By Chelsea Ewaldt

THS Educator, AP Literature and Composition, English 12, English 11

Student Council Advisor

TOMAHAWK – A Tomahawk native and award-winning author spoke to English 12 students at Tomahawk High School (THS) on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Through a grant from Tomahawk Area Historical Society’s former board member and past Tomahawk teacher Darlene Wurl, Steve Mitchell, a science fiction and fantasy writer, spoke to seniors about the world of science fiction as students are working on writing their own sci-fi stories.

“It’s very easy to confuse science fiction and fantasy because the two writing styles are very much the same,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell explained science fiction is ideas taken from the world we currently live in and emphasized, “It’s totally science-based.”

On the other hand, fantasy is set in different worlds where there is magic, fantastic animals and time travel by magic.

“Fantasy is set in a world you completely create,” he said. “You don’t have to explain how something came to be.”

Mitchell said the elements of science fiction can range anywhere from technology, aliens, mutations and cyborgs, as well as transportation and time travel using technology.

At the end of the presentations, Mitchell worked directly with students to give them a jump start on their assignment.

This presentation was arranged with help from Tomahawk Area Historical Society’s President Pat Pietila and board member Bill Sparr.

Mitchell has published 18 books so far, and they’re all available on Amazon.

“(Mitchell’s) characters allow the reader to escape into demon-filled dimensions, fantasy realms and futuristic technological nightmares,” Mitchell’s website stated.

For more information on Mitchell’s novels, visit www.scmitchellauthor.com.