Write Your Book in the Genre that Appeals to You

When I first thought of writing what would become Singularity and Survival I did not consult the New York Times Bestseller list to see what genre of fiction was selling best and what was most popular. Instead, I wrote the story within the writing genre that interested me: science fiction.

As long as I can remember, I’ve been interested in the writing genre of science fiction. Whether it was because I grew up after the Star Wars movies first came out or because of my engineering bent, I do not know. It fascinates me to think about new worlds and advanced technology. But there is something more about reading and writing in the genre of science fiction and its cousin, fantasy. While I do not believe there are aliens “out there,” or elves or dwarfs or dragons, reading and writing about alien worlds and alien creatures can help to frame the human condition in a way that surprises and arrests our attention.

Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty in ordinary life that brings out the human condition. After all, we are actually living as humans. And it is beneficial to take time to reflect on our actual lives and the lives of others. But like the parables Jesus told in the Bible, it is often helpful to use a story to focus on one or two principles, virtues, or teaching points. It helps to clear away the clutter of everyday life and put in sharp relief the things that matter most. Fellow Kellan Publishing Author, C.J. Turpin brings this out in the blog post about her book, The Salvage of Rapha.

Not only that, but our involvement in real life has a way of excusing our own actions and opinions rather than analyzing them critically. We are not neutral observers in life but are biased, having a vested interest in what we have already committed ourselves to in terms of perspectives, opinions, and actions. I read not only for enjoyment, but also to better myself in the process. As I wrote Singularity and Survival I wanted something enjoyable but also thought-provoking.

For me, the writing genre of science fiction (as well as fantasy) does this best. The new worlds and alien life and advanced technology serve to make the story interesting and disarming, freeing me to consider deeper truths, to reflect on character, motives, flaws, and strengths. While authors in other genres might focus on other aspects of writing a story to bring out the human condition, it worked best for me to write in science fiction.

Not only does the writing genre of science fiction work best for me with this, but the story that worked itself out in my mind occurs in the future, with technology that doesn’t yet exist (although some might argue it is closer to us than we might like). It was enjoyable, then, to write this story as science fiction, with the kernel being something timeless.

So if you are thinking about writing a book, choose the writing genre that interests you. Not only will you enjoy the writing process, but since the story conveys some of your own humanity, it will be more enjoyable for others to read.

Excerpt 3

Here’s the final installment, chapter 17. There are 22 chapters total.

Chapter 17

Wednesday evening

Ben and Randy put out the word for a mass gathering that evening asking every adult to attend, as able. When the time came, about one thousand people attended. Using a bullhorn to make himself heard, Ben explained what they knew of the threat Alpha posed. He congratulated and thanked the residents for their willingness to turn the town into a shelter and defense point, encouraging them that no attacks had come against them yet, which proved the strength of their position. Ben then urged them to continue to work for the common good and the common defense.

Moving to close the meeting, Ben asked for volunteers to assist in organizing and commanding, and he was overwhelmed by the response: almost one hundred stepped forward to help in this way.

Ben thought, There must be more than enough capable leaders among the group. This is good.

As the crowd dispersed, Ben and Randy began to meet with the leadership volunteers, collecting basic information about them – including where they could be found – and making notes of their initial impressions. Not many possessed military experience, and of those who did, only a few had advanced to leadership rank. However, a number of the volunteers were actively working as lawyers, business owners, doctors and supervisors. Berlin resembled Ben’s own town: a suburb of Lewiston where people moved in order to be away from the crowds.

After meeting the volunteers, Ben and Randy met to discuss their notes and determine whom to call back for further interviews. This is good, but it is taking time, too much time, Ben thought. Alpha doesn’t need to do this. Alpha doesn’t need to interview for leadership. We keep falling behind.

Soon, though, they had drafted a list of fifteen volunteers, interviewed them and discussed with them what they were looking for. Of these, they selected five to serve with Randy and Ben on a committee of overseers: Ken, Myriam, Sraven, Charlotte and Charlie. They began meeting immediately.

Ben began, “Thank you for volunteering to serve. We hope eventually to hold elections, but there is no time now for the residents to get to know people or to campaign. Democracy will have to wait until the urgency of war passes. Right now we need to survive.”

Ben chaired the meeting. Each one introduced himself or herself, then the discussion moved to organization. They divided the committee so one person was head over an area: Randy–troops and offensive strategy; Ben–defenses and heading up the committee; Ken–establishing contact with other barriers; Myriam–food and sanitation; Sraven–law and order; Charlotte–health and medical items; and Charlie–shelter and internal communication. With the preliminary work finished, they concluded the meeting and headed for their lodgings.

The walk back to his campsite refreshed Ben mentally, but as he stepped into his and Monica’s tent Ben realized how physically exhausted he was. At least, Ben thought, I don’t have to worry about the areas overseen by the other committee members. My area is probably the most developed of them. It’s nice to have some breathing room.

He laid down, careful not to disturb Monica, then fell into a deep sleep.

