If I were to compare him to anyone it would be early Asimov, although Asimov and Clarke were more "Hard" in the Science Dept.

I would recomend sampling some more of his works- even if you don't enter the competition. It is classic.

But I wouldn't start with them. I'd start either with his 1950s work---either his so-called "juveniles," or his adult novels. There are a dozen or so of the former---you should be able to find Red Planet or Time for the Stars or Space Cadet, recently back in print, or maybe a few others. For the adults, try Double Star or The Puppet Masters. (Beware when reading the latter---a great deal of it has been borrowed or ripped off in later SF and horror, books and movies.)

If you do get hooked---it's likely---you'll want to move on to his other stuff, from his 1940s shorter work through his Sat. Eve. Post-era shorts to his later and longer work like Stranger in a Strange Land. Save everything after Stranger for the end.

Bent Tree
Snapper

If anyone else wants in paste these names onto your post and add your name.
We need to set some deadline dates. One is for early, first draft crits and a second for line crits. Whoever wants in agreeds to crit everyone else's submissions. How about these dates for deadlines to send your stories out to be reviewed.
April 7th first drafts
May 7th line crits

Bent Tree
Snapper
Kahlan
Patrick James

If anyone else wants in paste these names onto your post and add your name.
We need to set some deadline dates. One is for early, first draft crits and a second for line crits. Whoever wants in agrees to crit everyone else's submissions. How about these dates for deadlines to send your stories out to be reviewed.
April 7th first drafts
May 7th line crits
Postmarked Manuscripts before June 1st

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If anyone wants to send their ms., to me go right ahead, though I warn you; I have never critiqued before.

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You will find it also helps your writing. It makes you more critical of your own work. Try a few in F&F before April.

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Yeah. I'm thinking about finishing the clean-up on my honorable mention and sending it in to this one.

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I am definitely in. I have a story from last year that's already written that is a great fit, so I am planning to enter it, but it needs more eyes on it.

I am a huge heinlein fan, though I did not read many of his YA stuff, in fact somehow missed it.

My all time favorite and the one I recommend to most people is The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. I have used it as inspiration for my YA NANO novel project last year, that needs my attention now that I think of it. Great story.

I would say the things about Heinlein that set him apart are general optimistic plots, liberal sexual practices (some would find these disquieting, I think they get more out there in his later works), importance/role of family, adventurous main characters, strong females but somehow still in somewhat stereotypical female roles (remember he wrote much of his stuff in the 50s and 60s I believe.) He did a lot of near-earth or earth-set sci-fi (moon, stranger in a strange land). He did some alternate universe stuff (farnham's freehold).

OK, there's more, but that's a start of my personal brain dump about heinlein. There are often cats in his books. Redheads too. Cloning. Meaning of death. Delaying of aging. Long-life. Family. Lots of family (as I scan my bookshelf I keep lighting on the fact that family seems a theme in every single book...)

I enjoy his love of cats. The way he characterizes them is second to none. Although I am allergic, so I haven't had the opportunity to befriend many. I too have an affinity for redheads, so I can appreciate his taste and descripions of them.

I grew up on his YA; to me it was an awe inspiring introduction to sci-fi. Without it, I would not have been sucked into the genre.

Since your piece is done, feel free to send it over if you want an early look.

Bent Tree
Snapper
Kahlan
Patrick James
KayTi
WriterDan

And thanks for all of the Heinlein info KayTi. Have only ever read Stranger/StrangeLand of his before.

Jump in IAB!

Probably won't have my first draft done before the first deadline though. Still have polishing to do on my WotF entry for this quarter. So, see you all then.

Short and sweet 5,000 words or less.

Long and involved Max. 15,000.

Editing to say my draft is done and I'm willing to send it out to whoever is ready.

Are you still in this? Kay, I need your address if you are. I haven't received anything form WriterDan, KayTi, or Khalan.
IB are in this? Are you planning on submitting and critiquing?

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*1*Are you still in this? Kay, I need your address if you are.

*2*IB are in this? Are you planning on submitting and critiquing?

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1) KayTi is phonetics for K.T., not Kay.

2) Yes. I'm in. I have already critiqued and returned Bent Tree's and WriterDan's. I'll send mine out to you, shortly.

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Hey, IAB. What are all those awards you're winning?

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If you'd really like to know, read my blog (or follow the link to my new blog). And thanks.