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.
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.
I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction. I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.
By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated. Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.
In technology, we always see a similar pattern since almost the beginning of time. First, comes the science. The Wright Brothers studied flight, built wings, practiced with gliders, designed an engine, built a wind tunnel, etc. before they put together all the science into the technology of flight. Technology, in this sense, is the application of science. The Wright Brothers did the science, then they applied it to build a flying vehicle.
Second, comes the early wealthy experimenters and owners. The airplane was originally envisioned only as a plaything for the rich. There were exhibitions, but most of the early effort was for entertainment. The military also took an interest and during the first opportunity, put aircraft to use in warfare. The development by the wealthy experimenters and the military resulted in the first airlines in the 1920s and 1930s. Notice that the technology went first to the rich and then the military. The result was then air transportation for the wealthy. Flight on airliners was too expensive for the average person. The next step, also propelled by war, was the creation of less expensive aircraft and the beginnings of mass individual transportation.
Unfortunately, government regulation has prevented the quick next steps in aviation--that is low cost individual aircraft. That will change. What I want you to note is that without the wealthy, generally technology will not flourish. You have to have someone who is willing to pay high prices for early high tech consumer products. You also need wealthy experimenters. This is very clear in computer technology. More tomorrow.
Also 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 http://www.ldalford.com/, and my individual novel websites:
http://www.aegyptnovel.com/
http://www.centurionnovel.com
http://www.thesecondmission.com/
http://www.theendofhonor.com/
http://www.thefoxshonor.com
http://www.aseasonofhonor.com
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