I miss X-Files as much as the next person but it hurts a little less because of Fringe. Ok,ok... there‘s no Mulder in Fringe, they don‘t have any aliens (of course this depends on your definition of “alien”), and that stupid cow in the lab was all right as a running joke in the first season but enough is enough!
In short, Fringe is ok. It’s like a rebound lover, that is it helps you get over the real thing (X-Files) but it’s not a keeper!
The Master Cleanse?
Now that I’ve finally finished my first book, I feel like I need to be cleansed of it – at least for some time. I’m thinking of getting on my bicycle tonight and just race around the city, feeling the wind on my face and purge my mind of the subjects of Against All Odds.
In addition I intend to submerge myself into the world of EVE during the weekend. I know I should do some exercises instead but, to be honest, I’m a bit exhausted creatively speaking. I know that this is just a temporary issue and there is still so much more to write (so many stories, so little time) and after some subject detox, I’ll be ready to go again (no pun intended).
In addition I intend to submerge myself into the world of EVE during the weekend. I know I should do some exercises instead but, to be honest, I’m a bit exhausted creatively speaking. I know that this is just a temporary issue and there is still so much more to write (so many stories, so little time) and after some subject detox, I’ll be ready to go again (no pun intended).
Thursday, April 29, 2010
What a Difference a Day Makes
It's done! I've finished! My first complete novel is ready!!!
Yesterday I was totally lost in the ending but then I visited my little brother, handed him my unfinished manuscript and we read and we talked (well, I talked mostly). Just talking about the plot, about why I've been writing this book and how it connects to events in my own life, got me going. I even landed the name for the book (which is the third title for this book but this one covers everything in it).
So, my first novel is called Against All Odds (thanks bro). I've printed out two whole manuscripts and sent to two persons I trust. I'm already on the profile and everything should be ready for promoting in two weeks, give or take a few days.
I know I should start on my second sci fi exercise as soon as possible but the next chic lit book is already knocking on my door. The working title is That Fat Feeling, and I don't think I have to explain what that's about ;-)
Yesterday I was totally lost in the ending but then I visited my little brother, handed him my unfinished manuscript and we read and we talked (well, I talked mostly). Just talking about the plot, about why I've been writing this book and how it connects to events in my own life, got me going. I even landed the name for the book (which is the third title for this book but this one covers everything in it).
So, my first novel is called Against All Odds (thanks bro). I've printed out two whole manuscripts and sent to two persons I trust. I'm already on the profile and everything should be ready for promoting in two weeks, give or take a few days.
I know I should start on my second sci fi exercise as soon as possible but the next chic lit book is already knocking on my door. The working title is That Fat Feeling, and I don't think I have to explain what that's about ;-)
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
I Surrender...
I'm putting my manuscript in another person's hands - without an ending. I need feedback before I can proceed. Hopefully fresh eyes can help me close this case :-)
Growing Pains
I’m wondering why it’s so difficult for me to end my novel and have come up with three possible reasons:
Nr. 1. The best way to counteract this one is to start work on the profile immediately. That way I won’t have the luxury of hiding behind the “no-ending” as an excuse not to start profiling. I have the templates ready and starting work on it no later than next Saturday is as good a timeframe as any.
Nr. 2. I have two main plots in the book and one of them is still a live issue for me. I’m always revising that part, adding, editing, rephrasing, etc. I have to stop it. Closing that plot for any editing no later than next Friday sounds like a plan.
Nr. 3. This is a problem. This is definitely a problem. An ending needs to be some kind of resolution. I’ve closed most of the threads in the story but I need to have it all make sense in the end. I want the main character(s) to have grown. Perhaps this is linked to issue nr 2 in a way. Perhaps I need to grow myself before I can send my main character off with some kind of life lesson. Timeframe on that? That’s a toughie…
- I’m afraid to end it because then I’ll have to start working on processing it for editors
- I can’t end it because the subject is still haunting me and I can’t let it go
- I don’t think I have an ending that’s good enough
Nr. 1. The best way to counteract this one is to start work on the profile immediately. That way I won’t have the luxury of hiding behind the “no-ending” as an excuse not to start profiling. I have the templates ready and starting work on it no later than next Saturday is as good a timeframe as any.
Nr. 2. I have two main plots in the book and one of them is still a live issue for me. I’m always revising that part, adding, editing, rephrasing, etc. I have to stop it. Closing that plot for any editing no later than next Friday sounds like a plan.
Nr. 3. This is a problem. This is definitely a problem. An ending needs to be some kind of resolution. I’ve closed most of the threads in the story but I need to have it all make sense in the end. I want the main character(s) to have grown. Perhaps this is linked to issue nr 2 in a way. Perhaps I need to grow myself before I can send my main character off with some kind of life lesson. Timeframe on that? That’s a toughie…
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
"Some-Kind-Of-Freeze-Ray"
My minds is absolutely frozen!!! I have tied all the lose ends together for my novel but I'm still shy of the ending itself. Perhaps I was putting too much pressure on myself with the whole symphony analogy but no matter how I try, I just can't get the ending down on paper.
What to do? What to do?
What to do? What to do?
Monday, April 26, 2010
All Good Things...
A novel has to end. I can't believe how hard it is tying up all the lose ends and creating an ending that brings satisfaction to all the threads in the story. I've had a wonderful time writing this book and its also difficult to let it go. There's always more to say, more to add, but I have to end it.
The plan is to read the whole thing aloud this week and make some small changes to the dialogue so it will be natural and flowing. I have stopped making changes and adds into the plot. The literature on good writing states that an ending should resonance, like the last perfect tone of a symphony. I actually think I've got that but I have to get there, tie it all together and bring it to a close.
The plan is to read the whole thing aloud this week and make some small changes to the dialogue so it will be natural and flowing. I have stopped making changes and adds into the plot. The literature on good writing states that an ending should resonance, like the last perfect tone of a symphony. I actually think I've got that but I have to get there, tie it all together and bring it to a close.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Always Look On the Bright Side of Life
That weekend in the country was just what I needed. There's just no substitute for running around in mother nature singing Always Look On the Bright Side of Life (and whistle of course).
I managed to do a lot of rewriting today but I'm still not done. I never imagined the work that goes into a single novel. But I will get it done. I have to give myself another week so, unfortunately, my next exercise will have to wait even longer.
