It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group!Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
They say write every day. Since we are in the middle of the Challenge, I really hope blog comments count. I know a lot of writing and research went into my Challenge posts. Plus my posts at the IWSG site and A to Z Blog this month.
Once April has ended, my plans are to work more on my next story outline and write another article for Area of Effect. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve written for Geekdom House and would like to continue.
My A to Z Challenge theme - Origins of Science Fiction Terms and More! The term, its meaning (definitions from Technovelgy), and first book appearance / a movie that features this term / 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. The other A to Z Admins agreed to an A to Z Lite trial run. A to Z Lite means I will just be posting a handful of times this month and multiple letters at a time. I also won’t be visiting every single person every single day, although I will return all comments. Hope everyone understands.
Ether-Wall
An invisibility field.
First appeared in E.E. ‘Doc’ Smith’s Triplanetary, which appeared in Amazing Stories in 1934
One of the funniest examples of an invisibility field is found in Erik the Viking. Princess Aud gives Erik a tiny cloak of invisibility, but it only seems to work on her father. Obviously, he thinks it works all the time. Released in 1989, it stars Tim Robbins, Mickey Rooney, Eartha Kitt, Terry Jones, Imogen Stubbs, and John Cleese.
Kim at This Writer’s Growingmight be a bit invisible to most of the blogging community. But she’s there and in the thick of it. For some really interesting news about the world around us, check out her weekly posts.
Force Field
A barrier to objects, created by projected forces.
Believe it or not, the term first appeared in a 1920 report of the British Association for the Advancement of Science. In science fiction, it appeared in John W. Campbell’s book Islands of Space in 1931.
One of the many examples of a force field can be found in the movie Independence Day. When our ships attack the alien vessel, they meet a force field they cannot penetrate. Starring Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Mary McDonnell, Judd Hirch, Randy Quaid, and Adam Baldwin.
Another force to be reckoned with isThe Blue Grumpster. He’ll come at you full force, with truths and nonsense all the way, and you’ll never know what hit you!
Genetic Engineering
Direct manipulation of genetic material.
First appeared in Jack Williamson’s novel, Dragon’s Island in 1951.
You can’t mention genetic engineering without thinking of Jurassic Park! Released in 1993, it stunned us with the most realistic dinosaurs we’d ever seen. Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sir Richard Attenborough, and Samuel L. Jackson – who has been in almost every huge movie since!
EE Giorgi at CHIMERAS is on top of this subject. She’s a scientist! If you want facts not fluff from your authors, you need to tune into her posts.
Hive Mind
A collective alien intelligence.
The term first appeared in James H. Schmitz’s short story Second Night of Summer in 1950.
The perfect example of a hive mind is the Borg in Star Trek First Contact. Released in 1996, the seventh installment of the Star Trek series starred Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Alfre Woodard, James Cromwell, and Alice Krige.
What’s your writer insecurity this month? Saving your writing time for May? Where have you seen an invisibility field used? If you’ve seen Independence Day, are you ready for the sequel? Know of any genetic manipulation gone wild? Fan of the Borg? Following those excellent bloggers?
And do you think I’ll survive this IWSG/Challenge overlap…?
My theme - Origins of Science Fiction Terms and More! The term, its meaning (definitions from Technovelgy), and first book appearance / a movie that features this term / 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. The other A to Z Admins agreed to an A to Z Lite trial run. A to Z Lite means I will just be posting a handful of times this month and multiple letters at a time. I also won’t be visiting every single person every single day, although I will return all comments. Hope everyone understands.
Cyberspace
A computer technology that allowed people to see a computer network as an internal experience
Cyberspace originally appeared in William Gibson’s short story, Burning Chrome, in 1982. Yes, it’s a fairly recent term, and it caught on fast.
You can’t discuss cyberspace without including The Matrix. Now that’s cyberspace on a massive scale! Released in 1999, it introduced the world to amazing bullet time effects and starred Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburn, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Hugo Weaving.
Spacerguy at Star Trek - Sci Fi Blog knows a lot about cyberspace. He lives there! If you want the latest on Star Trek and other cyberspace realms, you better follow him…
Dystopia
First used by Thomas More for his work of political philosophy in 1516 and again in a speech by John Stuart Mill in 1868.
