Consider the true picture. Think of myriads of tiny bubbles, very sparsely scattered, rising through a vast black sea. We rule some of the bubbles. Of the waters we know nothing.

Never be embarrassed or ashamed by anything you choose to write.

I'm not predicting; I just love playing with superconductors.

The witnessing of titanic events is always dangerous, usually painful, and often fatal.

The reader has certain rights. He bought your story. Think of this as an implicit contract. He's entitled to be entertained, instructed, amused; maybe all three. If he quits in the middle, or puts the book down feeling his time has been wasted, you're in violation.

The dinosaurs became extinct because they didn't have a space program.

In general, I don't know when inspiration will pop up.