I've been thinking alot about it. I went swimming today and that gave me another idea for the short story. It may be going in a new direction but that's how it goes with imagination. Creativity flows like a river and it's always finding new paths.
Admittedly I am terrified of what's going to happen as soon as I'm done with my first novel. If I don't try to sell it I will never be able to spend all my time writing. I have to give it a go. It's like I read somewhere: You're never too old to grow a pair and go after your dream :-)
I managed to do a lot of rewriting today but I'm still not done. I never imagined the work that goes into a single novel. But I will get it done. I have to give myself another week so, unfortunately, my next exercise will have to wait even longer.
I've been thinking alot about it. I went swimming today and that gave me another idea for the short story. It may be going in a new direction but that's how it goes with imagination. Creativity flows like a river and it's always finding new paths.
Admittedly I am terrified of what's going to happen as soon as I'm done with my first novel. If I don't try to sell it I will never be able to spend all my time writing. I have to give it a go. It's like I read somewhere: You're never too old to grow a pair and go after your dream :-)
Saturday, April 24, 2010
A Tribute to Hubble (and Gas Giants)
Since Hubble is 20 years old a lot of shows have been paying tribute to the telescope and the images it has provided for the past two decades. Hubble has tought us so much about our own solar system, as well as given us an open eye to the cosmos.
Just finished watching a show about our solar system and I realized for the first time how incredibly imortant the gas giants are for our survival. What if Shoemaker-Levy had collided with Earth instead of Jupiter? Well, I don't think we need to ask. The gas giants swallow all sorts of crap that would destroy the fragile life on Earth if it would impact it.
I love the gas giants (oh, and Hubble of course :-)
Just finished watching a show about our solar system and I realized for the first time how incredibly imortant the gas giants are for our survival. What if Shoemaker-Levy had collided with Earth instead of Jupiter? Well, I don't think we need to ask. The gas giants swallow all sorts of crap that would destroy the fragile life on Earth if it would impact it.
I love the gas giants (oh, and Hubble of course :-)
A Weekend in the Country
I'm having a weekend in the country so not of a lot of writing (or rewriting) done these days. The silence and fresh air are good for creativity and hopefully I will write a lot tomorrow :-)
Friday, April 23, 2010
Even Fleas Find a Way
I wonder if it‘s a coincidence that of all the possible surroundings for an alien planet, I chose one with massive natural disasters. With the volcanic eruption currently threatening all of Europe, along with all the earthquakes shaking the world for the past months, one cannot but accept the vulnerability of life as we know it.
A while back I saw a picture of the earth cut in half and showing the thin layer of the planet that sustains life. It was very small. Life is so fragile but also very resilient once it’s set (life finds a way, or was it love finds a way? I can never remember...)
Anyway, the Icelandic volcano has been dubbed Mordor in my books. Not because I believe it houses something evil, but because it’s awesome power has captured the world and reminded us that we are just fleas on this planet’s coat. But even fleas find a way...
A while back I saw a picture of the earth cut in half and showing the thin layer of the planet that sustains life. It was very small. Life is so fragile but also very resilient once it’s set (life finds a way, or was it love finds a way? I can never remember...)
Anyway, the Icelandic volcano has been dubbed Mordor in my books. Not because I believe it houses something evil, but because it’s awesome power has captured the world and reminded us that we are just fleas on this planet’s coat. But even fleas find a way...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
When to Stop?
I have been rewriting my first novel for the last week and it’s been going amazingly well. Even a little too well. It seems that every time I finish a chapter and start a new one, I get a new idea and have to start all over again. The plot has evolved so that the sub-plot I intended to add, has somehow become the main focus of the book.
I’m starting to wonder if it was a mistake to add the plot to the book to begin with, and that perhaps I should have written a new book altogether. Can you ruin a good story by adding too much into it? I believe you can.
So when do I stop? Where do I stop? How do I stop? I’ve decided that on Sunday evening I will close the last chapter on my first novel and start to write a profile on it. After that it’s on to my next chick book.
Ps. Thanks to the people who have sent me recommendations on telescopes. I still have a few weeks to decide ;-)
I’m starting to wonder if it was a mistake to add the plot to the book to begin with, and that perhaps I should have written a new book altogether. Can you ruin a good story by adding too much into it? I believe you can.
So when do I stop? Where do I stop? How do I stop? I’ve decided that on Sunday evening I will close the last chapter on my first novel and start to write a profile on it. After that it’s on to my next chick book.
Ps. Thanks to the people who have sent me recommendations on telescopes. I still have a few weeks to decide ;-)
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands P2
Just finished The Waste Lands. INCREDIBLE!!! I want to read all the Dark Tower collection before I listen to the audio books. So it's on to The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass...
Individual vs society
"Society exists only as a mental concept; in the real world there are only individuals.”
- Oscar Wilde
Ok, my new (very) short story (aka exercise) is about a person born on a planet that is constantly ravaged by such horrible natural disasters that life is remote and scarce. How would it be to live on a world that can only support a few individuals? Can they evolve into communities? Can they form societies? What kind of societies would they be?
I sat in a coffee house last night sipping a cup of raspberry tea and watching group interactions around me. I tried to alienate myself from the norms of our society and see it through a stranger's eyes. Tried to see the patterns that make up our society. It was not easy. Rules of our society are like communication; we are so integrated with them that we don't notice them on a day-to-day basis.
So, issues in this story revolve around communication, interaction, self-sufficiency, evolution, etc. My only fear is that the subject is too large for a short story and that the issues will prove too complex for the exercise.
But I’ve got to try…
- Oscar Wilde
Ok, my new (very) short story (aka exercise) is about a person born on a planet that is constantly ravaged by such horrible natural disasters that life is remote and scarce. How would it be to live on a world that can only support a few individuals? Can they evolve into communities? Can they form societies? What kind of societies would they be?
I sat in a coffee house last night sipping a cup of raspberry tea and watching group interactions around me. I tried to alienate myself from the norms of our society and see it through a stranger's eyes. Tried to see the patterns that make up our society. It was not easy. Rules of our society are like communication; we are so integrated with them that we don't notice them on a day-to-day basis.
So, issues in this story revolve around communication, interaction, self-sufficiency, evolution, etc. My only fear is that the subject is too large for a short story and that the issues will prove too complex for the exercise.
