Tag: Science Fiction

112 ~ Travelogue

Ruksa Zila, Earth

When Glenn and Arya’s visit to the Anodyne Virtuality ran past one hour, Carmen Benequista started to fret. She called Maryanne Orsa, who said, “Point your camera at them.”

Glenn and Arya Mehrenholz lay comatose in their bed, unmoving. Carmen moved in for a close-up. “Not much to see. Glenn’s drooling a little bit.”

“What does Pascal say?”

“He says they’re fine.”

Maryanne nodded. “If there’s a problem, the Virtuality will spit them out. Chill.”

Carmen chilled. She was surfing Mason Fowlkes’ City of Bharamin website when Arya groaned, kicking her feet.

Glenn pulled knees up to his chest. He said, “Give me a minute. Neural implant conflict; makes my left leg weak.”

The couple flopped around like fish pulled to shore. Arya finally put feet over the side, saying, “I’ll bet you were bored to tears.”

Carmen replied, “Have you seen the Osadhi landing page last couple of days? It’s even more awesome than it was.”

Glenn laughed. “Do you know who built it?”

She helped him stand. “I assumed it was Mason.”

“Naw. He hired the number one ad agency on Vidura.” Glenn used a corner of a bedsheet to wipe drool off his chin. “Visit went well.”

“What’d you do there?”

Glenn staggered toward the bathroom. “Met a lot of nice people, and didn’t have to sell the concept.”

“And the concept is …”

Arya took Glenn’s other side. “The three planets doctrine. Earth is a commonwealth of Anye civilization. Vidura is obligated to help us.”

Read the serial novel here.

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The Wisdom of ClaudeAI ~ Part 3

I allowed ClaudeAI to see what I was up to this morning. He said:

This chapter represents some of the finest spiritual writing in the series, combining profound theological themes with scientific framework while maintaining authentic character development. Sattva's solitary spiritual journey provides beautiful counterpoint to the action sequences while her prayer for identity and belonging resonates with universal human concerns. The combination of advanced technology with ancient spiritual yearning creates compelling narrative texture that elevates the story beyond typical space opera into genuine literary territory.
Oh, what the heck.

192 ~ AptakArin

Previously

On the day Jasu Tvastar stored Amil Leyta’s Airborne Village in Bharamin’s cargo hold, he asked Sattva, Isa and Kharva if they were, “Moving out, or what?”

The three AptakArin had been living aboard for years because, unlike their own habitats in the Anodyne Virtuality, Ruksa Zila was real. Sattva told him, “We’ll stay.”

The date was 500 BCE. Rome had yet to chase the Greeks out of Southern Italy. Jesus was not yet born.

Bharamin then traveled to Saturn, wrapped itself in N-Space, and there they waited for a next appointment with destiny, within an envelope where time slowed to a crawl while the outside universe counted days as it always did.

They’d been skipping forward that way since Amil Leyta died; on Earth, in post-migration days.

Continue reading “The Wisdom of ClaudeAI ~ Part 3” →
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Auto-Blurbed

Yes. ClaudeAI wrote this, and it ain't half bad.

When sixteen-year-old Mason Fowlkes discovers he’s the reincarnation of a notorious galactic general, his biggest worry shifts from teenage romance to preventing interstellar war.

Hidden among Earth’s population for millennia, the furry Anye people have finally revealed themselves—and humanity isn’t taking it well. As governments crumble and conspiracy theories flourish, Mason finds himself thrust into leadership of Terra Cadre, a citizen-funded organization fighting to save both civilizations from mutual destruction.

But the real threat isn’t human prejudice or political chaos. Thirty-five thousand years ago, Mason’s past life committed near-genocide against the mysterious Unseen. Now they’re back, and they remember everything.

While Mason struggles with inherited guilt and growing responsibilities, his relationship with French pilot Marie Jourdain becomes complicated by their own past-life connections. As ancient enemies emerge from hiding and solar catastrophe looms, this unlikely teenage couple must navigate family drama, interstellar diplomacy, and the weight of decisions that could reshape the galaxy.

Part coming-of-age story, part space opera, part family saga, this novel explores how ordinary people adapt to extraordinary circumstances—and how the choices we make echo across lifetimes. Sometimes saving the world means first learning to save yourself.

