Years ago I established that in my alternate-historical/science-fictional setting a Russian-led expedition is the first to reach Mars in 1963, 22 years after the first manned spaceflight, and 14 years after the first landing on the Moon. Now that I’ve written up the first flight … Continue readingWorldbuilding the First Mars Landing
I’ve finished writing up my story of the denizens of the Astoria, Oregon boarding house, weighing in at 17,000 words, which I will release sometime later this year; on Christmas Night 1941 they see live on their television the first manned mission to outer space, … Continue readingMy Lunar Program After “Wings of Fire”
You know, I really like plotting out alternate histories of spaceflight (like I did last summer), and I’m having the pleasure again the turn of this new year 2023: for my next story (see my posts here, here, and here). Instead of a manned Moon … Continue readingWorldbuilding the First Manned Spaceflight
I know I sounded all ready to make a story based on my ice dragon world concept outlined in a recent blog post, but it just doesn’t feel right no matter how much I tinker with it or what I combine it with; I’ve learned … Continue readingGiving “Garden City” a Whole New Meaning
Hot off the presses just in time for Christmas Day: my new science-fiction romance novel “Heart of Proxima” is out! You can buy it in Kindle ebook or paperback form now! For the better part of this year I’ve been working on this story (see … Continue readingHeart of Proxima: New Sci-Fi Romance Novel Out!
“What about winter?” “You’ve already had it!” “We’ve had one, yes. What about second winter?”. On a planet with high axial tilt and/or an eccentric orbit, a short temperate summer can be envisaged, coupled with long cold winters beyond the ken of anywhere on Earth. … Continue readingArgon Snows on an Ice Dragon Planet
What’s this? New “Star Wars” that I actually like? It’s been far too long. Not since “Revenge of the Sith” have I experienced a new Star Wars project as good as the new series “Star Wars: Andor”, a spy thriller covering the saga of those … Continue readingStar Wars: Andor — It’s Actually Really Good!
In my posts “Ready for Amaranth?” and “Tangling Up a Family Tree for Fun and Worldbuilding” I’ve detailed some of the brainstorming I’ve been doing for a family-saga-cum-romance-tale in outer space. But something felt kinda missing. Then the other day I wondered if livening it … Continue readingA Pirate Story For Me, Savvy?
I’m currently brainstorming for a story that will see both branches of my universe’s illustrious Reinhardt family combine into one bloodline, under the aegis of Amarantha’s romantic plotting amid the arrival of a great comet right after her mother’s term in political office ends. I … Continue readingTangling Up a Family Tree for Fun and Worldbuilding
I’ve been devoting some thought to my concept for a story set in the mid to late 2040s detailing that chapter of the Reinhardt family saga, how I might make it new, different, and interesting. Why not have the romance take place amid a visit … Continue readingReady for Amaranth?