zebrowski. There’s also a foreword by Arthur C. Clarke. Westfahl divided the book into topical headings with the intention of creating a feeling of discourse and discussion so prevalent in the genre. Categories begin with Actions and end with Work. In between are topics such as Aliens, Belief, Computers, Earth, Gods and Demons, Immortality, Religion, Space and much more. There’s also a comprehensive index of titles and one of authors.
This is not a book I sit down and read cover to cover but I can open it to any section and find something that will entertain me. I have often revisited favorite moments from a film and become engrossed in reading further. Then a gem from an author unknown to me catches my eye and I’m inspired to look for a book I haven’t read yet. It’s a good source for research and I have also found myself using it for writing prompts. A good quote will set off an idea and I’ll be motivated to write something of my own.
Here are a few examples from the book to whet your appetite.
- “Once human beings realize something can be done, they’re not satisfied until they’ve done it. – Frank Herbert, Cease Fire (1958)”
- “The less you know about the future the better off you are.” – Philip K. Dick, The World Jones Made (1956)
- “All human beings, as we meet them, are commingled out of good and evil.” – Robert Louis Stevenson, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde(1886)
This comprehensive and well researched book is an invaluable resource for writers, readers and all fans of science fiction.
Publisher: Yale University Press (October 10, 2005)
ISBN: 978-0300108002
Pages: 488
Price: $28.00
Gail Pruszkowski reviews for “Romantic Times BOOKreviews” magazine and her work has been published in the “Cup of Comfort” Anthologies. http://write-juncture.blogspot.com
Article Source: Science Fiction Quotations – From the Inner Mind to the Outer Limits
Posted by admin on 25 Jan 2010 under movies
Al Case
Many of the martial arts, like karate are fiction. Slam somebody on the nose with a palm and bone shards will spear into his brain and kill him, except there isn’t any bone in the nose, its all cartilage. And all those old legends, a lot of them are good for washing the hog, if you have a willing hog.
But, there is a certain science that has proven true in the martial arts. This is the science of how to use geometrical energy potentials. I discovered this field while reading a series of books called the Lensmen Series.
I suppose the first time it hit me was when E. E. Smith, the author, described spacemen fighting on the hull of a space ship. They were hooking their feet under hand grips so they would not fly into space when they hit somebody. They were anchoring themselves so they could apply force, and not have the force dislodge them.
Soon I was swallowed by a universe where weapons created incredible geometries of force. A death ray was a beam, and it could be deflected by a well built shield. And if a shield could deflect, then a shield thrust sideways could slice the first shield apart.
Soon I was enraptured by images of fleets of space ships creating their own particular brand of strategy. Fleets of space ships would form globes around other fleets, and cones of spaceships would swallow globes of fleets. Each time a geometry was described, my mind struggled to keep up with the wash of new concepts.
Then, shock of shocks, fleets of spaceships gave way to mental powers. Those same rods and globes and cones and shields, made real in the extreme of space combat, became the stuff of mind to mind encounters. How do you slide your awareness through the grid of another but alien mentality?
And, ultimately, done with the books, I began extending these outer space alien mind combat strategies to the martial arts. I sank my weight and planted my stance so I would not fly back from my own force. I described cones with my arms, and engulfed globular fists as they flew out of space at me.
When I tell people about this they generally think I am a bit crazy, or they know me a genius. Reading sci fi for inspiration, who would have thought. Yet, isn’t the martial arts an art, and shouldn’t it be filled with creativity and expression and beams of force and mind to mind conflicts?
Al Case has researched martial arts for 40 years. A writer for the magazines, he is the originator of Matrixing Technology. You can find out about Matrixing by getting his free ebook at Monster Martial Arts.
Article Source: The Effect of Spectacular Science Fiction on Martial Arts
Posted by admin on 22 Jan 2010 under books
Pauline Go
Science fiction is a genre that is difficult to write. And those who succeed and become famous and popular do so because they are able to craft words into vivid pictures that get emblazoned on people’s mind forever.
Here are some of the most famous science fiction authors, who are considered to be the greatest of all times:
Arthur C Clarke
He captured the imagination of the world with his Space Odyssey series, in particular the novel 2001: A Space Odyssey. This novel was made into a popular film and helped to bring science fiction back into mainstream cinema.
Isaac Asimov
He is one of the most creative and productive writers in the history of science fiction writing. He has edited or published over 500 books. His Robot series and Foundation series ended becoming the foundation for many new sci-fi writers. I, Robot was made into a highly popular film starring Will Smith and it managed to break many box office records.
Jules Verne
His books were ever so popular and took time to be translated in English. He wrote about travel and much to it. He wrote about things that were impossible for a human mind to even think of and explored that side of the world that we got addicted to. His books Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Around the World in 80 Days are classics. They were written at a time when space travel and submarines were considered figment of imagination.