A somber look at dystopia is shown in the movie Equilibrium. Staring Christian Bale, Sean Bean, William Fichtner, and Taye Diggs, it portrays a Fascist future where feelings are illegal.
Murees Dupésees our world a little bit differently, but it’s a good thing. We might do well to share her vision!
I really like the letter C since my last name begins with a C.
Plus all three of my Cassa series books begin with a C – CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm.
My favorite though would be Christ, my Lord and Savior.
And special thanks to Michelle Wallace - she featured one of my books for her C post!
Did you know where cyberspace and dystopia came from? Ever seen Equilibrium? Following Spacerguy and Murees? What music moves you today? And what is your favorite thing that begins with a C?
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…
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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?
This film teeters around thirty percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but many critics say it is better than Man of Steel – which is at fifty-six percent. What???? (On the IMDB, this film is a respectable 7.6.)
The movie is not without its flaws. It's overlong, dark, and the subplots weave together in a convoluted manner.
That said – I had a great time! I was captivated for the whole two and a half hours.
The effects are amazing, of course. Especially in 3D. This is a spectacle film.
Affleck is a good Batman. He’s driven. And just like the Dark Knight comics, he uses both gadgets and guns to achieve his goals.
Most of the cast from Man of Steel return and slip easily into their roles.
The film keeps you guessing as to who is doing what and why. It’s sometimes confusing, but it does all come together.
Some have criticized that Wonder Woman isn’t in the film much. (It IS called Batman v Superman.) But she is present throughout the film as Diana Prince, thwarting Bruce Wayne. And when she does appear as Wonder Woman at the end – wow! She is beyond bad ass. I don’t remember her being that powerful in the comics, but she is immortal, and her presence in the final fight sequence is the best part. (Watch for the really old photo of her with Chris Pine. Yes, the Wonder Woman movie is filming now and comes out in 2017!)
While the tone does need to come up a notch for the upcoming movies (Snyder is directing both Justice League films but not Wonder Woman or the other spin-offs), it matches Man of Steel, and of course, the darker tones of Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy.
Unless you hated Man of Steel, go and enjoy! Highly recommended.
Murder & Obsession Blog Tour
YOUR WICKED'S SHOWING
Alex's one request was to make the post snarky, and one of my snarkiest characters is Alice Foxx, a beauty with a heart of stone but with an eye for Detective Steven Quaid. This excerpt is from Memories of Murder, but Alice appears in Murder & Obsession and her snark is worse!
Excerpt:
"Giving advice, Sarah? Do you really think you're qualified?"
With her hands on her hips, the slight tilt of Alice's head only made the sneer on her face more hideous. She reminded Sarah of the evil queen in every fairy tale ever told, a beauty hardened by selfishness.
Sarah met Alice's gaze with steely resolve. "I may not have your credentials, but I've been where Phoenix is, and, yes, I think I can offer her a lot. Diplomas will never equal experience."
"Well, she's my patient, and I disagree. Stay away from her. The last thing she needs is a lesson on how to run away from her problems."
Sarah's body surged with anger. "And what lesson do you intend to teach her? Unless you've been the victim, dear doctor, don't assume you know what's in the victim's mind or in the monster's." Sarah walked away but stopped for one more verbal blow. "Oh, and while you're making assumptions, Steven may fall for your tricks, but he'll never fall for you. I have his heart, and that's something I'll never let go of."
Alice's entire body reacted. She locked her spine, planted her feet, and raised her fist.
"Don't threaten me, Sarah. I'm not a woman prone to losing. But you? Your life is nothing but loss. Compete with me, and you will lose—you'll lose much more than Steven!" Alice threatened.
"Careful," Sarah mocked, "your wicked is showing."
*****
Thanks, Alex, for giving me the opportunity to appear on your amazing blog for my Murder & ObsessionBlog Tour.
