Top 5 Inspirations For Why I Write Science Fiction

Literary fiction or science fiction? That's a question many successful writers may have asked themselves when they first started out. There are those who blur the lines—Ursula K. Le Guin and Mary Doria Russell come to mind—and there are those who make no bones about writing pure SF pulp. By pulp, of course, I mean unapologetic, space operatic, hard-and-fast hitting, action adventure that makes no bones about pretty prose and moralizing. Looking at Scalzi, David Weber, and John Ringo here.A trait many long-established authors eventually develop is the ability to switch from hard and fast to deep and expansive prose styles, or vice versa, at will. Yet, I don't doubt that these authors will always return to the type of storytelling they love most. The best known advice in writing is to write what you know, but really, it should be, write what you love, and I just so happen to love the grit, grime, guts, and gore one finds in a solid Honor Harrington or Alex Benedict novel. Here's why.

1. The best female ass-kickers are all from science fiction. My unequivocal favorite all-time movie heros have all been women. From Linda Hamilton's Sarah Connor in the Terminator series, to Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley in the Aliens films, followed by Milla Jovovich as Alice in the Resident Evil franchise, and finally Summer Glau's River and Gina Torres's Zoe in the Firefly series and film Serenity. While there may be many, many non-scifi films with strong female heroines, the ones that have always inspired me were those who came from SF films.
2. Research is good for the brain. One of the greatest things about being a writer is the ability to invent and develop a brand new world and all its exciting and dangerous accoutrements. Science fiction puts the onus on writers to research all those nagging questions about physical and biological laws (What is the speed of light? How is distance in space calculated? What kind of entry arc would a fleet cruiser need in order to slip into a planet's atmosphere without damaging its hull?) while still giving a writer leeway for making up things that just maybe aren't totally realistic but still cool as hell.
3. Invention is also good for the brain. When my patience for research or annoyance at the limits of known science have grown too big, science fiction is the perfect genre for making it up as I go along. You may want a weapon that does something specific but doesn't exist in the real world. Voila! Creativity makes it happen. Or perhaps you need a new life form, something particularly gruesome and gooey, which has never before been seen on earth. No problem; conjure away, Conjurer. (Though can you really get more gruesome or gooey than the angler fish?)
4. Contemporary society is so...contemporary. Great science fiction books like Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, Kim Stanley Robinson's Red Mars, or Frank Herbert's Dune all jump us out of the narrow confines of normal social order and give us a vision of what life could be like if we just make a few tweaks to rational order here, kill a few stereotypes and norms there, and reorganize some expectations and beliefs over there. When what we perceive about how people behave in our own reality gets tipped on its head, incredible and unexplored ideas are allowed to flourish in new and surprising ways.
5. And the final (and arguably biggest) reason I write SF is to prepare for the zombie alien apocalypse. Let's face it, the end is going to come. It's one thing to have a basement full of bottled water and double-barrel, slug-loaded shotguns, but the only real way to prepare for the day when hordes of brain-eating/possessing/stealing/sucking/bartering/dissecting/or squashing zombie aliens comes is to have already inured one's mind to the fact. When They appear, the people who will be best capable of survival are those who have mentally prepared vs those who simply have a few extra weapons and canned goods lying around. Trust me on this. Science fiction writers are really just survivalists doing our own version of end-of-the-world due diligence.

Bonus Announcement!

Stay tuned this weekend for a fantastic opportunity to load up on a wild range of speculative fiction from an exciting crew of writers, including yours truly. We have contests, giveaways, and a full selection of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and genres spanning the gaps between. Check back on March 8th for more.

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All content copyright unless otherwise specified © 2008-2013 by Tammy Salyer, writer. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use short quotes provided proper attribution is given.

