What would film be without dialogue? Without those “wonderful lines” that Debbie Reynolds’s character in “Singing in the Rain” considered the sine qua non of true acting? Well, it would still be film; indeed, it might even be better film. The silent era had caption … Continue readingToward More Visual Storytelling
The results of the 2020 United States Presidential election are well known by this point, and much analysis has been offered, including by myself on Twitter. For the first time on this blog I would like to offer some of the thoughts I’ve expressed in … Continue readingChecking in on American Politics: 2020 Edition
It must be Star Wars month at this blog, because once again my head turns toward contemplating ideas for new stories set in that universe. Well, this latest one I have is not exactly a new story, but is more of my own take on … Continue readingThe Star Wars Darth Bane Film Trilogy I Would Make
One of the things I enjoy the most about worldbuilding my science fiction setting, which is also an alternate history diverging from our timeline around 1900, is considering transportation technology in such a wealthier and more advanced world. It has recently struck me that it’s … Continue readingWorldbuilding Motorhomes in my Sci-Fi Setting
What kind of a country strives hard to acquire territory only to deny its people the full splendor of the spoils? Among many other countries who often styled themselves “empires” and acquired far-flung islands across the ocean, the United States, that’s who. Specifically I’d like … Continue readingA Not-so-Minor Dream for the Minor Outlying Islands
In recent years a perennial controversy has returned to the fore: namely, the issue of the state’s power to order the society it governs, of statecraft as soulcraft. “Liberalism” is usually the center of attention in such debates, but it’s recently struck me that the … Continue readingPost-Liberalism: An Echo, Not a Choice
Having offered my own ideas of the direction I think Star Wars should have gone in after the prequels, why not do the same with Star Trek? Indeed, the courses of the two franchises in the 21st century to date have been remarkably similar in … Continue readingThe New Star Trek I Would Have Made
My new sci-fi romance novel “Nereogenesis” is out in ebook and paperback! Yay! What is “Nereogenesis”? Compared to my earlier novels and stories it’s certainly the most enigmatic. You’ll have to find out for yourself what it means, but as for what it is I’ll … Continue readingNereogenesis: New Sci-Fi Romance Novel Out!
There is a great disturbance in the Force: the Star Wars sequel trilogy. After the perfect and very happy ending of “Return of the Jedi”, the Star Wars film series could have gone in any number of directions. Unfortunately, they picked perhaps the least inspiring … Continue readingThe Star Wars Sequel Trilogy I Would Have Made
My latest novel, about the finding and romancing of a hermit on the outer-solar-system moon of Ariel, has reached 43,000 words and still has some way to go, but my mind is already flowing with ideas for another story: the journey of a girl named … Continue readingCrystal Cities in Other Galaxies