Joseph H. Ficor is an avid science fiction fan and daydreamer. He is an almost lifetime resident of
Illinois (the Marines borrowed him for six years). He has a bachelor degree in Creative Writing
from Southern Illinois University. He published a few science fiction stories in a student paper in
the fifth grade and another in his high school newspaper. His first published work, Rocketships,
Cherry Blossoms, and Epiphanies, was published by PublishAmerica in 2005. His short story, “A
Few More Seconds,” appeared in the Spring issue 2006 of the now departed GateWay S-F
Magazine. He is working on his first novel, Starship Chi-Rho, which should see a publisher’s desk
sometime in the near future. He currently lives in Southern Illinois. His obsessions are his faith in
Jesus, devouring everything he can on Japan and military history, and reading and writing science
fiction.
Illinois (the Marines borrowed him for six years). He has a bachelor degree in Creative Writing
from Southern Illinois University. He published a few science fiction stories in a student paper in
the fifth grade and another in his high school newspaper. His first published work, Rocketships,
Cherry Blossoms, and Epiphanies, was published by PublishAmerica in 2005. His short story, “A
Few More Seconds,” appeared in the Spring issue 2006 of the now departed GateWay S-F
Magazine. He is working on his first novel, Starship Chi-Rho, which should see a publisher’s desk
sometime in the near future. He currently lives in Southern Illinois. His obsessions are his faith in
Jesus, devouring everything he can on Japan and military history, and reading and writing science
fiction.
Rocket Ships, Cherry Blossoms, and Epiphanies is a collection of short
stories about God's working in different situations. "Last Strike" takes us
to an alternate World War II where Germany attempts to use a top-secret
bomber in a desperate attempt to avoid defeat. "Dancing Among the
Cherry Blossoms" tells the story of a young Japanese executive who
learns that there are more important things in life than a good career.
Finally, "The Sakhalin Epiphany" tells us how a Japanese soldier's faith
helps him survive the Soviet Gulag system.
stories about God's working in different situations. "Last Strike" takes us
to an alternate World War II where Germany attempts to use a top-secret
bomber in a desperate attempt to avoid defeat. "Dancing Among the
Cherry Blossoms" tells the story of a young Japanese executive who
learns that there are more important things in life than a good career.
Finally, "The Sakhalin Epiphany" tells us how a Japanese soldier's faith
helps him survive the Soviet Gulag system.
Rocket Ships, Cherry Blossoms, and Epiphanies
Publish America, 2005
ISBN: 1413774466
$12.95
Available at Amazon.com
Publish America, 2005
ISBN: 1413774466
$12.95
Available at Amazon.com
| Joseph Ficor |
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| The Lost Genre Guild's mission is to promote quality works of Biblical Speculative Fiction (spec-fic) through its authors, fans; to endorse new releases that fit this criteria; and of course, to glorify Him. |
What is your motivation for writing?
I have always wanted to be a published writer since as far back as I can remember. My sister and I would write our own stories from time to time. I
usually never finished what I started. I was influenced by a lot of science fiction TV and movies in my early years. I did not become a committed reader
until I was placed in foster care at the age of thirteen. It was my escape and anchor during these years. Reading helped me get through many of the
trials of living with strangers.
My major motivation in my teenage years for writing was to become famous. This changed after I gave my heart to Jesus at the age of seventeen. I
really wanted to glorify Him. My role models over the years have been C.S. Lewis, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, David Weber, and David Drake.
Why do you write Biblical speculative fiction?
I write Biblical speculative fiction because the regular speculative fiction market has neglected God over the last century. The science fiction community
has been preaching a gospel of utopianism solely based on science and humanism. Most science fiction writers claimed that a belief in any kind of
deity was a sign of backward primitivism. They predicted that God would be dead by the late twentieth century and life would be peachy and grand. God
is still very much alive and we are worse off than we have ever been. People need to know that no matter how technologically advanced we become, we
will always be sinful creatures and that God is still in the business of rescuing a lost world (John 3:16-17).
The Christian community has varying opinions on the appropriateness of speculative fiction. Can you explain your
take on the compatibility between speculative fiction and your Christian worldview?
