NOVA, stops by to tell us how and why she started writing Science Fiction.WIN - Leave her a comment or question this week here on Romance That's Out Of This World and your name goes in the hat for an autographed copy of her book THE KEY - please leave your email address so we can contact you if you are her winner!
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Science Fiction – Not Just for Geeks!
I would like to be able to say that I am a hard core, long time reader of all things science fiction. I’m not. I read books, of any genre, in grade school, but then I hit high school and almost failed my various science courses (and still have those “didn’t get my homework done” dreams about those classes!). I suspect the problem then—writing fictional science—is my great blessing now. But until recently I figured scientific dysfunction disqualified me from reading SF (though I did watch the various SF shows that popped up on TV.) I also did—and continue to—love action-adventure.
After years of not finding exactly the kind of action-adventure that I loved to read, I decided to write my own. That novel is called Out of Time and I didn’t consider it SF at the time, though I have since revised that opinion. While this book is about time traveling to WWII, the time travel occurs with a machine, which makes the book SF romance, IMHO, or at least first cousin to SF romance. With this shift in my writing gears, I’d stuck a toe, well, make the typing finger, in the door of SF romance.When I started my next novel, The Key, I wasn’t thinking, “This is a book set in outer space so it must be SFR.” I still focused on writing an action-adventure romance that I’d like to read. (I have this crazy idea that if I don’t like reading my books then no one else will either.) When my main character turned out to be an Air Force pilot assigned to a secret mission to other galaxies, I still didn’t
think I’d written SFR because I don’t do science. Then, following publication, I read a review calling my book space opera and another review comparing me to some high profile authors of science fiction romance.When the shock faded, I went online and bought said authors’ books and went, “Wow!” I like this and I’m not a geek or good at science. I did some further explorations and found great action (which I love), great romance (which I also love), plenty of adventure (love!), and great storytelling (LOVE!). And even better, I found where the action/adventure books for women had been “hiding.” I say hiding, because I thought I had to be a geek to enjoy science fiction so I didn’t stroll down that SF, even if there was romance mixed into the science. I was wrong and I’m so glad I was.
Readers don’t have to know equations or the speed of light to enjoy this exciting genre. You do have to be willing to “go where no non-geek has gone before.” You might find these books shelved in science fiction or romance, or even shelved in mainstream. Sometimes the covers tell you a book is SFR and sometimes it doesn’t. The best place to discover what books have been available, are available and will soon be available is The Galaxy Express Blog. On the left navigation, you’ll find links to authors who have been writing science fiction romance since the 1930’s. On the right, there are links to other blogs that follow things SFR-ish. It is a geek and non-geek road map to outstanding science fiction romance. Another place to discover science fiction romance is Broad Universe (broad=women on this site, don’t you love it?). Just click on the catalog link and take a walk on the girl-power-SF side.
Now that I’ve released my second science fiction romance/space opera/action-adventure novel, Girl Gone Nova and will be releasing my Steampunk/science fiction romance novella, Tangled in Time (are you still with me? Because I like to liberally mix up my genres) in December, I’m feeling more confident about my fictional science credentials. I even have a quote by an actual space physicist (scroll down to the review section). I’m having a wonderful time both reading and writing science fiction romance.If you’re like me, and think you “belong” to a genre, I urge you to check out SFR. I think you’ll be surprised when I tell you that you can find your favorite genre mixed with very accessible science. I’ve found paranormal, fantasy, laugh out loud comedy, and yes, even historicals mixed into the books being released by publishers both large and small. While mileage (and taste may vary), the books are as diverse as the galaxies and alternate realities they explore. And don’t get me started on some of the amazing heroes and heroines I’ve “met” going SFR.
If you want a place to start, I’d recommend my two SFR books (I did say I liked them), The Key and Girl Gone Nova, anything by Linnea Sinclair and Rowena Cherry, Darkship Thieves by Sarah A. Hoyt, Alpha by Catherine Asaro, Hurricane Moon by Alexis Glynn Latner, Jack Campbell’s Lost Fleet and…well, let me again refer you The Galaxy Express blog, because I’m going to forget someone wonderful and there really is something for everyone in this very fun genre.
