Happy Insecure Writers Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going.
I'm thrilled to join this month's awesome hosts: Kim Lajevardi, Sylvia Ney, Sarah Foster, Jennifer Hawes, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!
This month's optional question is one I'm happy to answer.
Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?
Science Fiction Romance. My first published novel was a sci-fi romance. After being rejected so many times for contemporary romances, I decided to write for fun and, amazingly, Switched was accepted by a niche publisher.
I read and write science fiction because it reinforces my belief in a future. That other sentients live in our universe. That faster-than-light (FTL) speed is/will be possible. That we (humans) will explore other planets, either by traveling through wormholes or developing engines with warp or FTL drive.
Relationships are important to stories. Without characters, the stories would be dry scientific texts. Characters who work together make the story more interesting. Even better, characters who fall in love reinforce my belief that happy ever after is possible. It's a belief in the future of humankind.
Combining science fiction with a strong relationship (romance) is my favorite genre to write--both for adults and for middle school age children.
When wise-cracking Jessie Wyndom
is beamed from her farmhouse in Ann Arbor, MI aboard an Alliance starship, she
meets a regular Mr. Spock. Captain Marcus Viator's well-organized life is
turned upside down by a free-spirited Terran. Fate brings them together. Treachery
tears them apart.
Her father is
gone! Taken by the Queen of Compara’s agents. Fifteen-year-old Mara has to rescue him before the
Queen tortures and kills him.
Instead of the
kind, loving father she’s always known, he’s become demanding, critical, with
impossible expectations—not just as Father but also as the only teacher in their
frontier outpost. Mara would rather scoop zircan poop than listen to another
boring lecture about governments on Central Planets. Give her a starship engine
to take apart or, better yet, fly, and she’s happy. Now, he’s gone.
Never mind,
they’ve had a rocky road lately.
Never mind,
Father promised she could go off planet to Tech Institute next month when she turns
fifteen, where she’ll learn to fly starships.
Never mind, she
ran away because she’s furious with him because he reneged on that promise.
Father is her only parent. She has to save him.
Ebooks: Amazon
~ Amazon
UK ~ Kobo
~ B&N
~ Smashwords
Print: Amazon
Guidelines and rules:
Word count: 3500-5000
Genre: Middle Grade Historical – Adventure/Fantasy
Theme: Voyagers
Submissions accepted: May 1 - September 4, 2019
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @insecurewriterssupportgroup. com before the deadline passes. Please include your contact details, your social links, and if you are part of the Blogging, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter IWSG group.
Word count: 3500-5000
Genre: Middle Grade Historical – Adventure/Fantasy
Theme: Voyagers
Submissions accepted: May 1 - September 4, 2019
How to enter: Send your polished, formatted (double-spaced, no footers or headers), previously unpublished story to admin @insecurewriterssupportgroup.
Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.
Sci-Fi, what a surprise, my Star Trekian friend. And you write it wonderfully. Love both the books you highlighted to the galaxy and beyond and your reason for adoring the genre. Live long and prosper!
ReplyDelete*smiling broadly* Thanks, Nancy. I can always depend on you for support.
DeleteI like sci-fi too but my favorite genre to write in is fantasy. And I agree with you on the importance of having good characters. Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie. I can't believe Nancy beat you to the comments. You're usually the 1st. :)
DeleteI enjoyed reading what motivates you to write Science Fiction Romance. "Fate brings them together. Treachery tears them apart." Those words promise a great read. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteLynn La Vita @ Writers Supporting Writers
Thanks, Lynn. I can't take credit for those 2 sentences. My wonderful editor/publisher came up with them.
DeleteScience fiction is my favorite. I also believe in happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
You're welcome. It's always fun to read new blogs.
DeleteIsn't it funny when we stop listening to the industry and write what we like? Just for fun. Go figure. I'm a total sap for a good happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteThanks, S.A. "They" say sci-fi romance doesn't sell. But there are people (like me) who crave sfr stories. Yeah, go figure.
