Exploring Mars And Its Secretes Revealed by BJ Neblett

 Exploring Mars And Its Secretes Revealed by BJ Neblett

Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance. If these names aren't familiar to you, just ask any school kid. They will tell you these are the names of the robotic surveyors running around Mars, sending back images and information on our enigmatic neighbor. Since June of 1976, when Viking 1 touched down on the Chryse Planitia, NASA has been studying millions of images and bits of information returned from the numerous probes, orbiters, and rovers. Some scientists say our knowledge of the red planet (it's the rusty iron in the dry dusty soil combined with the thin atmosphere that gives Mars its color) in many ways now surpasses what we know about our own oceans. And what they are finding is re-writing our knowledge and understanding of the planet and its history.

There is, however, another source of information on Mars that has been available to anyone for a decade. In 2011, I wrote Elysian Dreams, a speculative literary fiction book dealing in part with some of Mars' mysteries. And, it would seem, the more information we glean from our little robotic friends, the more my theories and ideas on Mars' past are being validated. I will stop here, for fear of spoilers. But if you enjoy good science fiction, sci-fi/fantasy based on fact and serious scientific principles, or are just curious about mankind's next stopover in space, pick up a copy of Elysian Dreams. Not only is it an enjoyable read, but my humble little novel is quickly becoming a preview of what is yet to be discovered!

Elysian Dreams is available in paperback and ebook from Amazon and other online sellers, as well as your favorite local bookstore.

Finding Inspiration

As a writer I am often asked where ideas for stories come from. In my case I find it to be less ideas and more inspiration. Something will happen, someone will say or do something, and the writer's wheels will start turning. I can always tell when the process has begun because there will be a thought or situation which takes up residence in my brain. Then, for the next few weeks... or months, most every waking moment will be filled with conscious and unconscious comparisons of what is stuck in my mind and what is going on in the world around me. If the process is stubborn enough... and if I am disciplined enough, always a problem with writers, eventually a story will be born. This was definitely the case with Elysian Dreams.
Starting life as a writing exercise, my thoughts and words soon found themselves influenced by several talks and programs I saw which included one of NASA's brightest minds, Carol Stoker. Without giving too much of the plot away, Ms. Stoker's energy and passion for the work she does at the Ames Research Center helped bring the pages of Elysian Dreams to life for me... and hopefully for you the reader as well.
You never know where inspiration... or ideas, are going to come from. I urge all struggling writers to keep pen and paper close at hand and their eyes and minds wide open. And keep writing... you just never know.
Here is a link I think you'll find interesting:
http://spacescience.arc.nasa.gov/staff/carol-stoker
                                                                                                                        Peace,
                                                                                                                        BJ