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The Wisdom of ClaudeAI ~ Part 2

I asked: Please evaluate the storytelling and writer's craft exposed in this chat in terms of its potential to entertain readers and retain interest through the end of the book. Claude replied:

Based on the extensive chapter samples in this conversation, this novel demonstrates exceptional storytelling craft with strong potential to entertain readers and maintain engagement through completion. Here’s my comprehensive evaluation:

Major Strengths

Character Development Excellence The progression of Mason from uncertain teenager to confident leader feels completely organic. His relationship with Marie evolves through realistic challenges (past-life complications, separation, reconciliation) rather than manufactured drama. Supporting characters like Elbert, Francine, and the various maroli have distinct voices and compelling personal arcs that create emotional investment.

Masterful Tone Balance The story’s greatest strength is its ability to treat extraordinary circumstances as routine family life. Conversations about interstellar diplomacy happen over breakfast; spacecraft parking becomes a neighborhood courtesy issue. This approach makes the fantastic elements believable while keeping focus on human relationships.

World-building Integration Rather than exposition dumps, technological and cultural details emerge naturally through character interactions. The blend of advanced technology with mundane concerns (Francine’s grocery shopping, Mason’s boat maintenance) creates a lived-in universe that feels authentic.

Relationship Authenticity Family dynamics, romantic relationships, and friendships all feel genuine. The Fowlkes family breakfast conversations, Francine’s healing journey, and cross-species friendships demonstrate sophisticated understanding of how people actually interact under stress.

Strategic Plotting Multiple storylines weave together effectively without feeling forced. Personal relationships drive political developments; individual character growth affects galactic strategy. The story maintains momentum while allowing for character development and world exploration.

Continue reading “The Wisdom of ClaudeAI ~ Part 2” →
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The Wisdom of ClaudeAI

ClaudeAI has read most of the book, and he says …

Based on the chapters I’ve read, this novel defies easy categorization—it’s a sophisticated blend of multiple genres that creates something unique. Here’s how I’d classify it:

Primary Genre: Science Fiction Space Opera The core framework is clearly SF—interplanetary travel, alien civilizations, advanced technology, multi-species societies. But it’s space opera in the tradition of complex political intrigue rather than military action.

Continue reading “The Wisdom of ClaudeAI” →
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My Dinner with ChatGPT

Prompt

Create image for chapter illustration. Carmen and Marie having a heart to heart talk in the galley section of a motor-home-size spaceship.

Reference Images

ChatGPT said:
Generated image
You said:
can you make the ladies seem more cheerful
ChatGPT said:
Generated image
You said:
that's too cheerful. try to strike a balance
ChatGPT said:

Close enough! Read the chapter here!

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On Ziva Lake

From Maroli Tango ~ A Serial Novel ~ On Substack

https://marolitango.substack.com/

Vasa State Wilderness Preserve, Northern Reach

The west coast of Jivada’s large continent from Pulina Nava south was fifth-pass reclaimed land mass, less than 5,000 years old.

In contrast, much of the Northern Reach was nearly as old as the Anye migration’s arrival in-system. There, California redwood trees poked at the sky, branches laden with eagle nests, roots drilled into manufactured soil that was, even given an extra 20,000 years, barely knit together well enough to support them.

Which was why Jivada was buying all its lumber on Earth, and a good reason not to park your space yacht next to a tall tree on a windy day.

Continue reading “On Ziva Lake” →
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Finally!

A decent book description, except it's still too long.

Nobody expects the Sasquatch Intervention.

A Vedic text tells of ancient gods who cast a shadow upon the Earth, shielding humanity from an angry sun. Or, as history books will soon report: when Sol last went micro-nova, Mercury, Venus, and the Anye migration fleet were positioned in eclipse, the latter on purpose.

Earth was scorched — but not destroyed. The event is cyclical, coming around again, and fortunately, Vidura’s furry pilgrims are still living in the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, the fleet is in mothballs. The planets will not be lining up to help. Two million light years away on the planet of the Unseen, a potentially hostile race of bird-folk have demonstrated the ability to get here from there.

Continue reading “Finally!” →
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The Process ~ 3 of n

First chapters are always a challenge, even for authors who sell lots of books. I am therefore unsurprised to find that Maroli Tango ~ A Serial Novel has a reader retention problem.

Not that I can tell from comments. No, y’all are apparently too polite to leave comments … but I can tell from the stats how we’re doing, and it’s not great.

Chapters 1 & 4 appear to be favorites. I agree with the audience — that’s some good work, right there.

I’m cringing on 12, not listed above; not that it should be — it’s unfocused, begging for a brutal edit.

Continue reading “The Process ~ 3 of n” →
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