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 started with the beginning of writing to explain about books and technologies and moved to the point where we can extrapolate potential book technologies. When extrapolating technology, I suggest looking at 10, 100, 1000, and 10,000 years. In 10 years, the ebook will be ubiquitous and paper books a thing of the past. The form will be at least auto read as well as auto pictures. In other words, the book will show and tell you what it says.
In 100 years, books will likely play themselves. We expect to read books or at least to have them read to us. Books already read themselves to us--that capability in 10 years will be perfected. In 100 years, the books won't just read to you, they will act the books out to you. If you think 100 years is too early, then use 1000.
In 100 years, you can expect the book to be neurally connected in some form (again, if you don't like 100 years, figure 1000 years). You might just think aloud and the book will read to your mind. Perhaps the form of the book will no longer be something you carry, but rather something implanted in you--a system.
By 1,000 years from now, books will definitely be neurally connected, and they will definitely read and show you the story. They might show you multiple stories based on the same work. The work will likely be definitive, the settings and characters more based on your own programming and imagination.
What will books look like in 10,000 years? Perhaps self writing and neurally connected. You imagine the story and the books will write themselves and show you the story. Entertainment then becomes a self defined concept.
This is kind of deep, but this is the way a science fiction author develops the science for his fiction. There are reasons for not fully extrapolating everything. I'll explain that 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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