But I’ve got to try…
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Adrenalin Rush
While driving to work this morning I listened to Metallica's Blackened and that gave me an incredible adrenalin rush. When I was 14 years old I read my first Stephen King book, Cujo. As I read it I had ...And Justice For All on replay and the songs on that album are irreversibly interwoven in my mind with the terror and despair that comes with reading Cujo. So as I stepped into the office, I was already high on adrenalin. That’s the only way to start your working day :-)
It is becoming increasingly clear to me that good books suck you in like dreams do. They take you on a ride that you have little control over and all you can do is hang on (it's also kind of like falling in love). I'm keeping this in mind now that I'm starting my second exercise. Having problems giving it a name but the plot is slowly coming together in my mind. Will start to write soon (and why have I started to type like an out-of-breath William Shatner? Must-kill-Khan!)
It is becoming increasingly clear to me that good books suck you in like dreams do. They take you on a ride that you have little control over and all you can do is hang on (it's also kind of like falling in love). I'm keeping this in mind now that I'm starting my second exercise. Having problems giving it a name but the plot is slowly coming together in my mind. Will start to write soon (and why have I started to type like an out-of-breath William Shatner? Must-kill-Khan!)
Monday, April 19, 2010
My Telescope
I've been searching for a suitable telescope to get for my birthday and this one is looking really good:
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-SkyQuest-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B001DDW9UW
I need a telescope that is easy to move around (ok this one is a bit big but apparently not that heavy), will show me the surface of the moon, the rings of Saturn and distant stars and galaxies. This one get's great reviews :-)
http://www.amazon.com/Orion-SkyQuest-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B001DDW9UW
I need a telescope that is easy to move around (ok this one is a bit big but apparently not that heavy), will show me the surface of the moon, the rings of Saturn and distant stars and galaxies. This one get's great reviews :-)
Summer's Here
Just been to the library. Got myself two Stephen King books, one that I haven't read before and one classic. Just Before Sunset is a collection of stories. I have read some of them but not all. Looking forward to dipping into new King stuff, even though he definately has his off days now and again.
I also got a copy of The Regulators, since I appear to have lost mine. I love that book. I think it's because it's so incredibly rich in imagery. In a way SK goes overboard in the metaphores and the audio book version definately tones it down a bit. Still, if you're into metaphores, The Regulators is a rare treat. Just look at the way SK describes a hot day:
"Summer's here. Not just summer, either, not this year, but the apotheosis of summer, the avatar of summer, high green perfect central Ohio summer dead-smash in the middle of July, white sun glaring out of that fabled faded Levi's sky, the sound of kids hollering back and forth through the Bear Street Woods at the top of the hill, the tink! of Little League bats from the ballfield on the other side of the woods, the sound of power mowers, the sound of muscle-cars out on Highway 19, the sound of rollerblades on the cement sidewalks and smooth macadam of Poplar Street, the sound of radios — Cleveland Indians baseball (the rare day game) competing with Tina Turner belting out 'Nutbush City Limits', the one that goes Twenty-five is the speed limit, motorcycles not allowed in it' — and surrounding everything like an auditory edging of lace, the soothing, silky hiss of lawn sprinklers. Summer in Wentworth, Ohio, oh boy, can you dig it. Summer here on Poplar Street, which runs straight through the middle of that fabled faded American dream with the smell of hotdogs in the air and a few burst paper remains of Fourth of July firecrackers still lying here and there in the gutters. It's been a hot July, a perfect good old by God blue-ribbon jeezer of a July, no doubt about it, but if you want to know the truth, it's also been a dry July, with no water but the occasional flipped spray of a hose to stir those last shreds of Chinese paper from where they lie."
Can you describe a hot day in more detail? More vididly? The scene comes so alive in my mind everytime I read this and when I'm out walking on a hot summer day, I sometimes hear the "silky hiss of lawn sprinklers". This is what I aspire to. I want to be able to paint an image like this. Maybe someday...
I also got a copy of The Regulators, since I appear to have lost mine. I love that book. I think it's because it's so incredibly rich in imagery. In a way SK goes overboard in the metaphores and the audio book version definately tones it down a bit. Still, if you're into metaphores, The Regulators is a rare treat. Just look at the way SK describes a hot day:
"Summer's here. Not just summer, either, not this year, but the apotheosis of summer, the avatar of summer, high green perfect central Ohio summer dead-smash in the middle of July, white sun glaring out of that fabled faded Levi's sky, the sound of kids hollering back and forth through the Bear Street Woods at the top of the hill, the tink! of Little League bats from the ballfield on the other side of the woods, the sound of power mowers, the sound of muscle-cars out on Highway 19, the sound of rollerblades on the cement sidewalks and smooth macadam of Poplar Street, the sound of radios — Cleveland Indians baseball (the rare day game) competing with Tina Turner belting out 'Nutbush City Limits', the one that goes Twenty-five is the speed limit, motorcycles not allowed in it' — and surrounding everything like an auditory edging of lace, the soothing, silky hiss of lawn sprinklers. Summer in Wentworth, Ohio, oh boy, can you dig it. Summer here on Poplar Street, which runs straight through the middle of that fabled faded American dream with the smell of hotdogs in the air and a few burst paper remains of Fourth of July firecrackers still lying here and there in the gutters. It's been a hot July, a perfect good old by God blue-ribbon jeezer of a July, no doubt about it, but if you want to know the truth, it's also been a dry July, with no water but the occasional flipped spray of a hose to stir those last shreds of Chinese paper from where they lie."
Can you describe a hot day in more detail? More vididly? The scene comes so alive in my mind everytime I read this and when I'm out walking on a hot summer day, I sometimes hear the "silky hiss of lawn sprinklers". This is what I aspire to. I want to be able to paint an image like this. Maybe someday...
No Particular Alien In Mind
Got some feedback (gisp!) on my first sci fi exercise. A reader (gisp again!) wanted to know if I had decided beforehand what the alien would look like. In short I have to say no!
I have to admit that I didn't really think this thoroughly through. I don't know that much about biology and nothing about astrobiology. Although astrobiology is a fascinating subject (yes, I'm quoting Spock) it's just one of so many things I want to learn more about.
There are just over 7 weeks until my birthday and since I'm getting myself a telescope for my birthday present, I will be busy learning the best ways to study our solar system. Still, I will eventually have to study astrobiology, at least to some short extent, to get just a little bit more "science" into my sci fi stories ;-)
I have to admit that I didn't really think this thoroughly through. I don't know that much about biology and nothing about astrobiology. Although astrobiology is a fascinating subject (yes, I'm quoting Spock) it's just one of so many things I want to learn more about.
