Zen of Writing: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 240 Writing about the Future

31 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 240 Writing about the Future

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 239 Extrapolating the Future

30 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 239 Extrapolating the Future

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 238 Future Nations

29 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 238 Future Nations

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 237 even more Extrapolating Nations

28 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 237 even more Extrapolating Nations

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

If you want technology and freedom, you need exploration. A nation that focuses on exploration is not spending money to support a worthless or dying civilization. Exploration is powered by government because the costs are usually too great for private groups to accomplish. This isn't always true however. In the case of the British East India Company and the Hudson's Bay Company, the return from exploration was high enough for private businesses to handle the costs. This could be true in the future as long as the government makes military surplus and technology available to the public. This can't work if the government does not encourage and deregulate the business of exploration.

Freedom is the other part of this equation. No private person is willing to risk their lives in exploration without some high degree of return. This high degree of reward for risk is called capitalism. Capitalism is the only means to get people to be willing to put their money and their lives at risk in exploration. I know you can appeal to patriotism and you can reward people and you can make space programs, but look what that has achieved in the case of the USA. In the USA, the space program is a joke--it once had the Saturn Five and moon capable ships--not anymore. It once had Space Shuttles--not anymore. It once had a space station--not anymore. All the US has is a part in the International Space Station and no way to put astronauts there or bring them home. It is a joke. This is no way to encourage or build exploration in space.

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

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 236 yet more Extrapolating Nations

27 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 236 yet more Extrapolating Nations

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

If you want exploration and technology, you must first have a wealthy class who can absorb the technology. We saw this in the 1960s to 1980s where there was much money available and lots of research. Without money for research and a wealthy class to absorb the technology, you can't get it into the society. Now about research. When I mention research most people think of government research. This isn't the kind of research that builds new technology--not without a couple of transfers happening. The majority of research in most industrial countries comes out of industry and not the universities or government. I'd peg the ratio at 70 to 30, but it is likely closer to 80 to 20, for business research to government/university research. You also need to realize that a large proportion of university research is funded by industry. Industry and not government is the fundamental power behind technology and science development.

The point here should be obvious--if you want more technology in your science fiction universe, you need more industry and wealth (they go hand in hand). You can extrapolate the future of a nation by the industry and the wealth. There is another block in this power I put in the first paragraph--exploration.

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

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 235 more Extrapolating Nations

26 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 235 more Extrapolating Nations

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

As I mentioned before, nations need a strong and wealthy group who can afford to absorb new technology. Without this group, there is little purpose in developing technology. The reason for this was obvious too--most technology development is for entertainment purposes. Much of it is also related to pornography, but that is an entirely different discussion.

If you look back at the true space age in the US and the world, at the time the government had money to spare--JFK had convinced the Congress to reduce taxation on the wealthy and business. This caused billions more to come into the treasury. It was a time where the USG was much smaller, before baseline budgeting, and before many social programs existed at the federal level. The influx of tax dollars due to the tax cuts and the revitalization of business and personal finance gave a surplus that the government could spend on JFK's moon project. This was government exploration, which I mentioned before is a wonderful capability that governments have that businesses and individuals can't do as well.

The exploration powered by government dollars, political will, and mutual ascent by the people, resulted in the exploration of the moon. At the time, the extra money in the pockets of the wealthy resulted in technology transfer from the space program into the society and the extra dollars in the hands of business and individuals allowed those technologies to quickly benefit society. There was also a strong labor pool because of the lack of government social programs. And then the USG decided it would move into progressivism and the end of the space program began.

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

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 234 Extrapolating Nations

25 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 234 Extrapolating Nations

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

I'm not intentionally dissing the Danes or the Germans, I'm simply pointing out that cultural, political, and social choices make a real difference in any potential future. It is unlikely that Denmark or Germany will be leading the next transition into space, but who knows--if their cultures, societies, and politicians make different choices, their nation could become a technological and future leader. Let's explore characteristics that give a nation a potential future leadership role.

The first is national exceptionalism. We mentioned this with morale. A nation whose people believe their culture and society is both exceptional and worthy of sharing will be a nation who's ideals are shared based on their power and ability to project that power. The USA is an example of a nation that in the past had a strong national exceptionalism. I already discussed the characteristics that give a nation this type of ideal.

The second is reproduction. This should likely be on the top of the list, but history has shown that the most reproductive are not necessarily the most productive. They are directly related, but cultures, especially in the modern world, that just reproduce although they produce a lot of geniuses, without an ideal toward exceptionalism (and technology). The main point is that a culture that out-reproduces other cultures is usually the one to survive.

The third is national drive. This is much less powerful than exceptionalism, but describes the push of Russia and China. These are nations with little national exceptionalism, but lots of national drive. They are unconstrained governments because they are ultimately despotisms. China doesn't have the capability to move too far economically--it is a controlled economy with almost no freedom. Russia is also a controlled economy with very little freedom.

