Sci Fi

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Michael Barnette. “Do you write aliens? How do you use them in your books? How alien are they?” There are many variations – possibly an almost infinite number – when it comes to writing aliens. In MM romance, we tend to see human-like aliens, so they can interact romantically with our human protagonists. Although certain non-human accessories (tentacles, anyone?) are not unheard of. But aliens can also take on much different forms, from the title one in the Alien or Predator movies, to much more benign but still different forms. So my questions to you … Read more

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Tam Ames – “Money. Gimme Gimme. How do you deal with that in sci-fi? Did Han Solo have a Visa card? Does everyone used gold pressed latinum? I can barely get my shit together to get the right currency when I’m traveling an hour away, what if I’m going across the galaxy and have never even know this planet exists? Do we just ignore it? Barter? Curious what people have done, if anything.” With the world moving into epay systems, what will money look like in the future? What will it mean if you can’t … Read more

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Victoria Stagg Elliot: “I’ve lately been fantasizing about writing a book called, “The Grammar Wars,” that focuses on two societies at war over a disagreement over the use of the Oxford comma. What are other silly reasons that could trigger an intergalactic war and make for an interesting science fiction book?” There are enough examples in our own history of stupid incidents that have triggered conflicts, and often, when the history is finally written, the original cause has been forgotten. So my question today – What silly reasons that could trigger an intergalactic war? And … Read more