Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction

In this episode I compare and contrast the Culture’s Contact organization with the Federation from Star Trek. Specifically, I look at how Contact approaches other, less advanced civilizations and compare that to the Prime Directive. Spoiler: It’s almost completely the opposite approach. I’ll tell you why, as we explore this topic together. Links Check out my novel, Critical Balance . Have you read...

It’s been a while since the last episode, so I bring you up to speed on what’s going in my life. I’m moving, and it sucks. I’m living in an Airbnb, which also sucks. But good news, I finished my novel, Citizen Zero. I talk a bit about how some genres, like sci-fi and fantasy, are more about the story’s setting, while other genres, like thrillers, mysteries, and horror, are more about the story’s p...

Today we explore the technology of the Culture, especially its sentient AIs. We examine the reasons true AI might not be possible and decide whether those ideas seem likely to be true. We also look at how humanity will become a more complex and diverse species and civilization not only through our own genetic manipulation of our biology, but also by the inclusion of the AI lifeforms we create. Lin...

I return to my discussion of The Culture setting and explore the Culture’s economic systems. This leads to a discussion of our current day economics systems and government corruption. How do we move our current corrupt systems to one like The Culture’s where there is true democracy and equality? Links Check out my novel, Critical Balance . Have you read Critical Balance ? Please leave a review on...

I return to my discussion of The Culture setting and explore the Culture’s origins and its structure of government, such as it is. I also touch on why galactic empires are impractical, unlikely, and probably a silly idea. We’ll also explore why rebellion against controlling powers is much easier in a space-living civilization than one limited to a single planet. Links Check out my novel, Critical...

This week I share an amazing lecture Martha Wells gave on AI characters in science fiction stories. Quite often these stories involve the enslavement of sentient beings. She gives us a lot of food for thought and shares a little about the origins of her beloved character, Murderbot. I also talk (very) briefly about the heroine’s journey. Links Check out my novel, Critical Balance . Have you read C...

This week I talk a bit about the Foundation and Murderbot TV adaptations. I give a quick update on my novel, Critical Balance , which is coming out. I also explain why I haven’t been able to share the beautiful cover art for Critical Balance until the book is released. I talk a bit about the upcoming Worldcon in Seattle. Then I begin my multi-episode series on exploring the setting of The Culture...

Today I discuss why I decided to publish my book on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing. I share how the whole process works and what I’ve learned so far. I also talk about why I finally decided to do a paperback and e-book, and why I’ve decided to enroll my novel in Kindle Unlimited. Links Check out my novel, Critical Balance . Have you read Critical Balance ? Please leave a review on Amazon...

Today I discuss some of how independently publishing works and compare and contrast to the discussion on traditional publishing from the last episode. I share why I think independently publishing these days is almost a no-brainer. Links Check out my novel, Critical Balance . Have you read Critical Balance ? Please leave a review on Amazon . Lex Out Loud i s now on Spotify . Check out my Guide to N...

I’ve started a few different novels, and I’ve hit some snags. I’ve had a couple new novel ideas as well. I share the ideas with you, my progress, and my thoughts about which of these books I’m going to write next. I also share some musings on the future trajectory of our society and how it’s affecting my worldbuilding. Finally I consider whether courier ships in space make sense. Links Check out m...

I’ve started a few different novels, and I’ve hit some snags. I’ve had a couple new novel ideas as well. I share the ideas with you, my progress, and my thoughts about which of these books I’m going to write next. I also share some musings on the future trajectory of our society and how it’s affecting my worldbuilding. Finally I consider whether courier ships in space make sense. Links Lex Out Lou...

Today I return to the show after being completely demoralized by my experience hiring a “professional” editor for my novel Critical Balance. It was a terrible experience. I got conned, lost a lot of money, and have nothing to show for it except hard lessons learned. I share the red flags I ignored or overlooked and the mistakes I made in the hopes you can avoid having to go through an experience l...

This week I talk about a science-fiction writing club I’m starting in my home town. I also talk a bit about the ongoing revision process for Critical Balance and a couple story ideas I’m working on for my next novel. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free...

This week I share a method I’ve come up with to help me write every day that I’m calling a story sketch. It’s also a great way to practice as a writer, experiment, and try out new techniques. I also talk a bit about how writing longhand is very different than typing when writing and some distinct advantages it has. Even though it’s not how I would want to write most stories, it’s perfect for the s...

This week I discuss the differences between writing and storytelling. If you’re like me, you may have spent a lot of time and energy focusing on your writing while giving little thought to the art of telling a good story. I illustrate how point-of-view violations are anathema to good storytelling. Finally I explain how whichever path you’re taking—traditional publishing or independent publishing—g...

This week I catch you up to what I’ve been doing writing-wise. I discuss protagonist flaws and problems. I also explore the limitations I’ve found in the misbelief concept. I think these limitations are overcome by realizing a misbelief is just a type of flaw. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in...

This week I share some of what I learned at a local writing conference I attended recently. I also share some decent writing craft books I’ve discovered that I’ll likely be talking some more about in future episodes. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free...

This week I share some of what I’ve learned about independent publishing compared to traditional publishing. I also give some of my thoughts on The Wheel of Time TV show thus far. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your lib...

I discuss my thoughts on Starlink, Starship, and the colonization of Mars. Will we really use chemical rockets to get to Mars? Will we ever have cities on the surface of Mars? Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library...

I discuss what I’ve learned about how the creative process works in the human brain and how I’ve used this to revise and improve my daily writing goal. I also talk a bit about the nested cylinders of Union City and growing trees in space. Links Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify . Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book C...

This week I talk about why I’ve decided to put my space Odyssey idea on the backburner and return to writing a sequel to Critical Balance . Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-...

This week I explain why the novel I’m writing is allowed to suck. I also talk a bit about why it's best to focus on a genre & subgenre in the beginning of your writing career. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Support the show . Join my...

This week I share an example of how not to receive a critique. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Support the show . Join my Discord server . Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391 Episode on Receiving Negative Reviews . Episode on How to Receive a...

Today I talk about why I now think writing Critical Balance for mainstream readers was a mistake. I also talk a bit about beginning the first draft of my new novel. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library. Support the show . Join my Discord server...

This week I discuss some of the interesting things I’ve learned about the Saturn system in my research and how I’ll be using them in the novel. I also share some thoughts and revelations I’ve had recently about writing in first person perspective. Links Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link. Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word . Join my Book Club . How to get free eb...