Posts tagged ‘Martian Rebirth’
HOW DO PRIONS REPLICATE?
HOW DO PRIONS REPLICATE?
Here’s the prion information you all have been anxiously waiting for.
I never thought about this until I wrote Martian Rebirth, but think about it, prions are nothing but bits of protein containing none of the usual machinery, DNA or RNA usually required for multiplication of the organism. I’m not going to go into much detail because I don’t really understand it.
There are two types of prions and there are two theories on the characteristics of the prions, how they couple, and what is the result. The result of both theories is more prions. There is also a theory that other molecules are necessary for prion replication and here is where RNA from those molecules comes into play.
I also found out that the action of my prions from Mars is somewhat different than Earth prions. If you remember the prions from Mars start demonstrating an affect on the astronauts in a matter of months. Prions actually take 5 to 20 years to start showing an affect.
One last bit of information. In my story I mention that autoclaving does not totally destroy prions. The way to get rid of these little guys is sodium hypochlorite (bleach) or sodium hydroxide (lye).
Now you know what an ‘info dump’ is and have some knowledge of prion replication. Go impress your friends.
WHAT IS AN ‘INFO DUMP’?
WHAT IS AN ‘INFO DUMP’?
What is an ‘info dump’?
A ‘info dump’ is something writers try to avoid. In my opinion, an ‘info dump’ slows down the story and may result in boring the reader. Here is the condition which could result in an ‘info dump’ if the writer is not careful. It would be interesting if you now thought about some of the stories you have read and whether they contained an ‘info dump’ and if it affected your appreciation of the story. Say there’s a situation in a story which requires a detailed explanation to carry the story along. How the writer decides to explain these details could result in the story shifting from a story to a lecture and possibly bore the reader. What I usually do is first determine how much detail the reader needs to understand what is happening in the story. Then I deliver the knowledge usually with characters discussing the situation rather than writing a detailed explanation to inform the reader of what is involved in what is occurring in the story. Conversation between characters avoids an ‘info dump’. In my story, Martian Rebirth, I use the head of NASA conducting a press conference to include some prion information in the
PRIONS AND THE MARS INVASION OF EARTH
PRIONS AND THE MARS INVASION OF EARTH
While writing Martian Rebirth I asked myself, “How could enough prions, floating through space, be able to infect an entire planet. This recently resulted in a look at prion replication. Also, in avoiding including this information, I avoided an ‘info dump’.
The next two posts will involve an explanation of what an ‘info dump’ is and a look and prion replication and how, in my story, prion replication on Earth would be different than that on Mars. These subjects may not instill a burning interest in some. But some may be curious.
I wondered how prions multiply for they are nothing but strains of protein lacking DNA and RNA, standard requirements to multiply.
I also realized if an expensive exploration of my question in this story would probably result in an ‘info dump’ and slow down the story. So now that you have read the story what follows is the explanation of what exactly an ‘info dump’ is and a brief look at prion replication.
UPDATE THANKS
My consistent readers,
A BIG THANKS.
I just received a royalties check from Books To Go Now.
Buying my beach house is still on the pilot light, and we have an electric stove, but at this point in my career, the important thing to me is that people are reading my work.
Last quarter, three people bought my story, Martian Rebirth. Fourteen bought Unholy Ground.
I first want to once again say thanks. I would also ask you, if you don’t mind, to post a comment on amazon.com. A comment would be appreciated whether you liked my stories or not. Writing is a lonely experience, and feedback is important.
Walt
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=WALT+TRIZNA&x=11&y=18
LIBRARY REQUEST
My consistent readers,
I would like to ask a favor of those of you who would like to read my work for free.
Go to your library and ask them to order New Moon Rising in paperback. If you do that, you and others can have a free read. I have already donated a copy to my local library.
At this point in my writing career what I feel is most important is that people read my work.
Also, you can ask libraries to order my story, Martian Rebirth, as an eBook. It is available to libraries through OverDrive. Soon more of my stories will also be available to libraries using this website.
Thanks,
Walt
UPDATE – MARTIAN REBIRTH
Books to Go now will publish my story, Martian Rebirth in the near future.
The story will be available through Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com. It will be published as an eBook for both the Kindle and the Nook.
The story is about a journey to Mars, but as is true with most places you go, DON’T DRINK THE WATER.
Here is the cover for the story.
MARTIAN REBIRTH, PICTURE
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