The week we were joined by prolific author of rational fiction Alexander Wales. We of course discuss his works, particularly Worth the Candle, This Used to be About Dungeons, and The Metropolitan Man, but also talk about time travel, writing under a pseudonym, crafting believable characters, and more.

Thanks for Listening!

TIMESTAMPS:

0:12 – Introduction

0:55 – What are the characteristics of Rational Fiction?

6:11 – Discussing Worth the Candle

7:14 – Using a pseudonym releases pressure as an author

10:32 – How much of Worth the Candle is taken from D&D campaigns you ran?

13:41 – Does being a DM prepare you for being a fiction writer?

16:18 – Being a web serial author you can’t go back and change your work

18:19 – Continuously tinkering with a book for ages is overrated

20:00 – Unlike webcomics web serials actually finish sometimes

24:09 – Do web fiction authors ever use Pseudonyms to write something other than the main fic they are known for?

27:37 – Writing under a pseudonym can give you a more authentic reaction

29:06 – Discussing This Used To Be About Dungeons

32:16 – It was cool to have characters who were believably unlikeable in ways

36:35 – Not all conflict should come from misunderstandings

40:11 – Chrononauts in This Used To Be About Dungeons and time travel as a trope

44:36 – It’s hard to do everything exactly the same as you did in the past

45:36 – Time loops are like speedrunning

47:04 – Time Travel Story Recommendations

* Palimpsest by Charles Stross

* Primer (rewatch with commentary from Sam Hughes/qntm)

* The Time Traveler’s Wife (only the book)

49:59 – Discussing The Metropolitan Man

51:20 – Is it more interesting to write fanfiction focused on more mundane characters?

55:04 – Lois Lane is an interesting character in The Metropolitan Man

58:34 – The Metropolitan Man owes its biggest inspiration to Superman: Red Son

1:02:09 – Your fanfiction has some high quality footnotes

1:05:03 – Discussing the cthuluraejepsen pseudonym

1:06:37 – Conclusion + Short Fiction Recommendation of Eager Readers in Your Area

1:08:45 – Start of Synthesized Sunsets Backstage

1:10:49 – It was cool to talk about Metropolitan Man directly after reading

1:12:43 – Discussing Kevin’s article Golden Age Science Fiction is Being Reborn… in China?

1:15:34 – Sci-fi has lost optimism and reverence for science and technology in general

1:19:49 – University Sci-fi clubs have died off in the U.S

1:21:10 – There are a lot more outlets for being nerdy than there used to be

1:23:11 – Discussing our review article Hugo Awards Review #2: Alien Clay + Service Model

1:23:25 – Kevin really liked Alien Clay

1:26:04 – Gordon really wanted to like Alien Clay

1:27:40 – Alien Clay sort of spoils its own climax

1:29:48 – Alien Clay has some really interesting characters

1:31:55 – Kevin and Gordon are in agreement that Service Model was very okay

1:32:20 – Service Model was too long and took itself too seriously

1:34:43 – Kevin suggests an alternate version of this book where The Wonk is a figment of Uncharles’s imagination

1:37:14 – Service Model was very reliant on its settings being captivating

1:39:39 – It’s hard to rate reading experience too heavily because it is influenced by factors other than the quality of the book

1:41:33 – Conclusion + Short Story Recommendation Human Resources (prequel to Service Model)

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