Podcast appearances and mentions of Devon C Ford

In this episode, I chat with post-apocalypse author Devon C Ford on topics ranging from channeling his experiences with the best and worst of society into apocalypse survival stories and why living through an 'apocalypse' isn't as fun as writing about one, to why cats are more evolved than humans. Further info on this and other episodes, as well as transcriptions, story cube images and story introductions, can be found at AlternateFutures.co.uk

Author of the post apocalyptic series, After It Happened among many of his prolific works.

Author of the post apocalyptic series, After It Happened among many of his prolific works.

Josh, Scott, and Chuck sit down to talk about the rules of writing and how they aren't so "absolute" as they may seem. *** Debunking the Rules of Writing Josh, Scott, and Chuck sit down to talk about the rules of writing and how they aren't so "absolute" as they may seem. Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon, C. Steven Manley [00:00] Opening remarks—Dragon Award Nominations are open! [05:05] Weekly update, Tiger King Edition Josh: Into the final act of Enemy of Valor (Valor #3). Word streaking! Anthology Battle Luna reveal Chuck: Plugging away at  Dark Disciples (Jack Dark #2) and Brace Cordova #3. Committed to short story for Weird Tales’ Galactic Murder Clowns 3. Word of the Day: Homage. Scott: Finished Invasion Day and outlined the next book. Hit 70k words in book 2 of Thirteen Mercenaries for June release. Pitching KSM coffee. [16:36] Sponsor: Devon C. Ford and Nathan Hystad’s Salvation (Rise Book 2) [19:32] Main Event: Debunking the Rules of Writing! -Pacing, action, and characterization are very important in military science fiction, but ‘show, don’t tell’ is strong in this genre. -Show, don’t tell is a big mantra, but there’s a lot of telling in different genres. -Is ‘show, don’t tell’ a generational or publishing market shift? -Start with telling in drafting a novel, but working backward into showing if you can. -The POV can lead to a lot of telling because you’re inside the head of a character. Example: Legionnaire (Galaxy’s Edge Book 1) by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole Counter-example: the shift from third person limited to omniscient and then back. Example: Memory Man by David Baldacci -In mystery, telling is big because the reader is trying to get all the clues to solve. -‘Thou Shalt Not Bore the Reader’ -You have to tell more when you’re in a single POV because you don’t have the advantage of POV shift or a wider character lens. It’s known to the character so the reader can access what the character knows. -Breaking up Exposition with Action? Don’t follow a predictable rhythm and it doesn’t have to repeat (i.e. not always a battle). -Zero in on exposition as to how it relates to the narrative right now. -Small amounts of stage direction can add motion to the exposition without adding action. -Being kept in the dark? ‘Resist the Urge to Explain’ -Don’t put unnecessary facts into a novel you’ll lose track of. -Setting exposition can give a setting character Example: Michael Connolly’s Harry Bosch series -Adding research details from the real world (which doesn’t necessarily work in SFF unless you world build to give it history and feel) -Chekhov’s Gun Axiom -Deep historical feel can give a reader an immersive experience and connection Example: GRRM’s A Song of Ice and Fire series -Historical fiction is very rich in this way. Example: Marc Alan Edelheit’s Chronicles of An Imperial Legionary Officer series -Some authors do very well in over-description Example: Tom Clancy, Ken Follet -Cinematic description works Example: Michael Fuchs -How deep do you go when you explain a character? It’s big in military science fiction. Example: Scott Moon’s Pig Dog -Headhopping within a scene. Does that work? -Inferring vs. headhopping -‘Thou Shalt Not Confuse the Reader’ Example: Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne series Example : Frank Herbert’s Dune Chronicles series -Have to know how to hold the third person omniscient while holding information from the reader Example: Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series -You want to convey what you want to reader to feel what the character feels or believes -#1 important rule is your story. Write the best one. -Know the rules of your genre and read in your genre [59:13] Closing remarks Coffee and Concepts Writer’s Journey Storytelling   Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/ Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/ Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com Keystroke Medium Anthologies      Kingdoms of Iron and Stone - https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I       Horizons Beyond - https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX      Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us!

Today I welcome Devon C. Ford to the show to talk about writing science fiction, post apocalypse, and all things speculative fiction. Devon is from the UK, having lived in many places until finally settling in the Midlands. His career […]