There are just over 7 weeks until my birthday and since I'm getting myself a telescope for my birthday present, I will be busy learning the best ways to study our solar system. Still, I will eventually have to study astrobiology, at least to some short extent, to get just a little bit more "science" into my sci fi stories ;-)
Reading Aloud Works!!!
Read 6 random chapters from my first novel aloud last night. I’m no actor so I didn’t do special voices for the characters but I added some flavor all the same. I heard immediately that I still have some work to do. Some of the narratives and conversations didn’t really sound right when listening to them and since I’ve added a sub-plot, a few things in the plot don’t add up anymore. Thus rewriting and self-editing continues.
I’m actually getting really proud of this first novel as I read it and listen to it. I think that this is something I would buy and read myself (even though its chic lit). This is good, as I have to sell the manuscript if I want to get it published.
I’m actually getting really proud of this first novel as I read it and listen to it. I think that this is something I would buy and read myself (even though its chic lit). This is good, as I have to sell the manuscript if I want to get it published.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Waking From The Writing Transe
I have been engulfed in my book, Empty Womb, Open Heart, all day. It literally swallowed me and I'm just getting out of it now. While I was writing one emotional scene, I almost started to cry. It's amazing and it's such an outlet.
I should be able to finish this book within a week and then I will start the profile on it. I don't see why I should wait any longer sending it out to editors. Before this though, I intend to read it out loud chapter by chapter and listen to the recording. This should be the final phase but I listen to a lot of audio books so I'm just looking forward to it :-)
I should be able to finish this book within a week and then I will start the profile on it. I don't see why I should wait any longer sending it out to editors. Before this though, I intend to read it out loud chapter by chapter and listen to the recording. This should be the final phase but I listen to a lot of audio books so I'm just looking forward to it :-)
Traveling Light - P5
Personal Log
Final entry. Breathers are all empty. My uniform has seized protecting me from the harsh climate of this planet and it is just a matter of hours.
I feel that I should leave something profound as my final words, but nothing comes to mind. I chose to become an astronaut. I wanted to explore. Dying alone on an alien planet was not what I had in mind but it appears to be my destiny.
I have seen things that many of my brothers will not even glimpse in the farthest regions of their imagination. Still, my final thoughts will be of home. Home...
Author's note: I had more than one ending in mind. One of my ideas was that the alien would find unexpected nourishment in a Coca Cola bottle, be swept away on a cat's fur and freeze to death with the words "Must be some kind of freeze ray" on his lips (it's a joke that only people who've seen the old He-Man cartoons would know). It was just a crazy exercise and I felt like adding some humor. Eventually, though, I stuck to the simple ending of the alien simply dying alone on Earth.
As is probably apparent, this exercise was about seeing Earth (and humans) through alien eyes. The next exercise is on and will deal with social psychology...alien style of course ;-)
Final entry. Breathers are all empty. My uniform has seized protecting me from the harsh climate of this planet and it is just a matter of hours.
I feel that I should leave something profound as my final words, but nothing comes to mind. I chose to become an astronaut. I wanted to explore. Dying alone on an alien planet was not what I had in mind but it appears to be my destiny.
I have seen things that many of my brothers will not even glimpse in the farthest regions of their imagination. Still, my final thoughts will be of home. Home...
Author's note: I had more than one ending in mind. One of my ideas was that the alien would find unexpected nourishment in a Coca Cola bottle, be swept away on a cat's fur and freeze to death with the words "Must be some kind of freeze ray" on his lips (it's a joke that only people who've seen the old He-Man cartoons would know). It was just a crazy exercise and I felt like adding some humor. Eventually, though, I stuck to the simple ending of the alien simply dying alone on Earth.
As is probably apparent, this exercise was about seeing Earth (and humans) through alien eyes. The next exercise is on and will deal with social psychology...alien style of course ;-)
Traveling Light - P4
Personal Log
I have discovered what has caused the tremors. The tall beings I have seen appear to be, either a smaller species, or the young of much larger creatures. One such beast went past me today just as I was leaving the ship and as it stepped down it brushed up against my ship and made the ground shake. I have never been so terrified in my life. I was so scared that I lost my natural ability to blend in the surroundings. If the beast hadn't been so huge, it would have seen me.
I cannot see how my people could ever be able to establish communication with the creatures of this world but I know a few scientists that would give everything to try. For them I will capture all the information I can.
I have gathered every piece of scientific equipment that has its own powersource, although limited. It is lucky that my ship was equipped with a device to record sound as it appears to play a large role on this planet. It is not so long ago that our scientists discovered that sound exists, since our species does not make or sense it.
All instruments have been turned on. They will keep running, recording, analyzing, until they run out of power. I will be dead long before that.
I have discovered what has caused the tremors. The tall beings I have seen appear to be, either a smaller species, or the young of much larger creatures. One such beast went past me today just as I was leaving the ship and as it stepped down it brushed up against my ship and made the ground shake. I have never been so terrified in my life. I was so scared that I lost my natural ability to blend in the surroundings. If the beast hadn't been so huge, it would have seen me.
I cannot see how my people could ever be able to establish communication with the creatures of this world but I know a few scientists that would give everything to try. For them I will capture all the information I can.
I have gathered every piece of scientific equipment that has its own powersource, although limited. It is lucky that my ship was equipped with a device to record sound as it appears to play a large role on this planet. It is not so long ago that our scientists discovered that sound exists, since our species does not make or sense it.
All instruments have been turned on. They will keep running, recording, analyzing, until they run out of power. I will be dead long before that.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Eye Of The Beholder
It's really weird writing this Traveling Light narrative. I decided that the only perspective available would be the logs made by the astronaut. I guess it would have been easier to be in his head instead but I liked the challenge. It also makes the story more mysterious - at least I think so ;-) I am still deciding on the ending but whatever it will be, I will post it tomorrow.
I was amazed at how easy it has been to rewrite, edit and add to my first novel (called Empty Womb, Open Heart). Hopefully this is a sign that I am turning my talent into skill...
I was amazed at how easy it has been to rewrite, edit and add to my first novel (called Empty Womb, Open Heart). Hopefully this is a sign that I am turning my talent into skill...
