In this month’s issue:
Welcome | The art and science of science fiction | Making Stuff | The Goods
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A big thank you to all who've signed up at JROBERTCLARK.COM or more recently at jrobertclark.substack.com. Regardless of where you register, you'll receive this monthly newsletter, as well as my weekly blog posts right in your email inbox.
As you might have gathered, Substack is a means for writers and makers like me to share content directly with others. I have worked to integrate this service with my existing website, where all my stuff continues to be available. On JROBERTCLARK.COM, I'd say the user experience is better. I put a lot of thought and care into the fonts, colors, and formatting there. On Substack, I have very little of this control. But what it lacks in customization, it more than makes up for in making my content widely available.
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The art and science of science fiction
(Back to Contents)Maybe you've noticed that I've tightened the reins on what I am writing. My first posts involved a lot of experimentation as I worked to find my focus. Now I am almost exclusively sharing stories on science fiction and related matters. I don't want it too restrained, but I am trying to emphasize how sci-fi has influenced me over the years and how science fiction is worth a look, no matter your interests.
Here is a general road map for what you can continue to expect:
- Science Fiction Nuts and Bolts – Stories on what sci-fi is with examples from print, television, and movies. Example: Science fiction is reality-bending, genre-defying, storytelling
- Sci-fi Philosophy – examinations of the human condition through the lens of science fiction. Example: Watch out! Kids on bikes
- Sci-fi Lite – recommendations and anecdotes intended to get you reading and watching science fiction. Example: Enough with the doom and gloom - here's a top ten list of feel-good sci-fi flicks to brighten things up
- My Sci-fi – original fiction I create as well as discussions on my works in progress (WIPs). Example: Now for something different – notes on Somewhere East of Barstow
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As promised, The Lab has been finally updated with my first portfolio page on Jabba's Palace. If you haven't seen it yet, do check it out on my website. I am working on a few other project pages too and these will be released in the coming weeks.
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Let me reiterate for the newcomers out there. I am not a critic. But I do watch, read and look at stuff as much as I can. This section I am calling "The Goods" is where I share my likes, as a fan. Ideally, I provide a few ideas for your next read, movie night, or online foray.
New this month: I share a couple of online personalities that have helped me as I learn to navigate social media and digital content creation.
Television Tales from the Loop – Created by Nathaniel Halpern with Matt Reeves, Executive Producer. An Indio Films/Amazon Studios production. Eight part episodic series based on the artwork and book by Swedish artist Simon Stålenhag. Watch now on Amazon Prime. From the synopsis on Amazon: "Tales from the Loop explores the mind-bending adventures of the people who live above the Loop, a machine built to unlock and explore the mysteries of the universe - making things previously relegated to science fiction, possible." Why I like it: I stumbled on Stålenhag's artwork several years ago and have been looking forward to this show ever since. You might have seen the art – hyper-realistic landscapes/cityscapes with futuristic machines dominating otherwise conventional imagery. The feeling is at once familiar and unsettling. ‘The Loop blends aspects of The Twilight Zone and Cold War Era period drama with stunning visuals and surreal suspense. Taking place in a fictional small town in Ohio in what feels like the seventies or eighties, the sets bring to mind the former Soviet Union, not small-town America. Strange buildings loom in the distance, and large robots stand in the shadows, all without explanation. "The Loop" serves as the central plot element, creating fantastical circumstances and testing the inhabitants of this altered reality. The story unfolds in a non-linear way, much like the space-time disruptions caused by The Loop. Characters seem oddly accepting of these disruptions, and with the sparse dialog, glacial pace, and haunting score, all converge to create an overwhelming feeling of dread. Perhaps best of all, it's heartbreakingly real at times despite being so outlandishly science fiction. At the risk of overselling this, I think Tales from the Loop is the best science fiction anything I've experienced in a long time.
Podcasts/YouTube Rotted Reviews – Online horror film reviews by Mike Stone. Watch now on YouTube. From the Rotted Reviews YouTube page: "Welcome to RotD Entertainment! Devoted to all things related to horror: movies, tv shows, games, podcasts, etc. Please join me as we explore the wondrous and terrifying world of the macabre!" Why I like it: Yes, I’m all about sci-fi, but horror often blends with sci-fi and vice versa. Mike Stone is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about horror movies. His YouTube channel has been going for several years now, and he's earned a loyal following. And for a good reason – Mike is extremely knowledgeable and provides thoughtful insights on the history and making of horror films. Best of all, he has a comfortable on-camera presence and speaks casually without sounding scripted. Watching Rotted Reviews feels like you're sitting with a good friend, talking movies. And he's like the best kind of friend – a super fan you can hit up any time for a good recommendation. For the first taste of Rotted Reviews, check out Mike's recent video on Horror Movie Tag! - Answering Horror Movie Questions. Note: It's horror, so expect some Not Safe for Work (NSFW) content!
Writers/Bloggers Jae Hermann – Writer, storyteller and career coach. Read and watch now at jaehermann.com and realtalk.substack.com. From Jae's website: "I write about Intentional Living, Wellness & Nutrition, and Arts & Culture. I share midlife commentary, personal essays, and BTS interviews with creatives via my #RealTalk projects. I also help aspiring creative writers get out of their way to share their stories fearlessly." Why I like it: Okay, this isn’t sci-fi at all! But it is writing/creating related, so there. I first met Jae through LinkedIn, where she offered me free (and useful) advice on getting my new writing career off the ground. As a career coach, I couldn't afford her [yet], but that didn't stop Jae from helping me anyway. She's been there, providing crucial tips for getting my online presence started. She's amazing, possessing what seems like boundless optimism, she shares her uplifting spirit in well-written stories via her website and Substack. She also has a podcast and conducts interviews with other creative types. While some creators invest heavily in promoting their stuff and others quietly create, Jae takes a different route altogether – she promotes others above self and has made this into her altruistic style. I highly recommend having a look at what Jae is sharing and creating. It's liable to brighten your day.
Okay, that's a wrap on this month's newsletter. Thanks for taking the time to read and share my stuff.
Until next time, Science. Fiction. Create.
JRC
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