Time Chasers! It's the story of a man named Nick who turns his airplane into a time machine with the aid of his beloved Commodore 64. With it he woos the woman of his dreams, despite the fact that he doesn’t own a car and his wardrobe consists only of a pair of jeans and a threadbare t-shirt from Castleton State College. Come join Mike, Kevin and Bill LIVE on Thursday, May 5th at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 7:00 p.m. CT (tape-delayed to 7:00 p.m. MT/ 8:00 p.m. PT) for a hilarious take on the original cut of this sci-fi classic along with an all-new short!
Get your tickets HERE
The Challenge kicks off this Friday! Are you ready for a month of complete and total insanity?
My theme this year - Origins of Science Fiction Terms and More.
The term, its meaning, and its first book appearance – a movie that features this term – and a featured blogger buddy who reminds me of that term! (And yes, this is scaling back for me. These posts only took three hours each to put together as opposed to five each from the past three years.)
I’m also the guinea pig for a special version of the Challenge. You’ll discover what and why this Friday.
Some last minute tips:
Make sure someone can find your blog through your comments.
Make posts short and easy to read.
Visit those who visit you.
Visit five new blogs a day, starting with the one after your own on the list.
Have fun!
Patrick W. Weseland picked the theme - songs about you!
My choice is Digital Man by Rush. (And there is no good video, so I picked one with lyrics. You can listen or read.)
Chrys Fey and Sherry Ellis both nominated me for the Music & Words Award. 1.) Link back to the person who nominated you. 2.) Answer the questions with words AND music. (In the interest of space, I’m just going with words.) 3.) Pass the award on to 5 other people. Make sure you notify them. (This close to the Challenge, I’m not nominated anyone.) 4.) Tag your post with #MWA for Music & Words Award so we can all find you down the line. 5.) Quote these 5 steps and display the award icon in your post and also on your sidebar if you wish.
Question number 1: What does music mean to you? It’s my daily soundtrack and the energy that gets me through.
Question number 2: What is your first music-related memory? My father playing Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass.
Question number 3: What was the first album you purchased? Electric Light Orchestra – Out of the Blue.
Question number 4: What was the latest music you purchased? Amon Amarth – Jomsviking.
Question number 5: Which song did you listen to last? Wanderer by Amon Amarth, from Jomsviking. (Big surprise, huh?)
April Movie Preview
Here are the upcoming theatrical releases for March! As always, descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snarky comments by me.
8 –
Hardcore Henry
A first-person action film from the eyes of Henry, who's resurrected from death with no memory. He must discover his identity and save his wife from a warlord with a plan to bio-engineer soldiers.
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Stars: Haley Bennett, Tim Roth, Sharlto Copley, Ilya Naishuller In an emergency, your popcorn tub can be used as a barf bucket.
15 –
The Jungle Book
An orphan boy is raised in the jungle with the help of a pack of wolves, a bear, and a black panther.
Director: Jon Favreau
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, Christopher Walken, Bill Murray Great cast and good looking trailer – bring your whole family or just the bear necessities.
22 –
The Huntsman: Winter’s War
As two evil sisters prepare to conquer the land; two renegades - Eric the Huntsman - who previously aided Snow White in defeating Ravenna, and his forbidden lover, Sara set out to stop them.
Director: Cedric Nicolas-Troyan
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Jessica Chastain, Charlize Theron, Emily Blunt I guess the producers realized that the only thing that didn’t work the first time was Kristen Stewart.
29 –
Keanu
Friends hatch a plot to retrieve a stolen kitten by posing as drug dealers for a street gang.
Director: Peter Atencio
Stars: Will Forte, Keegan-Michael Key, Jason Mitchell, Luis Guzmán I have to admit, the trailer looks funny.
Ratchet and Clank
Ratchet and Clank tells the story of two unlikely heroes as they struggle to stop a vile alien named Chairman Drek from destroying every planet in the Solana Galaxy.
Directors: Kevin Munroe | Jericca Cleland
Stars: James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye, Jim Ward, Sylvester Stallone And how many video game adaptations have worked as movies…?
Whoa!
Who else saw Batman v Superman? Is your wicked showing? Going to RiffTrax: Live next month? What are your early music memories? What April movies interest you?