Traveling Light - P1&2 Rewritten and P3
Since I'm rewriting my chic lit, I'm in the rewriting mood. I decided to rewrite the first two parts of Traveling Light, just as I added part three...
Mission Log
The unexplained phenomenon that swallowed my ship and brought me to this part of the universe has disappeared. In addition, massive fuel depletion has forced me to land on a small planet in this strange solar system that I’ve found myself in.
I managed to send a message to Home Base before my ship was engulfed but due to problems with multiple systems in the ship, I cannot be certain that it went through.
Almost all power has been drained from the engines and there’s barely enough to run life support. I have power to run basic systems for the next six days and I wait for rescue.
Mission Log
It has been four days since I landed on this planet. No sign of rescue and all my attempts at communication have failed. I have passed the time researching the planet I landed on but limited power resources have made the investigation difficult.
I have performed low level scans and they show that the atmosphere on this planet is not toxic but it would be difficult for me to breathe. The atmospheric pressure is substantially higher than what I am used to so if I am forced to leave my ship, I will have to keep a breather with me at all times. The temperature is also lower than what is optimal for our species but my uniform should protect me for some time. I should be able to keep the pressure in the ship for up to 15 days if I am careful.
There is still a chance that my message reached Home Base but if it did not, there is not much hope of rescue. In addition, whatever force it was that sent me here has possibly gone and left no way for my people to get to me.
Mission Log
I have been stranded on this planet for five days and my power supply has almost depleted. Despite this I have continued scanning and gathering information about this place.
During the night I awoke to an incredible rumble. The ground shook violently for about 10 minutes and the air seemed to vibrate. I was unable to determine the source of this tremor so I have secured all lose items in the ship to prevent them falling on me.
I still have hopes of rescue.
Personal Log
Last day to be rescued has passed. Power is almost depleted and life support cannot be sustained much longer. I will have to venture into this strange world tomorrow if no one comes for me. There have been no more tremors but I have heard some strange sounds. I am certain that something brushed up against the hull of my ship about an hour ago. Scans have shown life forms but without more power I am not able to perform detailed scans on them. I only know that they are large.
Personal Log
All power has been lost and I have to acclimate myself to the atmosphere on this planet. There was another rumble today and the ship shook violently. There have also been additional sounds and I am terrified of what awaits me out there.
I have started to use the breathers and I cannot postpone this any longer. When I decided to become a space explorer, I knew the risks. But now, as I face inevitable doom, I cannot shake the deep loneliness and sorrow of ending my days on this alien planet.
Personal Log
This world is even stranger than I had imagined. The scans indicated the presence of vegetation but I had no idea that it would be so dense. My ship appears to have landed in the middle of an overgrown area so it is almost impossible to see it if you do not know it is there. This has been the single piece of good fortune I have enjoyed on this trip.
It was difficult to move due to the pressure of the atmosphere and I used a breather the whole time. I did not see anything that could have caused the tremors and no life forms outside the vegetation. I did hear some sounds in the distance but they seemed to be carried from afar.
This evening I will go again. If I am going to die here, I will use my time to investigate, record, scan, and log. Perhaps someone will find the ship one day and know my fate.
Personal Log
The pressure change has made me sick. I have been dizzy, feverish and completely lost my appetite. Still, I have to go out. I don’t want to die cooped in this ship like it is my coffin.
Personal Log
The creatures that live on this planet are horrible. I saw them. There were two of them and they were so alien that I lack words to describe them fully but I will try.
They are so tall and how they move is completely incomprehensible to me. I must do scans to find out what keeps them from falling apart. Their bodies are so scattered. There is a dense middle but I’m stupefied why the rest of the body simply does not float away.
Since there were two of them I speculate that they communicate but I have no idea how. They have no feature that I am familiar with and I will bring a camera to record their image just to relieve me of trying to explain further what I saw.
It is amazing the raw and primitive emotions it brings to see such alien creatures. Fear and disgust are just the beginning. Somewhere in there, though, there is also curiosity.
Personal Log
I have completely lost my appetite. No matter how I try, I am unable to force myself to eat. My body is giving up to this incredibly harsh environment. I know there isn’t much time left and I want to explore more. Since this will be my last legacy, I want to make it a good one.
Personal Log
I saw more creatures today and recorded their images. The dense vegetation helps me hide and my natural ability to change the color of my skin (and uniform) helps as well.
I have surmised that the creatures communicate through sounds and gestures. I have been trying to find out about their diet but it is difficult to know when they are eating when you don’t know how they do it.
One of the creatures had something smooth and flexible running from one of its five major extremities. This one was the only one with this feature in such abundance but other than that, they all look the same.
Exposure to this climate is slowly killing me and my senses are not what they used to be. I would give anything to be back home, even just for a minute. To bathe in the purple waters and bask in the sunlight of the twin suns.
Is there a lonelier death than this?
Mission Log
The unexplained phenomenon that swallowed my ship and brought me to this part of the universe has disappeared. In addition, massive fuel depletion has forced me to land on a small planet in this strange solar system that I’ve found myself in.
I managed to send a message to Home Base before my ship was engulfed but due to problems with multiple systems in the ship, I cannot be certain that it went through.
Almost all power has been drained from the engines and there’s barely enough to run life support. I have power to run basic systems for the next six days and I wait for rescue.
Mission Log
It has been four days since I landed on this planet. No sign of rescue and all my attempts at communication have failed. I have passed the time researching the planet I landed on but limited power resources have made the investigation difficult.
I have performed low level scans and they show that the atmosphere on this planet is not toxic but it would be difficult for me to breathe. The atmospheric pressure is substantially higher than what I am used to so if I am forced to leave my ship, I will have to keep a breather with me at all times. The temperature is also lower than what is optimal for our species but my uniform should protect me for some time. I should be able to keep the pressure in the ship for up to 15 days if I am careful.
There is still a chance that my message reached Home Base but if it did not, there is not much hope of rescue. In addition, whatever force it was that sent me here has possibly gone and left no way for my people to get to me.
Mission Log
I have been stranded on this planet for five days and my power supply has almost depleted. Despite this I have continued scanning and gathering information about this place.
During the night I awoke to an incredible rumble. The ground shook violently for about 10 minutes and the air seemed to vibrate. I was unable to determine the source of this tremor so I have secured all lose items in the ship to prevent them falling on me.
