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sfharper

sfharper

I'm a science fiction writer, poet, wife, and former systems analyst. I've written one science fiction novel and am at work on my second and have a few short stories and a poetry chapbook. See www.sfharper.com and www.sfharper.net for more information.
  • Renton, Wa, United States
  • member since August 9 2007

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sfharper’s last login was 11 days ago. show recent activity »

Random books from my shelf

     
 
 
 

Public Notes

  • Audrey N

    Audrey N says

    Read the whole series for a full appreciation.
    I read the whole series over my last holiday for a number of reasons-find out what all the buzz was about, because my daughter recommended them and handed them to me as I was leaving for my holiday, kids as my primary school were begging me to buy them for our library....

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Harry B

    Harry B says

    Oh...Sorry, it's called the snow and I saw Amazon have got it. I'd recommend it! It's interesting.
    And that Dorris Lessing one too! She has a really nice writing style. Quite unique I'd say.
    The Road by McCarthy is being made into this huge movie at the moment and I'd say it's going to do well at the oscars.
    It's got that kind of vibe about it.

    I've been hooked to Banks since I read Consider Phlebas. An amazing book imo and one of his easier reads I would say. It's about 2 cultures colliding in the universe. One based on very powerfull beings who are near immortal and one based on technology and Minds (the culture).

    What I find appealing in his work is that the direction the human race has taken is very believable and he introduces a lot of interesting concepts like the minds, AI and Genetical improvements. All kinds of stuff really. And the culture tries to influence the development of other cultures wich are very different again from our own.

    His leading characters are all interesting characters who are loners and are kind of forced into the work they have to do and are allways fighting with their supperiors as well.
    Morally his books also ask some pretty interesting questions:

    - Like who are we to meddle in other cultures
    - What are our morals going to be like once we've become so far advanced that machines and computers pretty much control everything
    - How much do the humans actually control in this universe or are they merely passengers abourd the new civilization of the Minds
    - He's also got these transcended cultures in his books whom are much more powerfull and is this than the direction in which humanity is going. Peter F. Hamilton also uses this in his Common wealth saga (I am a huge fan of his two books in that series) He is nowhere near as talented a writer as Banks but his books are very enjoyable and he is a master at creating a big, big, big story line with loads of characters) as well as various others I'd immagine.

    I'd recommend them all highly. Not just for the concepts they contain but also because of his use of language. I think, very much like William Gibson, he is a master at this.

    Time for Lunch here!!!
    Bacon and eggs I think.......;])

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Harry B

    Harry B says

    Hi Sheri,

    Those post-apocalyptic stories can be very interesting. There is something about a group of people who are forced to build life up again with minimal resources. I have just finished a really good book by Doris Lessing on the subject. It was the second part, I still have to read the first one. it's called Story of General Dann and Mara's Daughter, Griot and the Snow Dog. It's the first book I've read of hers but it is really good with some very original qualities.
    I've read 2 other post-apo type books this year: The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Very, very good. Also very intense and sad. And Snow by Adam Robberts. Also quite good. Have you read any of those? And what did you think of them?
    Writers that inspire me are:

    - Tolkien (My all-time favourite writer) His story-telling abilities, the use of atmosphere in his books, the characters. I started reading The Hobbit and Lord of the rings when I was 7,8 and I have been reading them ever since.
    - Tonke Dragt, a Dutch author who has written some really amazing childrens books.
    - Ian M. Banks: His culture universe and his use of language in his books.

    I guess those are the main ones but there are so many writers I admire and enjoy reading!

    And I guess with the sales of books it is not so much the quality and the beauty of the stories as it is the marketing and the luck. Right time, right place kind of thing. But things can allways change! Keep enjoying your writing anyway!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Harry B

    Harry B says

    Aha...your into hard SF than? Isn't that the term that is used. The kind where everything has to be ground in todays science as much as possible. That's cool stuff. Quite hard to do I'd immagine! Does that cost a lot of research on your part to get that right?
    Me, I like to imagine a possible future, as much as possible, based on where we're at as a species today but without actually looking for the scientific basis. I am not, so far, a big fan of the books that go into explaining how everything works. He, what can I say I am a dreamer not a scientist. ;])
    But at the same time stories need to be plausible to the reader. Otherwise it's impossible to get sucked into a story.

