Me and My Friend Captain Trips

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Hello,

So this is the first post of the week for me. Sorry about that. I’ve been fighting a flu or some sort of stomach thing. Web MD seems to think it’s the flu which is a nice change of pace for WebMD.

My worst symptoms were on Monday. On Sunday I participated in a panel about The Stand by Stephen King. In the book, the majority of people are killed by a genetically engineered disease called Captain Trips.

Both I and the other panelist were sick on Monday, and I have to say that I was mildly panicked. Thankfully I wasn’t conscious for most of Monday.

I’m still suffering from certain symptoms, the worst of which being fatigue. Doing anything for too long makes me want to take a nap.

Web MD tells me that the symptoms shouldn’t last more than a week or two. Yay. (Please re-read that with a large amount of sarcasm.)

Serial Story

It looks like you’ve chosen Only Human to be the serial story for 2015! I look forward to exploring the drama and romance of this world. Rachel should be a fun character to follow around.

If you have suggestions on what species her romantic interest should be, leave it in the comments.

 

Ok. It’s time for me to go nap again.

Éric

Genetics in SPACE!

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Hello My Imaginary Friends,

Reading my blog you might have the idea that I am a huge fan of Urban Fantasy, and a big fan of Fantasy. You’d also be right it assuming with a few small exceptions, that I’m more of a fantasy writer.

You’d also assume that from the serial story choices for this year, 2 fantasies and 1 science fiction. (The poll is still open by the way. Please go vote! The poll closes next Tuesday). You’d be right. Out of my five written novels, they are all arguably types of fantasy.

As much as I love Fantasy, I love Science Fiction more. Especially space based science fiction. From Asimov to Flash Gordon, I love it all.

One thing I remember trying to figure out in the bath (Back when I fit in one) was how many people were needed to make a viable colony (Yeah, I was a weird kid). I’d always assumed it was around 1000. Turns out I was off by a lot. According to Understanding Genetics, the amount is roughly 160 breeding adults. That depends on how many genetic problems the colonists have. The studies apparently say that the Family unit is the best vehicle for a good colony, so that a colony is more like an isolated village than a group of people thrown together. There’s even a study that says that North America was settled by only 70 people.

I’ve always wanted to write a generation spanning science fiction novel about a colonist ship and looking into this has made me want to write it a lot more. Maybe it’ll be my next novel.

Mission Update

I discovered around Christmas that I’d been collecting Urban-Fantasy/Fantasy series at an alarming rate. At last count, I have over 50 of them and more than 20 that I hadn’t read. No seriously, I have one series where I own the first 8 books and I’ve never read the author before.

In order to pare down my library and make sure I like the books, I’m on a quest to read the first in each series. I’ll be posting short reviews of each of the books unless I really love them or hate them.

Tithe by Holly Black

The prose is beautiful and the faerie myths are deftly woven into the story.

It is however a bland story. The characters are boring and the story was better suited to a middle grade novel.

The alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and sexual elements feel forced and serve no other purpose but to try and make the story “gritty”. It feels like the author’s only experience with adolescents is pulled from after school specials.

Again I do have to say the the author’s writing style and structure are great but they don’t make up for the predictable and bland story.

Rating 45%

Gardens of the Moon by Stephen Erikson

This is a masterful fantasy that despite its 600+ pages felt quick paced. I greatly recommend it.

The author is, however, unforgiving in his world building. Be prepared to be confused and pay close attention for the first 200 pages. Well worth the effort though for such an amazing world and compelling characters.

Rating: 85%

 

Would you sign up to be part of a Colony ship going to a new planet?

Éric

The People I’m proud of

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Good Morning,

Today I’m going to gush a little.

Wife

My wife has started a new job, it’s a summer job that will go into part time while she finishes her degree but I’m very proud of her. She’s a Travel Agent with AJ Travel Canada. She’s a specialist in Fandom Travel and Special Needs Travel.

Please feel free to contact her starting in May for all your travel needs.

Fandom Travel Logo from AJTravel.ca
Fandom Travel Logo from AJTravel.ca

Brother

Another person in my life that is ridiculously talented is my brother. He’s an actor, director, screen writer.

He directed and played the joker in this fan film based off of Batman and Silence of the Lambs.

