From: "Strong, Lee" <StrongL at MTMC.ARMY.MIL>
To: "'WSFA members'" <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Characterization
Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 12:43:53 -0500
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

	Two comments here:  First, while characterization is good, I don't
see a requirement for stories to live or die by characterization or lack
thereof.  This is especially true of science fiction which deals with ideas
and exploring the external universe to a larger extent than much of
mainstream literature.  Second, it's hard to work a lot of characterization
into a short story.  There's just not enough room for the development over
time that most characterization requires.
	Let me turn the question around:  What are some good examples of
science fiction and/or fantasy characterization, especially at short story
length?

-----Original Message-----
From: Kit Mason [mailto:kit at hers.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 12:25 PM
To: WSFA members
Subject: [WSFA] Re: time travel

"Strong, Lee" wrote:
>
>         Both Heinlein stories have been cited in serious physics books to
> illustrate the apparent problems with time travel, including a wonderful
> chart of the protagonist's worldline.

I've read them -- I've read all of Heinlein at one point or another --
and they're fine but for me they come under the category of 'puzzle
stories', little intellectual pieces like mystery short-stories, with a
prize for the winner and not a whole lot of characterization.  I prefer
stories that have stronger (and better) characters, and ones in which
the actual effects of the time shift can be shown through characters'
behavior in more than just a snapshot.  What can I say?  I'd rather read
about people than dissect the author's head games, and Heinlein's
'authorial voice' comes through so strongly in much of his work that
it's intensely annoying.

Yes, I realize this is heresy to much of SF fandom, but I'm saying this
having paid the dues of reading all of it first.

Kit