|
I recently discovered Charlie Stross[^], and I have to say that I love his Laundry series of novels. I never thought I'd see a book where the day to day mundane side of working with tech would meet with the world of Lovecraft.
One word of warning though - you must read the books in order. He does refer back to earlier books from later ones. I'm just working my way through The Rhesus Chart, and if you've ever worked with Scrum, you'll appreciate the humour. Heck, even if you haven't, you'll appreciate the stereotypes.
|
|
|
|
|
Oh, he writes Space Opera. I really like good Space Opera. Star Wars came out when I was 10 so that is probably why.
|
|
|
|
|
love his IT stuff but finding his space opera hard work (2 years and counting and I usually finish a book in a couple of days)
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start
Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
|
|
|
|
|
Most unfortunate that his Space Opera is that way. I could suggest a book to him that would help him write better...heh...heh... But that would be highly Narcissy of me. 
|
|
|
|
|
I agree his Laundry stuff is definitely much better than the Space Opera stuff with his techno-thriller (i.e. Rule 34) coming somewhere in-between. I try to read all of the former, some of the latter and avoid the Space Opera.
One day I aspire to having a signature.
|
|
|
|
|
normally I quite like space opera style books but for some reason find Singularity sky just very hard going.
it sits on my book shelf with other like Gormengast and the latest Clive Cusser, started and will finish someday
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start
Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
|
|
|
|
|
Quote: he day to day mundane side of working with tech would meet with the world of Lovecraft
Looks interesting.
THESE PEOPLE REALLY BOTHER ME!! How can they know what you should do without knowing what you want done?!?!
-- C++ FQA Lite
|
|
|
|
|
|
newton.saber wrote: ...understands tech like few other fiction writers.
Are you talking about a few of the writers of software specifications I've had to write code for?
It was broke, so I fixed it.
|
|
|
|
|
Oh, wait...You get specifications?
We just get grunts and nods here.
Then, after you build it, a lot of head shakes. 
|
|
|
|
|
not read that one but did enjoy snow crash a few years ago
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start
Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
|
|
|
|
|
Read his Baroque Cycle (trilogy) first, its a loose prequel to Cryptonomicon.
I'm reading "The Diamond Age: or A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer" now. I'm finding it a difficult book to become engrossed with (if that makes sense).
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. ~ George Washington
|
|
|
|
|
Mike Mullikin wrote: I'm finding it a difficult book to become engrossed with (if that makes sense).
Totally makes sense. Some books come alive and others not so much.
I actually call it the Movie-Screen of the Mind when a book stops being words on the page and transforms into pictures in your mind.
This may sound silly -- because it's a juvenile novel -- but my entire family (wife and two sons) read
Peter & The Starcatchers (dave barry & ridley pearson)[^]
and it came alive like that. One of the best books I've read in a long tim.
Unfortunately the 2nd book Peter & the Shadow Thieves....not so much. Really fell apart.
|
|
|
|
|
I discovered Charlie when I picked up a copy of Singularity Sky in a pub about eight years ago. I don't think I've read a bad one from him, but the Laundry series is particularly good.
"Halting State", and its sequel "Rule 34", are also well worth reading.
"These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined."
- Homer
|
|
|
|
|
I have one on the back burner but it's been there for a long time and who knows if it will ever get done!
|
|
|
|
|
That is how it is. Life, responsibilities and software development crowd in.
I encourage you to write a little bit of your story every day.
Getting it done is the important thing. YOu can always make it better later.
Good luck.
|
|
|
|
|
I always give my new books away for at least 24 hours.
My new book is free and you can get it at Amazon:
Fiction Writer's Fire Starter[^]
Summary
Learn fiction writing techniques as I walk you through analysis of 26 excerpts from published books (from authors like John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Ernest Hemingway, Alan Dean Foster and many more).
Even if you aren't going to write fiction you may like the analysis of the excerpts.
No Kindle Device? You Can Still Read
Even if you don't have a Kindle device or pad or iphone or whatever, you can read the book in your browser.
Yes, Fiction Writing
I know this is generally a progrmaming forum, but the lounge is for anything.
Also, I've discovered that quite a few software developers also like to write fiction.
Maybe you'll give it a go.
|
|
|
|
|
I am planning to write a book using narcissism as a theme.
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
|
|
|
|
|
I am planning to write a book using a really big font.
Should get it done quicker that way.
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
|
|
|
|
|
I like it. It makes the pages go much faster.
|
|
|
|
|
And you can get a short story out to novel thickness without having to be Dan Brown! 
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
|
|
|
|
|
na the best one is to write a full novel then keep re-releasing it with different character names (worked for Clive Cussler and John Grisham to mention two)
You cant outrun the world, but there is no harm in getting a head start
Real stupidity beats artificial intelligence every time.
|
|
|
|
|
pwasser wrote: I am planning to write a book using narcissism as a theme.
But you couldn't look away from the mirror long enough to get your word processor going, right?
Isn't that what happend with Narcissus?
|
|
|
|
|
newton.saber wrote: Isn't that what happend with Narcissus?
No, he starved to death staring in his reflection in a pond.
Microsoft ... the only place where VARIANT_TRUE != true
modified 17-Jul-14 8:44am.
|
|
|
|
|
Argonia wrote: reflection in a pound
Was he a queen?
Peter Wasser
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell
|
|
|
|
General 
News 
Suggestion 
Question 
Bug 
Answer 
Joke 
Praise 
Rant 
Admin 
Submit an article or tip
