This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Robert, & Kathryn talk tech. Is technology just a concern for sci fi writers? Or does it pervade every genre in our tech-enhanced world? How does keeping an eye on the tech your characters use enhance your story? And when can it become a detriment? What about the choice to ignore or erase technology from your world? Can technology limit a story’s longevity?
VIDEO
AUDIO
SHOW NOTES
Why do we need to talk about technology and its role in our stories? Are we aiming for timelessness? Or do we want our technology itself to say something? We explore the role of technology in all stories, and hope you take the time to set up your rules for technology in your own stories!
What we talked about:
Do we write a lot of technology? And where is its role? (0:45)
Pick a timeline that works for your story, without the setting or technology getting in the way. (3:36)
Is the story about the technology? Or is the technology serving the story? (5:12)
Do we want timelessness or timeliness? (9:20)
You need to think your way around the technology. (12:09)
Be creative! Technology is just another tool we get to play with. (16:20)
Even in non-genre fiction, you need to be aware of how technology is being used. (18:18)
Technology changes the way that people interact. (20:40)
What challenges can today’s technology present for your character? (22:18)
Set up your rules for technology! (25:50)
LINKS
Get Alida’s Writing Tips here.
Things we mentioned:
The Pedestrian by Ray Bradbury
Sense 8
Minority Report
Mission Impossible
Arrival
Ready Player One! By Ernest Cline
Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.
Do you enjoy the show?
Do you learn something every week?
Do you feel like you have company on your writing journey?
About Your Hosts
Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Two of her short stories were nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She is the author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series. Alida lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her Golden Retriever, Seva the Wonder Dog. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.
Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.
Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com