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.

The Sci-Fi Characters That Hooked Me

My favorites? Will Robinson, naturally—he was about my age and impossibly smart. And Robot, because… well, ROBOT. How could I not love a robot?

The show aired several times a week in the early afternoon—prime viewing time for a kid with working parents and full command of the TV. Unfortunately, one afternoon each week, I was supposed to attend a Bible study program down the street, hosted by a neighbor.

A Seven-Year-Old’s First Prioritization Test

Here’s the problem: Bible study conflicted with Lost in Space.

And thus, I faced my first true prioritization challenge:
✨ Learn about moral and theological principles.
✨ Watch space explorers escape improbable dangers with the help of a sentient robot.

At age seven, I wasn’t particularly concerned with the long-term significance of my decision—only that no one was monitoring my choices. So, in my first act of rogue decision-making, I skipped Bible study in favor of science fiction.

From Childhood Fascination to a Career in Speculative Fiction

This wasn’t the last time I prioritized speculative fiction over other obligations—but it was a key moment in what became a lifelong love for the genre. My passion evolved, and eventually, so did my perspective. Years later, I spent a decade studying comparative theology and religious history, deeply engaged in the subject that once lost out to TV escapism.

And yet, Lost in Space remained part of my personal canon, shaping how I viewed adventure, imagination, and storytelling itself. Now, as an editor of sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal romance, I see echoes of that same spark—the thrill of stepping into a world filled with possibilities. It’s part of why I love what I do.

Join the Discussion!

🛸 What’s your earliest memory of discovering sci-fi or fantasy? Did a particular book, show, or film hook you into the genre? Drop your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it! 🚀

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