The common error of science fiction writers prophetically describing the future is that their time frames are too short. "Nineteen Eighty Four" might have been better titled "Twenty Eighty Four", in my entirely humble yet completely correct opinion. :-)
OUCH!! That one's worth a monthly sub, done just now! (A couple of typos in there, or maybe that was a simulation of the autistic consciousness that wrote it??
I enjoyed this. It got me wondering if there's any trend toward longform science-fiction writing centered around the aftermath of Covid. I've always been a big fan of dystopian science fiction because of what it lays bear about the tendencies of human beings in crisis. Unfortunately, this is one more area where the big tech sensors are ruining all of our fun. You're not going to see any dystopian movies that paint a negative picture of the way Covid has been handled by governments around the world. However, it will be more difficult to prevent people from writing because there are no capital expenditures necessary. Any such fiction on substack that anyone is aware of?
I'm not aware of anyone writing long-form sci-fi based on what's going on now, but then I've not really looked (I've trouble enough trying to catch up on all the brilliant 20th Century dystopian writing).
No doubt there is going to be a wealth of novels in the near future spring boarding off what we are going through. They will likely be distributed through communities like this via self-publishing.
It's a strange place to be in isn't it? I mean Kennedy has written this book about Fauci that is probably better than any fiction novel of intrigue, power, and mass murder.
I'm with you Anomaloid - bring on the dystopian science fiction writers - they certainly are fun (sometimes a little too close to home, but fun nevertheless).
Sep 24, 2022·edited Sep 24, 2022Liked by Winston Smith
As requested, I've just given this piece a second pass. My immediate thoughts :
1) Like myself in days of yore, it appears you've either been effectively trained in the taxonomy of "corporate" wordplay -- the "art of the press release", perception management, et al. -- or possess first-rate mimicry skills of the auto-didactic variety. As my own narrative includes both, color me truly curious whether your skills are entirely organic or honed by the practical necessity of the invoice.
2) Footnote #2 : I strongly suspect "one third" will be off by at least an order of magnitude.
3) You really should consider investing additional energy in this direction, in whatever form or works best to motivate your muse. It's worth mentioning that I managed a writing staff or two in a previous life, before successfully enacting my Joycean withdrawal strategy back in '02 (silence, exile, cunning) and bugging out to the wife's ancestral farm. Formally trained or not, you have the knack.
4) More please, but only as the muse provides. Don't force it. The results will likely only frustrate the part of you capable of envisioning this and the most recent post.
5) If I was to offer a single piece of advice and/or encouragement to a genuine writer such as yourself, the most practical is surely to "write first and edit later".
6) When inspiration arrives, consciously give the keys to the 'right' brain. Once the flow subsides, take a break. Minutes, hours, or days later when you're in the right mental AND physical space (a crucial detail), hand the keys to the 'left' brain. Shape, form and color -- and entirely new perspectives -- often emerge quite organically at this stage.
7) Lather, rinse and repeat until you're satisfied.
3) Thanks, that's encouraging! No formal training - although trained in musical composition to masters level, so that may have lent itself to creative writing... possibly.
4) will do.
5) good advice - I write a lot of non-fiction - science stuff - and it's very analytical and rather dry - so the creative fiction side of things is such a joy but I've not allowed myself much space to develop it. Maybe I will now.
6) more good advice - same thing I'd do with musical composition.
7) lol - yep, I've watched a few masterclasses of fiction writers and I"d say this is their general gist as well.
Sep 24, 2022·edited Sep 24, 2022Liked by Winston Smith
1) As RAW and others observed, high-quality (and I would assert 'high-order') mimicry skills are enough to exist in most spaces. For those with intrinsic talents, alone or in addition to institutionally curated skills, engagement in said spaces is usually a question of social -- as opposed to hierarchical -- opportunity. Represented in catchy slogans like "fake it 'til you make it" and general intellectual and professional acquiescence to the truth that who you know is at least as important as what in most realms of pursuit.
3) Music in my life too. Composition-level skills most definitely apply in the semantic space -- synaesthesia, anyone -- and bode well for reproducing similar work in longer forms. Attractive for their latitude and scope, but requiring a different kind (and level) of discipline. Explore, experiment, adapt. I've always found the sensations of writing in character exhilarating, intoxicating even. Akin to the oft-referenced "zone" of fluent extemporaneous speech and the various permutations of performance.
5-7) While much of what passes for "good writing" in the modern world is utilitarian (sciences, trades, processes, perception management, et al.), it's become clear over the years that the ability to craft *images* (3D+ thoughtforms) in a functionally 2D medium is a skill *rarely* learned, in both my direct experience and that shared by others.
No worries, Mr. Smith. Just doing my miniscule part in the eternal effort to keep the universal wellspring of genuine intellect and good sense flowing as freely as possible, whenever the opportunity arises. In the words of Weston A. Price, "you teach, you teach, you teach"...