H.G. Wells
Undoubtedly the most famous and influential sci-fi writer. His book The Time Machine is the ultimate sci-fi novel ever to be written. Then there are other books, The War of the Worlds and The Invisible Man, that are classics. H.G. Wells ensured that the genre never fades into oblivion. Hollywood still loves to make his books into movies.
About Author: Pauline Go is an online leading expert educator. She also offers top quality articles like : Famous Writer Biography, Emily Dickinson Biography
Article Source: The Most Famous Science Fiction Authors
Posted by admin on 20 Jan 2010 under books
Dusty Thornton
I first read Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, at the age of 17. I had a close friend, who loved to read, introduce the book to me. He told me it was great and that I should definitely check it out.
After finally buying it and starting it, I became immersed in this masterpiece. So many modern dilemmas and morale controversies present themselves in this masterpiece of science fiction, all interwoven with wholly realistic and sympathetic characters.
After I finished Ender’s Game, I quickly started trying to get my hands on every Orson Scott Card book I could find. I quickly read Speaker for the Dead (sequel to Ender’s Game) and then came across the Homecoming Series (although I didn’t know at the time these were based on Mormon theology, I believe they stand amazing by themselves).
After learning more about the author, I learned that Card’s writing has constantly been heavily influenced by his Mormon religious beliefs. Although I’m not Mormon, I highly respect his ability to write and without a doubt consider Orson Scott Card one of the best (if not the very best) science fiction writers of our time.
He understands human interaction and emotion and is able to turn otherwise exhausted ideas into powerful and moving stories of hope, love, friendship, and betrayal.
Card is also a master of writing dialog. I believe this came from his experience as a playwright when he was a college student.
Although I’ve read a majority of Mr. Card’s work, I still find little gems here and there-maybe old books from his early career that I’ve somehow overlooked or that has had an otherwise very low profile.
I stand firm on my belief, though, that Card’s earlier works are much better than his more recent writing. As with many writers, his novels from the beginning of his career are fresh with ideas, and contain the pure essence of his ability. For example, his book The Worthing Saga, is a profound statement of our existence as a whole. The Worthing Saga is also a compilation of some of his earliest short stories.
If you enjoy science fiction, I recommend you check out OSC. His writing breaks all the rules, while creating entirely new ones that writers will be copying for many years to come.
Dusty Thornton is a college student that loves to write. He wants to share his experiences and knowledge with others.
Article Source: Orson Scott Card – Best Science Fiction Writer of Our Time
Posted by admin on 15 Jan 2010 under books, writing
Lance Winslow
Many science fiction writers who’ve written a good deal of works; short stories, novels and eBooks run out of ideas for future plots. This does not need to happen, and just reading a few science journals and newspapers for a few weeks can reveal the potential for more than great Sci Fi novel. For instance let’s look at the news items recently concerning activity of Under Water Volcanic activity off the coast of San Diego.
An underwater volcano has a burst of extra activity and the gases bubble up to the ocean’s surface and escape into the atmosphere, with sulfur laden bacteria, that lives at 1800 degrees but can also survive in colder water as the deep ocean currents move it around. So, all this bacteria (maybe feeds off iron and other Earth minerals) becomes a cloud and then flows with El Nino and Hurricane or Tropical Storm airflows (warmer air), near the inlet to the sea of Cortez and then flows into AZ, NM, TX where it rains down?
It causes weird coloration in the clouds as the hot air from jet engine contrails hit it, triggering crazy conspiracy theorists claiming the government is poisoning the populations to control human populations. Then it rains into the Colorado River AZ water project extension between PHX and Tucson, jeopardizing human water supply and crops. Since, humans have more bacteria DNA in them than human DNA; it alters the human gene expression.
Now from there a writer could take the novel anywhere you wanted from there on the science fiction topic. And an interesting book to read Sci Fi novel is “Gravity” by Tess Garitsen, where a scientist takes this bacteria found near a volcanic vent into space at the ISS into zero gravity, and it grows so rapidly and so viral it renders the Space Station uninhabitable. Tess is a pretty cool author and her Husband is very knowledgeable in subjects of micro-biologist, and obviously Tess has read numerous NASA microbiology papers in researching her book; Gravity.
Now realize I am not a conspiracy theorist, but I can recall a really interesting theory from someone on one of the TED Videos, he was talking about the best way to solve all the problems diseases, viruses, etc, was to drop minute amounts of dead strains of various diseases on human populations to help their immune systems recognize it in advance of a pandemic, food borne virus, water borne disease, etc. Would you like me to dig up that video and email the link?
Additionally, bacteria has been found that operates in huge clusters like schools of fish. It makes sense, and they’ve found this in caves, in some ponds of water, as the bacteria sheens across the top, and swirls and changes direction due to light stimulus or motion. You see, how you can combine many different news items, conspiracy theories, events, and combine those with the fears of pandemics, hurricanes, and other very scary scenarios? Please think on this to help you develop your own Sci Fiction plot.
