Lost in Space (and Also Playing Hooky from Bible Study)

How Sci-Fi Shaped My Career and Lifelong Love for Storytelling

Every sci-fi fan has their origin story—mine just happens to involve a seven-year-old making a calculated act of rebellion.

In 1971, I got my first taste of actual science fiction from reruns of Lost in Space. Even as a kid, I knew the show was ridiculous. The Robinson family’s adventures were equal parts goofy and nonsensical, Dr. Smith was catastrophically melodramatic, and the science—well, let’s just say physics wasn’t always consulted. But nothing else ignited my imagination like those extraterrestrial escapades.

Finding the Right Words (or Struggling to): How to Write Stumbling Dialogue That Feels Real

Characters—whether humans, vampires, space travelers, or sorcerers—don’t always have the perfect words at the perfect time. Sometimes, emotions trip them up. Sometimes, uncertainty tangles their thoughts. And sometimes, let’s be honest, their brains short-circuit mid-sentence, leaving them grasping for coherence.

Stumbling dialogue isn’t just about throwing in a few "ums" or stammers—it’s about reflecting internal conflict, hesitation, or emotional overload in a way that feels natural. Whether your protagonist is lying through their teeth, caught off guard by an unexpected romance, or desperately trying (and failing) to smooth-talk their way out of trouble, here’s how to craft dialogue that feels authentic without losing readability.

1. Fragmented Sentences: Thoughts in Pieces

When emotions run high, speech patterns often break down. Fragmented sentences create a natural rhythm of uncertainty, mimicking the way people think when they’re overwhelmed.

 💬 "I—I didn’t mean to—I mean, it wasn’t supposed to happen like this."

This technique works beautifully in moments of shock, panic, or hesitation. It also adds urgency to the scene, making the dialogue feel raw and unpolished—exactly what you want when a character’s mind is racing faster than their ability to speak.

Dracula Across Time: A Cinematic Evolution in Fangs and Flair

 

Introduction

Vampires are timeless—but like all creatures of the night, they evolve. Three interpretations of Dracula—Universal’s English-language Dracula (1931), its Spanish-language twin, and Hammer’s Horror of Dracula (1958)—offer distinct portrayals of the Prince of Darkness. Each film tells the same core story, but the way it does so reflects changing cinematic trends, shifts in audience expectations, and let’s face it—an increasing enthusiasm for blood on screen.

And then, there’s the Spanish-language Dracula, the underappreciated hidden crypt treasure of the three. Filmed at night on the same sets as its more famous English counterpart, this version breathes more life into the undead than its predecessor, thanks to longer takes, bolder performances, and costumes that feel like something out of a gothic romance novel (and that’s a compliment).

So grab some garlic (or don’t—depends on how you feel about the Count), and let’s dig into how these films compare.

Beware the Echo Effect: When Repetition Disrupts Your Narrative Flow (and How to Fix It)

 

Every writer has done it: crafted a sentence, polished it, admired it—only to realize they’ve repeated the same word so many times that it’s practically chanting itself into existence. And unless you’re summoning a forgotten cosmic entity or opening a dimensional rift, accidental repetition tends to work against you, not for you.

The Echo Effect: When Words Start Sounding Like Incantations

Readers are wired to recognize patterns. When a word crops up too often within close proximity, it creates an unintended rhythm—almost like a glitch in the matrix. Instead of drawing the reader deeper into the worldbuilding, it pulls their focus away from the story itself and toward the repetition.

And let’s be honest: unless you’re writing an ancient prophecy where repetition is part of the mystique, overusing the same words can make prose feel less dynamic. At worst, it might give the impression that the narrative has been caught in a time loop, endlessly recycling phrasing without variation.

Otterville Overhaul: Guiding Sci-Fi & Fantasy Stories to Their Best Form

Helping Authors Create Seamless Escapes from Reality

You did it. You wrangled your characters into a full manuscript, survived the chaos of plot twists, and built a world so immersive that readers won’t want to leave. There’s just two problems:

    You’re a storyteller, not a grammar enforcer. (Let’s be honest—no one writes sci-fi for the thrill of semicolon placement.)
    You’re too close to your own words to catch every inconsistency. (If time travel exists in your novel, it might need some timeline adjustments.)

That’s okay! That’s where Otterville Overhaul comes in.

As an editor specializing in science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance, I help authors refine their stories without losing their unique voice. Think of me as a guide—like the otter in my logo, making its way through the marsh at sunrise, or the dogs on my website, each navigating their own challenges—the swimmer determined to hold onto his precious stick, the explorer searching the treetops for answers, and the discoverer uncovering something valuable in the underbrush.

Much like these images, editing is about helping authors uncover the strongest version of their story—whether that means navigating complex plot threads, sharpening character arcs, or refining a magic system to make it truly compelling.

What I Bring to the Table (Besides a Love for Fictional Worlds)

With multiple certificate editing courses and decades of hands-on general editing experience, I bring both technical precision and genre-specific insight to the editing process. Having spent over 40 years reading science fiction and fantasy, I can dive deep into your world-building, pacing, and narrative flow.

Need help making your characters, who live on a generation ship, believable? I’m here for it.
Want to ensure your paranormal politics make sense? Let’s dig in.
Worried that your magic system is breaking more rules than it’s following? We’ll straighten it out.

More importantly, I know what readers expect—and how to tighten your story so it delivers on its promise.

My Editing Philosophy: Precision Without Ego

I’m not a writer—I’m an editor, and that distinction matters. I won’t rewrite your work in my words or force my own style into your manuscript. Instead, I focus on:

    Clarity & Flow – Making sure your story is smooth, immersive, and free of distractions (unless the distractions are intentional—sometimes chaotic world-building is part of the fun).
    Consistency & Strength – Strengthening character arcs, pacing, and world-building details—so there are no unintended paradoxes in your time-loop subplot.
    Grammar & Technical Precision – Cleaning up sentence structure so your ideas shine through effortlessly, instead of getting tangled in an overgrown thicket of commas.

Simply put, I make your story cleaner, tighter, smoother—without altering your voice or accidentally renaming your protagonist halfway through the book.

Ready to Dive In?

Whether you're looking for developmental editing, copyediting, proofreading, or manuscript evaluation, I’ll help ensure your story is the best version of itself before it reaches readers.

You can find me on Goodreads, sharing tips and insights for sci-fi and fantasy authors, or through the Editorial Freelancers Association, where I connect with authors looking for editorial support.

If you're ready to strengthen your manuscript, check out my Canva website for details on my services—or explore my blog for writing tips tailored just for science fiction, fantasy, and paranormal romance authors!