2020 Conventions And Appearances by BJ Neblett

2020 Conventions And Appearances by BJ Neblett

As you probably already know, many of the major book, sci-fi/fantasy, comic and other conventions for the year have been canceled. These unfortunately include Emerald City, Norwest Con and Medford City. The fate of other popular conventions remains undecided as of this posting. Keep watch of your favorite conventions on their home page web sites, and I will continue to post updates and future appearances right here as they become available. Hopefully things will be back to normal soon, and we'll all be able to get back to celebrating the fantastic in all of us. In the meantime, I'll be here writing, with new books and adventures the next time we meet.

Peace,
BJ

Post Modernism Or New Millennialism Part One by BJ Neblett

Post Modernism Or New Millennialism Part One by BJ Neblett

            Ok, so millennials are taking the heat for a lot of things these days, from living with their parents, to not driving, to the demise of tuna fish. Grant it, this younger generation does seem to have its own set of rules, interests, preferences, and priorities. When it comes to things like Ubers, home meal deliveries, on line shopping and most new things techie, we do owe a debt of gratitude to those born between 1981 and 1997. But then again, can’t the same be said of all generations?

            I vividly remember my own younger years, being judgmentally scrutinized by my seniors for the often-questionable things my generation brought into the world. I’m a baby boomer, so I’ll let you fill in the blanks, both positive and negative. But I am also a writer of some notoriety and teach classes on writing. As such some of the changes I’ve noticed wrought by these millennials are of a literary nature. Note: not necessarily a bad thing.

            Specifically, I have noticed a shift in writing style, perspective, theme and technique among literary millennials as well as the previous generation, often referred to as Gen-Xers. I feel this movement away from the more traditional Modernism and Post-Modernism disciplines has become large and strong enough to warrant its own literary classification. Therefore, I proffer: New Millennialism. Spoiler alert, or perhaps jibber jabber warning: The following is about to get very esoteric. Non-nerdy types be forewarned.

Intrigued? Check back here in a few days or so for Part Two!

PS: Feel free to use the term New Millinnealism with, of course the proper citations, namely... me!

BJ

Incredible Literature

            Often, when asked about my writing, the question comes up about genre. This is a tough question for me and becomes a real nuisance when it comes to publishers. Book editors like things handed to them in nice neat little packages: What’s your style; What’s your category; What’s your book about? Simple enough questions that editors like answered in one or two simple sentences. When you have spent three years of your life laboring over a manuscript, nothing comes in simple, neat little one or two line packages.

            Elysian Dreams is a work of fiction. But is it romantic fiction? Is it historical fiction? Does the element of time travel make it science fiction? Is it fantasy? The answer to all of these questions is no… and maybe.

            Pigeon holing anything into a specific category or genre or type limits your target audience, regardless of the media. How often do you head straight for a particular section in your favorite book or music store, completely ignoring the latest new releases or recommended lists? To place Elysian Dreams (or most any book for that matter) into a structured, formatted category would be a great disservice, both to author and reader alike. But…

            This being the real world, and editors being who they are, and the public being the public, we are stuck with the neat little categories we have boxed ourselves into. Thank havens for those who color outside the lines.

            Antonio Manuel is one of my favorite authors… and someone who never learned to color inside the lines. Refusing to be categorized, itemized, serialized or otherwise packaged, Manuel coined the term Incredible Literature to describe his writing style. What, you have never heard of Incredible Literature? Maybe not, but I know you have experienced the genre. Ever read HP Lovecraft? How about Rod Serling aka the Twilight Zone? Even O Henry and some Steven King fall into this most unusual format.

            To best describe Antonio Manuel’s Incredible Literature we need only to skip back to the 1980’s and a popular comedian whos routines make you go hum…  Not quite fantasy, not quite science fiction, not quite mystery, Manuel’s stories dance with the possible, flirt with the extraordinary and make the incredible seem downright likely. In other words, an Antonio Manuel story makes you think: can that happen? could that have happened? sure, why not? That’s Incredible Literature!

            I love writing short stories and have two compilations in the works for release in the near future. Most all are Incredible Literature. And, if pressed on the issue, I will place Elysian Dreams into this incredible genre. I’m still not a big fan of categorizing, but with Incredible Literature as least I’m in good company.