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Articles by Tony Peak
Punk's Force
Tony Peak writes science fiction, fantasy, & LitRPG novels. He is the author of Inherit the Stars, the Eden Trilogy, the Redshift Runners trilogy, and more works of speculative fiction. His interests include progressive thinking, storytelling in all mediums, and planetary exploration. He resides in southwest Virginia with a great view of New River.
David Lynch’s DUNE: 40th Anniversary
My introduction to David Lynch’s Dune was through a friend’s Dune-themed lunchbox in elementary school. It was 1984, I was six years old, and in the first grade. My main exposure to science fiction at that time was via the Star Wars films and Star Trek. I knew nothing about Frank Herbert’s classic novel, much less Lynch’s film. But that lunchbox looked so damn cool, with knife-wielding characters in futuristic armor.
Medium's 'Clap' Problem
Here on Medium, if readers like your article, they can 'clap' for it, which is the equivalent of a 'like' on other social media platforms. I found out today that readers can select to offer 1 clap for that article...or as many as 50. Yes, 50 'likes' from the same reader. That's not helping anyone.
Setting is a Character, Too
Worldbuilding is more than just set dressing for your story. When used well, it embellishes the narrative that your readers are already creating in their minds as they read your work. It's meant to inform that narrative, augment its power, and allow the author to express their ideas in a fashion unrelated to plot or character. Like costumes and sets in a film, they help suspend suspension of disbelief as the reader immerses themselves in your creation.
You Don't Need a Beta Reader
Yes, you read that title correctly. One of an author's allegedly most useful resources - getting someone read an unpublished work to aid with its revising, also known as a beta reader - is unnecessary. By now, you're probably yelling at your screen and exiting this essay. If you're still here, I'll tell you why I make such a strong statement. (Hint: It's not AI. What kind of a writer do you take me for?) Beta readers have long been used as a sounding board for authors.
The Illusory Permanence of Information Technology
I remember burning my first DVD-ROM. I thought, 'wow, this will last me decades, and my data will be immune to viruses and accidental deletion'. I felt I'd achieved the Holy Grail of data archiving. Plus, hey, nearly 4 gigs on one disc? It seemed like science fiction. Fast forward to 2023, with its cloud drives, external hard drives, micro SD cards, and thumb drives. My data is spread across various devices and platforms (Google Drive, Dropbox, various external hard and SSD drives).
Don't Worry About Breaking the Mold
By Tony Peak ID 241431244 © Grandfailure |Dreamstime.com Many readers assume science fiction literature should mainly focus on illustrating new concepts. These concepts can take many forms: space travel, artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, etc.; but they almost always fall under humanity's reaction to technological and social change. The idea that each new SF book should (must?) break the mold, push the envelope, and focus on...
Blame AI Art's Exploiters, Not the Technology
By Tony Peak "When falsehood can look so like the truth, who can assure themselves of certain happiness?" Mary Shelley; 'Frankenstein' The current AI controversy, regarding its manufacture of art, bothers me on several levels. First, it's frustrating that people who are too lazy to learn the skills to write, paint, etc., are using these AI apps to do it for them - who...
New Age
It was 2065 and the world was finally at peace, countries flourished, genetic scientific breakthroughs were happening daily; mankind was finally at the cusp of stem cell enhancement research. All worldly governments had come to terms and had made peace, or so everyone had thought.... There was devastation as nuclear war broke out. Cities destroyed; entire countries blow apart. The world population was at its lowest.
Book giveaway: 'Inherit the Stars' by Tony Peak - Roanoke Times: Back Cover
Thomas Eugene (Gene) Noojin, 84, went to be with his Savior on Saturday, December 12, 2015. Gene was born on August 2, 1931, in Oneonta (Blount County), Ala., to Clifford Eugene Noojin and Lydia Fortenberry Noojin Moreland. He was predeceased by both parents; his stepfather, Johnny Moreland; and two brothers, Ollie Noojin and JL Moreland.He married the love of his life, Josephine (Jo) Zimmerman from Blue Ridge, Va., on January 15, 1954.
Tony Peak Discusses Writing INHERIT THE STARS and Seeing His Work Come Full Circle
Imagination Comes Full Circle by Tony Peak I once wrote a science fiction story for my fifth grade spelling class. It featured a cadre of elite, well-equipped soldiers tasked to put down a robot rebellion. I can’t recall the story’s title, and I really wish I still had the hand-written, two-page manuscript in my possession, but one thing always stuck with me: what I had named the elite soldiers.
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