Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 16 Science Fiction Plot

16 August 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 16 Science Fiction Plot

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

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/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

The purpose is this exercise is to have a theme statement that you can turn almost immediately into a plot.  Every plot begins with the characters.  I know that some people imagine that a plot begins with action and a "plot," but this just isn't true.  The plot is secondary to the characters--the plot is always about the characters.  It is meaningless without the characters.  To add to this, the characters are what makes the plot work.  Imagine any successful novel and the plot behind it.  Was the novel great because the plot was great or because the characters were great.  Think of a terrible novel you have read recently.  Either you will say, the novel failed because the plot was great, but the characters were not.  Or you will say the novel failed because the characters could not sustain the plot.  In any case, it usually was not the plot, but the characters.

You will occasionally find a novel whose plot is horrible.  These novels are being published due to self publishing.  Usually, a publisher will not touch a novel whose plot and characters are terrible.

I hope I have established for you that the main element in a plot is the characters and not the storyline or line of action.

Remember, I'm trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.

For more information, you can visit my author site www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com, www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, thefoxshonor, aseasonofhonor.