Sex and the Single Alien

The sexy alien has long been a media staple, but it has never been an accepted trope in literary science fiction which has higher standards of accuracy.  

If an author tosses in a sexy alien who is not only sexually compatible but also offers offspring, she might as well give up any hope of having people who read "real" science fiction as readers.

Aliens, according to many scientists, probably won't look like humans. You can create a reason why aliens do look like humans if you want to. I did for my race, the N'Videri in THE ONCE AND FUTURE QUEEN. (Note: ONCE is sf adventure/space opera so readers give you a bit more leeway than in standard sf, and I was counting on that leeway.)

In my worldbuilding, the N'Videri protected and nurtured those races who looked like them and pushed evolution for bipeds on certain planets so that they would have living camouflage for their own secretive presence in space. Humans, unlike many space races, were protected from conquest or self-destruction so they went safely into space.

It is extremely unlikely that a human and alien could produce a child. Human DNA has more in common with Earth grass DNA than it would have with any alien. 

Alien differences would also make breeding unattractive. For example, find two old pennies that are made of real copper. Wash them really well then put them in your mouth. The seriously nasty taste is what kissing Spock with his copper-based blood would taste like. 

Anything more than a small amount of copper is also toxic to humans and an effective, if hazardous, spermicide so there’s no way in heck that Spock would have been born even with scientific help.

Aliens who are essentially humanoid forms of Earth animals have their own problems. Fish reproduce outside of the body. (The female lays the eggs, and the male sprays his sperm on them then.) That's not exactly wild or possible sex for a human female. Lizards and snakes have a much cooler body temperature than we do. Part of the sexual excitement of the act involves heat.  A cold-blooded male in a hot-blooded female would be uncomfortable for both parties.  A hot-blooded male in a cold-blooded female might very well lose his erection because of the chill.

Aliens based on mammals have the danger of bestiality to be considered. Most of us are repelled rather than excited by reading about a human sexual encounter with a dog, big cat, horse, or whatever. Werewolves and other were-animals also have this problem unless they change into human form for sex.

I'm sure some people get their sexual buzz from all the above, especially in erotica which has little to do with logic or scientific accuracy and probably shouldn't, but any writer who wants their books read outside of a narrow category of readers has to consider such things.

Cross-genre World Building.

Cross-genre books mix elements of two genres. The paranormal romance is really a romance with fantasy or horror worldbuilding.  The sf romance is science fiction world building in a romance, etc., etc.

I'm a firm believer that you have to understand, read, and respect the genres you are mixing, or you shouldn't write it.

In recent paranormals romances I've read, the author didn't have a clue about fantasy or that you shouldn’t steal a prominent writer’s world building because it is blatantly obvious and annoying.  One had a magic system that was a generic mishmash as well as a complete HIGHLANDER rip-off with swords, decapitations, and magic being transferred.

Another took the Harry Potter universe with its magic system and world, then tossed in her characters.

I've read futuristics that were really Klingons in love with the alien and STAR TREK names changed, or the science was so bad a third grader could have spotted the errors.

The danger of not understanding one of the genres is writers lose parts of their audience. Cross-genre is not only supposed to mix the two genre, they are supposed to mix the two audiences. Insult half that audience by not knowing your stuff, and there goes sales.

By ignoring the basics of the other genre, these writers are destroying “the dream" of the books, and that bothers me a great deal as a writer and a reader.

Our World vs. Your World

One of the questions you have to ask yourself when you create the world of your fantasy or science fiction novel is how much of our world do you want to include.

Science fiction set in our future is easy enough to figure out.  Humans are humans whatever the time period.  More than likely they will drink coffee or some form of caffeine beverage.  Do you call it coffee or give it a new name?

Usually, the best answer is to just call it coffee if it’s in the background of the story because the reader has more than enough to keep up with otherwise.  Generic terms like “shuttle” and “matter transfer machine” which are often used in science fiction can also be used.  

Your created terms are best used for important elements of your world.

Fantasy is not as easy to figure out because, with the exception of some urban fantasy and contemporary fantasy, the world is built anew.  Some choices are easy.  A horse is a horse, a sword a sword.

Some common usages and terms, however, are jarring in fantasy.  In the last week, I’ve read about a character eating a “hoagie” and “poppers,” and another using modern psychological terminology.  Each time, the term knocked me right out of the story.  

A writer really needs to think about the words she uses in relation to our world and the one created.  Simple words like “sandwich” are jarring enough, but a term with a great deal of history behind it is a mistake every time.

We are always told to be specific in our language when we write, but, when we are creating a new world, going for the general term rather than the specific is often the best idea.  

Stranger in a Strange Land, Science Fiction Cons for Newbies

Question:  I’m a guest at a science fiction convention this weekend, and I’ve never been to one.  I’m on some panels.  I write paranormal romance, not science fiction.  What can I expect, and will the natives be friendly?

I've done cons for years.

There's no great trick to it.  Show up on time to your panels and have a copy of your book so you can display it in front of you.  If it’s an ebook, have a nice graphic of your cover printed and pasted on heavy cardboard with a means to set it upright.  

Have some water or a bottled soda on hand.  Be natural and funny if you are able. 

Have something intelligent to say about the panel topic and don't just talk about YOUR book because sf fans have an aversion to blatant PR. If you know nothing about the topic, admit it if anyone asks you a question and ask a question or two to the panelists who do know something.  

It's also a good idea to read the bios of your fellow panel members so you get some sense of who they are and what they write.  Most con programs or websites provide a bio of each guest.

Having bookmarks or some other freebie for the con’s freebie table rarely is worth the money, most end up in the garbage at the end of the con, but do have a business card or postcard which is printed with your book information, your name, and website to hand to people who express interest in your book.

