Category: Writing

Storys and chapters

The Iberian

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Film, History, Writing

Why is Russell Crowe not in the upcoming Ridley Scott Gladiator movie? As Paramount and Scott Free prepare for the new venture into the world of ancient Rome once again, with a late 2024 release, it seems that they’ve settled on making this a sequel.

Maximus Decimus Meridius meets his end at the end of the original 2000 epic historical drama film after the general is betrayed by the new Emperor Commodus, has his family killed, and is forced into slavery. After serving in the gladiatorial arena, and getting his revenge on Commodus, Maximus succumbs to his wounds and dies a hero.

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Ideagraphy: The ultimate writer toolkit for mobiles

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Technology, Writing

Transitioning from your laptop to mobile devices can make novel writing a bit tricky, especially when it comes to syncing your work. However, having the right tools with robust export functionality can make this process seamless. Below are some of the best apps for Android and Apple devices to help you structure and plan your story.

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Panology of Science Fiction: F

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Books, Panology, Science, Writing

Finance

For many readers, the field of economics might seem like dry, analytical territory, a realm of graphs, supply curves, and impenetrable jargon. And let’s be honest: most literary enthusiasts, and even a fair number of science fiction fans, probably tune out at the mention of GDPs or fiscal policy. Yet, when wielded thoughtfully, economics can become one of the most fascinating and transformative tools in speculative storytelling. In fact, some of the best science fiction ever written stands out precisely because it dares to construct alternative financial systems and economic frameworks—frameworks that both challenge our current paradigm and make us question the very fabric of our lives.

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Gods of Wokeness

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Film, Political, Review, Writing

The golden age is over.

Works of art are no longer produced to quench a bored populace, who thirst for the type of content that frees them from their mundane lives, enhancing their outlook on life with fascinating stories, old and new, inspiring them to understand their lives and the world they live in.

Post-2016, works of art have degenerated into force-fed garbage that nobody wants, needs or trusts anymore. Deranged by political agenda or succumbing to incompetence, producers still want your money but aren’t willing or capable of delivering what the consumer wants.

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Daybreak over the Valley

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Novel, Writing

The first chapter of the novel, No Absolution

What cat?

In the darkness, you are flying. You feel motion, yet you are sitting at a table, opposite a dirty, unshaven guy pointing a burning cigarette at you.

I know this person.

When an angry Bruce Harvey says, “Where’s my cat, fucker?” you conclude it’s a dream. The has-been movie star is interrogating you in a grimy, run-down room surrounded by four cracked, windowless walls, but the only question running through your head is…

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Panology of Science Fiction: E

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Books, Panology, Science, Writing

Engineering

A good science fiction story should be able to predict not the automobile but the traffic jamFrederik Pohl

prosthetic arm on blue background
Photo by ThisIsEngineering on Pexels.com

It was stories about the ‘mad scientist’ that kicked off genre literature, ever since Daedalus fabricated wings from feathers and wax for himself and his son Icarus. Invention is the heart of all sci-fi stories, which in turn becomes the heart of inspiration that turns science fantasy into reality. Geosynchronous communications satellites, computer worms, Segways, wall-mounted home theatres, exoskeletons, smartphones, virtual worlds, and organ harvesting were all described by sci-fi writers long before engineers turned them into reality.

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Brunner 2010

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Auther, Books, Review, Writing

If there’s one thing John Brunner is known for, it would be the culture shock he gives readers via his books. “Stand on Zanzibar” is one of those, with a staccato style of writing, Brunner throws everything at you; multiple points of view, news bulletins, media blitzes and a cacophony of characters, locations, immersing you in an anarchic, overcrowded corporate megalopolis.

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Panology of Science Fiction: D

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Books, Panology, Science, Writing

Disease (Pathology)

Whether it’s curing existing diseases or encountering new ones, a bit or a lot of pathology doesn’t hurt a story or make for a bad plot device. Injecting fear and dread into any scenario can be as easy as prescribing an epidemiologist or two.

The scope in speculating future diseases can again be endless, e.g. microbial, fungal, genetic, psychiatric, crystalline extraterrestrial agents, or cyber infections.

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Ideography – 8 Free Tools for Writers

Posted on by Bill Kandiliotis in Writing

If you’re like me, you probably have hundreds of story ideas floating around inside your head. The good ones, as Stephan King once said, are the ones that you can’t shake from your memory. I found this to be true, but having access to a pool of ideas, concepts and research is still a valuable tool for any author looking to create content using free tools for writers.

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