Development - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, How Do You Know

19 June 2012, Development - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, How Do You Know

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

I wrote in detail about how to study history and culture to write historical fiction. That moved to how to write about culture in science fiction, and now, I am exploring how to study to write science fiction.

So, one of the ways you can tell that you don't have sufficient knowledge to write science fiction is if you can't accurately write down an explanation of the science you are writing about.  This is the test.  The colliery is if you can accurately write down the science you intend to write about, then you can write science fiction about that science.

There you go.  That is your goal and your test.  This is pretty easy.  If you want to check your capability to write science fiction, you can try putting on paper what you know about the science you wish to write.  The real problem is that you might not have enough scientific knowledge to recognize what you don't know.  This means you have to have some degree of knowledge before you begin, but that's what I've been saying. 

If you feel comfortable writing down what you know, and you know it is correct, then you can write science fiction.  There is still a question of the accuracy of your knowledge.

I'll write more about science in science fiction tomorrow.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.