Leslie H. writes science fiction and studies physics, computer programming, and literature. Leslie uses science fiction themes as a platform for exploring the human (and/or inhuman) mind and the issues such organisms might face in the future. Leslie also enjoys playing video games, listening to electronica, and watching science fiction anime and films. Originally from the Sprawl (B-A Metro), Leslie resides in California physically and in cyberspace mentally.

F.A.Q

Where can I read some of your written works?
I have a few old short stories posted on FictionPress.com and parodies of movies and books, which you can find at my FanFiction.net account.

Can you tell me the meaning of this blog’s name?
It comes from the first line in Tsutomu Nihei’s manga Blame!. I consider it extremely profound.

What program do you use to write/edit?
I use Scrivener, which I consider great for organizing. I do a lot of world building, so I find it helpful to have everything in one spot to look at while I write. Before I switched to Scrivener, I used Pages (Mac’s text editor) which forced to me to keep a folder full of thousands of separate documents. For the benefit of my sanity I switched programs.

Can you describe your writing process?
I spend several hours every day writing, usually in the evenings. Before I start to actually write a story, I plan almost everything out. I write a summary of my ideas for a story, then construct an outline that places those ideas in chronological order (or in the order that I want to reveal information). In my notes, I write a few paragraphs to describe my characters, to get an understanding of their personalities. Except for writing exercises (where I just write whatever comes to mind), I rarely start work on the first draft until I have a deep understanding of most of the major events, the characters, and the setting. This whole planning process often takes months, because of limited free time. After I finish a draft, I usually rewrite it several times until I feel satisfied with the outcome.

What science fiction writer has most influenced your work?
I would have to pick Philip K. Dick, because his novels (and short stories) have everything I want in a story as a reader and as a student of writing. His dialog sounds real and his characters seem four-dimensional in that you can map out their development trajectories. It all feels tangible, like a solid object that you can move to look at from different angles. Everything that he has put onto paper, I wish to accomplish and attempt to apply in my own work. Of course, everything I encounter, including other writers, greatly influences my work.

What science fiction books would you recommend?
A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick, Glasshouse by Charles Stross, Neuromancer by William Gibson, Norstrilia by Cordwainer Smith, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, and Slaughterhouse-5 by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

What non-fiction books would you recommend?
Simulacra and Simulation by Jean Baudrillard, Future Shock by Alvin Toffler, and Quantum Psychology: How Brain Software Programs You & Your World by Robert Anton Wilson.

What science fiction films would you recommend?
Metropolis (1927), The Andromeda Strain (1971), Blade Runner, Pitch Black, 12 Monkeys, The Matrix, Equilibrium, Avalon, The Day the Earth Stood Still (both versions) and The Fifth Element.

What science fiction anime would you recommend?
Ghost in the Shell (the film and the TV series), Akira, Paprika, Paranoia Agent, Cowboy Bebop, and Trigun

What music would you recommend?
Boards of Canada, Groove Armada, Skinny Puppy, Aphex Twin, Gary Numan, Kraftwerk, Télépopmusik, The Knife, Fever Ray, Trentemøller, Intelligentsia, Prodigy, The Crystal Method, Ulver, Collide, Covenant, and Peter Gabriel.

Where else on the Internet do you lurk?
I have accounts at: Deviantart, and Tumblr.

May I ask you a question?
By all means. Just leave a comment any where on here, and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Feel free to ask me anything.