I do not see why there should be any conflict between speculative fiction and Christianity. For over a century, speculative fiction has given us a glimpse
into how future technology can change our lives and society. It has done its best to examine the ramifications of new technologies in both positive and
negative terms. Christians should be writing in this genre so that they can show world--and future generations of Christians--the Biblical response to
the effects of technology on future generations.
What length of fiction do you prefer to write?
This is an area that I am still trying to figure out in my life. There are some stories that I believe that can be told in a short story format and others that
need novel length treatment.
What writing techniques work best for you in terms of character, plot, setting development?
I am still trying to work on a formula for all of this in my own writing career. I am currently more comfortable with just sitting down and beginning a story
and seeing where it goes. I do a very rough outline of the story that I am flexible enough to change as needed when it has to be.
Have you had any life experiences that have influenced your writing?
I will have to say that the major life experiences that most shaped my writing would be my mother's introducing a love of reading to me and my sister,
my time in foster care, my salvation, my time in the Marine Corps, and attending an international church.My mother was a big reader when I was little.
She encouraged us to read a lot. Reading was a big escape for me when I had been put in foster care. This had been a tough time for me. I spent of
my time with two good foster families. They had even encouraged my reading. One of them even really guided me toward science fiction. I gave my
heart to Jesus when I was 17. He gave me a new love and desire to write science fiction that would witness to those who had been fed the garbage
that there is no God and that He is a useless anachronism in our lives. The Marines was a big influence on my writing because it allowed me to see
several different countries and get a perspective on cultures different from my own. It was during my time in the military where God gave me a great love
for the Japanese people and their culture. The next biggest influence is my attendance of an international church in Southern Illinois. It has broken my
mindset that the best example of Christianity was presented by the West. The international believers at my church have shown me that God does not
favor one region or ethnic group over another. He can use anyone who has given their hearts solely to Him for His maximum glory.
Any advice to new writers? Christian writers?
My advice to new writers, especially Christian writers, is to ask God to give you wisdom as to what genre that He wants you to write in and do it with all
of your heart. Also, be willing to accept correction and reproof to your work. Your writing is not Scripture, so it can be subject to change and improvement.
When and where do you write?
I usually write when I have free time available. I try to write once a day, even if it is only for a few minutes. I write wherever I have the opportunity.
Do you do any research for your writing?
I have to admit that I do not do as much research as I want. I am a little impatient and I want to get to writing the story as soon as I can. God is working
on me to be patient and do research when needed.
Who do you think would most likely enjoy your fiction?
I think that my fiction will be enjoyed by individuals who want a clean and uplifting story that does not make them depressed after they had read it.
Do your stories/novels have any common themes or thread? Do you try to provide a message for your readers?
The common theme or message that I want to convey to my readers is that no matter what we as sinful humans, God is always ready to forgive and
turn around any situation to His glory.
What can you tell us about “The Timeship of Semak” included in Light at the Edge of Darkness?
My major motivation in writing “The Timeship of Semak” is to show my readers that God has created us uniquely for the time and place that we live in.
He has a purpose for all that He does in our lives.
The main character of Joe is loosely based on my own experiences in foster care. When times got tough, I thought that it would be so cool for
benevolent aliens to come and take me away from the bad situation. I always also wished to go back into time to change mistakes that I had made so
that things would turn out better.
I want to show through the experiences of Joe and the alien that God is in control at ALL times and that He will work out even the bad situations to fulfill
His will in our lives and situations (Romans 8:28).
I have always wanted to be a published writer since as far back as I can remember. My sister and I would write our own stories from time to time. I
usually never finished what I started. I was influenced by a lot of science fiction TV and movies in my early years. I did not become a committed reader
until I was placed in foster care at the age of thirteen. It was my escape and anchor during these years. Reading helped me get through many of the
trials of living with strangers.
My major motivation in my teenage years for writing was to become famous. This changed after I gave my heart to Jesus at the age of seventeen. I
really wanted to glorify Him. My role models over the years have been C.S. Lewis, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, David Weber, and David Drake.
Why do you write Biblical speculative fiction?
