Hard-Boiled

f you're ever in Colorado Springs at the end of January, not only might you get to enjoy some very moderate temperatures (we may see 60 degrees tomorrow!), but you might catch COSine. And I highly recommend it. It's a small, but well-put-together sci-fi con with a focus on literature.

I am attending for my first year and thoroughly enjoyed the folks I met tonight. I was on a panel with some very talented authors who all shared a common bond--a love and respect for the late Leonard Nimoy. We spoke about his impact on Star Trek and the sci-fi world. It was a great time of fond remembrance.

Just prior to that, though, I attended a session on hard sci-fi. It was intriguing to hear from people who strive to include actual science in their sci-fi. I applaud them for doing so, but I was reminded of why I write space opera. I know little of "quantum entanglement" (the phrase that was bandied about) and string theory and FTL drives and robotics and...well, you get the idea. Like I said, I have no problem with folks who want to include that in their writing. One of my critique partners has a lot of science in his writing and does a brilliant job with it. It's just not my cup of tea.

For me, I prefer the old theatre term...the suspension of disbelief. (I imagine that term came for a source other than theatre, but that's where I first learned it.)

I don't like getting hung up in the hows and whys of spaceship technology. As long as I know it can fly from planet to planet, I'm good with it. If the characters don't age as they are traveling, I don't give it a second thought. I fully buy into the magic and enjoy every minute of it.

And I do the same in my own stories. The technology is assumed, so I can focus on the relationships and development of my characters. To me, that's the heart of the story. The heart behind the story. I just happen to set mine among the stars.

And although the science is there, I believe the success behind beloved sci-fi television and movies stems from the drama, friction, conflict, romance, friendship, and heartache we are party to. It's all part of the human condition, and that's what resonates with us.

Long live space opera.