Exciting but really confusing! Not sure if this is a stand alone or part of a series. I had the definite impression this mission turned kamikaze at the last minute. I’m sure I’d enjoy an expanded version but would need way more grounding in this world.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! This is totally standalone - I had a rough idea of a story flow in mind when I started, and just ran with it. For one-shot stories like these, I usually start with a couple of broad strokes to paint a high-level picture of the setting - where are we, what is happening, etc - and then dive into the detail. I generally don’t over-detail short stories like this - the story often does not need it if you are focusing on something more kinetic (action) or emotional (our protagonist’s recollection of his lost lover).
If you are not already part of the Sci-Friday posting trend, I’d recommend you hop on that train this week. It’s a good way to see and be seen by a large chunk of the other SF writers.
I’ll check this out. I write a science fiction weekly email newsletter on Substack so I’m always interested in discovering other science fiction authors. I publish on Friday mornings.
Oh awesome I haven't heard of that before but definitely something I'd be interested in. Any official group I need to apply to or just mention "Sci-Friday" in the note when I share my Friday short?
Check in my Notes list on my profile - I haven’t done Sci-Friday in a few weeks now, but you should be able to find some from January that show the basic format:
your punt-line
your story link
the author tag list (you can copy/paste that list, or just make your own one with authors you already know/ follow)
I read this all the way through, not understanding what technically was going on, but feeling hyper-anxious about what was happening to the protagonist. It takes a lot of skill to keep a completely ignorant reader on board!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ve found that a simple incremental loss process (technically a decremental process?) works well to build tension: party members falling away, things failing, and a feeling of isolation that creeps in. You can see a similar technique in “Inescapable” and “Whale Eater”… which now makes me realise I perhaps use it a tad too often!
It’s what makes it human and accessible to people who don’t even know what a sim card does. The plot might turn around a battle in space, using technical language only the initiated understand, but essentially the ‘story’ is about the protagonist and Lisa, and what is going to happen to them, as the way out shrinks smaller and smaller.
Pretty much, yes - you hit the nail on the head there. I am also a MASSIVE sucker for the “Heroic Final Sacrifice” trope when it comes to characters, so expect to see many, many more of my poor characters dying valiantly in the end to get something done…
Also: this guy had an immense impact on me as a kid, for reasons I still do not fully understand.
Exciting but really confusing! Not sure if this is a stand alone or part of a series. I had the definite impression this mission turned kamikaze at the last minute. I’m sure I’d enjoy an expanded version but would need way more grounding in this world.
Loved the fighter and bomber action!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! This is totally standalone - I had a rough idea of a story flow in mind when I started, and just ran with it. For one-shot stories like these, I usually start with a couple of broad strokes to paint a high-level picture of the setting - where are we, what is happening, etc - and then dive into the detail. I generally don’t over-detail short stories like this - the story often does not need it if you are focusing on something more kinetic (action) or emotional (our protagonist’s recollection of his lost lover).
Now that's what I call a sci fi short, nicely done m8!
Glad you enjoyed it! I see you’re a cyberpunk man too - I have only one story here that fits the mold, “Cold Feet”. You might enjoy that too.
Yeah I'll definitely check it out. Overall glad I found your page though been looking for other sci fi writers on here!
If you are not already part of the Sci-Friday posting trend, I’d recommend you hop on that train this week. It’s a good way to see and be seen by a large chunk of the other SF writers.
I’ll check this out. I write a science fiction weekly email newsletter on Substack so I’m always interested in discovering other science fiction authors. I publish on Friday mornings.
Sounds like you are perfectly timed to hop aboard the Sci-Friday train then. We’ll see you next week!
Oh awesome I haven't heard of that before but definitely something I'd be interested in. Any official group I need to apply to or just mention "Sci-Friday" in the note when I share my Friday short?
Check in my Notes list on my profile - I haven’t done Sci-Friday in a few weeks now, but you should be able to find some from January that show the basic format:
your punt-line
your story link
the author tag list (you can copy/paste that list, or just make your own one with authors you already know/ follow)
Awesome thanks a ton for the guidance m8!
I read this all the way through, not understanding what technically was going on, but feeling hyper-anxious about what was happening to the protagonist. It takes a lot of skill to keep a completely ignorant reader on board!
I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ve found that a simple incremental loss process (technically a decremental process?) works well to build tension: party members falling away, things failing, and a feeling of isolation that creeps in. You can see a similar technique in “Inescapable” and “Whale Eater”… which now makes me realise I perhaps use it a tad too often!
It’s what makes it human and accessible to people who don’t even know what a sim card does. The plot might turn around a battle in space, using technical language only the initiated understand, but essentially the ‘story’ is about the protagonist and Lisa, and what is going to happen to them, as the way out shrinks smaller and smaller.
Pretty much, yes - you hit the nail on the head there. I am also a MASSIVE sucker for the “Heroic Final Sacrifice” trope when it comes to characters, so expect to see many, many more of my poor characters dying valiantly in the end to get something done…
Also: this guy had an immense impact on me as a kid, for reasons I still do not fully understand.
https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/wolraad-woltemade-drowns-sea-after-saving-14-people-sinking-ship
I do. He was a hero, pure and simple. And there was a horse.