About Michael
My name is Michael Martine. You may already know me as the author of Remarkablogger, but I’m also a writer of speculative and fantasy fiction. This blog is my way of sharing my story notes and observations on writing with you. If you want to know more about why I created this blog, read the first post, Welcome to the Dreamworld.
Influences
I have always loved fantasy and speculative literature. I cannot enter a wood without believing I’m crossing the threshold into Middle Earth. Other than Tolkien, the writers who influence me the most are John Crowley, R. Scott Bakker, Patricia McKillip, Greg Bear, Charles Stross, and Stephen King (in no particular order). In recent years, I didn’t take time for reading, and so I’ve become woefully underread in the genre. I’ve also read some books which I felt were just appallingly bad (cough, Robert Jordan, cough cough).
Craft
In terms of craft, I’m heavily influenced by one writer whose work I have never particularly enjoyed, but who happens to be an excellent teacher. If you are or want to be a writer dwelling in this particular genre ghetto, then you absolutely must get yourself a copy of How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy, by Orson Scott Card. I’ve also found Stephen King’s On Writing to be not only immensely helpful, but immensely pleasurable.
Why I Write Speculative Fiction
I write speculative fiction for two reasons:
- I love to read it
- I am unimpressed by most of it
In other words, I’m trying to write what I would simply have to purchase if I were to see it on the shelf at Barnes & Noble. I hope I can be that good, write that well. We’ll see, won’t we?
Droll Biographical Ephemera
I live in beautiful Vermont, which itself is a kind of fantasy realm of misty woods and rolling, ancient mountains. It’s a land inhabited by strange folk: crazy homeless people in the cities and highly unusual, tough characters out in the country.
If you dig astrology, you may interested to know I have Pices rising, a Taurus moon, and sun in Aquarius.
I have a weakness for Taco Bell that defies all common sense. I could eat Chalupas until I am dead.