I still have hopes of rescue.
Personal Log
Last day to be rescued has passed. Power is almost depleted and life support cannot be sustained much longer. I will have to venture into this strange world tomorrow if no one comes for me. There have been no more tremors but I have heard some strange sounds. I am certain that something brushed up against the hull of my ship about an hour ago. Scans have shown life forms but without more power I am not able to perform detailed scans on them. I only know that they are large.
Personal Log
All power has been lost and I have to acclimate myself to the atmosphere on this planet. There was another rumble today and the ship shook violently. There have also been additional sounds and I am terrified of what awaits me out there.
I have started to use the breathers and I cannot postpone this any longer. When I decided to become a space explorer, I knew the risks. But now, as I face inevitable doom, I cannot shake the deep loneliness and sorrow of ending my days on this alien planet.
Personal Log
This world is even stranger than I had imagined. The scans indicated the presence of vegetation but I had no idea that it would be so dense. My ship appears to have landed in the middle of an overgrown area so it is almost impossible to see it if you do not know it is there. This has been the single piece of good fortune I have enjoyed on this trip.
It was difficult to move due to the pressure of the atmosphere and I used a breather the whole time. I did not see anything that could have caused the tremors and no life forms outside the vegetation. I did hear some sounds in the distance but they seemed to be carried from afar.
This evening I will go again. If I am going to die here, I will use my time to investigate, record, scan, and log. Perhaps someone will find the ship one day and know my fate.
Personal Log
The pressure change has made me sick. I have been dizzy, feverish and completely lost my appetite. Still, I have to go out. I don’t want to die cooped in this ship like it is my coffin.
Personal Log
The creatures that live on this planet are horrible. I saw them. There were two of them and they were so alien that I lack words to describe them fully but I will try.
They are so tall and how they move is completely incomprehensible to me. I must do scans to find out what keeps them from falling apart. Their bodies are so scattered. There is a dense middle but I’m stupefied why the rest of the body simply does not float away.
Since there were two of them I speculate that they communicate but I have no idea how. They have no feature that I am familiar with and I will bring a camera to record their image just to relieve me of trying to explain further what I saw.
It is amazing the raw and primitive emotions it brings to see such alien creatures. Fear and disgust are just the beginning. Somewhere in there, though, there is also curiosity.
Personal Log
I have completely lost my appetite. No matter how I try, I am unable to force myself to eat. My body is giving up to this incredibly harsh environment. I know there isn’t much time left and I want to explore more. Since this will be my last legacy, I want to make it a good one.
Personal Log
I saw more creatures today and recorded their images. The dense vegetation helps me hide and my natural ability to change the color of my skin (and uniform) helps as well.
I have surmised that the creatures communicate through sounds and gestures. I have been trying to find out about their diet but it is difficult to know when they are eating when you don’t know how they do it.
One of the creatures had something smooth and flexible running from one of its five major extremities. This one was the only one with this feature in such abundance but other than that, they all look the same.
Exposure to this climate is slowly killing me and my senses are not what they used to be. I would give anything to be back home, even just for a minute. To bathe in the purple waters and bask in the sunlight of the twin suns.
Is there a lonelier death than this?
Friday, April 16, 2010
Revision & Self-Editing
It's a strange feeling reading something you've written yourself. Especially if it's something you wrote a long time ago and can hardly remember doing it. I have been writing since I was 9 years old and through the years I have come across old stuff that I have to rely on the handwriting as proof that it's actually my own stuff. I don't even recall thinking about it, let alone writing it. But that's just part of the fun.
Tonight I have the wonderful task of re-writing and adding a sub-plot to my first full length novel. I started it last summer and finished the first draft pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it's not exactly the kind of book I'd like to be writing but honestly, I just can't help it. Frankly I was worried that I would never be able to write the kind of novels I like myself: sci fi, fantasy, thrillers, weird science, etc. Instead I'd always be stuck with writing some chic lit that I'd never read myself.
I discussed this with a friend who has some experience and he suggested that some stories you just have to tell and get out of the way so that you can start to write what you want. It makes sense and as soon as I stopped worrying about this and just started allowing whatever wants to come out to flow, I've been feeling a lot better.
So, a lot of chic lit editing this weekend and in addition - whatever I want :-)
Tonight I have the wonderful task of re-writing and adding a sub-plot to my first full length novel. I started it last summer and finished the first draft pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it's not exactly the kind of book I'd like to be writing but honestly, I just can't help it. Frankly I was worried that I would never be able to write the kind of novels I like myself: sci fi, fantasy, thrillers, weird science, etc. Instead I'd always be stuck with writing some chic lit that I'd never read myself.
I discussed this with a friend who has some experience and he suggested that some stories you just have to tell and get out of the way so that you can start to write what you want. It makes sense and as soon as I stopped worrying about this and just started allowing whatever wants to come out to flow, I've been feeling a lot better.
So, a lot of chic lit editing this weekend and in addition - whatever I want :-)
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Star Trek Online
I am a major Trekkie and as such I was pretty excited about Star Trek Online. I've been playing on and off but I have to say that it hasn't grabbed me as I thought it would.
I can't deny that it is a thrill to enter the Star Trek world. Unfortunately the thrill ended there for the most part. I want more in the lines of exploring new worlds and going where no one has gone before. I don't need to be blowing stuff up at every turn. Perhaps too much to expect from a game and maybe I should focus more on reading and stop playing these video games....
Nah!!!
I can't deny that it is a thrill to enter the Star Trek world. Unfortunately the thrill ended there for the most part. I want more in the lines of exploring new worlds and going where no one has gone before. I don't need to be blowing stuff up at every turn. Perhaps too much to expect from a game and maybe I should focus more on reading and stop playing these video games....
Nah!!!
Big Creative Weekend Ahead
Friday tomorrow and I am planning a big creative weekend. I'll finish this Traveling Light experiment and hopefully start my next sci fi exercise.
Still, I have other writing projects going on as well. These past couple of months I have been busy writing a book that will be a part of a chick lit threesome I will pitch to some editors next fall. I have finished the first draft of book 1 of the threesome and book 2 is well on its way.
I can't believe I'm finally allowing myself to write :-) It's sooooooo wonderful.........
Still, I have other writing projects going on as well. These past couple of months I have been busy writing a book that will be a part of a chick lit threesome I will pitch to some editors next fall. I have finished the first draft of book 1 of the threesome and book 2 is well on its way.
