R. C. Beckett

R. C. Beckett  was given a collection of Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazines as a teenager and read hundreds of the stories -- he was hooked and started writing fiction in 2013.   He loves to write hard science fiction, but can't help adding a bit of humor.  Publications:  "Exit Mars" and "Exit Earth" (available on Amazon).  "Exit Pluto", the third in the Exit series, should be published in the near future. He is finishing up a new novel, Legacy of Earth. He lives in Golden Colorado and is a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.  Walking his dog is key to his writing since that's when he imagines plots for his stories.  He also volunteers as a webmaster for non-profit companies including SpecFicWriters.
A writer with a hat, brain illuminated with sparkling ideas, hand writing in a book.

Creative Writers Are Special

by

Creative writers aren’t just storytellers—they’re cognitive architects, emotional cartographers, and ethical explorers. In a world increasingly shaped by mechanization and artificial intelligence, their work remains irreplaceable. This post explores the neuroscience behind creativity, the myths we’ve outgrown, and the unique power of speculative fiction writers to surprise, reveal, and transform. …

Stylized rendition of "The Scream"

Content Warnings for Speculative Fiction

by

What Are Content Warnings? Content warnings are brief notices that alert readers to potentially distressing material in a story. They’re not censorship, nor are they spoilers — they’re a courtesy that allows readers to make informed choices about what they wish to engage with. In speculative fiction, where themes can …

Oil well and old house in front of dead corn stalks and sand dunes.

Climate Fiction

by

Climate fiction, often referred to as “Cli-Fi,” is a genre of literature that focuses on the impacts of climate change and environmental issues. It explores how these changes affect individuals, societies, and the planet as a whole. The genre can encompass a wide range of narratives, from dystopian futures to …

Young man with sunglasses at desk writing with strange pen.

The Six Narrative Perspectives

by

As a writer who has been critiqued and often critiques other authors, point-of-view (POV) is a common topic. However, talking about POV is not enough because it is intertwined with the overall narrative perspective of the work. That perspective is a mix-and-match of several concepts that should stay fairly consistent …

Big truck stuck on the edge of a cliff.

Eight More Common Problems for New Writers

by

2nd of 2 parts Writing speculative fiction is a nuanced craft that demands a blend of creativity, discipline, and technical skill. New writers frequently stumble over specific hurdles that can hinder their storytelling. Here are eight additional common problems beyond the typical advice: Weak Beginnings The beginning of a story …

Truck about to fall into a giant pothole.

Eight Common Problems for New Writers

by

1st of 2 parts Writing speculative fiction can be a rewarding and challenging experience. New writers often encounter several pitfalls as they hone their craft. This blog post will discuss eight common issues and provide tips on how to overcome them. Point-of-View Slips One of the most common problems for …

Space alien looking at multiple screens

Embrace the Future of Web Images

by

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the importance of optimizing your website for speed and performance cannot be overstated. As an author, your website is your digital storefront, and the images you use play a crucial role in engaging your audience. Enter WebP, a modern image format that promises to revolutionize …

Woman with face in hands seen on a subway car

Add Emotion to Fictional Characters

by

Expression of emotions in speculative fiction writing is crucial to engage readers and create a vivid, immersive experience. As a novel writer who struggles with adding emotion to my characters, I did Internet searches on the topic to help me. Lots of writers and educators have suggestions. I asked chatGPT …

Add Emotional Depth to Characters

by

Character Symptoms: emotionless, bland, and uninteresting Imagine a critique partner reads your first chapter and says: DIAGNOSIS: Your character is not relatable It’s time for a transplant of personality, humanity, emotion, and agency. Character’s Emotional Reaction to the Plot Characters should show emotion in how they react to situations confronting …

Non-Humans as Round Characters

by

Speculative fiction writers often cast non-human characters in their stories. Those aliens, elves, fairies, and pointy-eared Vulcans are among a large number of possible strange creatures. As they write, spec-fic authors must live with their creations for many months and readers must read about them for many hours. Neither group …