Flash Fiction through the years

Posted on June 7, 2023 by M R Pritchard

Flash fiction is a type of short story that is typically no more than 1,000 words in length. It is often referred to as micro-fiction or sudden fiction, and it is a popular format for writers who want to experiment with brevity and challenge themselves to tell a complete story in a limited number of words. In this blog post, we’ll explore the world of flash fiction, including its history, characteristics, and some tips for writing your own.

History of Flash Fiction: Flash fiction has been around for centuries, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it became a recognized form of literature. One of the pioneers of flash fiction was the writer and editor Robert Shapard, who co-edited the anthology “Sudden Fiction: American Short-Short Stories.” Since then, flash fiction has become increasingly popular, with many literary magazines and websites dedicated to publishing it.

Characteristics of Flash Fiction: One of the defining characteristics of flash fiction is its brevity. A flash fiction story is typically no longer than 1,000 words, and often much shorter. This requires the writer to be economical with language, using precise and evocative words and phrases to create a complete and compelling narrative.

Another characteristic of flash fiction is that it often focuses on a single moment or event, rather than a lengthy plot or character development. This can create a sense of intensity and immediacy, drawing the reader into the story and leaving a lasting impact.

Tips for Writing Flash Fiction: Writing flash fiction can be a fun and rewarding challenge, but it can also be difficult to know where to begin. Here are some tips for crafting your own flash fiction stories:

  1. Start with a single image or moment: Because flash fiction is so short, it’s important to focus on a single image, moment, or event that can carry the weight of the story.
  2. Choose your words carefully: With limited space to work with, every word counts in flash fiction. Make sure you choose words that are both precise and evocative, and avoid unnecessary exposition or description.
  3. Use structure to your advantage: Because flash fiction is so short, every aspect of the story is important, including its structure. Consider experimenting with non-linear narratives, or using a surprising twist at the end to leave a lasting impact.

Examples of Flash Fiction: Here are some examples of great flash fiction stories to give you a sense of the genre:

  1. “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson: This classic story is just over 3,000 words, but its chilling depiction of a small town’s annual lottery has made it a beloved and enduring piece of literature.
  2. “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: This magical realist story is just over 2,000 words, but it manages to pack in a wealth of complex themes and imagery.
  3. “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros: This collection of interconnected vignettes is often considered a form of flash fiction, with each story focusing on a single moment or image to create a powerful portrait of life in a working-class neighborhood.

Flash fiction is a unique and challenging form of storytelling that can offer a wealth of creative opportunities for writers. By focusing on a single moment or image, choosing your words carefully, and using structure to your advantage, you can craft compelling and memorable stories that stay with your readers long after they’ve finished reading.

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Aliens and their love of humanity

Posted on May 31, 2023 by M R Pritchard

Science fiction has long been fascinated with the idea of extraterrestrial life and the possibility of contact with alien civilizations. In many of these stories, aliens come to Earth and fall in love with humanity, creating unique and often romantic narratives. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best science fiction books in which aliens have come to Earth and fallen in love with a human and humanity.

  1. The Host by Stephenie Meyer: In “The Host,” an alien race has taken over Earth and inhabited human bodies. The story follows the internal struggle of one of these alien hosts, who falls in love with a human and forms a bond with her that is both emotional and physical.
  2. District 9 by William C. Dietz: “District 9” takes place in a world where a group of alien refugees is stranded on Earth and forced to live in a slum-like district. The story follows a human soldier who befriends an alien and works to help him return to his own world.
  3. The Day the Earth Stood Still by Harry Bates: In “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” an alien arrives on Earth with a message of peace and a warning about the dangers of humanity’s warlike ways. The story follows the alien’s relationship with a human woman and the impact of his message on Earth.
  4. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin: “The Three-Body Problem” is a science fiction trilogy that explores the idea of contact with an alien civilization. The story follows a group of humans who discover that a nearby star system has an unstable orbit and may be home to an alien race. As they work to make contact with the aliens, they also grapple with the moral and philosophical implications of such a meeting.
  5. The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells: “The War of the Worlds” is a classic science fiction novel in which aliens invade Earth and begin a brutal war against humanity. The story follows a man and his wife as they struggle to survive in the midst of the alien invasion, and ultimately, the triumph of human ingenuity over the invading aliens.