I can't believe I'm finally allowing myself to write :-) It's sooooooo wonderful.........
Traveling Light - P2
Mission Log
I have been stranded on this planet for five days and my power supply has almost depleted. Despite this I have continued scanning and gathering information about this place.
During the night I awoke to an incredible rumble. The ground shook violently for about 10 minutes and the air seemed to vibrate. I was unable to determine the source of this tremor so I have secured all lose items in the ship to prevent them falling on me.
I still have hopes of rescue.
Personal Log
Last day to be rescued has passed. Power is almost depleted and life support cannot be sustained much longer. I will have to venture into this strange world tomorrow if I am not rescued. There have been no more tremors but I have heard some strange sounds. I am certain that something brushed up against the hull of my ship about an hour ago. Scans have shown life forms but without more power I am not able to perform detailed scans on them. I only know that they are large.
I have been stranded on this planet for five days and my power supply has almost depleted. Despite this I have continued scanning and gathering information about this place.
During the night I awoke to an incredible rumble. The ground shook violently for about 10 minutes and the air seemed to vibrate. I was unable to determine the source of this tremor so I have secured all lose items in the ship to prevent them falling on me.
I still have hopes of rescue.
Personal Log
Last day to be rescued has passed. Power is almost depleted and life support cannot be sustained much longer. I will have to venture into this strange world tomorrow if I am not rescued. There have been no more tremors but I have heard some strange sounds. I am certain that something brushed up against the hull of my ship about an hour ago. Scans have shown life forms but without more power I am not able to perform detailed scans on them. I only know that they are large.
Traveling Light – P1
I have a lot of stories to tell but I have to admit that I’ve been having problems ripping them from my mind and putting them into a coherent plot. Now I’m going to try a simple exercise and see if it helps me finish a plain story about a lost astronaut. The story is called Traveling Light.
Mission Log
The unexplained fuel depletion has forced me to land on an uncharted planet. I managed to send a message to Home Base but due to problems with multiple systems in the ship, I cannot be certain that it went through. Almost all power has been drained from the engines and there’s barely enough to run life support.
I will remain with the ship for the next six days and wait for rescue. My supplies will sustain me for now and if the power drain has stopped, I should be able to keep life support for that time.
Mission Log
It has been four days since I landed on this planet. No sign of rescue and all my attempts at communication have failed. I have passed the time researching the planet I landed on but limited power resources have made the investigation difficult.
I have performed low level scans and they show that the atmosphere on this planet is not toxic but it would be difficult for me to breathe. The atmospheric pressure is substantially higher than what I am used to so if I am forced to leave my ship, I will have to keep a breather with me at all times. The temperature is also higher than what is optimal for our species but my uniform should protect me for some time.
There is still a chance that my message reached Home Base but if it did not, there is not much hope of rescue. Whatever force it was that depleted my ship of its power had infected my system long before and when I realized that I could no longer trust my computer, it was already too late.
Author's note: I realize that a true astronaut is a scientist and would probably give scientific numbers about the atmoshpere, power drainage, etc. but I've decided to focus more on the fiction and less on the science in this first exercise.
Mission Log
The unexplained fuel depletion has forced me to land on an uncharted planet. I managed to send a message to Home Base but due to problems with multiple systems in the ship, I cannot be certain that it went through. Almost all power has been drained from the engines and there’s barely enough to run life support.
I will remain with the ship for the next six days and wait for rescue. My supplies will sustain me for now and if the power drain has stopped, I should be able to keep life support for that time.
Mission Log
It has been four days since I landed on this planet. No sign of rescue and all my attempts at communication have failed. I have passed the time researching the planet I landed on but limited power resources have made the investigation difficult.
I have performed low level scans and they show that the atmosphere on this planet is not toxic but it would be difficult for me to breathe. The atmospheric pressure is substantially higher than what I am used to so if I am forced to leave my ship, I will have to keep a breather with me at all times. The temperature is also higher than what is optimal for our species but my uniform should protect me for some time.
There is still a chance that my message reached Home Base but if it did not, there is not much hope of rescue. Whatever force it was that depleted my ship of its power had infected my system long before and when I realized that I could no longer trust my computer, it was already too late.
Author's note: I realize that a true astronaut is a scientist and would probably give scientific numbers about the atmoshpere, power drainage, etc. but I've decided to focus more on the fiction and less on the science in this first exercise.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Ugly Bags Of Mostly Water
Sci fi gives us an amazing opportunity to look at ourselves through alien eyes. Who can forget the computer voice from Star Trek TNG’s Home Soil describing humans as Ugly bags of mostly water? It’s an accurate description (well, ugly is a matter of opinion).
Many aliens have described us as inferior and plenty have commented on our looks. Being able to distance oneself from our own race and discuss things that are obvious, is a privilege of the sci fi author.
In the short story collection The Cyberaid (by Stanislaw Lem) the robots call humans palefaces and think they are the most hideous beings in the universe.
If I remember correctly it was in Stephen King’s I Am The Doorway that an astronaut was infected by aliens and eyes grew on his fingers. These eyes saw humans as disgusting monsters.
Of course these are the literal interpretations but we have a very good recent example of humans being "ugly" in a less literal sense: the hugely popular movie Avatar. A lot of people were actually depressed after seeing that movie and frankly, I’m not surprised. It painted a rather disgusting picture of humans and, as I said before, that’s the privilege of the sci fi author :-)
Many aliens have described us as inferior and plenty have commented on our looks. Being able to distance oneself from our own race and discuss things that are obvious, is a privilege of the sci fi author.
In the short story collection The Cyberaid (by Stanislaw Lem) the robots call humans palefaces and think they are the most hideous beings in the universe.
If I remember correctly it was in Stephen King’s I Am The Doorway that an astronaut was infected by aliens and eyes grew on his fingers. These eyes saw humans as disgusting monsters.
Of course these are the literal interpretations but we have a very good recent example of humans being "ugly" in a less literal sense: the hugely popular movie Avatar. A lot of people were actually depressed after seeing that movie and frankly, I’m not surprised. It painted a rather disgusting picture of humans and, as I said before, that’s the privilege of the sci fi author :-)
V - The New Series
I saw the original V(isitors) series (created in 1984) when I was just a kid. I was thrilled and excited! Last autumn I saw the first V remake episode, that is V 2009. In short, I was thrilled and excited. The new show holds basically the same elements as the original one did. It's a simple story of good vs evil, the good being humans and the bad being aliens.
