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Matthew Gordon MacNeil's avatar

This can equally apply to nonfiction writers as well. I've been writing nonfiction for the most part, besides the odd fanfic story here and there, for nearly a year and I follow these to the letter.

The only part of Heinlein's rules I fall off with is putting your work out there. I move on to the next story so fast I sometimes forget to publish the previous one.

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Yep. Among actual writers, the rule most of us slip off of in HR4.

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Carrie's avatar

If I finish it, I'm definitely publishing it. Gotta pay the bills! That always reminds me. 😆

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

That's no kiddin', huh.

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Mike Kawitzky's avatar

From an Afrofuturistic perspective, I get all emo. Here's what it feels like for me. https://open.substack.com/pub/mikekawitzky/p/beyond-everywhere

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Interesting opening. Good writing.

I like your intro too:

"Science fiction is a way of life. It transcends all culture, all religions and all beliefs." That is as it should be (IMHO).

So I guess Why 'Afrofuturistic'? Why not just 'futuristic'? Rhetorically, of course.

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Mike Kawitzky's avatar

Addition: I just saw you read the prequel. Here's what I just posted which is more to the point, but on a bit in the story, even though it's 12,000 years ago. :)

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The Younger Dryas - 12,000 years ago - Chronicles of Xanctu

Who are we? Where did we come from? How did we get here — and where are we going?

Some questions don’t fade. They echo — and wait.

In Chapter 13 of Chronicles of Xanctu, we leave behind the stars and return to Earth — 12,000 years ago — to the edge of myth and memory.

A world was ending — and something new was beginning.

Let’s go back. Way back — to the Younger Dryas.

https://open.substack.com/pub/mikekawitzky/p/the-younger-dryas-12000-years-ago

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Mike Kawitzky's avatar

Thanks Harvey. Appreciated. It’s also Afrofuturism, or ‘the’ Afrofuturistic. But since I’m chaotic, I often mix them up. Well, given my belief that Southern Africa was the cradle of humanity, plus the fact that I live here, and the story centers around past and future events here. It’s about the commonality of humanity, and the Cosmic commonality of all sentient life. What better place to start? As a clue, check the oldest common DNA.

<Starship troopers AI> Would you like to know more? :)

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

Ah. See when I read "Afro...." it soundel like you were alluding to a particular group, and that seemed in conflict with SF transcending all those differences that mankind, in its collective insecurity, deem so important.

Thanks for the offer, but I'm right in the middle of my 12th novel of the year at the moment, so I don't want to wander too far afield.

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Mike Kawitzky's avatar

That's a tight schedule and you're right, I can be distracting :) Nice chatting and go well brother!

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Harvey Stanbrough's avatar

I love it. I'm aiming at 22 on the year. It isn't you that's distracting, it's my curiosity. But from what I read you're a very good writer. Drew me right in.

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Mike Kawitzky's avatar

I know how it goes. Thanks for the love. Appreciated! I'm here if you want to bounce anything short. warmest from Cape Town!

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