Development - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, more Accuracy

21 June 2012, Development - Extrapolated Science in Science Fiction, more Accuracy

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.

I could spend days and days worth of writing to teach you about scientific sources. I'll spend some time, but for the details, you need a class in science research. I look for some very specific details when I evaluate research and papers. The first is the type of paper. Most scientific papers from reputable sources are research papers where the writer accomplished the research. Scientific papers do not ask opinions or take opinions. Scientific papers are not about populations (meaning statistical populations) who hold some opinion. Scientific papers are about using the scientific method to measure a repeatable event and then using statistics to determine the statistical accuracy of the date taken from some repeatable event.

If something isn't repeatable, you can't use the scientific method to test or evaluate it. Any scientific paper must begin with the scientific method and address a concept that is repeatable. A non-repeatable event can't be measured by the scientific method. Math papers are something entirely different. Although you can't use the scientific method for a mathematics paper, you can use math proofs which rely on logic (mathematical logic and not rhetorical logic).

So first, look for a repeatable system and the use of the scientific method. Second, look for statistical evaluation of the sets in the repeatable events. Third, we'll get to that tomorrow.

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/.