Ironically enough, I had this story about 90% plotted out before I had to can it at the end of 2023… and then when I got back into writing this year, it was on the new Mars Fire novel instead. I’m definitely going to circle back to the Neversea once MF is done though, I had a pretty vast story in mind for the world and its inhabitants.
“We call it the Neversea because you can never see the bottom - or the far side.” - a corny line the one character used to describe the place to a newcomer. Not my sharpest joke ever, admittedly!
My Mars Fire main writing work is currently still under wraps (read: being written) but I have some short stories shared here that fall in the same universe: “Dust King” and “Whale Hunter” are both snapshots from that setting. The novel’s writing is a bit more detailed and not quite as fast-paced though!
I enjoyed this. You'll end up converting me to sci-fi! You have a skill in writing a compelling story where the technical explanation is so secondary, idiots like me can ignore it altogether.
Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying them. I’ve always felt that sci-fi comes in two categories: stories where the SCIENCE fiction is the main plotline and driver of everything that happens (e.g. The Matrix), versus stories that are “normal” stories - boy meets girl, boy/girl fights tyrant, boys/girls go on quest - that just so happen to be taking place in a futuristic setting. The purists will tell you that only the former is REAL sci-fi, much like Star Trek is considered sci-fi while Star Wars is considered fantasy (in a futuristic setting). Why do I mention this? Because the short stories I’ve been sharing here, have all been of the latter type. Stories where the SCIENCE is not the main focus, but instead an enabler or enhancer to the actual story. I think stories in that style could be a great gateway drug for people who would otherwise not really be interested in science-heavy sci-fi!
I was good friends with a sci-fi writer for years when we were both starting out. He had already written the first book in his series and I was impressed. He went on to write a tetralogy, self-published, and I loved them all. He calls it sci-fi, but I’d call it fiction set in a very weird future. Sort of psychedelic steam-punky. Rather like what you’re describing. His name is John Guy Collick and the series is called The Book of the Colossus if you’re interested.
It’s highly visual writing, paints a huge canvas. I don’t enjoy writing that doesn’t make a picture. I know descriptive writing is unfashionable and what’s recommended is lots of dialogue in the mistaken belief that this equates with show not tell (itself questionable). Dialogue never plants the decor. Having someone say, ‘Oh, look at the sun setting behind that pine-clad mountain’, is not a substitute for good, old-fashioned description.
I’m also not a fan of walls and walls of dialogue. I know most people talk a lot/ too much - but that does not mean I have to write characters with the same verbal diarrhea. I want to describe the scene in MY way, not always through the eyes of my characters (which also has a place of its own, sure, but I would not want to carry the main weight of the world that way).
It’s lazy, I think. As though all that matters is what comes out of the mouths of the characters. No circumspection, no other perspective or interpretation, as though all that is expendable detail, when it’s the essential.
I really enjoyed the complex world and backstory here - I would love to see more happen in this place!
Ironically enough, I had this story about 90% plotted out before I had to can it at the end of 2023… and then when I got back into writing this year, it was on the new Mars Fire novel instead. I’m definitely going to circle back to the Neversea once MF is done though, I had a pretty vast story in mind for the world and its inhabitants.
Ooh I'm so glad! I absolutely love the name 'Neversea' - it's really evocative 😊
I'll have to check out your Mars Fire stuff soon!
“We call it the Neversea because you can never see the bottom - or the far side.” - a corny line the one character used to describe the place to a newcomer. Not my sharpest joke ever, admittedly!
My Mars Fire main writing work is currently still under wraps (read: being written) but I have some short stories shared here that fall in the same universe: “Dust King” and “Whale Hunter” are both snapshots from that setting. The novel’s writing is a bit more detailed and not quite as fast-paced though!
Good story, I enjoyed that.
I’m glad you liked it. I look forward to writing this story - and it is a BIG one, based on my planning - once I am done with my current novel…!
I enjoyed this. You'll end up converting me to sci-fi! You have a skill in writing a compelling story where the technical explanation is so secondary, idiots like me can ignore it altogether.
Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying them. I’ve always felt that sci-fi comes in two categories: stories where the SCIENCE fiction is the main plotline and driver of everything that happens (e.g. The Matrix), versus stories that are “normal” stories - boy meets girl, boy/girl fights tyrant, boys/girls go on quest - that just so happen to be taking place in a futuristic setting. The purists will tell you that only the former is REAL sci-fi, much like Star Trek is considered sci-fi while Star Wars is considered fantasy (in a futuristic setting). Why do I mention this? Because the short stories I’ve been sharing here, have all been of the latter type. Stories where the SCIENCE is not the main focus, but instead an enabler or enhancer to the actual story. I think stories in that style could be a great gateway drug for people who would otherwise not really be interested in science-heavy sci-fi!
I was good friends with a sci-fi writer for years when we were both starting out. He had already written the first book in his series and I was impressed. He went on to write a tetralogy, self-published, and I loved them all. He calls it sci-fi, but I’d call it fiction set in a very weird future. Sort of psychedelic steam-punky. Rather like what you’re describing. His name is John Guy Collick and the series is called The Book of the Colossus if you’re interested.
I’ll definitely have to give it a try then!
It’s highly visual writing, paints a huge canvas. I don’t enjoy writing that doesn’t make a picture. I know descriptive writing is unfashionable and what’s recommended is lots of dialogue in the mistaken belief that this equates with show not tell (itself questionable). Dialogue never plants the decor. Having someone say, ‘Oh, look at the sun setting behind that pine-clad mountain’, is not a substitute for good, old-fashioned description.
I’m also not a fan of walls and walls of dialogue. I know most people talk a lot/ too much - but that does not mean I have to write characters with the same verbal diarrhea. I want to describe the scene in MY way, not always through the eyes of my characters (which also has a place of its own, sure, but I would not want to carry the main weight of the world that way).
It’s lazy, I think. As though all that matters is what comes out of the mouths of the characters. No circumspection, no other perspective or interpretation, as though all that is expendable detail, when it’s the essential.