A to Z Challenge! Science Fiction Terms Origins - Android and Blaster

Welcome to the A to Z Challenge!

My theme - Origins of Science Fiction Terms and More! The term, its meaning (definitions from Technovelgy), and its first book appearance – a movie that features this term – and a blogger buddy who reminds me of that term.

I’m also the guinea pig for an experiment – A to Z Lite.

I get between 100-170 comments per post in April during the Challenge. And it has just become too much to return that many every day, six days a week. I’m unable to visit anyone new and my entire day is spent blogging. The A to Z Team agreed to an A to Z Lite trial run. Otherwise, there was just no way I could do the Challenge this year. I’ve participated since the very first year and the Challenge means a lot to me.

A to Z Lite means I will just be posting a handful of times this month and multiple letters at a time. So, I will be keeping them short! I also won’t be visiting every single person every single day. Hope everyone understands.

Android
A synthetic being having the form of a human being.

Ephraim Chambers coined the term in 1728, paring the Greek prefix of ‘man’ with the suffix of ‘likeness of’ – andr-oid. He used it to describe a legendary mechanical head, build by Saint Albertus Magnus, that could answer questions.

Android first appeared in Jack Williamson’s The Cometeers. Originally serialized in Astounding Magazine in 1936, the two stories were later released under the title The Cometeers in book form in 1950.

1982’s Blade Runner featured androids as part of the main storyline. Are they are real person? Should they be allowed to live as a human? Starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Daryl Hannah, Edward James Olmos, M. Emmet Walsh, and Brion James. Most haunting line – Time to die…

Everyone accuses me of having clones. But at least I’m still human!
We’re not sure about Pat Hatt at It's Rhyme Time. The dude is beyond clones and Ninjas – he’s a blogging android! Just try keeping up with him. Or the Cat who can rhyme with such style…

Blaster
A device that shoots a beam of energy

Its first appearance in literature was in Nictzin Dyalhis’ short story, When the Green Star Waned. Published in Weird Tales in 1925, the gun was referred to as a blastor.

In 1977’s Star Wars (and the entire first trilogy), there are numerous weapons referred to as blasters – SC X-30 Blaster Pistol, Blas Tech A295 Blaster Rifle, etc. Also starring Harrison Ford! And yes, Han Solo shot first…

You want a blast? Try Heather M. Gardner at The Waiting is the Hardest Part!

She shoots from the hip and if she doesn’t get you, Stormy the Weather Gnome will.

And believe me, she shot first…

Don’t forget next Wednesday is post day for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.

We also have a newsletter now and you can sign up HERE.

Fan of Blade Runner and Star Wars? Following Pat and Heather? Read either of the short stories? And is it cool with you guys that I do A to Z Lite this month?

Networking Tips for Shy Writers, Ninja News, Maguire's Corner, Blog Readers, Wednesday Movie Quote, and the Phone Book

Today I welcome the awesome Christine Rains!

NETWORKING TIPS FOR SHY WRITERS

I love to talk about writing. It's my passion. The problem is, like many writers, I'm shy. I can't just talk to anyone. Sometimes it's all I can do to remember to breathe when in social situations. I'm lucky I've not fainted yet. And yes, that noise is me knocking on wood.

This makes networking immensely difficult. Yet it's a necessity in our profession. How do I meet other authors and promote myself without losing my voice again? (Oh yes, it's happened.)

Thank goodness for the internet! Blogs, Twitter, Facebook, review sites, writer's groups, etc. There are many ways to get your name out there from the safety of your home. You can get cozy in your favorite chair, wear your Star Wars pajamas, and sneak some of your kid's Cheerios when he's not looking.

But one day, you'll have to leave the Godzilla slippers behind and venture out to a writing conference or book signing. Face-to-face with other people. Yikes! How do you survive?

Remember to breathe. It helps not to faint. Those other people are there for the same reason you are. As alone as you might feel, you are one of them.
Be yourself. You might be a little geeky, but so what? Be honest about who you are, let your passions shine through, and you'll be respected for it.
Use being shy to your advantage. Be a good listener, and even though you don't say a lot, remember it's quality over quantity.
Have business cards, flyers, and other promotional items at the ready. If you lose your voice, a card can speak for you. Plus, people love free things. Give stuff away and you'll be remembered.
Smile. A friendly smile will take you a long way.

In the not too distant future, all your networking will likely be done online. We can create avatars of ourselves from the cast of Firefly and chat about writing while hanging out in Serenity. (I call Zoe!) Until then, be proud of who you are. It's okay to be geeky or shy. What you have to say is important because you're the one saying it.

Do you have any face-to-face networking tips for shy writers?

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Alex!

1305 & 1306 – The Oracle and the Vampire (The 13th Floor series, #5)
By Christine Rains
Genre: paranormal romance

Having fallen for her gorgeous neighbor might not be so bad if Harriet McKay wasn't in her hideous banshee form every time Kiral saw her...

Find it here: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords

Christine Rains is a writer, blogger, and geek mom. She has four degrees which help nothing with motherhood, but make her a great Jeopardy player. When she's not writing or reading, she having adventures with her son or watching cheesy movies on Syfy Channel. She's a member of Untethered Realms and S.C.I.F.I. The 13th Floor series is her first self-published series. She has seven novellas and twenty-one short stories published.
Website Blog Facebook Twitter Goodreads

Ninja News

Thanks to everyone who commented on my interview with Tammy Theriault! She is willing to take on more victims…

Misha Gericke is hosting another Word Master Challenge – Famous Adaptation. See her site for details – you could win an Amazon gift card.

Ellie Garratt’s book, Passing Time, is free through this Friday. Download it from Amazon US or Amazon UK

Coming Soon!!!

Maguire's Corner
By Heather M. Gardner
Published by Front Porch Romance

Coffee shop owner Maggie Maguire doesn’t trust the new police chief her father hired to protect Maguire’s Corner. He’s a stranger, cold, bossy and annoyingly handsome. But, Maggie’s witnessed a serious crime and now someone’s trying to kill her. The man that aggravates her most might be the only one that can help her.

Police Chief Jack Munro likes his new job and his new town, and unfortunately he also likes the stubborn but beautiful town sweetheart. His self-imposed hands-off Maggie policy is about to be put to the ultimate test when he must keep her close to protect her while he tracks down a ruthless killer.

Determined to ignore Jack’s charms, Maggie attempts to help him unravel the mystery but when their lives hang in the balance she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to save the man she suddenly can’t resist.

Congratulations, Heather!

Blog Readers

After solving issues with both Bloglovin’ (couldn’t comment on some blogs) and Feedly (couldn’t delete blogs) I’ve decided I’m going to use… both! Feedly updates faster but Bloglovin’ looks better. (And I have the app.) So I’m just going to bounce back and forth between the two, depending on how I feel that day.

Google Reader may self-destruct now!

Wednesday Movie Quote

Post your favorite here or play along on your own blog.

Today’s genre is monster movies.

My selection comes from Lake Placid:

Mrs. Bickerman (played by Betty White): I'm rooting for the crocodile. I hope he swallows your friends whole. You might want to arrest me for that too. Is that a crime? To wish the chewing of law enforcement?

Next week – sports films!

The Phone Book

This is for Maurice:

Are you a shy writer? Fan of Christine’s series? Excited for Heather’s upcoming book? What Reader are you now using? What is your favorite monster movie quote? And just what is the meaning of the phone book…?