DreamCasters Agenda, May 2023
05-07-2023
Opening Statement
Welcome to DreamCasters, a DreamForge discussion group devoted to helping our members improve their writing and storytelling through discussion and sharing expertise.
DreamForge News
Tentative Dates for 2023
June 4 | July 9 | Aug 6 | Sept TBD | Oct 8 | Nov 5 | Dec 3
Please continue to add your publication credits to Pete Lead’s AirTable database for DreamCasters. We’ll continue to promote your successes in our Social Media.
DreamCasters who would like me announce a new sale or publication during the meeting, please send me an email at scot.noel@dreamforgemagazine.com and give me the details.
From Daniel Cojocaru –
“Rain Delay” is the story of two tennis players whose life is turned upside down when they realize that it never rains whenever they play. It’s available via direct link from Tall Tale TV’s website, from YouTube, Audible, Spotify, and many other podcast sites:
https://talltaletv.com/rain-delay/
Dyson Spheres, a Big Contest, and Story Plotting
In April we became aware of a BIG writing contest from Singapore: The SciFiedea Award. It’s a Science Fiction Writing Contest with a $20,000 prize. Deadline is August 31st, and you can submit entries to scifidea_contest@col.com.
Judges include Neil Clarke, Patrick Neilsen Hayden, Robert J. Sawyer, and Michael Swanwick.
The subject of the contest is a Dyson Sphere.
Let’s make a challenge and send them some DreamCaster stories, and let’s help each other make our stories the best they can be.
Today, to start, let’s talk about what a Dyson Sphere is and what might make an interesting Dyson Sphere story. Let’s do some practice story plotting and then we can all go off and plot our own tales. Let’s create a Dyson Sphere channel in the DreamCaster Discord Channel and share our stories, ask questions, give advice, and encourage one another.
Do You know what a Dyson Sphere is? Here are three videos to give you some ideas (because “Dyson Sphere can mean several things, from an actual hard shell around a star to a sphere of orbital mirrors, to a series of connected space habitats.
Dyson Sphere/Swarm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP44EPBMb8A |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP44EPBMb8A
Space Habitats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EkX9vARGww
O’Neill Cylinders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeD0bP6m6ZM |
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTcTRdCMteY
The exercise will have several good consequences. Stories and ideas generated here will help us write stories for Amazing Stories too (as Lloyd Penney told us last month he’s looking for Hard SF), and I’d like to see some too for DreamForge when we next open for submissions.
Giveaway This Month!
One lucky attendee chosen at random will receive a copy of “Putting the Science in Fiction,” by Dan Koboldt.
This book brings together scientists, physicians, engineers, and other experts to help you:
- Understand the basic principles of science, technology, and medicine that are frequently featured in fiction.
- Avoid common pitfalls and misconceptions to ensure technical accuracy.
- Write realistic and compelling scientific elements that will captivate readers.
- Brainstorm and develop new science- and technology-based story ideas.
Whether writing about mutant monsters, rogue viruses, giant spaceships, or even murders and espionage, “Putting the Science in Fiction” will have something to help every writer craft better fiction.
In June
In June, our guest will be Rick Lewis. Rick Lewis is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management. He represents authors of speculative fiction titles in the Adult and YA categories, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and magical realism. You can find more information about Rick at ForGoodBooks.com and about the agency at MartinLit.com.
Rick will explain the mysteries of getting an agent, working with an agent, and what exactly an agent does.