Excerpt 2

Here’s the next installment, all of chapter 8 (admittedly, the shortest chapter but not a minor one):

Chapter 8

Monday night

One hundred forty miles east of Lewiston, in an automobile factory closed for the night, machinery activated. Robotic arms swung into motion. Three dimensional printers chattered. Material intended to be fabricated into cars was conscripted for a different purpose. In moments, a crude simulacrum emerged, then four more. They came “alive” and began to move throughout the factory. Within sixty minutes the first of what would become a legion of robots was created. This mobilization was being repeated in laboratories and factories throughout the world.

Alpha was evolving.

Excerpt 1

As promised, here’s the first view of the book, from chapter 2:

From Chapter 2

Saturday

While unpacking the equipment at the field, Randy asked Ben, “Did you hear what happened yesterday just outside of Lewiston?”

“No. What was it?” Ben did not check news Saturday mornings.

“I’m not surprised you didn’t hear it in the media; they try to cover these things up. It happened in the military complex east of town. They had been developing some sort of thinking machine, artificial intelligence. Well, they got more than they bargained for. It went rogue. It took over its building.

“There’s talk it even started to spread out through the internet and tried to duplicate its personality in other machines and throughout the complex. At first, people thought it was China hacking into things and slowing the internet down. But now they think it was this computer.

“Anyway, it got to the point where the military not only cut the communication lines in and out, but they raided the building, obliterating the machine. Scary. Better watch your back with those machines. You never know when they’ll invade. I don’t trust them. I don’t use anything electronic that I can’t disable completely.”

Ben responded, “Yeah, well, I don’t have to worry much about the machines at my home. I figure if I have a problem, someone else is going to have it worse. At least I hope so.”

“Don’t count on hope. Plan ahead. Be prepared,” Randy responded.

Ben knew the value of thinking machines – what some call artificial intelligence, or AI. The military used it with success in the war. It saved outright the lives of thousands of marines by giving a tactical advantage over the outdated weapons the enemy had used. The military advances spilled over into consumer products, like the cars that drove Ben to work.

But this was different. There hadn’t been an incident like this before.

“Maybe this explains the traffic jam I hit coming home from work yesterday. Do they think it succeeded in spreading itself?” Ben asked.

 

Pre-Launch Party Update

I hope to hold the pre-launch party tonight… 8 p.m. (Central time), where I’ll post two chapters (and a little more) from “Singularity And Survival.”

Pre-Launch Party Scheduled – Nov 10

The publishing date is ten days away!

I’ll be hosting a pre-launch party right here Thursday, November 10, where two chapters of the book will be released.

Stay tuned!

Trailer for “Singularity And Survival”

The trailer for “Singularity And Survival” is out! Find it here: http://kellanpublishing.com/t-m-wagenmaker

November 13, 2016

I heard from Kellan Publishing today… the publishing date is set for November 13, 2016!

You can pre-order a digital copy for 50% off right now at Kellan’s online bookstore: https://kellan-publishing.selz.com/item/singularity-and-survival

There is quite a bit of work to do before then. One of these tasks I find very intriguing is to develop a book trailer to introduce the book using an audio/video medium.

Stay tuned as that date draws near.

Accepted? Wow.

I am used to writing. I am a pastor, who preaches twice every week (mostly). For the past decade (and more) I’ve written about two sermons every week. Writing sermons, though, is different than writing a book.

There is a lot of overlap – words, ideas, themes – but it is a different style. Speaking is different than writing; hearing is different than reading.

The subject matter differs also. A sermon is based on the Word of God. A book, especially the type of book I was writing, is from my own human mind. This book certainly relates to God’s world and to what God has imbedded in his world, but there is no ultimate authority in it, unlike the source of a sermon.

So why write a book? Good question. I had an idea, and that idea took shape. It grew. The idea centered around computers developing “consciousness,” and what that would be like, what it could be like. Some books along this storyline are very positive; some are very negative. What path does my worldview set forth? What paths does it permit?

I didn’t find only one answer, as though there would be only one possibility, from my point of view. But there are threads, themes, structures in this world that made one path stand out. I traveled with the idea along that path.

Then, with my wife expecting our fifth child, blocks of time were freed up in the evening, for she was tired and would go to bed early. What should I do with my spare time? Why not put down the idea into words as a story? So I did. It seemed the book wrote itself. Scene after scene unfolded from mind to document.

Some months later Singularity And Survival was finished. Several persons read it, commented on it and gave suggestions. How to seek to publish it? This was quite outside my realm of knowledge. Then, a friend of a family member published a book. She recommended her publisher, Kellan Publishing. Do I try it? Should I submit the manuscript? The publisher required only the first two chapters. Sure, why not?

Preparing to submit it and getting ready to click the final button… it was like riding a roller coaster, just as the car lurches on its way. There is no going back. Click. Off it went.

Within days I received the answer: accepted.

Now comes the hard work… I’m told.