Ask the Author: Brian Terence
“I write science fiction stories, sometimes funny, and sometimes poignant. My answers will be honest, although I can't promise they'll be helpful or even coherent.”
Brian Terence
Answered Questions (12)
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Brian Terence
Hi Dave, happy to help, but I'm a newbie also. The only advice I can give with respect to Goodreads is to remember it's a readers' platform. You've already found the promotions area, so that's great.
The only mistake some new authors make is to post promos all over Goodreads, and that just annoys everyone and gets them blocked by the mods. So be respectful of the 'readers vibe' of the place, make friends and enjoy the chats.
PS - do be aware that there are fake author profiles appearing on GR, as there are on other platforms, so if you have an unexpected friend request from a famous author, check that it's genuine before you accept.
The only mistake some new authors make is to post promos all over Goodreads, and that just annoys everyone and gets them blocked by the mods. So be respectful of the 'readers vibe' of the place, make friends and enjoy the chats.
PS - do be aware that there are fake author profiles appearing on GR, as there are on other platforms, so if you have an unexpected friend request from a famous author, check that it's genuine before you accept.
Brian Terence
Hi Vinayak, thank you for your question.
Yes, you can have a story set in the 'Now' and have it science fiction. There are many.
If you consider a film such as the Matrix, it's set in the real world, only it isn't. Yet when you see a street with everyone walking while watching their phones, aren't we living in a kind of Matrix of our own making?
There are many sci-fi stories that explore philosophical themes and society, it takes a concept, an idea and takes it to the extreme, for good or bad.
I hope that is what you were thinking.
Yes, you can have a story set in the 'Now' and have it science fiction. There are many.
If you consider a film such as the Matrix, it's set in the real world, only it isn't. Yet when you see a street with everyone walking while watching their phones, aren't we living in a kind of Matrix of our own making?
There are many sci-fi stories that explore philosophical themes and society, it takes a concept, an idea and takes it to the extreme, for good or bad.
I hope that is what you were thinking.
Brian Terence
Hi Richard, where can I find it?
Brian Terence
Hi, fellow Brian, always looking at the options, I confess I'm not that tech-savvy. I will research Kobo; although I write a lot of short stories, they work well on KDP.
I'm considering D2D. Do you have any experience with them?
I'm considering D2D. Do you have any experience with them?
Brian Terence
Hi Richard,
Thank you for the question. The first part sounds very philosophical, which is well above my pay grade, although if it's a subject you'd like to chat about search the discussions, there's probably something of interest.
All of my stories on Kindle are short stories (10-20 pages approx.), hoping to have a 'collection' available by around Xmas. It's with my editor.
The story 'Words Of The Sole' makes reference to a specific aspect of British culture, so unless you listen to a lot of BBC Radio, you might want to give that a miss.
'I'm An Angel....' is an irreverent, but funny, retelling of a Biblical story, so if you're religious, you might want to miss that one too. I don't want to offend anyone.
'To Have & To Hold' is written in a 1950s style, if you liked Asimov, you might like it. It's a lot of innuendo, my editor said it made her laugh out loud.
'Terminal Vision' is more drama than comedy, so you might like that. It's also the longest at over 20 pages.
'Ahead In Time' is a kind of play on words, there's a myth that the Knights Templar had a talking bronze head, this was my inspiration, again, comedy.
'Beneath The City of the Ancients' and 'An Archaeological Twist' are both post-apocalyptic stories with a mystery or unexpected ending.
I hope you like them, it would really help me if you could leave a review. I'm very new to writing, so any help would be great.
Cheers.
Brian.
Thank you for the question. The first part sounds very philosophical, which is well above my pay grade, although if it's a subject you'd like to chat about search the discussions, there's probably something of interest.
All of my stories on Kindle are short stories (10-20 pages approx.), hoping to have a 'collection' available by around Xmas. It's with my editor.
The story 'Words Of The Sole' makes reference to a specific aspect of British culture, so unless you listen to a lot of BBC Radio, you might want to give that a miss.
'I'm An Angel....' is an irreverent, but funny, retelling of a Biblical story, so if you're religious, you might want to miss that one too. I don't want to offend anyone.
'To Have & To Hold' is written in a 1950s style, if you liked Asimov, you might like it. It's a lot of innuendo, my editor said it made her laugh out loud.
'Terminal Vision' is more drama than comedy, so you might like that. It's also the longest at over 20 pages.
'Ahead In Time' is a kind of play on words, there's a myth that the Knights Templar had a talking bronze head, this was my inspiration, again, comedy.
'Beneath The City of the Ancients' and 'An Archaeological Twist' are both post-apocalyptic stories with a mystery or unexpected ending.
I hope you like them, it would really help me if you could leave a review. I'm very new to writing, so any help would be great.
Cheers.
Brian.
Brian Terence
Sorry, no, I don't write horror. I'd give myself nightmares!
Brian Terence
I'm reading a lot of Non-fiction at the moment, mostly to improve my writing or for ideas.
Brian Terence
I couldn't point to any one event. Like most people's lives, mine is full of bizarre coincidences, or are they? How I met my wife, and how I got my various jobs. When I look back, I could be forgiven for thinking the 'Fates' are having a laugh at everyone's expense.
Brian Terence
Barsoom (Mars) would be high on my list. It would be good to explore a world that is a combination of fiction, created in the mind of an author and the real planet
Brian Terence
I am currently writing 4 short stories that will follow on from my story - 'I'm an angel, not an astrophysicist.'
It's a lot of fun. I enjoy writing, especially humorous stories, although it is slightly embarrassing when I laugh at my own jokes.
It's a lot of fun. I enjoy writing, especially humorous stories, although it is slightly embarrassing when I laugh at my own jokes.
Brian Terence
I've always enjoyed reading, especially science fiction stories.
It was a family friend's example that encouraged me to consider writing as anything more than just for fun.
It was a family friend's example that encouraged me to consider writing as anything more than just for fun.
Brian Terence
That's a great question and a really difficult one to answer. In a word - Everywhere, I listen to science podcasts, but an idea can come from anywhere. Walking the dog, listening to podcasts, if you take in the world around you and just let your imagination run wild.
My most recent stories are sequels, so they follow on. But the great thing about writing Sci-Fi is asking 'What If?'
My most recent stories are sequels, so they follow on. But the great thing about writing Sci-Fi is asking 'What If?'
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