Pauline Baird Jones is the author of nine novels of science fiction romance, action-adventure, suspense, romantic suspense and comedy-mystery. She's also written a Steampunk novella called Tangled in Time that will release 12/2010. She’s won an EPPIE, an Independent Book Award Bronze Medal (IPPY), the Dorothy Parker award, two Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Awards, and a Dream Realm Award. She’s written co-written three writing handbooks and has short stories in a variety of anthologies. Her books are available in print and digital (Kindle and other formats) in most online bookstores. For more information about Pauline and her books visit http://www.perilouspauline.com/.
Thanks for being our special guest this week Pauline! I've been a big fan of Sci Fi all my life and am so glad to see more SFR coming out lately.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read the new book GIRL GONE NOVA and was excited to hear your book OUT OF TIME will soon be available on Kindle.
Enjoy your week!
Many thanks for having me! I'm thrilled to be here and excited to be talking about my new favorite genre: science fiction romance. :-)
ReplyDeleteperilously,
pauline
Great interview, Pauline! I agree with all your recommendations.
ReplyDeleteMine are:
Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold. It's a combo of the books Shards of Honor, and Barrayar
Contact by Susan Grant
I just finished reading the whole Lost Fleet series too. LOL. And DownHome Zombie Blues, and Games of Command by Linnea.
Why do I love SFR? I've adored SF since I was about 8, reading Dune at 12. I found over the years that most SF books and particularly TV shows were missing the relationshps that I wanted to see/read. If they were there at all they were too vague.
So, I started writing and reading SFR to find the stories that I really wanted to read.
AnnaM.
Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog, AnnaM! You offer good suggestions, too! And I so know what you mean about writing books you want to read. I really need to go try Contact, though. Heard good things about that and haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Loved the insight into your process.
ReplyDeletekolists a/t gmail d\t com
I love finding new work that excites me. Life is way too short to read everything but I will give it my best shot.
ReplyDeletemarypres@gmail.com
Thanks, Karen! And thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteMarybelle, I'm the same way, which is why I have a TBR pile that could kill me if it weren't digital! LOL! I just wish I'd found SFR sooner! Thanks for stopping by!
I'm a huge fan of SFR stories...the wonderful world building, the boundaries authors are willing to push to create a solid story.
ReplyDeleteI so agree, Pauline, that you don't have to be a physicist to write SFR. A little bit of research with a liberal dose of imagination is a recipe for amazing tales.
ReplyDeleteYour post does a great job of illustrating the fun, adventure and romance that can be found in SFR.
And am I ever impressed with all your awards! Wow!
Super post, Pauline! Thanks ever so much for mentioning my blog.
ReplyDeleteI agree about the diversity science fiction romance has to offer. I tend to mix up my reading choices and it's so cool that I can go from military to steampunk to space opera whenever the mood strikes. And each setting offers unique love stories, with heroes and heroines using different types of really fun technology.
and still have those “didn’t get my homework done” dreams about those classes!
OMG I still have those dreams, too! And the ones where I miss the bus. Oy.
I just have dreams about having to go back to high school and showing up naked and not remembering my locker combo.
ReplyDeleteI'm proud to be a science geek. It's the romance side I have a hard time admitting to.
Looking forward to reading your SFR and comparing it to mine!
@ Laurie - it's true. I had a funny exchange with my hubby over that. I'd asked him if he thought something I wanted to do would work. His responses was, "but that's not real." So I asked my space physicist friend and she said, "it's fiction. you can do what you want." LOL! Many thanks!
ReplyDelete@s7anna - So glad you are a fan of SF! I guess my question for you would be, how do you find the books you like to read? How do authors find readers of this wonderful genre? Do stick with old favs or look for new favs?
@ Heather -- Glad to boost The Galaxy Express! It's an awesome, happening place. I've learned so much! I love the diversity, too. Found some fun books through TGE.
@ Jaleta - Oh the "didn't do the homework/naked in school" dreams! Did you ever see Val Kilmer in "Top Secret?" When he's being tortured and he passes out and dreams he's back in school and hasn't done his homework? He wakes up and says, "Oh, good, I'm just being tortured." LOL!
You should be proud to be a science geek! I wish I was! I used to have a hard time admitting I wrote romance, too, actually. Now I'm thrilled to let my inner romantic out! I think its part of our girl power. (grin)
Pauline, the thing I most liked about Contact was how effortlessly and seamlessly she worked in the worldbuilding. You almost didn't notice it because it all fit so casually.
ReplyDeleteAnnaM.
