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Sci-Fi Fantasy & RPG Writer
J L Arnold
Creator of APOCalypse 2500 Pen & Dice RPG
A post apocalyptic world of high technology and high magic.
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Contact J L Arnold
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My brain at large Since childhood I have been accused of “having my head in the clouds.” I must admit that they are probably right as my mind seems to be nearly always switched on and sometimes the merest phrase or image will set my imagination off on some flight of fancy. I have been known to lose track while reading because I will fixate on a concept and mentally wander off into a self generated realm of science fiction, fantasy, or invention. Truly a terrible burden when one is attempting to study or perform some technical job skill. However when it comes to writing it seems my over active imagination is a true gift as I have come to realize I am at my best as a story teller, a thinker, and inventor. I wasn’t always a writer, by no means; I have had many jobs in many fields from fast food to commercial electrician and many in between. In truth I liked none of them because they required me to focus and to stop dreaming or inventing and simply to do and do and do. I am in my 40’s now and it amazes me when I think on it; that it has taken me half a lifetime to figure out what I want to do when I grow up. To remain young at heart and continue to dream, yes that’s the ticket to put my ability to dream and create ideas on to paper for others to enjoy. I have always had a fascination with the many realms of both fantasy and science fiction. When I was young I wanted a castle, a suit of armor and a space ship with doors that went “swoosh.” Perhaps this is what prompted the creation of APOCalypse 2500 a pen and paper RPG where both exist in the same futuristic world.  I was raised on classic sci-fi like Star Trek, radioactive monsters, and giant insects. The days of the vacuum tube powered space ships and aliens living on Mars was the birthing ground for my imagination. I remember when the first true RPG Dungeons and Dragons came out in a time before video games or PC’s. A new fantasy world of wizards and knights in armor opened up to me as I spent hours not only playing but creating my own adventures, monsters, and magical treasures. In latter days I found I could live out even more of my fantasies as I discovered the world of historical reenactment. I learned to act and the ancient arts of sword play, armor making, and siege craft. As an avid fan of new and theoretical technology I spend long hours reading and watching about it on the internet and cable TV science channels; just more food for my imagination. What makes good fiction? I have always held to the belief that the best fantasy or science fictional stories have a basis in fact. So many quick and dirty sci-fi is cranked out today. It seems to be written purely from imagination without even the slightest understanding of how the real thing works or what new real science has been done lately. It is far too easy to say “well, it’s magical,” or give the item or phenomena some science-like sounding terminology. This is a common theme throughout many "writer mill" created stories and a virtual plague in the RPG world. I have always believed that if you’re going to write about space ships of the future you ought to at least understand how the ones we have now work and even better how modern science thinks they will work in the future. The same holds true for beasts, aliens, magic, and of course weapons of all types. This is the fundamental basis of good fiction of any kind to know your subject in the real world so your fantasy makes sense. This is the formula used by the best fiction writers of history and continues to be the means to a good believable foundation. (At least that's what I think.") My favorite genre That's a good question; which all depends on my mood. I tend to go back and forth between science fiction and fantasy. I tend to write more sci-fi these days but it always contains an element of the supernatural. I just can't seem to totally separate my head from the romantic realm of dragons and wizards. Where am I from? Currently the Pacific north west. My hobbies? Old school type pen and dice role play games, the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), and Renaissance festivals when ever I can attend. I muck around with some web design, and I play in my coal forge when the mood suits me. I build armor out of both steel and leather and am a scholar of the sword. I am also a home brewer and like to make generously hopped stouts as something you can't see through is always good beer. I like to shoot things from black powder cannon and bow and arrow to modern rifles and pistols. I've even been known to construct siege equipment period pavilions and stage sets from time to time. |
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