When "To Have and To Hold" Isn't Enough

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF3z12-HZyM&w=420&h=315]You've thought about it, right? You know, IT. The zombpoc. You've started preparing, planning escape routes, gathering supplies, reading up on homemade early warning systems and HAM radio operation, boosting your cardio. All those things that mean when the zombies start munching their way down your block with the same zeal an overweight WASP on holiday munches his way down a Golden Corral All-You-Can-Eat buffet, you'll be relaxing in your Hesco-basket fortified compound, sipping a Perrier and enjoying a technicolor view of exactly what an automated 50 cal on a tripod does to a hapless, lumbering meatsack. In a surprising number of ways, we must admit, the aftershock of the zombpoc will be a lot easier than the day-to-day pressure of work, family, domestic duties, repeat. At least you know you don't have to worry about impressing your boss or getting swindled by that damn mechanic at Les Schwabs again.But let's face it. Things might get a little lonely if you're the only one who's been readying for this event. You may have a significant other, but what if they don't make it? Or maybe there's a special someone that you've always pined for but never pursued. Maybe that pining has even been mutual; you've both just been too shy or inhibited to make the requisite first move.When the dead start to walk, one lesson we survivors will learn right away: ain't no time to waste.So have you thought about that other important thing? Who you'd like to spend the rest of the apocalypse with? This is going to be one of your biggest considerations, right after weapons, ammo, and water. Take a moment to figure it out. And remember, you're going to be going through literal hell with this person; you're going to be gore-spattered, exhausted, frightened, disheveled, and often in a very big hurry, with them. Your zombpoc lover needs to be someone fast on their feet, comfortable around explosives, versed in strategic tactics, loyal, and willing to make tough decisions. And, while we're listing desirable traits, let's not forget that they really should be hot because a face full of recently shed zombie blood will appear a lot less ghastly if the person who got splattered is attractive to begin with. Don't feel guilty if this person isn't your current spouse. Because, let's face it, that person may not be up to the task of fighting off hordes of zeds, and you may not be up to the task of being responsible for them. Nobody is perfect, after all.Okay, you've decided who your fantasy zombageddon sweetheart would be. Here comes the easy part. My zombpocalypse co-writer Mark C. and I have drafted an abbreviated wedding ceremony and vows that will help you cement that union when the shit hits the fan. It's easy, quick, convenient, and most importantly of all (I think you'll agree), rife with heart-thumping romance...As much as is possible when thirty of your once-neighbors-now-intestinal-contents-drenched-brains-in-the-teeth-walking-locusts are beating against your door. Don't worry, you won't need any witnesses for this ceremony (but guards are a bonus), and a pastor is likewise optional. Just gather your AK and your best bottle of bourbon, hacksaw a ring-shaped end from an appropriately sized pipe (titanium, if you can find it; copper is too soft and could end up getting squished onto your beloved's finger and forcing an amputation, which makes wielding a knife or machete a bit difficult.), stare into your lover's eyes, and say:Darling,I want you by my side, and none other. To that effect, Imake the following vows to you:I will always have your six.I will always save the last magazine for you.I will always give you first dibs on any canned fruit or veggies.I will always take the first watch so you can watch the sun rise.I will always enter the building first.I will always be the bait, distraction or decoy.I will always make sure your blades are sharp.I will never burn a book, no matter how badly we need fuel.And if you are bit by a zed, I will always put you down before you turn.(If your zombpoc spouse has their own set of vows, terrific, but if not, hand these over.)Dearest,I willingly and happily choose to walk by your side throughout the end days. I vow to:Always have your six as well.Always keep a spare mag at the ready when you need one.Make a point to figure out how to cook something edible from things in cans mixed with rat meat.Give you first watch so your sleep is never interrupted.Clean your rifles after a hard day of zed killing if I stayed behind to guard camp.Siphon fuel from tanks to spare you from the horrible taste of gasoline.Track down and hoard batteries and solar battery chargers so we can keep our iPods functioning and never go without music.Practice my aim daily so you don't have to worry.Work out my throwing arm to ensure maximum effectiveness with grenades.And, like you, if you are bit by a zed, I will always put you down before you’re turned.You may kiss your zombpoc spouse. But just as a precaution, wipe the blood off first.

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All content copyright unless otherwise specified © 2008-2013 by Tammy Salyer, writer. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to use short quotes provided proper attribution is given.