I wish they'd release it in kindle or digital at least. I hear Contact mentioned a lot by SFR fans. That's one I have on my wish list. I'm just not buying print books. We're close to retiring and scaling back.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Pauline! Yes, the diversity of the genre is definitely something that keeps me interested. And I'm so happy to see others who like it too. Too often, we think we're lonely voices in the wilderness! Appreciation always helps. :)
ReplyDeleteSure looking forward to your Carina release, Kaz! Thanks so much for coming round! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Pauline, I've only just discovered this blog and really enjoyed your post (Once I'd got over doing a 'double take' moment - I've been using 'Romance That's Out Of This World as my 'Tag Line' since 2007!)
ReplyDeleteYour experience as a SFR writer, mirrors my own, in that although I've been an avid SF reader (but not just romance) since I was a teenager.
It took me some time to realize that one doesn't need to be an astro physicist to write the kind of action adventure romance set among the stars that I love, you just have to make sure you do your research and make sure your story sounds credible,even if it's not at the moment physically possible! :)
I always remember Isaac Asimov's advice to writers: 'Explain what it does, don't try to explain how it does it!' (That may not be an exact quote but it's the gist of what he said.)
When I wrote my first novel 'Starquest' my crit partner, a canny Scott called it a 'space opera' and I was thrilled to bits. I'd just thought of it as a 'romantic space adventure'!
I'd love to read 'The Key' but since I live in the UK I guess I'll have to wait until I can buy it over here!
Welcome, Hywela and glad you stumbled into the blog. (LOL over double take). As for our science not being real yet, well, as I pointed at TGE yesterday, man was quite certain the world was flat for quite a long time. How do we know man won't find out science is quite true? LOL! Love the Asimov quote! I had that space opera squee moment as well. It's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHad a major squee moment yesterday when I saw that GIRL GONE NOVA is #10 on the fictionwise overall bestseller list AND #1 on the SF list. (And THE KEY is #10 on the SF list! Woot! LOL)
Hey Pauline, great post, and thanks for joining the ranks of us SFR girls. We've got to stick together.
ReplyDeleteMy first published Science Fiction comes out in July. It's not the first one I wrote -- for 20 years all I wrote was science fiction, but I never really tried to get it published. Then I switched to crime fiction and started selling, so I let the SF side go. Then I resurrected the best SF novel I had, reworked it and it sold.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite proud of it, though I always have been a bit geeky -- I actually used to read biology, astronomy and planetology books and did use a lot of that knowledge in my book, Falling Into the Night, which is mostly adventure with a touch of romance, though it's definitely not a romance.
If it goes over well, there may well be a sequel -- there actually was one, but it was lost years ago, but I have some memories of it, so I'm sure I can rewrite it.
It's due out July 4th.
pat.mysterywriter@gmail.com
Hey, Jess! thanks for coming by! We do need to stick together! Maybe I can get a "geek in training" tee shirt. LOL!
ReplyDeleteP.A. Congrats on your books! Geeky is good. Wish I was! LOL!
Great post. SFR is not just for the scientists!
ReplyDeleteI think your title Girl Gone Nova is terrific and look forward to reading the book!
Thanks, Melisse! I have to admit I'm loving the SFR. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm chiming in way late, so no need to include me in the giveaway (which has probably already happened anyway)!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Pauline, and wow, I can totally identify. I came into SFR the same way -- wrote the kind of book I like to read. When I was ready to start submitting to agents, I had to scramble around and figure out how to categorize it. Then I met Laurie Green of Spacefreighters Lounge and SFR Brigade and told her about my book, and she said, "Yep, that's sci-fi romance!"
But even today when I find myself venturing into the "science" of my books -- whether real or imagined, and there's usually a bit of both -- I often hear that nagging voice...you're not qualified to write this! So thank you very much for the affirmation in this area! :)
Congratulations on your success, Pauline, and thank you for sharing your story with us. I haven't read your work yet, but it sure sounds like just the kind of stuff I love.
Sharon, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your story! I love it! I wonder if we can find a cool, SF way to kill that little naysayer inside of us! I think it should be worse than a mere laser blast. (grin)
ReplyDeleteI've had company, so giveaway hasn't happened, but promise I'll deal with all my business by Monday!
And thanks to all who stopped by and were so kind to this geek in training!
perilously,
pauline