I'm coming out of blogging hiatus to give you a treat: the awesome
I'm a huge Science Fiction fan myself, and I asked Alex to share a bit about his history with Science Fiction and what draws him to it. Take it away, Cap'n.
What Drew Me into the Wormhole of Science Fiction
I think I’ve always had a thing for science fiction. (And fantasy.) Both genres allow the imagination to run wild because anything is possible. Anything! When you’re a kid, that just sounds awesome.
I spent part of my childhood in Japan and was inundated with Godzilla and other Japanese monsters. I watched the movies and played with the toys. I was also into comic books and the DC super heroes were my favorite. I could see myself fighting right along with the Justice League of America!
Movies and television shows also caught my attention. Star Trek was an instant favorite, both the original series and the cartoon. And remember the original Wild, Wild West? It was very early steampunk. It was also a western, and the combination of elements probably started me on the space opera path.
I like all types of science fiction, although I tend to shy away from the heavy tech and science aspects. (I don’t care how something works, I just need to know that it does work.) I’m more drawn to science fiction that’s set in the far future or somewhere else in the galaxy. A world beyond our own is an adventure to me, and that is what I like best.
When you really think about it, science fiction is a blend of genres or another genre masquerading as science fiction. It can be part thriller, horror, romance, and of course western. Star Wars is a western set in space. (Outland is literally High Noon in space.) The Thing is horror. Galaxy Quest is humor. Starman is romance. Science fiction is very diverse when you examine it closely.
What are some of my favorites?
Books - Timothy Zahn’s Star Wars books, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Robert E. Heinlein, Alan Dean Foster’s Flinx series, Ray Bradbury
Movies - Aliens, Serenity, Star Trek First Contact, MST3K The Movie, John Carter, Jurassic Park, Super 8, The Avengers, T2
Television - Firefly/Serenity, Star Trek (all), and Stargate SG1/Atlantis.
Science fiction just satisfies the imagination. And those of you who aren’t science fiction fans, I think there are stories out there you would enjoy regardless. Maybe you’ll even enjoy mine. Would it help if you knew they were about adventure, friendship, and love?
I like Alex's tastes! So many of my own favorites are listed here. And, it should be no surprise that his Cassa series is a favorite one of ours. I read them to my hubby, so we can share the experience. Following is some information on the third and concluding book in the series.
CassaStorm
From the Amazon Best Selling Series!
A storm gathers across the galaxy…
Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.
After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.
Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…
And if, by chance, you don't know who Alex is:Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.
Have you met Alex online?
Read any of his fun books? There are 3 of them.
What are your thoughts about SciFi?
hello Donna!! Came over from the Capn's blog to learn more about my favourite Ninja Dude other than his transparent underpants!! Well I never knew he lived in Japan!! Does he speak the lingo too!??! AMAZING!! Yay! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Wow! It must have been so interesting to live in Japan. And you're right that science fiction does combine other genres. And I love Galaxy Quest. It's one of the few movies I enjoy watching more than once or twice.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna!
ReplyDeleteKitty, did you know the transparent underwear is from Japan?
Natalie, Galaxy Quest sucks me in every time it's on!
Learning something new about the Ninja Captain is so fun. So many of the TV shows and movies also drew me to the sci-fi drama.
ReplyDeleteI never have really been a great big fan, but I do love the dystopian stuff. Huge fan of Bladerunner and Neuromancer. :)
ReplyDeleteI like the lighter sci-fi, like Anne McCaffrey's books. Many of them are blended with fantasy, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting, Donna! It's great to learn more about Alex! I didn't realize that he lived in Japan years ago. You really do learn something new everyday! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Thanks for writing that, Alex. I always love reading about how people's tastes are formed and shaped. It's a fascinating little peek into the person behind the face that is typically presented to the world. :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy sci-fi. I grew up watching many of the shows and reading some of the books Alex mentioned, and loving them. :)
ReplyDeleteAngela, you have good taste!
ReplyDeleteDiane, I've only read one of her books, but it was light science fiction.