Science fiction has always been fascinated with the idea of aliens coming to Earth, and the concept of an extraterrestrial falling in love with a human adds a unique twist to this narrative. These books offer thought-provoking and imaginative explorations of the possibilities and consequences of such a scenario. The books listed above are just a few examples of the many great science fiction stories out there that explore this idea, and they’re definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of the genre.

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Retellings of Shakespeare’s stories in science fiction and fantasy

Posted on May 24, 2023 by M R Pritchard

Shakespeare’s stories have inspired countless adaptations, and it’s no surprise that they’ve made their way into the world of science fiction and fantasy. By reimagining Shakespeare’s plays in futuristic or fantastical settings, these books offer a new perspective on these classic tales. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best science fiction and fantasy retellings of Shakespeare’s stories.

  1. The Tempest by Margaret Atwood: Margaret Atwood’s “Hag-Seed” is a retelling of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” set in a Canadian prison. The protagonist, Felix, is a former theater director who seeks revenge against those who wronged him by staging a production of “The Tempest” with the inmates.
  2. Macbeth by Jo Nesbø: Jo Nesbø’s “Macbeth” is a retelling of the classic tragedy set in a dystopian city. The story follows Inspector Macbeth as he rises to power through corruption and violence, with the help of his partner, Lady.
  3. Romeo and Juliet by S.E. Smith: S.E. Smith’s “Romeo and Juliet: The Galactic Version” is a science fiction retelling of the tragic love story. Set in space, the story follows Romeo and Juliet as they try to overcome the cultural and political barriers that keep them apart.
  4. Hamlet by John Scalzi: John Scalzi’s “The Collapsing Empire” is a space opera that draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” The story takes place in a future where humanity has colonized other planets and follows the struggles of several characters as they try to save the collapsing empire.
  5. A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Neil Gaiman: Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman” is a graphic novel series that draws inspiration from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The story takes place in the world of dreams and follows the character of Dream as he navigates various supernatural conflicts.

Retellings of Shakespeare’s stories in science fiction and fantasy settings offer a fresh and exciting perspective on these classic tales. By exploring themes and characters in new and imaginative ways, these books offer a new take on Shakespeare’s timeless works. The books listed above are just a few examples of the many great retellings out there, and they’re definitely worth checking out if you’re a fan of Shakespeare or science fiction and fantasy.

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Epic Fantasy

Posted on May 17, 2023 by M R Pritchard

Epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction that typically involves a large cast of characters, a sprawling world with intricate world-building, and a plot that spans multiple books. These books often take place in imaginary worlds that are inspired by medieval or ancient cultures, and they frequently involve magic, monsters, and epic battles. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best epic fantasy books out there.

What is Epic Fantasy? Epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy fiction that typically involves a complex plot, a large cast of characters, and an expansive world with intricate world-building. These books often focus on the battle between good and evil, and they frequently involve magic, mythical creatures, and epic battles.

What Makes Epic Fantasy So Captivating? Epic fantasy books can be incredibly captivating for several reasons. First, the world-building in these books is often very detailed, which allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. Second, the characters in these books are often complex and multi-dimensional, which can make them very relatable. Third, epic fantasy books often explore important themes such as power, identity, and morality, which can be thought-provoking and engaging.

Top Epic Fantasy Books:

  1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: This classic trilogy is one of the most well-known and beloved epic fantasy books of all time. Set in Middle-earth, the story follows the quest of Frodo Baggins to destroy the One Ring and defeat the evil Lord Sauron.
  2. A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin: This series, which has been adapted into the popular TV series Game of Thrones, takes place in a fictional world where several noble families are vying for control of the Iron Throne. The books are known for their intricate plot, complex characters, and frequent twists and turns.
  3. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan: This series spans 14 books and follows the story of Rand al’Thor, a young man who discovers he is the Dragon Reborn, a powerful figure who is prophesied to save the world from destruction. The books are known for their intricate world-building and well-developed characters.
  4. The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson: This ongoing series takes place on the world of Roshar and follows the stories of several characters as they try to save their world from an ancient evil. The books are known for their complex magic system and detailed world-building.

Epic fantasy books are an excellent way to escape into a different world and explore important themes. If you’re looking for a new epic fantasy book, take a look at Thread the Bone (below).