DeleteCongratulations on finding a niche publisher and a home for your books. I like Science Fiction and since I have read two of your books, I can say they are the kind of Science Fiction that I like to read.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Oh, thank you so much, Pat. I'm glad you enjoyed my books.
DeleteWoot! I think of the sci-fi I enjoy, those with romance have to be my favorite. Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Loni. I do read non-romance sci-fi, but the stories always seem a bit lacking. Action/Adventure is great, but I like reading about relationships, too.
DeleteSounds like you've hit the sweet spot on writing. Your books sound great. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month!
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Thanks, Mary. I like your term sweet spot. Perfect.
DeleteI have never read a science fiction romance. Thanks for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteGive sfr a chance. If not my books *grin* try one of Veronica Scott's or Ed Hoornaert.
DeleteYour answer is so much better than mine! I love sci-fi -- and I love romance in any genre. Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I don't know about better. I thought your answer was very good.
DeleteI love your reason for reading/writing sci fi--"I read and write science fiction because it reinforces my belief in a future. " You have framed for me why I too like it. What a win!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacqui. Kindred souls.
DeleteI love sci-fi too and it's always more fun when there's a bit of romance :)
ReplyDeleteCheers - Ellen
Of course, romance, Ellen. I love the interplay between Molly and her husband in your mystery series. Love doesn't end after the honeymoon.
DeleteI was pleasantly surprised to discover the existence of sci-fi romance some years ago. For some reason, I'd never thought such a thing existed. It's such a unique take on the genre.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Carrie-Anne. I didn't realize it was a genre of its own until fairly recently. Not trying to be sexist, but men like data/facts in their science fiction; women like relationships with the science.
DeleteI know very little about the genre of SFR--interesting! Thanks for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer.
DeleteI love science fiction but I've never tried to write it. I love that you took your traditional romanace writing to a new, unique direction. And I agree - relationships between characters are so important in storytelling, even if characters aren't human. Thanks for co-hosting today!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee. Writing for fun (instead of for the market) really shows. If the writer can't have fun, how could the reader?
DeleteOur of all the genres, I can't write science fiction (or horror). I wish I could, but then I remember there are better suited writer for those genres (like you), and I'm okay with that. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, Chrys, thanks. I can't write horror (can't read it either) or historicals. I don't have the voice for the latter.
DeleteI like stories that incorporate romance but also feature other elements. I've never tackled sci-fi, myself, though!
ReplyDeleteI just can't leave out a romance (or hint of one to come). Don't feel bad about not tackling sci-fi (or any genre). I don't write historicals or horror.
DeleteThanks for co-hosting, Diane. You raise an interesting point--I never thought of the common thread linking sci-fi and romance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sadira. A romance has to feel "right" for me to incorporate it in my stories.
DeleteI enjoyed hearing why you love the genre - you’re so enthusiastic! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, thank you so much, Madeline.
DeleteWell, you know I enjoyed your last book, and I think that adventure/romance being set in the future was part of what appealed to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee. I'm so glad you enjoyed Mara's story.
DeleteHi, Diane!
ReplyDeleteIf your blurbs are any indication (and I suspect they are), you've chosen the perfect genre for your writing talent!
Wishing you all the 'Happily ever afters' you can possibly write ;-) And, thanks for co-hosting!
Thanks, Diedre. They say practice makes perfect. I'm not sure my blurbs are "perfect" but I'm glad you think so. :)
DeleteI love sci-fi and romance for those very reasons as well. We need hope and love in our worlds and in our tomorrows!
ReplyDeleteWe do, indeed. Thanks for stopping by, Jemi.
DeleteI think romance and sci-fi speak volumes about the future. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thanks, Anna.
DeleteI don't read a ton of sci-fi, but maybe I should give sci-fi romance a try!
ReplyDeleteIt can be fun. I hope you give it a try.
DeleteSci-fi romance is fun. I haven't read as many books in this sub-genre as I would like but I enjoyed those I did read.
ReplyDeleteI write some sci-fi too, but romance is a hard genre for me to tackle. To date, I have only written one romantic story, a regency
I love Regencies. I read Georgette Heyer in my 20s. Lately, I've read Regency combined with romantic suspense (Alyssa Alexander's stories, for example).
