Five Stages of the Science-Fiction Author

STAGE 1: Idea
I'll write a book about time travel! Nobody's done that well yet.

STAGE 2: World-building
I wonder if I should relate the history of the war between Morlocks and Ferengis here or in chapter 2. Oh, I know! I'll add a prologue!

STAGE 3: Characterization
Let's see... I've got the absent-minded professor vs. the mad scientist. Oo! And how about an android struggling to understand human emotions. Screw it, I'll just do an ensemble cast. What should I name the Asian character?

STAGE 4: Craft
How many l's are in "mellifluously"? Never mind. I'll just say "dulcet-like".

STAGE 5: Career
I wonder how many Nebulas you have to buy before they just give you the Hugo?

10 comments:

fairyhedgehog said...

How did you hack into my documents folder? ;)

Matthew MacNish said...

This is awesome.

vic caswell said...

hahaahAHAHA!!!!
:)

Lyla said...

Very nice :) And for #5, I figure it depends on how much you're paying for the Nebulas.

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

LOL!!

Oh dear. I think I'm doing my SF wrong. :)

L. T. Host said...

Sci-fi is one genre I have yet to venture into, but I'm sure I will apply your method if I ever do. :)

jjdebenedictis said...

Hey--I've read that book! Adam, are you writing under a pseudonym on the down-low? C'mon, buddy, you can tell us.

Adam Heine said...

I did write this book (except for the android). It was called Travelers.

But if you've read it, JJ, then you're the one hacking into my documents folder. Or maybe my recycle bin.

Unknown said...

stage six: repeat

Anonymous said...

Anything with Ferengis is bound to be a success.
in medias res