Snippet Sunday group from facebook, not us, but many of our participants do both, is HERE
This week's snippet is from a short story, 'Sporulators', more dystopian/scifi, than anything I've written to date.
I'm throwing some science into this story. Everything I'm writing thus far about how the mentioned fungi behave is correct. I work in the field. :-) Last week, the comments left me wondering how much is too much. (I'm still wondering) :-) My opinion is likely skewed, lol, because there's still never a day when I switch on that microscope and look at a slide, and I don't hear my inner voice say, "Wow..."
I know. It can be so hard to transfer that passion onto the pages of a story. And this is a work in progress. Plenty of changes ahead. Please keep the crit coming. I do so appreciate it. :-)
Continuing the scene, Klars talking to Eastwold about the world they're approaching.
Continuing the scene, Klars talking to Eastwold about the world they're approaching.
Could be wonky punctuation to keep within the #wewriwa guidelines.
The last sentence last week was: "I guess a ship jockey might best understand it if I said they’re like roots on a green plant."
The snippet:
That's it for this week. Thanks for visiting! I am truly grateful for comments, suggestions, and for you taking the time to read it.
His eyes squinted above pudgy cheeks and his laugh was an irritating snort before he added, “The workers—you know, the volunteers—still harbored old fears based on Earthly superstitions. They called that fungus the were-spores. Get it? Were-spores, like ancient, shapeshifting predators. I admit, it’s not nice, but we did laugh at that. Poor souls, believing in such things.”
Eastwold couldn’t hold back. “You laughed at them? Sometimes I wonder which ones really are the poor souls.”
This adds a nice touch of foreboding to the scene. And as I said last week, for hard sf the science content was fine.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ed! :-)
DeleteSome interesting thoughts on people’s attitudes to change, Teresa, and how we view events in today’s world.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carole!
DeleteYou knocked me right off my chair as I read. Super snipe, my friend. There is a reality that's frightening here.
ReplyDeleteThanks, my friend. Hugs...
DeleteI think the workers knew more of what was going on than the scientists. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. :-) Thanks, Jessica! :-)
DeleteI'm with Eastwold. And Klars is a condescending prick. Is someone going to slap him? Please tell me someone will slap him. ;)
ReplyDeletelolol. Too funny, Fallon. Not sure about the slapping. What's coming might be worse. ;-) Thanks!
DeleteKlars might get chucked out the airlock if he keeps talking too much longer. I wonder how much more Eastwold can tolerate? Enjoyed the snippet!
ReplyDeleteYeppers. Eastwold is not be trifled with. lol Thanks, Jean!
DeleteI think he shouldn't have scoffed at the workers. Sounds like they may be onto something.I'm really enjoying this story--even though I have very limited scientific knowledge! LOL
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm explaining enough...but not too much. lol. Whew. It is a fine line, huh? Thanks, Jenna!
DeleteI agree with Eastwold.
ReplyDeleteProfessionally, I'm an expert on enzyme structures - not directly applicable to SciFi.
Enzymes--very cool! Thanks, Aurora. :-)
DeleteGreat snippet - especially that last line! And I thought the sciene in the last episode added to the authenticity.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Hywela! :-)
DeleteI think Klars had better watch out, esp. with the workers. I'm really enjoying this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane! :-)
DeleteScience humor, sigh. Though I do find the premise . . . fascinating.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy! :-)
DeleteIntriguing story. Were-fungi- definitely scary. lol
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that would be a laughing matter.
Not really,, lol, but still, we laugh. Fungi are voracious feeders, and we humans fight them every day of our lives. :-)Thanks, Karen. :-)
DeleteI guess one of the things about "how much is too much" depends on how much is needed to understand the story. If it's just there for the sake of it, then it's probably too much, but if some of those little nuggets are pivotal to later events then go for it! Right now, I'm getting a sense that this could easily stray into the sci-fi/horror realm with killer fungus preying on the colonists.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, huh? It does get a bit ugly before it's over. :-) Thanks, Ian.
DeleteI suspect you might be foreshadowing things to come, and that the workers are on to something here!
ReplyDeleteYeppers. The guys in the trenches always have a bead on the nature of the war... Thanks, Emily!
Delete😀
ReplyDelete:-) Backatcha!
DeleteI like the sort of person who stands up for the bullied. Eastwold is good with me!
ReplyDeleteMe too! Thanks, Cie! :-)
Delete