Who writes Sci Fi? Who tries or would like to?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interest and experiences of participants in writing science fiction. It explores personal aspirations, challenges in storytelling, and the interplay between ideas and writing quality. The conversation includes reflections on genre preferences, the difficulty of writing, and the sharing of ideas.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a desire to write science fiction but feel hindered by their analytical approach or lack of storytelling skills.
  • One participant shares an idea about life with three sexes, referencing Isaac Asimov's work.
  • Another participant mentions their background in horror writing and the challenges of transitioning to science fiction.
  • A participant notes that while ideas are important, the quality of writing is what ultimately makes a story compelling.
  • Several participants indicate reluctance to share their ideas, citing concerns about originality and publication potential.
  • One participant discusses their ongoing work on a science fiction novel, while another mentions writing for a web series focused on scientific accuracy in a fantastical context.
  • A published author in the group shares their experience of having one story accepted for publication but refrains from sharing ideas currently in use.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share a common interest in writing science fiction, but there is no consensus on the best approach to storytelling or the importance of ideas versus writing quality. Multiple competing views on sharing ideas and the challenges of writing remain evident.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about their writing abilities and the effectiveness of their ideas. The discussion reflects a variety of personal experiences and aspirations, with no clear resolution on the challenges faced in writing.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in writing, particularly in the science fiction and horror genres, as well as those exploring the creative process and the challenges of storytelling.

Writing Sci Fi

  • I've been published

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • I write but have never been published

    Votes: 4 28.6%
  • I write for fun only

    Votes: 4 28.6%
  • I try to write at times but without much success

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I try but I stink

    Votes: 2 14.3%
  • I have no interest or desire

    Votes: 3 21.4%

  • Total voters
    14
  • Poll closed .
Ivan Seeking
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I am wondering how many of you would like to write Sci Fi. Boy, I wish I was a good story teller. I have had some great ideas but I just can't write an interesting story. I am too analytical in my approach.

Here's one little idea that struck me the other day. What would life be like if we had three sexes. How could this happen?

Also, tell us about your best ideas.
 
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What I write is more from the horror and Ghost story genre then Sci Fi. I have written and sent stories to magazines, but with no success in the Sci Fi / Horror market. I have however published a one act play.

Sorry, can't (won't) tell you my ideas. No offense. I may still get one published.

I've got an idea for a straight Sci Fi novel that I have worked on from time to time, but there are some plot points I've gotten stuck on. Maybe someday I'll get it working and finish it.
 
Originally posted by Artman
Sorry, can't (won't) tell you my ideas. No offense. I may still get one published.

Of course, no serious writer wants to give away his or her ideas.
 
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Here's one little idea that struck me the other day. What would life be like if we had three sexes.

Try Isaac Asimov - Gods themselves

PS: never tried, never want to
 
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Of course, no serious writer wants to give away his or her ideas.

Don't know how serious I am. Humor is one of my favorite writing styles :smile: (hard to work that into horror stories though ).
 
I'm sure I'd be one of your customers artman, I'm a big horror fan. I've read the foundation series, but that was so long ago (like almost 20 years) that I've forgotten them mostly. I do remember them being excellent books though, and it was one of my first forrays into sci-fi-the foundation series.

I've considered writing a book for sometime now. I toyed with horror quite a bit, some sci-fi but never really had anything that seemed profound enough to me, to send into a publisher. Writing is difficult, even if you're good with language. Haven't given up yet though.

I don't think you'll get many ideas posted other than whimsical off the cuff ideas. You're right- serious writers won't divulge their secets:wink:
 
Ivan,

The three sexes idea was also
recently part of the plot of an
episode of Enterprise.

The thing is, ideas don't make
a book or story good. It's all
in the writing. That is so much
the case that great books can
be written around some very
mediocre ideas.

It's not clear to me what you
mean when you say your writing
is too analytical because I haven't read anthing like a story
from you, but your posts are
extremely well written and read-
able and betray a sensitive ob-
server of things.

Good writing evokes sensory re-
sponses not abstract thinking,
it has atmosphere, and texture.
In the hands of a good writer
any idea or plot, however old,
will be presented to the reader
in terms they never considered,
from a vantage point they never
experienced.

-Zoob
 
I have been writing a science fiction novel for a few months now but this summer, I have been doing so much that it has just been sitting on my computer...I did add a few paragraphs the other day but it was around 2 O'Clock AM so I was falling asleep by the time I finished.
 
I've recently had a sci fi fiction going. I don't really know what to say about it.
 
  • #10
The only writing I seem to do these days is for my webseries. It deals with matching the subatomic vibrational frequencies of two different dimensions in order to traverse them. I try to be as scientifically accurate as possible.

Decades ago, I worked on a novel all through high school, but it was lost when I loaned it to a relative. :( I've, also, written a few short stories, and, even, some fanfiction. I was never published, though.
 
  • #11
Originally posted by Steve
It deals with matching the subatomic vibrational frequencies of two different dimensions in order to traverse them. I try to be as scientifically accurate as possible.

can we try this at home? :smile:
 
  • #12
You can try. Anything is possible...unless it's not. :smile:
 
  • #13
I'm actually a published science-fiction author . I've had a grand total of one story accepted by mags and consequently published. As for sharing my best ideas, well, I can't do that, as I'm still using them. ;)
 
  • #14
Congratulations Beren!

That's no mean feat considering
the huge amount of competition.
That's a tow in the door, and I
hope it leads to more success.

-Zooby
 

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