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Dystopian Fiction

Posted on May 10, 2023 by M R Pritchard

Dystopian fiction has been a popular genre for many years, and it’s no surprise why. These books offer a glimpse into a future world that is often grim, oppressive, and terrifying. Dystopian fiction series, in particular, can be incredibly captivating, as they allow readers to fully immerse themselves in a world that is different from our own. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best dystopian fiction series that are out there.

What is Dystopian Fiction? Dystopian fiction is a subgenre of science fiction that explores a hypothetical future world that is typically characterized by extreme social, political, and economic conditions. These worlds are often oppressive, and the characters that inhabit them are usually struggling to survive against powerful and oppressive regimes.

What Makes Dystopian Fiction Series So Captivating? Dystopian fiction series can be incredibly captivating for several reasons. First, the world-building in these books is often very detailed, which allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the story. Second, the characters in these books are often relatable, despite the fact that they live in a vastly different world from our own. Third, dystopian fiction often explores important social and political issues, which can be thought-provoking and engaging.

Top Dystopian Fiction Series:

  1. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: This trilogy is one of the most popular dystopian fiction series out there. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the books follow the story of Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who must fight to survive in a televised competition known as the Hunger Games.
  2. The Divergent Series by Veronica Roth: This trilogy takes place in a futuristic Chicago where society is divided into factions based on personality traits. The story follows Tris, a young girl who discovers that she is Divergent and must fight to survive in a world that doesn’t accept people like her.
  3. The Maze Runner by James Dashner: This series follows a group of young boys who are trapped in a mysterious maze with no memory of how they got there. They must work together to solve the maze and escape before it’s too late.
  4. The Legend Series by Marie Lu: Set in a future world where the United States has been divided into two warring factions, the books follow the story of Day and June, two teenagers from different worlds who are forced to work together to survive.

Dystopian fiction series are an excellent way to escape into a different world and explore important social and political issues. The books listed above are just a few examples of the many great dystopian fiction series out there. If you’re a fan of the genre or just looking for a captivating new read, then dystopian fiction series are definitely worth checking out.

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CHRONICLE WORLDS: HALF WAY HOME

Posted on May 8, 2023 by M R Pritchard

A long long time ago I wrote a story about a young man living alone on a distant planet. He was mutated but the only one to survive in his colony. He starts to think he’s going crazy. And he just might be…

___

From Windrift Books: “In the future, distant planets are colonized by A.I.-piloted starships. Journeys take centuries, so the ships carry human embryos, to be thawed, fully-grown, and A.I.-trained with the skills to colonize their new world.

This is the universe of Hugh Howey‘s bestselling “Half Way Home”, which followed one colonial foray on a new world. But that was one world of a thousand worlds targeted by Earth’s ships. That adventure, one of a thousand…

The FUTURE CHRONICLES is proud to present CHRONICLE WORLDS: HALF WAY HOME – bringing together fifteen of the most exciting new voices in speculative fiction to explore the universe created by Hugh Howey, to chronicle the astounding unexplored worlds of HALF WAY HOME.”

I am thrilled that my short story Moon Lord is included in this anthology!

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Tropes in Fiction: From Negative to Exciting

Posted on May 4, 2023 by M R Pritchard

In the world of fiction, a trope refers to a commonly used plot device or character archetype that has become well-known and frequently used within a certain genre or medium. For a long time, tropes were often viewed as a negative aspect of a novel, making the story predictable and unoriginal. However, in recent years, readers have started to embrace tropes and even look forward to seeing them used in their favorite books.

The reason for this shift is that tropes can provide a sense of familiarity and comfort to readers. When we recognize a trope, we know what to expect and can settle in for an enjoyable reading experience. Tropes can also help to establish genre conventions and create a sense of community among fans of a particular genre. They allow readers to connect with one another over shared expectations and experiences.

Some popular tropes in fiction include the “chosen one” hero, the love triangle, the coming-of-age story, and the “damsel in distress” plotline. While these tropes have been criticized for being overused and cliché, they continue to appear in many popular books and media.

In fact, some authors have even started to intentionally use and subvert tropes in their writing, creating fresh takes on familiar stories. For example, Leigh Bardugo’s “Six of Crows” series features a group of young criminals who must pull off an impossible heist, a trope that has been used in many heist stories before. However, Bardugo adds her own unique twists and turns to the plot, making it an exciting and fresh read.