DeleteSci-fi is one of the genres I enjoy reading. I haven't read Sci-fi romance, yet.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Some readers like hard (or classic) sci-fi. I do, at times. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteMe too! Love writing science fiction romance.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan.
DeleteThanks for co-hosting today, Diane. Like you, science fiction gives me a hope in the future, and I do believe our future is to spread throughout the solar system and on to the beyond. I think I would like "Rescuing Mara's Father," especially since I lived in isolated areas and my father was my teacher. All the best to you!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Louise. Co-hosting introduces me to so many new writers. It's a blast. I hope everyone gives it a try.
DeleteI hope you give Rescuing Mara's Father a try--the Look Inside feature on Amazon will give you a taste of my writing.
Thanks for co-hosting! I've never read a scifi romance, but would like to read one.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I hope you try one.
DeleteI believe Haruki Murakami wrote a few romantic Sci-Fi shorts. I didn't think of it that way until now. I'm intrigued. I'll have to check it out. Thank you for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteI've not read Murakami. You intrigued me. I'll have to check it out, too.
DeleteOne of my favorite things about science fiction is how it can take an issue that affects our world and illustrate it through a sci-fi lens that really makes you think about it in different ways.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
That's what I always loved about Gene Roddenberry.
DeleteI like reading sci-fi, but I'm not sure how well I'd write it. I'd be too worried that I'd get the science wrong.
ReplyDeleteThanks for cohosting this month's IWSG post.
Today's science fiction is tomorrow's inventions. I try to keep my science true and to a minimum. Researching the science is fun but oh-so time-consuming, esp. when I fall into a black hole (of research). lol
DeleteI need to read more sci-fi romance. I love Anne McCaffrey's books growing up.
ReplyDeleteToday's sci-fi is different from yesterday's. I, too, love McCaffrey's stories. I think there's more action/adventure today and, usually, heavier romance. But you may be surprised.
DeleteI've never written science fiction. Don't think I have the imagination to do it right. Enjoy reading it. Thanks for co-hosting today.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Beverly. You write historical fiction that I don't have the voice for. We write what we love.
DeleteI'm trying to remember whether I've ever read a science fiction romance novel...
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're exactly where you should be. Your passion for the genre is obvious.
Thank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month.
Thanks, Michelle. Writing what we love makes our stories vibrant. (I hope.)
DeleteThank you for co hosting IWSG. Yes, without characters the stories would be dry scientific texts.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. Co-hosting is a lot of fun. I get to meet so many new writers.
DeleteI tried to post a comment on your blog, but it wouldn't take. Sorry. Good post.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog and for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't really consider SFR. I've been trying to get a better handle on romance as a writer, but perhaps I just need more SFR in my life.
lol. Romance seems to come naturally into my stories. You can't force it. I hope you find an SFR you enjoy.
DeleteI am not at all surprised you like SFR! You do it so well! I really enjoyed Rescuing Mara's Father... Thanks for co-hosting this month!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lisa. The secret is I enjoy writing sfr.
DeleteThat's a genre I rarely hear about. Cool! Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure. Co-hosting is fun!
DeleteGreat answer. The most exciting, cutting-edge stories wouldn't be so without the human touch.
ReplyDeleteI grown to enjoy science fiction that puts less emphasis on the science with more attention given to situations and relationships. I want to relate better to what I read or watch rather than be dazzled with geeky tech stuff. I prefer more reality than far-fetched stuff that I feel compelled to question and doubt.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I like stories that end in happily ever after. After all the conflict, tension and trauma us writers put our characters through, I like to see that in the end they reach the happiness they deserve. Though I read romance, my scifi romance reading is rather low. I read more historical and contemporary, followed my fantasy romance and romantic suspense. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
ReplyDeleteWhat is life - now and in the future, however far and wide - worth without romance? It sounds like you got your favorite genre totally under control. :-) I had to smile about one of your featured stories taking place in Ann Arbor, MI, as we are about to drive through there tomorrow on our travels from the west to the east of the US. Thanks for co-hosting this month, Diane!
ReplyDelete