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

Monday, March 24, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 233 Extrapolating Cultures

24 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 233 Extrapolating Cultures

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

Through looking at extrapolating military morale, we can see that future military events and capabilities relate directly to a nation's culture and society. You might venture that military power and technology relate directly to a nation's culture and society. A culture that has no interest in protecting itself or is a client state (for one reason or another) will not have a very powerful or capable military. Their technology will lag other, more powerful nations. Their military's morale will make success difficult. Examples of such nations today can be found in Europe. The EU spends almost nothing on their militaries. Their forces are less than hollow. They have few troops and less technology. They are practically client states of the more powerful nations that are their allies. Most specifically the USA and Israel.

Did you ever wonder why no one ever writes about the Danish Space Ship Enterprise or the German Space Ship Enterprise. The assumption in Star Trek is that the Enterprise is a space ship of the line from the good old USA. The Danes and the Germans barely have a military. They have almost no space program. They are barely a blip on the future of the planet or future of the universe track. Their cultures and societies have become so introverted and progressive politically that they can't defend themselves from attack, and they have little wealth or technology development. The wealth and technology they have is protected by other nations. This is true, not just about the Danes and the Germans, but about almost every nation in the EU. Is this bad? Well, it is if you expect to extrapolate a future for humanity and technology from it. Take your choice, today the US, China, and Russia are about your only choices for technology development and some future in space. And there are problems with each of these three.

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

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 232 Extrapolating Military Technology, more example Extrapolated Morale

23 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 232 Extrapolating Military Technology, more example Extrapolated Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

The ultimate question of extrapolated morale is what is a person willing to die for.  Generally, national exceptionalism comes directly from the concepts of divine providence, work superiority, moral superiority, fairness, equality of purpose, equality of position, equality under the law, equality of opportunity.  The Klingons don't have what it takes either.

The Klingons were obviously extrapolated as an analogy to the USSR during the original Cold War Star Trek series. The problem for morale with the Klingons is they have the same problems as the Soviets. The Klingons are supposed to be a warlike, honor-based culture. The only problem with that is that almost every honor based society is strongly religious and in fact strongly Christian. You do find some honor-based cultures that are not Christian but they all tend to be strongly religious. For some reason, in the mind of the Star Trek writers, religion and science fiction don't fit. Let's realize that societies in space will have all the characteristics of societies on the earth--an then some. It is utterly illogical to not include religion into science fiction. I don't mean religious science fiction, I mean science fiction that includes religious characters, concepts, and ideas.

One example of a science fiction novel that did just that is Dune. Dune may be one of the best science fiction novels written. If you notice, it has extrapolated religion very well and placed it properly in a place of prominence in that universe. Dune is an example of a very well done extrapolation of science, culture, politics, and 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

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 231 Extrapolating Military Technology, example Extrapolated Morale

22 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 231 Extrapolating Military Technology, example Extrapolated Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
     Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

The ultimate question of extrapolated morale is what is a person willing to die for.  Generally, national exceptionalism comes directly from the concepts of divine providence, work superiority, moral superiority, fairness, equality of purpose, equality of position, equality under the law, equality of opportunity.  For example, the Star Ship Enterprise could never muster the moral energy or morale to defeat anyone. It breaks all the basic rules of national exceptionalism.

Here is why. First, Star Trek does not have a chaplain. There are no religious people on the Enterprise. This should seem odd to even science fiction fans since 80%+ of the population of the USA and the USSR believe in God. Almost 99% believe in some higher power. Star Trek humans have expanded beyond God. So what motivates them to ethical or moral behavior--nothing it seems. There is no equality of opportunity in Star Trek. We thought there was--that Captain Kirk earned his position like most of us do. We discovered in the last two movies, that he was predestined to be captain. IN the Star Trek world, you are either predestined or you are cannon fodder. Equality of position doesn't mean everyone has the same position but that people are seen as equal to one another. If the ensigns aboard the Enterprise can't aspire to the position of captain, there is no equality. I'm surprised the Klingons don't beat the Enterprise every time they meet because Klingons seem to have more purpose and national exceptionalism than the humans on the Enterprise.

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

Friday, March 21, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 230 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Extrapolated Morale

21 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 230 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Extrapolated Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

The ultimate question of extrapolated morale is what is a person willing to die for. What will a soldier risk his life for. It is much too flip to state God and country. It entirely depends on the God and the country. This has been a problem for cultures and societies for a long time. The Soviet Union had problems getting their forces to fight anywhere outside their borders. I am convinced that this simple truth prevented them from overrunning Europe during the cold war. They knew their forces would not fight. They had realized in World War II that taking God out of their schools and people had invited almost complete moral and ethical dysfunction. The people of the USSR would fight for their own lands (not any other's lands) and they would fight for their God, but the Soviet was not their god or their country.

