C is for Computers

I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because...

 ...of computers.  What would science fiction be without them?

They inform.  They serve.  Some, like Star Trek's holodeck, entertain.  But sometimes, they turn on us like the Cylons of Battlestar Galactica or SkyNet of the not-too-distant future.

My Favorite Computer

But usually, they just do what they're told, good or bad, like the Terminator or the HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

And then we have computers that we learn to love.  Like Lt. Commander Data of Star Trek or David from A. I. Artificial Intellegence.

Who doesn't love a little A. I.?

Computers come in almost every size and shape imaginable.  They have been a part of my life--and my job--for many years.  And they're yet another reason why I love science fiction and fantasy.

And for my brief IWSG portion of today's post, an encouragement:

If I hear you ask, "Can I?" then my answer is, "Yes! You can!"

There are at least three-hundred-sixty-five days in every year. Few of them come to pass without us questioning ourselves in some capacity.

Will I ever be a good writer?  A successful one?  Do I have what it takes?

I've come to believe that questioning ourselves is prudent, even healthy. A little doubt can balance a swollen ego.  But doubt--like ego--is good only in smaller doses.

You can write.  You can learn, improve. And with a fair amount of effort, you can succeed.

The only sure way to fail is to never try. 

B is for Bilbo

I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because...

...of characters like Lord of the Rings' Bilbo Baggins.

Bilbo Baggins was no wizard.  He was no magnificent warrior nor a fulfillment of prophecy.  He stole away no princess to marry and ruled no kingdom. But he did something that has inspired me for decades.

He went on an adventure!

And what an adventure it was!

Through his eyes, I saw trolls and dragons, dwarves and gold.  I witnessed him bantering with the coolest of wizards and riddling with the most tortured of souls.  I beheld awesome landscapes and glimpsed a golden ring that would change not only his world, but mine as well.

Bilbo Baggins, who lived in a hole in the ground, was the first reason I loved science fiction and fantasy.

A is for Aragorn

I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because...

...of characters like Lord of the Rings' Aragorn, son of Arathorn.

Tolkien introduced him to us as Strider, a Ranger of the North.  Only later did we learn that he was the heir of Isildur and rightful claimant to the thrones of Arnor and Gondor.

He was human and doubted his ability to prevail.  It was his ancestor that chose not to destroy the One Ring when the opportunity to do so presented itself.  That history gave him pause and caused him to doubt his own resolve.  "That same blood flows through my veins. That same weakness," he said.

But his resolve held true and his honor remained in tact.

This was no mere Ranger of the North.  Elrond's daughter, Arwen, chose a mortal life to marry him.  He returned as king and united Arnor and Gondor.  And his character is one reason why I love science fiction and fantasy.

And... A is also for Arlee, as in Arlee Bird from Tossing It Out.  All A to Z Challenge participants owe the prompting of their next thirty or so posts to him, seeing as how he created the challenge.  Thanks Arlee!  A is for you!

Sunday Surfing

Blog Blitz: A cool idea that DL Hammons over at Cruising Altitude had.

Amazon.com to Acquire Goodreads

Is it Really Time for Authors to Stop Blogging?

Dontcha Know How Ter Write Dialects, Y'all?

7 Reasons Agents Stop Reading Your First Chapter

Being Enneagrammatically Correct Part 1 and Part 2

Don't forget the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. It begins on April 1 (tomorrow!)  My theme will be "I Love Sci-Fi/Fantasy Because..." I look forward to reading your posts!

And finally, check out this monster wave off the coast of Portugal. It was estimated to be 100 feet high! And someone is surfing it!

If you encounter a post or article that you believe would be of benefit or interest to other writers, let me know.  Leave a comment. Send me an email. Catch me on Facebook or tweet the link to me on Twitter including the hashtag #SundaySurfing and I'll check it out.  As most of you know, my schedule is always a crap shoot and I undoubtedly miss some great links.  I'd hate for others to miss out too!

Happy Easter!

Just a brief post to wish everyone a Happy Easter!

Of course, any excuse for a holiday from work is okay in my book.  But this holiday not only permits grandparents to fill tiny little bellies with sweets, it encourages it!  Then we get to send the little hyperactive road runners home with their parents! 

How awesome is that?

So, whether you're stuffing yourself or your grandchildren with chocolate, do enjoy!  And accept my sincerest wishes of a happy holiday for you and yours!

Sunday Surfing (And a Status Update)

Probably everyone but the cave-dwelling hermit living in the canyon over yonder knows this, but the Blogging from A to Z Challenge is drawing nigh.  Many are participating this year.  Be sure to sign up if you're interested.  You will be welcomed.

One Simple Trick That Makes Editing Less Painful

Juggling Genres...Brilliance or Pure Folly?

So You Want to Use Song Lyrics in Your Novel? 5 Steps to Getting Rights to Lyrics

Honorary Geekdom membership requires that you view the new Star Trek Into Darkness trailer. (Platinum-level membership requires you to view it at least twice.)

And although I haven't written much prose lately, I have been writing a good deal of code.  Below is a screenshot of Magic Muse's current state of development.  I have much more to do before I can switch to it as my primary writing workbench, but I am making progress.

The DotNet version of Magic Muse

I'm still working on interface issues rather than the actual text editing and formatting functionality.  After all, the structure must be constructed before running the wiring and plumbing.

I'm hoping to have it ready for some initial testing within a few months, should anyone be interested in test driving it.

So, what have you been doing lately?

Top Ten Movie Countdown BlogFest

Ninja Captain Alex is hosting the...

And I decided to participate.  A true countdown requires ranking, but I cannot, in all fairness, truly rank these.  The rankings would change with the wind.  These are ten OF my favorites today.  Listed in no particular order, they are...

 Lord of the Rings trilogy (duh!)

The Two Towers was my favorite movie, but the Mines of Moria was my favorite scene.

Star Trek (the entire gambit)

But nobody does bad as good as Ricardo Montalban does.

Star Wars (yeah, all six!)

Let's hear it for the Wookie!!

The Avengers

I don't believe they could have done a better job with this movie.

Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars

I cannot tell you how many times I've watched this. I so miss the series.

Serenity (The Firefly movie)

From a series that died before its time. Not shiny!

Merlin

Several Merlin/Camelot adaptations vied for this slot; Sam Neill's portrayal won.

The Bourne Series (Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum)

Not Sci-Fi/Fantasy, but close enough. My favorite changes with time.

A Knight's Tale

This one starred an actor that died before his time.

The Sixth Sense

The best thing (IMHO) Bruce did after Moonlighting.

I have watched these movies so many times.  I can quote way too much from way too many of them, and there is much within them worth quoting.

Any of these make your Top Ten list?