The common error of science fiction writers prophetically describing the future is that their time frames are too short. "Nineteen Eighty Four" might have been better titled "Twenty Eighty Four", in my entirely humble yet completely correct opinion. :-)
OUCH!! That one's worth a monthly sub, done just now! (A couple of typos in there, or maybe that was a simulation of the autistic consciousness that wrote it??
You scare the sh** out me. This is top stuff. Too close for comfort. I'm moving to Montana.
I enjoyed this. It got me wondering if there's any trend toward longform science-fiction writing centered around the aftermath of Covid. I've always been a big fan of dystopian science fiction because of what it lays bear about the tendencies of human beings in crisis. Unfortunately, this is one more area where the big tech sensors are ruining all of our fun. You're not going to see any dystopian movies that paint a negative picture of the way Covid has been handled by governments around the world. However, it will be more difficult to prevent people from writing because there are no capital expenditures necessary. Any such fiction on substack that anyone is aware of?
I'm not aware of anyone writing long-form sci-fi based on what's going on now, but then I've not really looked (I've trouble enough trying to catch up on all the brilliant 20th Century dystopian writing).
No doubt there is going to be a wealth of novels in the near future spring boarding off what we are going through. They will likely be distributed through communities like this via self-publishing.
It's a strange place to be in isn't it? I mean Kennedy has written this book about Fauci that is probably better than any fiction novel of intrigue, power, and mass murder.
I'm with you Anomaloid - bring on the dystopian science fiction writers - they certainly are fun (sometimes a little too close to home, but fun nevertheless).
As requested, I've just given this piece a second pass. My immediate thoughts :
1) Like myself in days of yore, it appears you've either been effectively trained in the taxonomy of "corporate" wordplay -- the "art of the press release", perception management, et al. -- or possess first-rate mimicry skills of the auto-didactic variety. As my own narrative includes both, color me truly curious whether your skills are entirely organic or honed by the practical necessity of the invoice.
2) Footnote #2 : I strongly suspect "one third" will be off by at least an order of magnitude.
3) You really should consider investing additional energy in this direction, in whatever form or works best to motivate your muse. It's worth mentioning that I managed a writing staff or two in a previous life, before successfully enacting my Joycean withdrawal strategy back in '02 (silence, exile, cunning) and bugging out to the wife's ancestral farm. Formally trained or not, you have the knack.
4) More please, but only as the muse provides. Don't force it. The results will likely only frustrate the part of you capable of envisioning this and the most recent post.
5) If I was to offer a single piece of advice and/or encouragement to a genuine writer such as yourself, the most practical is surely to "write first and edit later".
6) When inspiration arrives, consciously give the keys to the 'right' brain. Once the flow subsides, take a break. Minutes, hours, or days later when you're in the right mental AND physical space (a crucial detail), hand the keys to the 'left' brain. Shape, form and color -- and entirely new perspectives -- often emerge quite organically at this stage.
7) Lather, rinse and repeat until you're satisfied.
1) mimicry skills
2) probably right!
3) Thanks, that's encouraging! No formal training - although trained in musical composition to masters level, so that may have lent itself to creative writing... possibly.
4) will do.
5) good advice - I write a lot of non-fiction - science stuff - and it's very analytical and rather dry - so the creative fiction side of things is such a joy but I've not allowed myself much space to develop it. Maybe I will now.
6) more good advice - same thing I'd do with musical composition.
7) lol - yep, I've watched a few masterclasses of fiction writers and I"d say this is their general gist as well.
Thanks Doug for your advice and encouragement!
1) As RAW and others observed, high-quality (and I would assert 'high-order') mimicry skills are enough to exist in most spaces. For those with intrinsic talents, alone or in addition to institutionally curated skills, engagement in said spaces is usually a question of social -- as opposed to hierarchical -- opportunity. Represented in catchy slogans like "fake it 'til you make it" and general intellectual and professional acquiescence to the truth that who you know is at least as important as what in most realms of pursuit.
3) Music in my life too. Composition-level skills most definitely apply in the semantic space -- synaesthesia, anyone -- and bode well for reproducing similar work in longer forms. Attractive for their latitude and scope, but requiring a different kind (and level) of discipline. Explore, experiment, adapt. I've always found the sensations of writing in character exhilarating, intoxicating even. Akin to the oft-referenced "zone" of fluent extemporaneous speech and the various permutations of performance.
5-7) While much of what passes for "good writing" in the modern world is utilitarian (sciences, trades, processes, perception management, et al.), it's become clear over the years that the ability to craft *images* (3D+ thoughtforms) in a functionally 2D medium is a skill *rarely* learned, in both my direct experience and that shared by others.
Thanks again Doug.
No worries, Mr. Smith. Just doing my miniscule part in the eternal effort to keep the universal wellspring of genuine intellect and good sense flowing as freely as possible, whenever the opportunity arises. In the words of Weston A. Price, "you teach, you teach, you teach"...