Here’s his writing and directing debut.

 

If it’s no obvious, I’m ridiculously proud of both my Wife and my Brother.

Poll

The Poll for my next serial story is still open.

Faeries Vs Robots Vs Aliens

An Urban Fantasy / Science Fiction, following a faery woman who must do one last job for her robot overlords before they let her go free. Can she stop the aliens from invading or would they be better than the robots?

Read the First Part

Only Human

A Supernatural Action/Romance, following a human girl who’s enrolled in Monster University in order to avenge her parents. Can she slay her new friends, keep up with classes, and avoid the cute demi-god that likes her?

Read the First Part

The Cosmic Cuckoos

A Science Fiction adventure, following a girl who is trying to save her friend from becoming just another clone warrior. Can a normal human girl really save her friend from the most powerful empire in the galaxy?

Read the First Part

What serial story should I continue this year?

  • Only Human (56%, 5 Votes)
  • The Cosmic Cuckoos (33%, 3 Votes)
  • Faeries Vs Robots Vs Aliens (11%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 9

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Latter days,

Éric

Throwback to 2013

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I only have ONE Game of Thrones cosplay in my pictures! This has got to change. If you have a Game of Thrones cosplay at Ottawa Comic Con, PLEASE come see our table so that I can get a picture of you holding the TARDIS!

In case you weren’t aware, Game of Thrones started it’s newest season last night. In honour of this, please feast your eyes on this gorgeous Daenerys cosplay by a very talented friend of mine.

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#PuppyGate or How the Hugos lost my Respect

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Hello my Imaginary Friends,

I’ve talked about the Sad Puppies before but as it turns out they’ve escalated. I planned on writing a long essay about the subject but giants have started to enter the fray. I’ll leave a plethora of links at the bottom of this post for those that are interested.

What are Sad/Sick Puppies

The Sad Puppies and Sick Puppies are groups of Science Fiction and Fantasy fans that are sick of what they call “Social Justice Warriors” corrupting the pure essence of genre fiction. Or in some cases they say they are about promoting authors that would normally never get on the ballot on their own.

It almost sounds plausible. Almost until you hear that the second architect is Theodore Beale (AKA Vox Day). If you don’t recognize the name you might recognize the movement he founded called GamerGate. The association of Beale alone makes me not trust them.

Their members can’t seem to come up with a consistent explanation. Some range from, “I miss science-fiction that was just adventure and not social criticism” to “too much emphasis has been put on pushing agendas in science fiction when good books are being ignored”

What did they do? / #PuppyGate

They legally, if not ethically, created a slate of authors that they believed should be nominated and then voted as a group to make sure they made the ballot. Meaning that between 2 to 5 of each category in the Hugo’s are Sad Puppy candidates (That’s out of 5 by the way).

Read about both sides below.

How it makes me feel

This is the first time since I’ve decided to become an author that I’m glad I haven’t been published and that I’m not involved in this world. Had I heard about this kind of thing when I started I would have never tried to be published.

I try to include diverse characters in my books. It’s not always easy but it’s a reflection of our world and should be done. I want people to read my books and relate to some of the characters, not just white-straight-men but everyone.

I want politics in my science fiction and fantasy. I want social issues to be reflected in what I read and write. Anyone who tells you there weren’t social or political ideals in classic science fiction needs to go re-watch Star Trek, Re-Read Asimov, and get their heads out of their asses.

Are the awards broken? I have no clue but I think they might be. This may turn them into a political party style event, that would suck considering that tactic doesn’t work well for regular people even in politics.

What Now

I had dreams of maybe someday winning the “Triple Crown” of Science fiction (Hugo, Nebula, and Campbell Memorial Award). Now that I’ve read up on them and followed the politics, not to mention that a lot of the authors I greatly respect haven’t won all that many awards means I’m not sure how much I care anymore.

This whole debacle has soured me on these sorts of things.

I’ll settle for someday living off my writing. That’s all I really need. Anything more is bonus.

Further Research

Here are all the links I promised and some of the better explanations:

And in the spirit of showing both sides:

And finally if you’re willing to dedicate the time, here are George R.R. Martin’s thoughts on the whole thing:

 

To Borrow Ajay Fry’s tagline, “See you in the future”,

Éric