All the potential of the day . . .

Well, folks, the potential energy I started with in the early part of the day has long since been converted to kinetic energy. At this point in the evening, I haven't much energy left for words. Happens sometimes. Heck, happens often, actually.

In any case, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes by physicist/engineer Werner von Braun:

Basic research is what I am doing when I don't know what I am doing.

So true, whether it's science or writing. A lot of wonderful "a-ha" moments occur during the thrashing around that one can call basic research/the creative process/etc.


Hmmmm. I like this quote. I sense there's much more to say about the subject (!... it has potential ...!).

I shall return to it when I have more energy.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this lovely photograph of both potential and kinetic energy to contemplate.

(courtesy of travelblog.org)

Applied fiction?

A random musing from the West Coast....
A recent discussion at work today concerning "pure physics" vs "applied physics" set me to thinking about parallels in the world of fiction writing (and publishing)...
There's a tendency, according to my work colleague, for those on the "pure physics" side of things to look down upon those from the "applied side" of the house. Ah yes... this rang faint bells, from my years ago at Cal. I remember how the theoretical types would sniff disdainfully at the applied types.
So...What is applied physics?
From Wikipedia:
"Applied physics: a general term for physics which is intended for a particular technological or practical use."
Note the word practical.
Turning from the world of science to that of fiction....
What would be the parallels of "pure" and "applied"? How about "literary" and "genre"? More and more these days I see literary fiction titles structured to read "Blah Blah Blah: A Novel". The "A Novel" tag seems to be pointing out that is no mere work of fiction ... but literary or "pure" fiction.
On the other side of things we have:
Crime fiction. Mysteries. Romances. Suspense. Science Fiction. Fantasy. Westerns. Thrillers. Or....
Plots with a purpose. Or genre fiction. Or practical fiction. Or perhaps Applied Fiction.
... signing out from the West Coast (which was doing a little "rock and roll" last night, geologically speaking).