Posts tagged ‘writing’
OBSERVATIONS & OPINIONS
FUTURE WRITERS AND AI
Just finished the latest book by Ian McEwan, Machines Like Me. I highly recommend it for it is a great read. If you wonder what the future is, you will enjoy this book.
That book is the inspiration for this article.
I recently posted a piece about the elderly writer coping with today’s technological advances and all the social platforms with which to communicate with the public. To summarize, I don’t know how most of today’s electronics work or what they can accomplish. I don’t have a clue how to use the ever-growing number of social platforms. I realize change will never cease, but the rapidity of the changes today is without equal. The purpose of this piece is to address the potential future of writing. The future of not tomorrow’s elderly writers but all writers.
The news today is addressing more and more the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI). My local supermarket has the tall rectangular device roaming around the store. I asked the cashier what the thing does and he said it spots spills. That’s it. Then the human has to come to clean the mess. A meaningless purpose but this is only one step on the road to singularity. Singularity is the time when human and AI intelligence is equal. After that the machines leave us in the dust. What will the machines be then called, robo sapiens?
What I speculate in this piece would make a great premise for a short story. Use it if you want.
I wonder about the challenge to writers in the age of singularity and beyond. When machines are more intelligent than writers. When machines are able to produce more compelling plots and better character development. They may have access to a multitude of languages knowing the meaning of every word in those languages. There also go the translators of novels, and the thesaurus will be relegated to the category of ancient works.
This is just speculation, as it was not long ago, that the personal computer and cell phone were the property of dreams.
OBSERVATIONS & OPINIONS
WE ARE TO BLAME
I know, I know this blog is meant to address writing. Well, I think this piece does exactly that. There is so much happening in this country that is a fountain of material for both fiction and non-fiction writers.
Our country has reached a new low in the environment, the lost trust of allies, the growing relationship with cruel dictators who think nothing of their people, yet telling the average citizen everything is fine. And some of us, luckily a minority, believe what they are told without searching for the facts. Because they are told the facts are not true because of the ‘fake news’. Then there is also the creation of ‘alternative facts’. And yet our administration is supposed to be believed, yet unfortunately, some do.
We have become a society of corruption at the top levels of government and industry. And they both feed off one another with no care for the damage they create for the citizens of this country. I think the reason many accept what is happening is because we have become lazy in seeking out the truth, and also, believing what we are told no matter what is right in front of us.
Without our knowledge, the seeds of failure for this country are sown every day. Soon they will sprout and deliver us into a future no one could imagine.
The rich grow beyond rich, while the poor, whose numbers constantly are increasing. We are told they are lazy and don’t deserve the benefits they receive. Some work two or three jobs and still can not support their family. There are many things wrong with this country. They can be solved but we need politicians and an administration with a conscience.
I am an old man and look back when problems I’m sure were hidden. But hidden or not I felt the future would improve life for all of us, all of us. But now we are involved in a culture of greed and loss of values. Is there any hope?
LIVING THE STORM
Just wanted to tell you folks that the descriptions of the storm the east coast is now living though are more than accurate.
I have had a self-standing basket ball net at the end of my driveway for perhaps 25 years hoping one of my girls might enjoy the game. Neither one did, and although my youngest is 5’11”, she is a farmer.
I’m telling this because, for the first time, this hoop has blown down. The wind and snow could produce a wealth of poems, but for the common man, is it a hassle to be handled.
I hope to produce more for this blog, but a lesson for the young. If you want a career in writing; START NOW. Age had a tendency to slow you down.
AFTER A LONG ABSENCE, I RETURN
Forgive me for not communicating for a month and more, but there has been much on my mind about the state of our country. I know this blog is intended to benefit writers, but life also effects our writing in one way or another. Many events, which I follow daily, are beyond belief. I shall leave the discussion of the current political climate to those more knowledgeable and eloquent to express the opinions which I feel.
One last comment. Do our elected representatives have their constituents in mind with their decisions, or are those decisions governed by their perceived power and a warped ego.
I will return this blog to its intended purpose; to aid writers in finding their way to publication. My next topic will be one with which I struggle: The challenges of the elderly writer and the rapid pace of modern technology.
One last comment. You may have noticed my reblogging work from other blogs. I follow many blogs posting information for writers. I hope to spread the knowledge.
STRUGGLING TO GET IT PUBLISHED: REVISITING DUOTROPE
I had promised to return to the purpose of this blog, writing and publishing, to relay knowledge gained in having my work published, and on more occasions that I like to recall, rejected. So with this article I shall return to that purpose. But my mind is disrupted by the state of our beloved country. Need I say more?
Now, on to Duotrope, one of the most useful tools a writer can use to get his work published. If you have a piece you desire to publish, please give the site a look. You will be more than satisfied.
Duotrope is a website discussed in the past. I wish to renew that discussion and provide new information.
