As this site doesn't seem to contain any reasonable introduction thread I try it here in "Random Thoughts". Anyways, I'm a 22-year-old male from Germany and as far as I remember my first postings on this board have unnerved some previous members. It's not my fault of course, but I even can apologize for nothing if necessary. So, I got into Gibson novels pretty early, at least what I call pretty early. I was 18 when I first read Neuromancer. Though, Count Zero is his best achievement and Mona Lisa Overdrive is good, but has too many threads which confused me. I liked Angela Mitchell though. I don't know, but as distinguished from Count Zero I had to imagine her as some kind of extremely good-looking glamour model. I wonder what was Gibson's intention to create this character. I have my own theories of course.
I also tried Neal Stephenson, especially Snow Crash and Diamond Age. But I quickly found out that Stephenson's Cyberpunk is crap, exhausting like an inteview with Tom Cruise and even quicker than I began I dropped him down.
But the style of WG's writing intrigued me and I started writing on my own. I have some short stories, none of them are published, and a novel that is still unwritten because I haven't gained the required experience so far to feel ready to start. Anyway, thanks for being here, and don't take me too serious because maybe I'm not human.

-Biochips-

G'day Biochips, and welcome

Lots of people here from all over the world, with lots of ideas and interests. I guess we all have William Gibson's books in common, although some have read almost none, and some have read all of them multiple times.

I'm assuming what you didn't enjoy about Stephenson was his tendency to dump his research into the book in terms of long disquisitions on history and philosophy and ideas and science. Have you read some early Bruce Sterling, like Islands in the Net, Artificial Kid, Holy Fire and the Crystal Express collection of short stories? If so, what did you think?

In terms of your own writing, if I can suggest just one thing, it's that if you have just one influence you'll tend to write pastiche. If you have half a dozen, and a little originality, you might end up with something interesting.

quote:

Originally posted by Bravus:
G'day Biochips, and welcome

Lots of people here from all over the world, with lots of ideas and interests. I guess we all have William Gibson's books in common, although some have read almost none, and some have read all of them multiple times.

I'm assuming what you didn't enjoy about Stephenson was his tendency to dump his research into the book in terms of long disquisitions on history and philosophy and ideas and science. Have you read some early Bruce Sterling, like Islands in the Net, Artificial Kid, Holy Fire and the Crystal Express collection of short stories? If so, what did you think?

In terms of your own writing, if I can suggest just one thing, it's that if you have just one influence you'll tend to write pastiche. If you have half a dozen, and a little originality, you might end up with something interesting.

No, I don't know any of Sterling's novels and short stories, but I shall try them. I know that I have to read more to learn various styles. Gibson's style is rather poetic, but I've never tried to imitate him. He just made me interested in the dark future genre. After that I watched "Blade Runner" for the first time and thought that Sci-Fi fans need more stories set in a dark future because there's a lack of them. Over the years I have invented dozens of characters, but haven't managed to bring them into an intriguing story yet.

Watcha mate,

Good to have fresh blood . First rule: Don't apologise for anything.

I share a love of WG. I found this site after reading Pattern Recognition whilst going through a period of reflection then searching for some footage - found the 1000 Words thread and wasn't able to leave.

The sprawl docs are my favs. I love modding/hacking, have a plastic fetish and thoroughly enjoy lobbing pebbles from time to time. Should get along well.

So, Germany... pics?
FEED ME

Greetings. I am having a hell of a week at work and don't have the energy to talk about myself today (gasps of astonishment from the audience), but welcome, and keep up the writing. And don't give up on your novel just because you're not ready. Gibson didn't think he was ready anyway. And if you really aren't ready, it's practice.

I hope you enjoy your stay.

Welcome, Biochips.
I'm a 20-year-old girl from Canada, and while you have found your first postings to be not welcomed with open arms, don't worry. Some of us are friendlier than others and everyone likes to argue
I've got you beat on starting Gibson early! Thanks to my dad, I read Burning Chrome when I was 14 years old. As soon as possible, I found the rest of Gibson's novels, and when my family finally got a computer and Internet (I was 16) this Board became my F:F:F:
If you want someone to read your short stories, think about throwing them up in this thread. And don't worry about the "required experience" thing with the novel. Just go for it. Write now, edit later.
enjoy your stay

Holy crap, I still think you're 18.

Hell, I still think lithos is 18.

quote:

Originally posted by green-robot:
If you want someone to read your short stories, think about throwing them up

Useless. They are all in German.

Well, we have at least one regular German contributor and probably a heap of German lurkers and some non-Germans who speak the language, so...

quote:

Originally posted by Biochips:

Useless. They are all in German.

That's OK, we can just run it through Google Translate.

quote:

exhausting like an interview with Tom Cruise

I know what you mean. All that sofa hopping. Whew

quote:

I... don't have the energy to talk about myself today (gasps of astonishment from the audience)

Nothing like an audience to listen to oine talk about oneself.

Colin enters stage, attains podium.

"*ahem* I suppose you're wondering why I called you all together today."

Audience en masse: "TO TALK ABOUT YOURSELF!!!"

quote:

Originally posted by BK/DK:

quote:

Originally posted by Biochips:

Useless. They are all in German.

That's OK, we can just run it through Google Translate.

Just imagine the crap that comes out when you really do this.

From what we've read so far it wouldn't make much difference I guess.

ZING!

*facepalm*
saw that coming...

quote:

Originally posted by kenmeer livermaile:

quote:

exhausting like an interview with Tom Cruise

I know what you mean. All that sofa hopping. Whew

Yes, this and the Scientology interview which you will find on Youtube. This made my day.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFBZ_uAbxS0 LOL

Do the day and let the day do you - Wireman