Part of the journey as a fan of Thunderbirds is discovering the other series by Gerry Anderson (Producer etc.). Stingray was always a favourite of mine as well. Although it lacked some of the excitement of Thunderbirds and had a habit of turning into a soap opera at times. Captain Scarlet was a different matter. This article was very nearly about Captain Scarlet rather than Thunderbirds (I decided to go with the original interest rather than where it led me too). Captain Scarlet was darker and more grown up then Thunderbirds and that killed off some of the fun, that fun is the reason why I loved Thunderbirds in the first place.
My Life In Science Fiction: Honourable Mentions
I’ve enjoyed sharing with you my list of SciFi that I have been inspired by, however, the list of Sci-Fi stories that have influenced me as a writer isn’t exhaustive. Here are a few others that I have enjoyed over the years but haven’t written about, mainly because there is probably enough written about them on the internet!
Dr Who
Both the modern telling and classic. I am a huge Whovian who loves the way how each episode of the show can be so different. However just to put the record straight Cybermen are far far scarier than the Daleks after all they did inspire the Borg in Star Trek. My favourite Doctor is a thirty way tie, but if pushed currently I would say Matt Smith is my favourite, although it’s a bit like ex-girlfriends, you always fancy your last one more than your current. I must admit I was a bit put off by the fact that he’s younger then me, a stage of my life I wasn’t ready for. Dr Who has recently been critisced for the cast of the Doctor, who traditionally has been played by a white male. I personally am of the school of thought that the role should be played by whoever is available to do it best. There’s little or no point in just casting a woman for the sake of it and the show suffering, that won’t make a suitable role model for anyone.
Star Wars
Obviously I’m a fan of Star Wars, that one goes without saying.
Star Trek
Personally I like Deep Space Nine and I don’t care what you say. The darker tone was more grown up then the other series and has been something they have struggle to get back to in my opinion. Although TNG did feature better stories and themes, but not adequately explored in my opinion.
Stargate SG1
If you’ve been reading my blogs, books and short stories then you probably have guessed that I am a fan of SG1. It’s fun and silly and yet dramatic at the same time.
Note From The Author
I hope you have enjoyed this collection of short stories and essays. I have had the amazing good fortune to work with the team at Half A Cup Of Coffee in publishing this along with my other works. This particular collection and novel has taken a while to get out there and I certain intend to write more novels in this series so keep looking back in at jjwright.co.uk and halfacupofcoffee.co.uk for more information.
The Mars Encounter novel has been based in a very small part on a conspiracy theory that says mankind has already made to Mars and are living there fighting the native race. I can’t say I believe the conspiracy theory but the first time I heard it my imagination caught on fire and I just had to write about it. I couldn’t help but think about what sort of person would agree to travel to another planet knowing that they could never return. But also I started thinking about the people who would be left behind here on Earth. The result of those thoughts is the Mars Encounter novel.
Viewing the world with hint of scepticism is always a good thing. How do we know that what we are presented with is the truth and how do we know that the world is as we preserve it? Governments and big business will always hide things for their own gain, people in power will misuse that fact for their own personal reasons. But how would people react with this novel turned out to be true. How would you react if you were suddenly told of life on Mars and that you were the only person who could help them? Would you go willingly or would you try to escape? When faced with an adventure like travelling to another planet to fight an alien species would you yern for a normal life and a family? What would you do if you discovered your loved one, the person you cared about most in the entire world had in fact been working for a secret organisation who had kept secret the biggest discovery ever made by the human race?
I hope that if you have enjoyed this work you take the time to download and read Mars Encounter from your usual ebook supplier. Please do leave feedback/reviews either on the site where you downloaded this book from or on goodreads.com
Once again I want to say thank you for reading this collection, I hope you have enjoyed it and please do tell people about it.
J.J. Wright
May 2017
Also By J.J. Wright
To keep up-to-date with the latest releases by J.J. Wright and Half A Cup Of Coffee check out the website and twitter regularly.
Mars Encounter
What if mankind could travel to Mars? Would you want to go? What would life be like for those left behind? What would you want to know?
What if mankind was already on Mars? What if you had no choice but to join them? What it your loved ones suddenly disappeared? What if your government didn't want you to know about It?
Mars Encounter is that story.
A sci-fi adventure for readers with a healthy suspicion of authority. Mars Encounter offers the reader an exciting trip into the lives of the first Earth colonists to Mars. Set in modern times it tells of a secretive organisation which not only knows if there is alien life on Mars, but lives amongst them.
Politicians lie, truths are covered up and people die, facts Justin had to live with, he always new he wasn’t like the other kids in Brixton. He wanted out of gangs and was determined to use his brain to do it. Justin had no idea though just how far his brain would take him.
Yelps however always knew where he was heading, straight to a war he didn’t understand, what else was there for a US Marine. But even he was surprised to learn which war he would be destined to fight in.
Mars Encounter tells the story of those who live in the shadows, who protect the lies others are determined find the truth of and the question of in the brotherhood of creation who can be trusted and who is out for themselves.
Intergalactic Sweet Shop
And so it came that mankind ventured out from the Earth to explore the galaxy in all it's splendour. As mankind journeyed so did all of their hopes, dreams and ambitions. Not to mention a bag of Jelly Babies. Intergalactic Sweet Shop tells the story of the first Sweet Shop outside of our solar system. A host of characters that prove you don't have the be clever, brave or even competent to journey into space.
Skate Park: Lucy and the Skate Park
The annual skate boarding competition comes to the park, this is Danny’s chance to shine and especially impress Lucy with his awesome boarding skills and his awesome hair. But tragedy befalls Danny at the competition and he must learn to live with a new champion of the park and an unexpected one at that. Can Danny learn to live with being second best or will he fight to regain his title as the best boarder in the park.
Skate Park: Danny and Supreme Ultimate Mega Champion of the Universe
The annual skate boarding competition comes to the park, this is Danny’s chance to shine and especially impress Lucy with his awesome boarding skills and his awesome hair. But tragedy befalls Danny at the competition and he must learn to live with a new champion of the park and an unexpected one at that. Can Danny learn to live with being second best or will he fight to regain his title as the best boarder in the park.
Skate Park: Victoria and the Petition
Councillor Pearce’s plans to take over the park have moved up a gear. Scared of losing the one place they all run to the gang decides they must try and stand up for their rights. Under threat of being centre to a youth group (and being forced to play ping pong) Victoria steps up and gets everyone involved in starting a petition to save the park. Is it enough though to save the park and what will happ
en when councillor Pearce finds out what’s been going on.
About The Author
J.J. Wright was born in the city of Leicester, United Kingdom in 1982. He now lives and works in Oxfordshire have also spent much of his life in Hampshire and Lancashire. He spends much of his time writing but also enjoys Rugby, Golf and Motorsport.
J.J. Wright previously worked as a university lecturer and in sales. He used his time in these job roles to start his writing career and often draws on these experiences in his writing.
In 2016 J.J. Wright released his first novel Intergalactic Sweet Shop with Half A Cup Of Coffee which has been successful. He also released a collection of short stories aimed at pre-teens called Skate Park. These ebooks are available through all good online ebook distributors.
Currently J.J. Wright publishes a blog on his website jjwright.co.uk and you can also follow him on twitter. J.J. Wright is bookable for speaking engagements and lectures, please contact him through the contact page on his website.
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