I write Biblical speculative fiction because the regular speculative fiction market has neglected God over the last century. The science fiction community
has been preaching a gospel of utopianism solely based on science and humanism. Most science fiction writers claimed that a belief in any kind of
deity was a sign of backward primitivism. They predicted that God would be dead by the late twentieth century and life would be peachy and grand. God
is still very much alive and we are worse off than we have ever been. People need to know that no matter how technologically advanced we become, we
will always be sinful creatures and that God is still in the business of rescuing a lost world (John 3:16-17).
The Christian community has varying opinions on the appropriateness of speculative fiction. Can you explain your
take on the compatibility between speculative fiction and your Christian worldview?
I do not see why there should be any conflict between speculative fiction and Christianity. For over a century, speculative fiction has given us a glimpse
into how future technology can change our lives and society. It has done its best to examine the ramifications of new technologies in both positive and
negative terms. Christians should be writing in this genre so that they can show world--and future generations of Christians--the Biblical response to
the effects of technology on future generations.
What length of fiction do you prefer to write?
This is an area that I am still trying to figure out in my life. There are some stories that I believe that can be told in a short story format and others that
need novel length treatment.
What writing techniques work best for you in terms of character, plot, setting development?
I am still trying to work on a formula for all of this in my own writing career. I am currently more comfortable with just sitting down and beginning a story
and seeing where it goes. I do a very rough outline of the story that I am flexible enough to change as needed when it has to be.
Have you had any life experiences that have influenced your writing?
I will have to say that the major life experiences that most shaped my writing would be my mother's introducing a love of reading to me and my sister,
my time in foster care, my salvation, my time in the Marine Corps, and attending an international church.My mother was a big reader when I was little.
She encouraged us to read a lot. Reading was a big escape for me when I had been put in foster care. This had been a tough time for me. I spent of
my time with two good foster families. They had even encouraged my reading. One of them even really guided me toward science fiction. I gave my
heart to Jesus when I was 17. He gave me a new love and desire to write science fiction that would witness to those who had been fed the garbage
that there is no God and that He is a useless anachronism in our lives. The Marines was a big influence on my writing because it allowed me to see
several different countries and get a perspective on cultures different from my own. It was during my time in the military where God gave me a great love
for the Japanese people and their culture. The next biggest influence is my attendance of an international church in Southern Illinois. It has broken my
mindset that the best example of Christianity was presented by the West. The international believers at my church have shown me that God does not
favor one region or ethnic group over another. He can use anyone who has given their hearts solely to Him for His maximum glory.
Any advice to new writers? Christian writers?
My advice to new writers, especially Christian writers, is to ask God to give you wisdom as to what genre that He wants you to write in and do it with all
of your heart. Also, be willing to accept correction and reproof to your work. Your writing is not Scripture, so it can be subject to change and improvement.
When and where do you write?
I usually write when I have free time available. I try to write once a day, even if it is only for a few minutes. I write wherever I have the opportunity.
Do you do any research for your writing?
I have to admit that I do not do as much research as I want. I am a little impatient and I want to get to writing the story as soon as I can. God is working
on me to be patient and do research when needed.
Who do you think would most likely enjoy your fiction?
I think that my fiction will be enjoyed by individuals who want a clean and uplifting story that does not make them depressed after they had read it.
Do your stories/novels have any common themes or thread? Do you try to provide a message for your readers?
The common theme or message that I want to convey to my readers is that no matter what we as sinful humans, God is always ready to forgive and
turn around any situation to His glory.
What can you tell us about “The Timeship of Semak” included in Light at the Edge of Darkness?
My major motivation in writing “The Timeship of Semak” is to show my readers that God has created us uniquely for the time and place that we live in.
He has a purpose for all that He does in our lives.
The main character of Joe is loosely based on my own experiences in foster care. When times got tough, I thought that it would be so cool for
benevolent aliens to come and take me away from the bad situation. I always also wished to go back into time to change mistakes that I had made so
that things would turn out better.
I want to show through the experiences of Joe and the alien that God is in control at ALL times and that He will work out even the bad situations to fulfill
His will in our lives and situations (Romans 8:28).
| _______________________________________________________ INTERVIEW WITH JOSEPH FICOR |
| Read an excerpt from Joseph Ficor's short story "TIMESHIP OF SEMACK" |