While tropes were once viewed as a negative aspect of fiction, they have now become an exciting aspect of storytelling for many readers. Tropes provide a sense of familiarity and comfort while also allowing authors to put their own spin on familiar plot devices. So, the next time you pick up a book and notice a well-known trope, try to appreciate it for what it is – a beloved convention of the genre.

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Magical Realism and Romance

Posted on May 3, 2023 by M R Pritchard

Magical realism is a genre of literature that blends elements of fantasy and the supernatural with the real world. It’s a genre that is known for its vivid imagery and unique storytelling. When combined with romance, magical realism can create a truly captivating reading experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best magical realism books with romance.

What is Magical Realism?

Magical realism is a genre of literature that is characterized by the incorporation of magical or supernatural elements into the real world. It often blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, creating a dream-like atmosphere. Magical realism is known for its vivid imagery, lyrical language, and unconventional storytelling.

What Makes Magical Realism with Romance So Captivating?

Magical realism with romance combines two genres that are known for their ability to transport readers to different worlds. It creates a unique reading experience that is both enchanting and captivating. The romantic elements in these books often add a layer of emotional depth to the story, making them much more engaging than traditional romance novels. Additionally, the magical or supernatural elements in these books often add a sense of mystery and intrigue, creating a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Top Magical Realism Books with Romance:

  1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez: This novel is a masterpiece of magical realism. It follows the story of the Buendía family over seven generations in the fictional town of Macondo. The novel weaves together magical elements with a captivating love story.
  2. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: This novel tells the story of two young magicians who are pitted against each other in a magical competition. The book is known for its enchanting prose and captivating romance.
  3. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel: This novel is a classic example of magical realism with romance. It tells the story of Tita, a young woman who is forbidden to marry the man she loves. The book weaves together magical elements with a heart-wrenching love story.
  4. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: This novel follows the story of a man with a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel, and his wife, who must navigate their relationship through time. The book is known for its unique blend of magical realism and romance.

Magical realism with romance is a captivating genre that creates a truly unique reading experience. The books listed above are just a few examples of the many great magical realism books with romance out there. If you’re looking for a break from traditional romance novels or fantasy books, then magical realism with romance is definitely worth checking out. These books will transport you to different worlds and leave you with a sense of wonder and enchantment.

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Sacrificing time to write

Posted on May 2, 2023 by M R Pritchard

I lay my pen to rest,

As duties call with force.

My stories, half-possessed,

Must wait without remorse.

The clock ticks by, unkind,

As hours fade to black.

My heart aches in my mind,

For words I cannot track.

The sacrifice I make,

Is bitter, though it’s true.

But life is mine to take,

And writing must fall through.

So I’ll bide my time and wait,

For moments to return.

And till that hour is fate,

My pen must lay and yearn.

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Time is finite

Posted on May 1, 2023 by M R Pritchard

Setting goals is important in many aspects of life, including writing. However, as much as we may strive to meet these goals, there are times when we need to set them aside and prioritize other things. One of those things is family. As writers, it can be difficult to strike a balance between our passion for writing and our responsibility to our loved ones. But, at times, it’s important to put our writing goals on hold to focus on our family. I did that for about five years. Every day I wanted to write. But everyday I was dedicated to a tiny boy, a young girl, and a husband with chronic illness. Balancing that time with my job as an RN, that was difficult already. Writing was sporadic. I felt guilt for not writing. But I felt joy taking care of my family. I was still inspired daily and have pages upon pages of notes and writing project ideas.

Here are some reasons why it’s necessary to prioritize family over writing goals:

  1. Family is a priority: Family should always come first. While writing is important, it should never take precedence over the needs of our family members.
  2. Family time is limited: In today’s busy world, we often have limited time with our family members. We need to make the most of this time and focus on building strong relationships with our loved ones.
  3. Writing can wait: Writing will always be there, but the time we have with our family is finite. It’s important to make the most of the time we have with them.
  4. Family support is essential: Family support can be a great source of inspiration and motivation for writers. It’s important to nurture these relationships and prioritize them over our writing goals.
  5. A healthy work-life balance: Prioritizing family can help us achieve a healthy work-life balance. It’s important to take time to recharge and focus on other aspects of our lives.

As writers, it’s important to set goals and work towards them, but we should also be aware of when it’s necessary to set them aside to focus on our family. By prioritizing our loved ones, we can build stronger relationships, gain inspiration and motivation, and achieve a healthier work-life balance.

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