writing science fiction
so far, my knowledge is small. i know about taking tech for granted, as well as relatively alien landscape, but here's the rub:
i want this reasonably near-future setting. and without spoiling my idea, or saying too much before i have something.. im curious how the craft as we know it, meaning artistic, literary, first person, occasionally minimal lends itself to this genre. being that im not a genre guy, dancing head-long into the mother of all genres is intimidating as hell.
i also need to know about genetic engineering, and people's legitimate concerns about such things. i think i can handle that part, but i also know that while im here dealing with opinionated people, i should ask for some opinions
www.triplebeard.com
http://darkroomreview.blogspot.com
“...There are so many ways of being despicable it quite makes one's head spin. But the way to be really despicable is to be contemptuous of other people's pain. You ought to have some apprehension that the man you see before you was once even younger than you are now and arrived at his present wretchedness by imperceptible degrees.”
-James Baldwin
For genre read William Gibson. He's still by far one of my favorites. There's also a ton of articles out there on stem cell research and cloning. You should be able to get a good feeling of the pro vs. con and everything in between. If you haven't already seen it check out 'Blade Runner' and 'Gattaca'. Both of them are centered around cloning and genetic engineering.
Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.
~The Zen of Sarcasm
Get yourself a copy of Ray Bradbury's Zen in the Art of Writing, my friend. It's cheap, but priceless.
And every answer (this is not hyperbole - I am being 110% totally serious here) you're looking for is in there.