Stephen Baxter is one of those science fiction writers with the background (mathematics) to back it up. He writes what some might call “hard” science fiction, putting a lot more emphasis on the science than on the fiction. And that’s OK. I only state that to give you a heads up for what to expect. … More Review: “The Time Ships” by Stephen Baxter
“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” –Arthur C. Clarke With input from my fellow writers in the Rough Writers, our campus creative writing club, I have been talking about magic and science, fantasy and science fiction, and how one can and should relate to it. I have already expressed my bias against … More Does God Do Magic?
I am somewhat of an odd duck when it comes to my writing. I have positioned myself (with a lot of exceptions) as a Christian suspense writer who also writes science fiction. Here’s why: I am a born-again Christian who also loves science fiction. I believe each has something to teach the other. And I … More Magic, no. Supernatural, yes.
In his immortal book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, William Pirsig tells of an incident he experienced as a high school composition teacher. He told a classroom full of students to begin writing–something, anything. They couldn’t think of anything to write. He then suggested they write about something in the room. They still … More Why I don’t believe in magic
I hope you had a chance to read my newest short story that I posted yesterday. I am pretty proud of it. It is based on the challenge that went out from the Rough Writers, our student Creative Writing club on campus here. We have been building a fantasy world during this school year, and … More Getting the Word Out
“Leviathan” by Scott Westerfeld. 440 pages. Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. I have been meaning to read this book for a long time but haven’t, mostly because I was either reading something else or couldn’t buy it on sale, which is the way I buy most of my books. Because I have written one steampunk … More Review: “Leviathan” by Scott Westerfeld
How to Build a Time Machine: The Real Science of Time Travel by Brian Clegg. St. Martin’s Press. 307 pages. No self-respecting science fiction writer would try to write without actually reading some science, and this is more ammunition for my speculation gun. Brian Clegg holds a physics degree from Cambridge University, and is the … More Review: “How To Build a Time Machine” by Brian Clegg
It’s been a hectic couple of weeks, and my dreams for National Novel Writing Month have pretty much been a shipwreck, but I was able to accomplish one pretty good thing during that time. Last night, I successfully launched my 16th book title. The Last Supper is a collection of short stories that I will … More Announcing…(drum roll) Book Number 16
One can never really anticipate when the turning point of our life will be. In retrospect, it’s relatively easy to look back and see that our life changed for better—or worse—when we met a significant other, when we got a job, when a child was born, or maybe when we made a major decision in … More “Yesterday and Tomorrow”
Bernie Hoxstetler was bored with his life. That’s not to say he was depressed, or angry, or suicidal. After who knows how many years of the same old thing, he was just plain bored. Every morning he arose to find his breakfast ready for him at the door of his penthouse suite: oatmeal with raisins, … More “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”
The Great Adventure 