NPR's "Top 100 Science Fiction, Fantasy Books"

Good Morning, World!

   As of today, NPR posted the results to its poll of the "Top 100 Science Fiction, Fantasy Books." Below you can find the link:

http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139085843/your-picks-top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books


   Although this is in no way affirming which books are 'better' in regard to science fiction or fantasy, I found it interesting to see what the majority voted for. In fact, I think this post regarding the voting is important to keep in mind while scanning the results:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/08/11/139346998/nprs-top-100-science-fiction-and-fantasy-novels-parsing-the-results 

   As the post mentions, there are several variables that account for why a book was not included on the list or why it may not have scored as well as one may have hoped, such as the technical aspect of science fiction versus fantasy, the relative 'popularity' of a book, or even the author being British or male. (Although - personally - I feel the latter holds little to no relevance. At least, for my voting it wouldn't matter at all!) But that's why I am curious for the response of others! Tell me how you would have at least selected your "Top 10." Which books would your choose? Which element would draw your vote? Feel free to comment! The more, the merrier~

Quote for the day: "It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to."
-Bilbo, The Lord of the Rings

KOCO Online Feature

Good Morning, Readers!

I have recently had an online interview with KOCO, an Oklahoma news station. Below is the link to the online feature:

Recent PC North Graduate A Published Poet - High School Playbook - Main News Story - KOCO Oklahoma City

Also: I returned from my trek to Minnesota last night. Later, I shall post an update on my venture to that barren wilderness! ;)


Until then~

Rachel

Speculative Fiction and Some...

Greetings World!

     Here is a quick update regarding SoonerCon 20:
     I had a wonderful time and enjoyed all the artwork, books, costumes, etc... I highly recommend any speculative fans (representing the fantasy, science fiction, or horror genres) to attend. For that matter, I think anyone who fancies the creative arts would have a marvelous time! I not only met various authors and gamers, but was introduced to illustrators Darrell K. Sweet and Peter Bradley. In fact, I took to Mr. Bradley's art immediately! Mr. Sweet's art was as brilliant up close as I'd seen on numerous novels, but I was very impressed with Bradley's style - particularly of his elven characters. A gallery of some of his work can be found here: http://www.ravenchilde.deviantart.com/.

   Now for my randomness:
   This eve, I have been playing an old computer game, Might and Magic IX. The graphics are outdated, but the gameplay is one to be admired. For those of you unfamiliar with said game, Might and Magic is an RPG (role-playing game) from the makers at 3DO (a company no longer in existence... unfortunately). As a result, there have been no patches to take care of little in-game 'issues' that pop up here and there. It just so happens that I ran into one such 'bug' tonight... But that is not what I have come to blog about! My point in even bringing up Might and Magic - or, indeed, any role-playing games in general - is to comment on the connection between RPGs and the fantasy/science fiction worlds. I just find it interesting how many of the same themes or archetypes may be found in each: such as a main quest/story line, a hero, and a common villain. Granted, the details differ between works, but overall, the concept is almost interchangeable. As an author and gamer, I am curious as to how many writers of the fantasy/science fiction genre also take on RPG storylines - or note the similarities. For there are so many categories and subgenres; yet they all seem to intermingle in some way! My favorite RPG of all time (so far) would have to be EarthDawn. This website contains some relevant information for those who are interested: http://www.redbrick-limited.com/cms/index.php?categoryid=18. As far as MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games), my favotire is GuildWars.
     Forgive me if I tend to roam a bit on the subject, but I also stopped to consider the role of women in such writing. For the first speculative novel (science fiction, in this case), was credited to Mary Shelley, whose work is the popular tale, Frankenstein. What is the difference between fantasy and sci-fi, you may ask? Well, here's how I determine the separation: Fantasy tends to deal more with the magical/fantastical elements of a particular world, in which the impossible takes place. There seems to be a medieval underpinning with kings, peasants, knights, etc... Science fiction, on the other hand, mainly tends to dwell with more "rational" explanations of things - instances that do not involve magic, but instead define a world with technological or scientific reasonings. (As a basic comparison, I look at The Lord of the Rings versus Star Wars: a world of wizards and kings against a galaxy of saber swords and spacecraft).

    While doing some of my own exploring on the subject matter, I ran into a blog at http://www.somethingawful.com/ with (I thought) quite humorous portraits of fantasy and science fiction intertwined. Taken together, some of the elements that differentiate between the two genres are quite clear (and some are just neat to observe). I'll add some of them below for your convenience. Enjoy:

Quote for the day:

      “Be what you would seem to be - or, if you'd like it put more simply - never imagine yourself not to be otherwise than what it might appear to others that what you were or might have been was not otherwise than what you had been would have appeared to them to be otherwise.”

---Lewis Carroll

Until next time!

Rachel

SoonerCon 2011 and Updates

Good Evening!

       Today marks the opening of SoonerCon. Never before have I attended; tomorrow shall be my first day! I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I greatly look forward to the event! In particular, I have my eye set on the Art Exhibit. Darrell K. Sweet - SoonerCon guest of honor - will have some of his work on display at the Exhibit, as he is a reputable cover artist for fantasy and science fiction works! His art has graced novels by authors such as: Stephen Donaldson, L. E. Modesitt, Jr., David Farland, and Piers Anthony. Examples of Mr. Sweet's art can be found here: http://www.sweetartwork.com/

      Now for an update:

      Earlier this week, I received a copy of the publishing contract (signed and notarized on the publisher's end). Therefore, on Tuesday, (the last day of May... My! how the year is going by so quickly!) I sent my manuscipt to my wonderful editor for review. I shall keep everyone posted as the information is returned to me.
      I can certainly say 'tis an exciting time in my life! (Graduation behind me, college in the fall, and publishing in the works).



   Quote of the day:

"Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass."   --Anton Chekhov

A Touch of Humor

Greetings All!


   It is so beautiful outside today! I believe the temperature is in the 90s. Perhaps I will go to the lake after lunch and write some poetry - sounds like a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! I have already spent my early hours revising Book Two of my series and working on my enormous 8,000-piece puzzle, The School of Athens. (Its dimension are roughly 5'x7').

    As I was surfing the web between times, I happened to run across a humorous video regarding the writing of a novel and the etiquette involved when querying. Humor yourselves:





                      


Yours,

Rachel

My Unwindmament (prospective poetry and such)

My personal revisions for Empyreal Fate completed until further notice, I have officially begun putting together a collection of poetry. Just today, I was struck with a sudden fancy to write a sestina, and I have now completed it! It shall be a part of the collection, dark though it may be. (Ironic, isn't it? So light in mood I am, yet I was compulsed - driven - to write something dark).  *shrugs* Nevertheless, I am quite thrilled with the product. I already have some prospective titles for the collection in mind!

Anyway... what of today? How does this Friday fair for the rest of the world? (nice - triple alliteration! though not intended). Feel free to post... well, anything! I'd love to hear what others have going on, whether for summer or otherwise.

How about novels and such? What works have kept everyone intrigued? I am currently reading three: Hammer of God by Karen Miller, Midnight Hours by Vivian Zabel, and Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. (I highly recommend each of them, by the way - wonderful books; wonderful authors!)

Until next time~

Rachel

Officially!

Officially, as of yesterday, (24 May, 2011) I have signed, notarized, and sent off my publishing contract! Now to await the publisher's signature and for further instruction~

A Wonderful Beginning

Greetings World!

As my journey to publication takes me on marvelous adventures, I will be periodically posting updates - keeping tabs on my thoughts and experiences. Stay tuned if you wish to learn more! I eagerly await what the world will procure~

--Rachel