Noble Newman is an avid reader, writer, father, and teacher in Pittsburgh, PA.
Must-Read Sci-Fi Series to Get Through Quarantine
During these uncertain times that we are all confined to our homes in quarantine, we have a lot more time on our hands. Instead of binge-watching TV shows, this is a great time to start reading science fiction novels. Here are the best sci-fi book series to get you through quarantine:
Gone series by Michael Grant
For those who are big fans of the Netflix show Stranger Things, you will become an even bigger fan of the Gone series. Written by author Michael Grant, this series follows protagonis...
Creative Exercises for Your Next Writing Class
It’s always important to keep the creative juices following with every writing class. In order to spark a new story or inspiration for your writers, try out these helpful writing prompts and exercises:
The Dialogue Challenge
This writing prompt is a great way to challenge your writer’s creativeness and teach them to write better dialogue. With this exercise, they must write a story or scene only using dialogue. One side of the conversation should be unspoken or redacted so the reader can gues...
Best Podcasts for Tech Enthusiasts
Over the past few years, podcasts have become a new way to hear about your favorite passions and niches. With so many podcasts coming up for listeners, there are a number of them aimed at tech enthusiasts. Here are the best tech podcasts you should start listening to:
The Mission Daily
Technology can be used to improve our lives on a day to day basis. The Mission Daily podcast aims to help you use innovative tech to make you become healthier, wealthier, and wiser. As technology advances, this...
3 Books Every Aspiring Sci-Fi Writer Should Read
Science-fiction can easily consume our imagination so much, we want to begin writing it. It’s an incredible and in-depth genre where anything is possible with a little science and sometimes from the extraterrestrial. If you are thinking about starting to write your own stories, it’s important to remember that every good writer is an even greater reader. Here are the books every aspiring sci0fi writer should read:
Infinite Detail by Tim Maughan
Published not too long ago was a fast-pasted thri...
8 Subgenres of Science Fiction
Science fiction is arguably one of the best genres when it comes to books. The world of science fiction, however, isn’t just one-sided. The genre is incredibly complex and has dozen of subgenres. One story can contain one genre or many! The universe of SciFi subgenres is endless, but today we will explore a few of the most well-known worlds.
Hard Science Fiction
Technolgy takes center-stage in a hard science fiction story. In these stories, scientific concepts are explained in great detailed ...
Author Spotlight: William Gibson
William Ford Gibson is an American-Canadian author who most known for his work withing the cyberpunk genre. Gibson is actually credited to be one of the first pioneers of the genre and is a contributing author to this day. Gibson first began his career in the 1970s and wrote stories that examined the effects of technology, cybernetics, and computer networks on humans. One of Gibson’s most recognizable accomplishments is defining the term “cyberspace”. He first mentioned the word in his short ...
Advancements in Technology for Gamers with Disabilities
Until recently, gamers with disabilities had little to know options when it came to controllers. Xbox and Playstation controllers were a one shape and design fits all type of deal. In recent years, these companies released several versions of their controllers in an attempt to become more inclusive for gamers with disabilities, after all, why shouldn’t they be able to play games just like everyone else?
Book Review: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
Vicious, the latest science-fiction series by V.E. Schwab is a tale of ambition, superpowers, and the consequences of both. After near-death experiences, college roommates, Victor and Eli, discover the chance to develop unique and extraordinary abilities. When their thesis moves from research to the experimental stage, dire events occur. Former friends turn against each other and both depart on separate missions with the intent to destroy the other. Will it work?
The Formula to Write a Great Sci-fi Story | Video
Many science-fiction lovers can have an imagination that can run for a thousand miles. After reading so many books, many readers hope to become writers of their own sci-fi stories. But what does it take to write a great sci-fi story? More or less, although every story is unique, most sci-fi’s follow the same basic formula. Here’s how to write a sci-fi story!
The Formula to Write a Great Sci-fi Story
Many science-fiction lovers can have an imagination that can run for a thousand miles. After reading so many books, many readers hope to become writers of their own sci-fi stories. But what does it take to write a great sci-fi story? More or less, although every story is unique, most sci-fi’s follow the same basic formula. Here’s how to write a sci-fi story:
What and If
Many science-fiction writers will begin each story with one basic question: “What if…?” What if there was time travel? What ...
Retaining Tech Employees to Build a Stronger Business
Startups in general tend to have trouble retaining employees throughout those crucial first few years. The tech industry is growing rapidly, as is the competition for those jobs, but why is your tech department seemingly growing smaller by the week?
The Powder Mage Trilogy
The Powder Mage Trilogy by Brian McClellan will ignite your imagination with his unique genre-melding series. Magic meets history, fantasy, and science-fiction in this one of a kind series.
Pittsburgh’s Current Tech Boom
Noble Newman on Pittsburgh's current technology boom.
New Classroom Tools – Code with Google
More and more educators are starting to integrate computer science into their curriculum, and with good reason. Aside from being a highly sought-after skill, coding facilitates other skills such as critical thinking and collaboration. Despite the virtues of programming education, not all schools offer courses in computer science, and those that do are in well-resourced school districts. This leaves a significant margin of students at a disadvantage. Code with Google is aiming to solve that ve...