    I like writing fantasy as well and I like mixing the elements of our world with fantasy world like C.S. lewis f.i. I think that is a great of making readers believe in the world that your creating.

    Have you read Neverwhere btw? My favorite of Neil Gaiman so far. I have not read Smoke and Mirrors so I'll have a look at that.

    Harry

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Harry B

    Harry B says

    I still have my first book of Kurt to read. There are so many of the classics I havn't read yet but I'll get around to them someday. I am reading Ender's game at the moment and so far so good!
    Your style sounds a little like Neil Gaiman maybe? have you read any of his books?
    Lot's of humour but also serious, sad moments although he is not really SF oriented more Fantasy and his style of humour is quite Brittish I'd say.
    It's nice that you let your sense of humour shine though in your work. I think SF needs more funny charaters!
    It can be a bit dry at times!

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • arvind mishra

    arvind mishra says

    Thanks !

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Harry B

    Harry B says

    Vonnegut....and is that a gut thing or a bad thing? ;])

    A trip through the solar system.....I wish I could go! Send me a postcard from Mars! LOL

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Harry B

    Harry B says

    Hi there!
    Nice to meet you!
    I am not sure if I would call myself a writer....I do like to write but I have discovered how difficult it is to write a longer story. so respect to you for having finished one allready!
    I'll have a look at your book. I am always looking for new sf books anyway.
    I have been having a good run with reading recently, not so much SF though. But I can thoroughly recommend: The history of love by Niccole Krauss (very much in the trend of Incredibly loud and extremely close by Foer I thought (amazing book aswell!), Night train to Lisbon by Pascal Mercier and Small island by Andrea Levy. All 3 of them amazing writers!
    Best SF books I've read this year have been 2 books by Adam Robberts: Snow and Salt, some books by allastair Reynolds: redemption arc, Pushing ice, Chasm city and others in his revelation space saga.

    What have been your favorite books recently?
    And which are the writers that have inspired you in your work?

    Good luck with your second novel!

    Harry

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Rebecca H

    Rebecca H says

    Hi Sheri,
    I am glad to meet another fan of James Morrow! I feel like society could really use more rationalists and skeptics about now. There are quite a few books on your shelf that I have also enjoyed. I noticed you are (or were?) planning to read Queen City Jazz. I remember enjoying that when I read it a few years ago. I'm also a big fan of Samuel Delany, although Nova isn't my favorite of his. Let me know if you have any suggestions for books!
    Rebecca

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Yogi David K.

    Yogi David K. says

    Hi Sheri, and you are right that Bellinghsam is interesting. I just want to sincerely thank you for adding me as a new friend. It's a pleasure to meet you. Its always good to find others with similar interests. And by the way, you should be sure to enjoy my favorite book/eBook "This Is PK Mind Over Matter." The Introduction is free at www.thisispk.org. Also if you have any suggestions for good reads, then please let me know. Im always looking for new books and movies to enjoy.
    Best regards,
    Yogi David K.

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • angel

    angel says

    WELCOME TO FLAPPERS--JOIN IN

    posted 1 year ago. ( send a note )
  • Jassafari

    Jassafari says

    Ms. sfharper,

    Please accept a great thank you the befriending. I am, as
    always, very thankful!

    Trueheart II

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )
  • Gary S

    Gary S says

    Dear sf...
    Nice to meet you...

    I hope you might check out my new novel coming out November 1st...

    The biological Internet just came online...

    Blood Web is a suspense sci fi novel which will introduce a series of books featuring investigator Caitlin Diggs...

    if you want to see it or consider buying a copy,
    I hope you'll visit this link

    http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Web-Gary-Starta/dp/0979130484

    Let me know what you're reading lately...

    Regards,

    posted 2 years ago. ( send a note )


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