Hi all, I am a big fan of Science Fiction. As a child and young adult, I really enjoyed drawing cartoons and comics, but I am now more interested in creative writing. My most recent fight with the blank page and blinking cursor resulting in a two-hour binge on this forum where I was inspired by the discussions in the sci-fi threads and now I want to join this community. My favorite authors are Isaac Asimov, Dan Simmons, and Larry Niven. I have a short story in progress, but I recently received feedback from a friend on my first draft and am now plugging plot holes. Also, somehow I always end up trying to re-write The Martian. I look forward to contributing to this forum and interacting with you. - Spoon
Have you read any of Niven's collabs with Jerry Pournelle? I really liked one from way back called Inferno, in which Dante's Inferno is re-imagined from the perspective of a sci-fi writer. I also remember something Niven did called Heorot, with these creatures called Grendels. It seems he's inspired by a lot of classical literature—Grendel being the monster from Beowulf. I've also read a bunch of Asimov (of course, hasn't everybody?). I remember liking a book called Stories from The Rest of the Robots, a followup to I, Robot.
I am definitely adding those to my list. Thanks! Ringworld got me hooked and I just can't get enough. The Rest of the Robots is the only book in the Robot series that I don't have yet and it is holding me up.
There was one story in particular I liked, about three squat little robots sent to Jupiter to explore it. I don't remember the name of the story, but you'll know it when you get to it. They reminded me of the robots Huey, Dewey and Louie from the movie Silent Running (probably not one you've seen, it's a minor B movie from the 70's featuring Bruce Dern), only these are built super heavy-duty to survive Jupiter's crushing gravity and corrosive atmosphere. Here's a clip from the movie: Silent Running (1972) - Running Over Huey Scene (8/10) | Movieclips Lol, they were sort of the early prototypes for R2-D2. But these guys only had two legs each, in the Asimov story they each had six.
I read Niven and Pournelle's The Mote in God's Eye about 2 years ago? And it's become one of my favourites. When I found that there was a sequel written nearly 20 years later, I had to scoop it up. Was not disappointed. Fantastic hard sci-fi adventure! Oh, and welcome to the forum I also love Asimov and the Foundation series !
I had the pleasure of meeting Jerry, back when i lived in the LA area. Unfortunately, it was after Ray Bradburry stopped coming to the SciFi club meetings due to health issues. Meeting Jerry, was one inspiration to actually sit down and try writing my own stories.