Lance Winslow is a retired franchisor – Lance Winslow’s Bio. Lance Winslow is formerly the CEO of WashGuys family of franchises for instance one of Lance Winslow’s favorite companies on the team; http://www.windowwashguys.com/links.shtml.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Developing-a-Plot-of-a-Science-Fiction-Novel-Not-Nearly-As-Difficult-As-it-Looks&id=2654469] Developing a Plot of a Science Fiction Novel Not Nearly As Difficult As it Looks
Posted by admin on 11 Jan 2010 under books
Rick Taylow
#1: Dune (Frank Herbert)
Science Fiction doesn’t get much better then this. Dune is every Science Fiction aficionado’s wet dream. Many people claim Dune is Science Fiction’s answer to “Lord of the Rings” and I have to agree: it sure is. There are many good science fiction books, but Dune is indeed a giant among giants. It truly is a pinnacle of Science Fiction literary achievement. If you haven’t read Dune, doesn’t waste any more time. Read it now!
# 2: Starship Troopers (Robert Heinlein)
War is beautiful according to Robert Heinlein. This is a novel about the glorification of war. The premise: space-marines wearing special armor battle vicious alien insect aliens. This is classic “old school” science fiction at it’s best. It’s a rip-roaring ride through the galaxy that you don’t want to miss.
#3 : Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
This is one of the corner stones of science fiction and one novel that you shouldn’t miss. A critique on society, the story of a boy who refuses to give up, a battle to save the fate of mankind – this science fiction book combines them all into one addictive and compelling mix that shouldn’t be missed.
#4: Foundation (Isaac Asimov)
This is undoubtedly on of the finest works of science fiction ever written. If you a fan of science fiction with grandiose and epic storylines, get your hand on this book.
A corollary: Foundation is a series for people who love grand and complex ideas. If you are looking for a book heavy on the action but thin on concepts, this may not be the book for you. The strength of the ideas presented are the focus of this story, not the characterization. Regardless, this is one of those Science Fiction books that you just need to read. You will never think about Science Fiction the same way after reading the Foundation series.
#5: Snow Crash (Neal Stephenson)
Part-time hacker and pizza delivery boy and full time samurai swordsman, meet Hiro Protagonist. Snow Crash is breath taking novel with action and pacing thick enough to drown in. Snow Crash redefined and rejuvenated the Cyberpunk genre. If you want a novel with bucket loads of action, futuristic technologies ala The Matrix, and the gritty futuristic dystopia of the Blade Runner world, Snow Crash is the perfect recommendation.
#6: Forever War (Joe Haldeman)
The Forever War is pretty much The Vietnam War in space. It’s brutal and bloody and makes a strong case that war really is pointless. Don’t let the strong political statement of the novel deter you, however; this is Science Fiction at its finest: a complex, disturbing novel that makes you think…and feel. It’s a great science fiction story that you don’t want to miss, a true masterpiece of the genre.
#7: The Night’s Dawn (Peter Hamilton)
This is space opera science fiction done right: Massive space battles, a large cast of compelling characters, political tension between planets, and an all out grand adventure. There is a good deal of space opera in the science fiction genre already, but Peter Hamilton is one of the best character writers in the genre and his plots are just so damn interesting. He really knows how to write a rip-roaring adventure that keeps you up into the late hours of the morning. Those in the mood for something big with lots of action, both in and out of space, Night’s Dawn trilogy delivers.
#8: Gap (Steven R. Donaldson)
This disturbing series is a dark ride into hell that you don’t want to miss. It’s one of the darkest set of books I’ve read, period. But the world that Stephen Donaldson draws is superb. Stephen Donaldson is an author that cares deeply about characterization, and he excels at crafting anti-heroes. If you are looking for some dark space opera, I highly recommend the Gap series.
#9: Otherland (Tad William)
Those looking for something like the Matrix in written form need look no longer. Otherland is about as close as you’ll get. With less mumbo jumbo psycho babble and more realism, Otherland makes for a really compelling read. Otherland starts slow, but those willing give it a chance will be greatly rewarded.
#10: Altered Carbon (Richard Morgan)
This is one dystopian cyberpunk with a lot of style and some seriously punishing action. I guarantee that once you start reading this novel, you won’t be putting it down. Morgan is a man with some visionary ideas; he always has interesting characters, twisting plots, and heart-pounding action. Those that love Blade Runner, Snow Crash, and Neuromancer are in for a treat.
See the expanded [http://www.bestfantasybooks.com/best-science-fiction-books.html]best science fiction books list.
Go to Best Fantasy Books for the best fantasy and science fiction book recommendations on the web.
- The Sci-Fi Guru
Article Source: Top 10 Best Science Fiction Books