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.
So, assuming you have some degree of science expertise, we can begin with science fiction creativity. If you don't have any training or expertise in science, you need to either acquire some or give it up. I mean, if you do have $60M you can make a bad science fiction movie and retire. To tell the truth, Gene Roddenberry was a military officer and a pilot--he developed Star Trek. Hard to tell he knew anything about real science. He did understand the military--kind of.
George Lucas, on the other hand, was a car enthusiast before he made movies. He should have known better and more. Maybe these two guys never really understood their subject matter. I hope that is true. Both of them were educated in California--maybe that is more of an indicator of the horrible government run education system in California.
If you want to write science fiction, you must have knowledge and expertise in science. The reason for this is to allow you to extrapolate science into the future. I'll start with an example of technology so you see how extrapolation works.
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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