Comments for Genrewonk

Comment on Belgian asshat says blogs are dangerous by A.R.Yngve

A.R.Yngve — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:18:36 +0000

Mock him, you say?
Far be it from me to mock a *Defense Minister* for his name…

Oh, who am I kidding:
- Crem De La Crap
- Pieter De Creep
- Pisser in De Crem
- Pitiful De Crem
- Pieter De Excreter
And so on and so on…

Comment on In defense of sense of wonder by Mary Fagan

Mary Fagan — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:08:33 +0000

Where would we be without a sense of wonder? Isn’t that the need we seek to fill when we reach for a book? Isn’t that what drives us from Jules Verne to the for-real Mars rover? Seems to me the issue with sf is what gives the reader that sense of wonder: whiz-bang gadgets or the emotions of the characters involved with them. The awe is a given.

Comment on In defense of sense of wonder by Becca

Becca — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:34:15 +0000

“Hyperion” Wow…what a terrific book. I haven’t read it in close to ten years and it still sticks in my mind. I think its time to find whatever corner it has wound up in and crack it open once more.

But to the post at hand: I agree! I think all really good books give you a sense of wonderment of some sort, characters you believe in and feel for. If we didn’t not care for the people in the stories we read then what is the sense in reading them?

Sure, the stories from Barrayar wouldn’t be as different or far out but the characters would be just as riveting and fascinating and engaging. Miles Vorkosigan is one of my all time favorite characters but he wouldn’t be the same without a space ship to command!

Comment on In defense of sense of wonder by S Andrew Swann

S Andrew Swann — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:32:30 +0000

Actually I think she isn’t suffering from any shortcomings (I like her writing) but I do think there’s a literary impulse to de-emphasize genre-specific elements. To be fair she wasn’t saying there was anything wrong about the “gosh-wow” factor, just that it didn’t interest her in and of itself. . .

My point is that any genre element, taken in isolation, makes a weak story. How many locked room mysteries can you sustain interest in?

Comment on In defense of sense of wonder by michelle

michelle — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:17:41 +0000

There seems to be a growing number of literary types who look down their nose at SF wonder, space opera, cool gadgets, etc. They perceive themselves as above all that. From what I can tell, they are, I believe, insecure about their own lack of creativity and scientific knowledge. So they diss that which they don’t/can’t understand or create. Because you’re right, a well-written novel of any genre will have tangible characters, but that is not what defines it as SF. It’s the cool gadgets, places, etc., that make it SF. Perhaps the literary types makes bold statements to hide their shortcomings in the science/engineering arenas.

Comment on In defense of sense of wonder by Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 15:12:06 +0000

And it’s not even a problem confined to SF - you completely reminded me of the “Recapture the Wonder” book by Zacharias ( http://www.amazon.com/Recapture-Wonder-Ravi-Zacharias/dp/1591452767 )

Comment on In defense of sense of wonder by Jim Harris

Jim Harris — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:25:18 +0000

Yes, the solution is to combine what Nancy Kress wants with major sense of wonder. I want every kind of fiction I read to have the kind of characterization that Kress wants. Some SF writers have that knack. When I read an anthology of SF stories, the ones that really stand out do so because they work on the level that Kress is talking about. But I don’t think you can have science fiction without sense of wonder. Well, yes you can, it would be routine like your average mystery novel.

Comment on Wal-Mart ships serious boxes by steve buchheit

steve buchheit — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 13:46:54 +0000

YEah but they got such a great deal on those large boxes and now they have whole warehouses full of them.

Comment on Belgian asshat says blogs are dangerous by S Andrew Swann

S Andrew Swann — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:31:36 +0000

He has a three paragraph Wikipedia article, and the second longest one is about this. Apparently Wikipedia is dangerous too.

Comment on Belgian asshat says blogs are dangerous by blog-2-talk

blog-2-talk — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:52:12 +0000

welcome to the age of new media.. :):p

Comment on Belgian asshat says blogs are dangerous by steve buchheit

steve buchheit — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:34:34 +0000

Oh noes. Teh intertubies are ruining those politicians lifestyles. Pretty soon they won’t be able to fly to Indonesia to have sex with children without some nasty blogger taking their photos as well.

Comment on Toby needs your good wishes again. by steve buchheit

steve buchheit — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:27:02 +0000

Yep, it does appear that the end of the year for Toby has gone into the “suck” range of the meter.

Comment on We officially have a kick-ass cover by Jared S.

Jared S. — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 11:12:41 +0000

A kick ass cover indeed!
I’m looking forward to this one!
Your writing is amazingly vivid and this cover does it justice!

Comment on From the department of holy sh!t. by steve buchheit

steve buchheit — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:41:56 +0000

Let’s see, the next step is “Apply gun to foot.” Hmm, can’t seem to reach my foot, will the head suffice?

Comment on Oh Noes! The Internet died. by michelle

michelle — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:14:52 +0000

Interesting point, Tarrell. I’m all about self-reliance and know that if bad things happen, Steve and I can survive, albeit a lot less comfortably. However, while we could have food, shelter, equine transportation, generator, etc., I can’t see how to get on the internet if a situation like you described were to happen. And I felt mighty disconnected from society without it for just a few hours. And the big-box stores would close. Smaller independent stores would still be able to do business, although it would be an adjustment for all. Maybe I just watched too much Jerrico.