Phillip K Dick, author of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, summed up the power of sci-fi when he described it as "the genre of ideas". I believe that science fiction, more than any other genre, allows an author to explore absolutely any aspect of any idea in any way they see fit. It does this because it gives us license to create the perfect universe, tailored to the specific needs of our story, with no compromises. The idea behind Terminal Dark was to write a story exploring where the misuse of emerging technologies might take society. It's a story that required a world with cultural, political, and technological aspects that don't yet exist. It could only have been a science fiction novel, because sci-fi removes all obstacles to expressing your ideas. And the idea, for me, really is more important than anything. Some authors focus on character, others plot; for me, the idea drives it all, dictating plot, characters, mood, and everything else. A great idea can change the world. So if you've got an idea for a story, but your struggling with the nuts and bolts of writing it, consider creating a customized universe within which you can express that idea in a more succinct, and direct way. The results could surprise you. And if you do, come back and tell me how it went; I'd love to hear about it, and I'm happy to give feedback. You can leave a comment here, or email me on the Contact page.
Peace & love to you :)
Dave
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