An alternate business card with your complete contact information is good to have to pass along to other pros or someone you want to keep in touch with.

If you do a reading, pick something short and understandable and practice beforehand.  If you have time left over, ask for questions or just chat with your audience.  

As far as dress, casual business will do.  A nice pair of pants and a blouse.  Maybe a dressy jacket if the hotel is cool and most are.  

SF fans are much more open to paranormal romance and woman writers than they once were.  The memberships tend to be dominated by women who usually read paranormal romance as well as urban fantasy, etc.  Those who don’t will be doing something else when you do panels so don't worry about them.

In your free time, network like crazy with fans and other writers and attend some panels you aren't on.  

Many of the fans will be wearing neat or silly costumes but don’t be deceived.  Most are highly intelligent, educated, and have jobs that pay more than yours does.   To start up a conversation, ask them about their costume.  Remember that you are the alien (mundane) here, not them.

If the con has some professional publishing guests like agents or editors, you can usually find them in the bar or their private con party suite.

If you don't read sf, fantasy, or urban fantasy, a good topic of conversation is sf/f media if you are a genuine fan.  You can also ask for reading recommendations, and the dealer's room is usually full of books as well as other neat things.

Mainly, enjoy yourself.  Cons are a lot of fun.

Romance, Sex, and Pace, CRAFT

Love, romance, and sex have always had a place in action/adventure, fantasy, and science fiction, but, today, the woman usually fights beside the man.

Used with care and thought, love, romance, and sex can add dimension to the characterization, plot, and pace.

Unfortunately, care often isn’t used, and the pace and plot are ruined because of it.

Recently, I read a novel about a romantic couple fighting demons. Most of the time, they were so busy fantasizing about the other’s crotch that I wondered at the brains and survival skills of these people. A fighter who is busy thinking about sex before and during a fight is a dead fighter.

The pace was also ruined because the constant sexual elements and sexual introspection distracted from the plot and the peril.

Brief bits of body language--a touch, a smile, or caress, as well as brief snippets of romantic dialogue can keep the sexual tension and caring evident without bringing the story to a dead halt.

In a lull in the fighting at a safe moment, put your couple in camp with a good friend walking patrol away from them, and let them at each other. Or find them a safe hiding place where they can repair their wounds and chase each other around the sleeping bag if they want to.

The intensity of their struggle and its constant interference with their sexual needs makes the love scene that much stronger when it happens.

Science Fiction and Romance in the Science Fiction Romance, CRAFT

Ursula Le Guin, among other writers, has said that science fiction isn’t really about the future, but about the present. SF authors use the future as a way to talk about what is happening right now. Le Guin’s incredible LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS, for example, was about gender roles at a time when women and gays weren’t empowered.

So it’s not really surprising to see our current politics and other issues reflected in science fiction or science fiction romance.

SF novels are considered novels of ideas, romance novels are about people. The best SF romance is able to combine both ideas and people into a working whole.

One of the obligations of the SF romance writer is that she must be true to the principle expectations of both genres. For SF, that means correct science and a respect for SF’s various tropes. For romance, that means a romantic relationship with the expectation of a happily-ever-after.

A skilled author who is writing for both audiences can use technology like an airlock without a long explanation but with enough hints about what is happening that most romance readers can figure it out without being SF geeks while the SF geeks just buzz past the moment.

Readers of both genres are reading for a good story so few care if a few specialized terms are explained or not explained as long as it doesn’t interfere with the story.

Life Among the Klingons, 2009, MARKET news

This weekend, I was at Stellarcon 33 in downtown High Point, North Carolina. Stellarcon is a small science fiction con that features lots of writers, and Baen Books always has a huge presence.

Surprisingly, I heard little sf/fantasy publishing news beyond the doom and gloom that pervades the industry, but I talked to a mystery writer who filled me in on that market. Her news wasn’t particularly cheering either.

Essentially, all straight mystery except for cozies is a dead market for anyone who isn’t already an established, popular writer. Cozy series (an amateur sleuth mystery with little violence) by new writers or someone seeking to start a new series must have a promotion hook involving a dedicated group of hobbyists. Most tend to involve arts and crafts.

From my own reading, I’ve noticed a trend of authors writing urban fantasy and paranormal novels which include strong mystery elements. Most are sold through sf/fantasy lines rather than mystery lines. For example, Jim Butcher’s DRESDEN FILES novels are PI novels where the PI is a wizard. Simon R Green in his Drood novels uses the standard tropes of the spy novel with magic.

Right now, urban fantasy and romance are the only genre novels not badly affected by the recession, and editors seem to be buying there where they aren’t buying mystery. Thrillers are still popular.

General media fandom news. STAR WARS remains very popular with fans, and I saw lots of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA costumes. With the exception of one Klingon who comes every year, I didn’t see the first TREK outfit. I’m curious to see if the new TREK movie will improve things next year. I saw less of a presence of anime, but it still remains popular with the college kids and younger.

I chaired a HEROES panel, and not the first person showed up for the panel. If this lack of interest is any indication, HRG should start sending out his resume. LOST proved a popular topic, and the annual Harry Potter panel was as popular as ever although the series is finished. The chatter of the fans was quite animated.

British science fiction series like DR WHO and TORCHWOOD remain popular although both are on a long hiatus.

A new addition to Stellarcon was several groups of paranormal investigators-- the Charlotte Area Paranormal Society and the Winston-Salem Paranormal Society-- who run scientific investigations like TAPS on GHOST HUNTERS. Both groups gave several panels about their work and equipment, and discussed their experiences in haunted locations.

As always, Stellarcon was a great deal of fun, and I was able to catch up with friends of many years I only see once a year.