Not the most original sci fi you can get, but in a world with not enough sci fi, I'll take it!
Not the most original sci fi you can get, but in a world with not enough sci fi, I'll take it!
Why Not?
“You see things; and you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'”
- George Bernard Shaw
I know it's totally weird but sometimes I dream about other worlds - literally. If I'm lucky I manage to write the crazy stuff down before it all slips away with the rising sun, but not all the time.
I've ofter wondered about dreams. I guess they're a collection of our thoughts, memories, emotions, etc. Still, I've had dreams that seem to spring out of nowhere at all. Is that even possible? I have a freakishly active imagination and ever since I can remember, I've had at least a few worlds going on in my head. When I'm not writing, the only place for them to really emerge is through my dreams.
The problem with dreams is that they evoke such raw emotions that keeping a plot together is really difficult. Often people just remember being happy, afraid, angry, or whatever. They can't really tell you what caused the emotion.
Still, I've had some of my best ideas during sleep and I hope that it will continue :-)
- George Bernard Shaw
I know it's totally weird but sometimes I dream about other worlds - literally. If I'm lucky I manage to write the crazy stuff down before it all slips away with the rising sun, but not all the time.
I've ofter wondered about dreams. I guess they're a collection of our thoughts, memories, emotions, etc. Still, I've had dreams that seem to spring out of nowhere at all. Is that even possible? I have a freakishly active imagination and ever since I can remember, I've had at least a few worlds going on in my head. When I'm not writing, the only place for them to really emerge is through my dreams.
The problem with dreams is that they evoke such raw emotions that keeping a plot together is really difficult. Often people just remember being happy, afraid, angry, or whatever. They can't really tell you what caused the emotion.
Still, I've had some of my best ideas during sleep and I hope that it will continue :-)
The Dark Tower III: The Waste Lands P1
After major stubborness in accepting Stephen King's Dark Tower series, I'm finally getting there. I recently started reading The Waste Lands and I'm loving it! I'm amazed how the King can lull you into his world and then you're completely under his spell. I have major respect for SK.
More on this later.
Life, But Not As We Know It
One of the fascinations of science fiction to me is the possibility of life, but not as we know it. I guess it’s also why I love everything regarding evolution, natural selection, social psychology, etc.
The most common definition of sentience is that it is the ability to feel or perceive subjectively. If we ever met other sentient beings, would we be able to communicate with them? Life evolves to survive in its surroundings.
Since the living conditions on Earth are fairly rare in the known universe, we can only assume that life has evolved quite differently in other places. Just thinking about the possibilities fires up the imagination and ignites sparks of creativity. The most exciting thing about writing science fiction is that anything is possible…
The most common definition of sentience is that it is the ability to feel or perceive subjectively. If we ever met other sentient beings, would we be able to communicate with them? Life evolves to survive in its surroundings.
Since the living conditions on Earth are fairly rare in the known universe, we can only assume that life has evolved quite differently in other places. Just thinking about the possibilities fires up the imagination and ignites sparks of creativity. The most exciting thing about writing science fiction is that anything is possible…
Eve Online, World of Darkness, Star Wars: Old Republic
Beeen thinking about renewing my subscription to Eve Online. I have never really gotten into the game. Perhaps I should try their "girlie" game, World of Darkness ;-)
Still waiting with much anticipation for Star Wars: Old Republic. Hope they release it (at least in beta) soon.
Still waiting with much anticipation for Star Wars: Old Republic. Hope they release it (at least in beta) soon.
Casting Shadows, Summoning Light, Invoking Darkness
A truly amazing threesome by Jeanne Cavelos. The series is called The Passing of the Techno-Mages and occurs in the Babylon 5 universe. The story takes place in the middle of the Shadow war and revolves around Galen and other Techno-Mages.
The Techno-Mages have always intrigued me. The thought of using math and science to create something that can be described as magic... well, that just the best of both!
The Techno-Mages have always intrigued me. The thought of using math and science to create something that can be described as magic... well, that just the best of both!
Defying Gravity vs Stargate Universe
Just finished watching the 13 available episodes of Defying Gravity. It's sad that the series got cancelled because it was just getting interesting. There are multiple possible reasons why it was cancelled and I don't believe for a second that one of them is that the show was not good enough. Sometimes a show just doesn't take off (I remember American Gothic, it was called "the best TV show that no one saw"). So, too bad for us Defying Gravity was cancelled, but even worse for true sci fi fans, Stargate Universe is not.
I like Stargate SG1, I completely fell for Stargate Atlantis (yes, even all the running in Canadian forests), and I was so excited when Stargate Universe started. What a letdown! Too much sex, not enough action, and no aliens! Sheeesh! Give a nerdy girl a break!
Unfortunately, a lot of people like more sex and no aliens. According to some sources on the web, SGU is actually the most popular SG show of them all. It sucks having taste that's so radically different from the bulk of the population but there you have it.
Actually, I've been thinking of writing a screenplay of my own sci fi TV show. The show would probably be somewhere between Star Trek Voyager and Farscape, as the main plot revolves around the science crew of a ship given the task of jumping from one galaxy to another and gather information about new life. The strength of such a show would be the incredible possibilities of exploring drastically new life forms and civilizations. The weakness would definitely be too little sex (at least as we know it). But, it's a work in progress - still gathering dust in my mind.
I like Stargate SG1, I completely fell for Stargate Atlantis (yes, even all the running in Canadian forests), and I was so excited when Stargate Universe started. What a letdown! Too much sex, not enough action, and no aliens! Sheeesh! Give a nerdy girl a break!
Unfortunately, a lot of people like more sex and no aliens. According to some sources on the web, SGU is actually the most popular SG show of them all. It sucks having taste that's so radically different from the bulk of the population but there you have it.
Actually, I've been thinking of writing a screenplay of my own sci fi TV show. The show would probably be somewhere between Star Trek Voyager and Farscape, as the main plot revolves around the science crew of a ship given the task of jumping from one galaxy to another and gather information about new life. The strength of such a show would be the incredible possibilities of exploring drastically new life forms and civilizations. The weakness would definitely be too little sex (at least as we know it). But, it's a work in progress - still gathering dust in my mind.