At one time Duotrope was free, a great source for finding publishers. A few years ago they began charging $50/year to use their service. That small price is more than worth the benefits provided to help you find a home for your work. They provide publishers of fiction, nonfiction and poetry. They provide a survey for you to characterize you work and zero in on publishers who may in interested in publishing you. When you initially check out the site, you are allowed limited use to explore the value they provide. Duotrope constantly upgrades the information they provide so the list of publishers remains current.
A new feature, offered in addition to the published work, is the category of visual arts. With this new addition you are able to search for sources to publish of your art; magazines etc.
Duotrope is an essential tool to those writers and artists wanting a chance to expose their work to the world.
Here is a link to the site.
WHO I AM
Some time ago I received a questionnaire from Book Buzzr, a marketing website I’m using to promote my novel, New Moon Rising. I thought I would share my answers to give you a closer look into who I am.
BOOK BUZZR
Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Now a retired scientist, I spent 34 years studying renal physiology.
I’m a Newark, New Jersey boy now living in West Chester, Pennsylvania, divorced with two outstanding daughters. One is a farmer working for the Rodale Institute and the other is pursing and MFA in fiction at Syracuse University.
Describe your book, New Moon Rising, in 30 words or less.
The novel is science fiction centered on the Ring of Fire. Think of the movie, Deep Impact, but in reverse.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Editing? I hate editing. The initial story just flowed. I went along with the characters and saw the action through their eyes. But when it came to editing the adventure was over, and I missed it.
What books had the greatest influence on you?
When I was in high school I read three books by Tom Dooley, a doctor who went to Laos, among other countries, to provide medical assistance. Of the three, the only title I can remember is The Night They Burned the Mountain.
His work was influential in establishing CARE.
What Dooley did to me I could never reverse. His words established in me the need for a sense of purpose, that you must strive to make a difference. Even at my advanced age, I cannot shake this mind-set.
Briefly share with us what you do to market your book.
Not enough. I have has one signing at a local bookstore which went quite well.
I am, of course on your site. I also have a blog, walttriznastories.wordpress.com, where I have discussed my novel and have provided links to my publisher, Melange Books, barns&noble.com and amazon.com., where my novel is available. But the primary purpose of my blog is to provide help for writers on the road to publication.
How do you spend your time when you are not writing?
I read a great deal, as most writers do. I firmly believe the basis for any writers desire to write begins with reading and the love for books. Of house and outside chores also require certain amount of time.
What are you working on next?
I have multiple short stories I am editing and hope to publish.
I also have two novels that are written and need to be edited and published.
The first, Sweet Depression, follows a corrupt high-level officer in a pharmaceutical company fulfilling his need for control and greed with devastating results. Think of a cross between novels written by James Patterson and Robin Cook.
The second novel, The Beast Awaits, combines illicit stem cell research creating a monster mindlessly intent on destroying our world.
URSULA LE GUIN
I recently read an article in the New York Times concerning Ursula Le Guin, a renowned writer of science fiction and fantasy, and her enshrinement in the Library of America.
Included in this article was a speech she gave concerning the state of publishing and the value authors must seek for their work. For those writers out there, I hope you find it educational and rewarding.
Sorry this link doesn’t work. But if you are interested, go to The New York Times site. You can read a limited of articles for free. For writers and readers of science fiction, this work is valuable.
WRITER’S IN THE CHESTER COUNTY, PAOLI AREA. HERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK AND EXPLORE WRITING ISSUES.
Recently, I joined this writers group. Meeting at the Paoli library every Thursday, I have found it to be a source of sharing with fellow writers. Something all writers need.
Come join us and learn who we are and learn.
FREE WORKSHOP for WRITERS by WRITERS
Saturday, August 20, 2016
12:00 to 4:30 pm
Paoli Library Meeting Room
18 Darby Rd, Paoli, PA 19301
You are invited to join us for a workshop that is designed for proficient writers and authors to learn from one another in an experiential and peer-to-peer forum. This 4½-hour workshop will be broken into two sessions:
First session: 12:00-2:30 pm. Full group session.
Break/Network 2:30-3:00 pm. Please bring your own food/beverage.
Second session: 3:00-4:30 pm. Small group sessions.
The first session will focus on the writer’s completed goals and lessons learned along the way that can help other writers:
Objective – Each person can speak for up to five minutes about successes and/or difficulties in areas specific to their writing experience followed by up to five minutes Q & A. If speaking please come with prepared notes.
In the second session writers will break into smaller groups according to genre and/or a specific goal for the workshop.
- Genre
- Editing
- Publishing
- Self-publishing
- Blogging
- Public speaking
- Marketing
- Distribution
What to Bring: A brief summary of your work/projects, in order for others to understand your interests and the main goal you wish to achieve in this workshop.
Please RSVP to: Melanie @ s.j.hart@comcast.net
Space limited to 20 due to size of room. There will be no waiting list. We hope to see you there!
Walttriznastories's Blog 