8/31/08

While Still On The Subject of Sci Fi...





Speaking Science Fiction laced with romance...

I read a lot of sci-fi fantasy, most with romantic elements. If possible, I never miss an episode of Farscape, Stargate or Star Trek. My favorite ones contain the developing romantic relationships between different species. In Star Trek-- Vulcan and Human, Klingon and Human, Symbyote and Klingon. In Farscape-- Human and Sebacean, Luxan and Nebari-- This last one inspired my Sci-fi character T'Kon and his human lover, Maya in my novella, Endangered. I am truly a space oriented sci-fi lover! I constantly study how to write these types of adventures.

While at UCLA, I wrote a sci-fi screenplay that was actually optioned by producer, Bob Kosberg. But writing an entire well-crafted novel (filled with adventurous plot points, hooks, good pacing and the art of sprinkling backstory throughout the novel-- and only when absolutely necessary, rather than in big chunks-- along with exhausting research) is truly a task that takes a practiced author in the genre, and it's not an easy task. Just ask Orson Scott Card! In other words, you've got to love the genre to write in it. That's why most of the sci-fi romance stories I have written so far are shorts or novellas.

I did write a Parallel Universe romance novel (no, it's not Endangered!) based on the script that never made it to the big screen. It's the first novel length I ever wrote. From time to time I pull it out and work on it, I layer it, revise it and tweak it. Maybe it will be ready for submission. But right now, I feel it is in the stage of work in progress, even though it's basically finished. Someday, when I become a better writer and have published several novels length books, I'll think about submitting that story. Until then, I have plenty of other work to do! (Time Travel, Medieval, Paranormal.)

Oh yes, did I tell you about my involvement in anything medieval? Well that's a story I'll save for another time!

How about you? Do you have a "baby-type" story that is closest to your heart? You still work on it, and maybe someday you'll even submit it-- but not yet...? First novels are sometimes like that.

Come September, I'll tell you about the best Science Fiction contest you could ever enter. The winning stories, published in an anthology each year, sell way past the million mark. It has launched many authors careers into the world of big time publishing and six-figure incomes, so stay tuned...

Kaye

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can say I agree with on being a sci-fi fan. And that contest you mentioned, it is the best for sci-fi writers launching their careers. As for having a baby novel that I nurture, no. I believe in submitting anything, once it's primed and ready.
Johnny

Anonymous said...

Remember my sci-fi short Final Destination? It got contradictory reviews from different editors. One loved it; another said it was full of holes! All writing is subjective. Anyway, I put that one away. This post has made me think about pulling it out and working on it again. Maybe I'll do that. And the contest you speak of is the best. Maybe it's time to enter Final Destination in that contest. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I can only imagine how hard and dedicated you'd have to be to write a sci-fi romance! I like all the Star Treks, Stargates, and even that off beat Farscape. But writing those complex adventures is something I wouldn't even want to think about doing!

Helen Hardt said...

Hey Kaye, I loved all the Klingon romances in StarTrek: Worf and Kaylar, Worf and Deanna, Worf and Jadzia. Kudos to you for writing these types of stories! I wish I had that kind of imagination.

My baby? The first romance I ever wrote. It's an early Victorian historical, and it's been through two extensive revisions, and I think it needs one more. But someday it will be ready. Soon, I hope, because the NY pubs are all looking for hot historicals right now.

Good luck with your sci-fi! And I'm anxious to learn more about your medievals.

Helen

Kaye Manro said...

Johnny, you are always quick to get those submissions out. Good for you!

And Cate, yes, I remember FD. My advice is you should submit it to the contest. You never did and I think it may have a chance.

Helen, Thanks for the kind words. And don't we love the first novel we wrote? I feel mine needs work because I wrote it a few years ago just after the screenplay got dropped and I wasn't as polished a fiction writer then. And you are so right-- NY pubs are looking for hot historicals now. So get yours ready! I'm glad I write in that genre too, lol.

Linda Banche said...

Wow, you wrote a screenplay that was optioned. I'm impressed. If you can do that, it's only a matter of time before you get published.

Kaye Manro said...

Thank you, Linda. Although I've had several short stories published, I'd like to publish my novels. One of my target markets is Nocturne. And as I've said before, I'm surely not opposed to doing a bit of e-pub too. I haven't sent anything to an e-pub yet, but have a few shorts I plan to submit as soon as I have them ready. I'll keep you posted.

Christina Phillips said...

I love Stark Trek NG and Farscape too - was a bit mad when they cut short Farscape! And Firefly. But I haven't tried writing sci-fi, I'm not sure I could (although I did when I was younger - now I think of it they all ended quite badly! I don't think I was into HEA as a teenager!)

Anonymous said...

Good post Kaye! Sci-fi is a favorite of mine too.

Anonymous said...

Wow! you have a bunch of experience. I can't wait to read your book/stories. I always like to watch the Star Treks. Stargate too.

Susan Macatee said...

Hi, Kaye!
I grew up watching Star Trek too! I also read a lot of sci-fi in high school. I know, I was a major geek!
But fortunately, my husband turned out to be a huge sci-fi fan too.

When I first started writing, I wrote Star Trek fan fiction and got one of my short stories published in one of those fan magazines. What a thrill that was! But I although I still read the genre, I haven't written anything new, although I'm currently working on an outline for a sci-fi romance that I hope to develop into a trilogy.

Kaye Manro said...

It is so much fun to write sci-fi romance, isn't it Susan! I love doing it and it's so nice to find another writer who likes it too.