Karen, lived there for several years.
Thanks everyone!
You're right, Sci Fi (and sometimes fantasy) really does blend other genres in well.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, it's another thing I love about the genres.
Never a fan much of the hokey guy in the godzilla suit, but lots of great pics indeed. The ninja wannabe in the justice league huh? hmmm the cat could do something with that info
ReplyDeleteI love science fiction and fantasy, but like you, I'm not into the "how" just that it "works" aspect of it. Fantastic list of books/shows/movies :D
ReplyDeleteScience fiction is a great genre. I really enjoyed all of the Stargate shows.
ReplyDeleteVery strange that I'm watching Stargate reruns as I read this blog. Maybe they'll make Alex's books into a mini series. TV is really empty of some good space syfy right now.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know Alex spent some of his childhood in Japan. No wonder he can seamlessly blend so many different worlds. Thanks, Alex and Donna, for this interesting blurb.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
I was such a huge Trek fan when they changed the time slot my kids had to wait an extra hour for dinner because Mum was glued to the set.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Donna & Alex.
Pat - uh-oh!
ReplyDeleteSK, the technical stuff just isn't that interesting.
Susan, can't go wrong with Stargate reruns! And a series would be cool.
Robyn, that's where I learned to be a Ninja!
Joylene, that's funny.
Growing up without even the stars as limits is a wonderful way to grow up. My dad was a huge sci-fi fan so I grew up watching all those movies and shows too.
ReplyDeleteAlex, what about Farscape?
ReplyDeleteI love getting lost in possibility, which is what drew me to the genre - that and spaceships. :)
ReplyDeleteArrow is very excellent - my new favorite.
I liked comics too. Ever think about doing a superhero type of story? Although I think your series has a lot of heroic elements to it...great protagonist.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, that's great.
ReplyDeleteHolly, dug Farscape!
Mary, I'm watching it online - very entertaining.
Elizabeth, I thought about a superhero graphic novel.
You had me at Firefly, Captain!
ReplyDelete(I really wanted to add "Tightpants," but those who haven't seen the series would be -really- confused. LOL)
I love how Alex talks about Sci-fi being complex. He states that it blends well with other genres and can even be other genres in disguise. Not enough people stop to realize this.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff.
Hi, Alex & Donna,
ReplyDeleteI kind of like Sci-Fi movies, but haven't read much in the genre. I should rectify that, but I keep thinking the terms and the science might go over my head or put me to sleep.
Great to see not only Alex here but also Mini Alex!
ReplyDeleteI never used to like sci-fi but have become a big fan in recent years. Not sure why I didn't care for it originally but I'm making up for lost time now. .
Carrie, don't want to confuse anyone!
ReplyDeleteToinette, they don't. Thanks!
Joy, that's why I only write the low-tech space opera stories. That stuff bores me as well.
Julie, good to hear that!
I'm with you, Alex, on a lot of these things! I love how sci-fi and fantasy set the imagination loose, and I also don't really care HOW things work as long as I know that they work! A lot of your fave books. movies, and TV are on my list, too.
ReplyDeleteI had a unit on sci-fi in my 5th grade English class, a book of short stories about young people, and thought it would be really fun to make my own stories set in various future worlds. I still have the copious notes I made all those years ago, with plans for 12-15 futuristic/soft sci-fi books. I began one of them in 1992, and four years ago finally started two more but put them on hiatus. I'd love to eventually get back to them.
ReplyDeleteLiz, that makes you uber-cool!
ReplyDeleteCarrie-Anne, you should. You are so in tune with details and research, I can see your stories being very scientific and accurate.
Great post! It's a shame that some seem to dismiss SF as for geeks or something. I mean, you can't get a much more stirring story than Star Wars. And good points about how it encompasses other genres. It's fun to create an entirely new world, but of course the story has to be there first of all.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteI am a sci-fi convert thanks to the Ninja Captain and Mary Pax...
I am amazed at the worlds and characters that are conjured by their creative minds...
Nick, some people are missing so much.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, glad we could change your mind!