Any culture that self-reliant without being inner-reliant has much to fear from its lack of ability to fight. The nationalistic exceptionalism of the USA only works if the military believes in it's nation as an exceptional power. That exceptionalism in the USA comes directly from the concepts of divine providence, work superiority, moral superiority, fairness, equality of purpose, equality of position, equality under the law, equality of opportunity. The elimination of these factors in a society will ruin the ability of the society to fight and defend itself. Either the society must find a replacement for these concepts, or it must recognize it is destined to fall. In your science fiction writing, a society without the concept of national exceptionalism will not be the one that is winning. For example, the Star Ship Enterprise could never muster the moral energy or morale to defeat anyone. It breaks all the basic rules of national exceptionalism.

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

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 229 Extrapolating Military Technology, Extrapolated Morale

20 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 229 Extrapolating Military Technology, Extrapolated Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

Extrapolated morale is likely a place few science fiction writers will be willing to go. Much, if not most of the science fiction today does almost nothing with the culture or society and instead has an unextrapolated world like today or has a culture and society extrapolated to current cultural mores. Lets extrapolate from the example of Soviet culture. The culture the Soviets inherited was God based, ethical, and classically moral. They tried to reshape that culture into the communist ideal. The first step was forced government education. The forced government education taught there was no God and told the children their parents were fools for their belief. They undercut the classical morality by using sexuality as a tool of the state. In classical communism, there is no private property or ownership and the government schools taught that men and women exclusively promising themselves in matrimony was not just wrong, it was uncommunist and unSoviet. They destroyed the ethics of fealty and responsibility by creating an environment of class warfare. The winners in the Soviet fairytale was always the owners of industry and the losers were the workers. This models put the state in place as the owner of industry and the people as the workers. A quicker way to poverty and insurrection there has never been.

In the government schools of the US as well as a host of other countries, they are promoting anti-God ideas. Soldiers will not fight for an anti-God, they will fight for a God. You can't expect a person to be willing to give their lives for an ideal you criticize at every government level. Nations that use their propaganda and schools to undercut the cultures ideas of God, will not have anyone to defend it for very long.

As concerns family--you can't have a Duck Dynasty culture of morality and expect those people to fight for a non-Duck Dynasty society.

As concerns ethics--a culture defined by class warfare can't be a culture of wealth and mobility. Entitlement does not lead to prosperity. Only hard work leads to prosperity. Who will fight for the privilege to collect a welfare check?

How do these ideas affect morale?

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

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 228 Extrapolating Military Technology, Controlled Morale

19 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 228 Extrapolating Military Technology, Controlled Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

The problem of Soviet morale became apparent very quickly when Soviet troops were engaged outside their country. In fact, Soviet troops had problems with morale when they were used anywhere in the USSR when they were outside their homelands. The reasons where wholly cultural and social. There wasn't a problem with the Russian (or pick whatever nationality in the Soviet army). The problem was that the Soviet system undercut all the major cultural values of the Soviet citizen and didn't replace it with anything substantial. For example, most Soviet citizens were Orthodox Christians. The Soviet did not encourage or teach a belief in any god. The Soviet attacked religion as irrational and unSoviet. This is just one example of many. You can't undercut cultural ideals through your education system and expect your military forces to not be negatively affected. The Soviets did more to undercut their own forces capabilities through their ideology than through any other means.

That gets to the government run education system of the USA. The same type of transformation is occurring in the government controlled US education system. The same anti-God, progressive, anti-ethics, anti-morality, humanistic ideas are being beaten into children. These ideas are directly opposed to those of their parents or are directly opposed to those of the culture and society. There is some hope by educators that the values taught in the government educational system will become the culture--and as the Soviet model shows, to a degree they can and will--the problem is that those values cannot sustain a fighting force or a nation. The Soviet state had a great fall. It collapsed economically, socially, culturally, and politically. It has not fully recovered, but we don't get as much information about its cultural influences as we used to. It could be growing back to a nation with viability. Now, to the extrapolation of morale.

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

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 227 Extrapolating Military Technology, and still more Morale

18 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 227 Extrapolating Military Technology, and still more Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

The lesson from the ancient world is simple, to have good morale you have to have a culture and society your forces deem worth defending. You might offer that the power of the wish to not die or to protect your own are strong morale builders, but that isn't necessarily true. This can be a powerful morale builder in cultures that are less advanced or that are strongly self sufficient, but less advanced means less technology and sophistication. Strongly self-sufficient usually means unable or unwilling to trade or become involved in trade. Trade is the life-blood of technology.

The ultimate point is that an army needs a reason to fight and morale is usually a good measure of that reason. The things that destroy that reason are those pesky modern values that tend to gum up modern thinking. Note that perceptions of ethics and morals were a reason for the lack of Roman morale. The Greeks just had no reason for continuing to fight for the lands they controlled. This is the extrapolation of not technology but rather culture and society. A culture that has lost its self-perception of ethics and morality will fail. A great example are cultural ideas that are foisted by courts, the political system, or the educational system that are contrary to the ideals of a nation. You can try to high the ideals in intellectualism, but they will not stand for much. The Soviets found this to be a significant problem for their morale.

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

Monday, March 17, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 226 Extrapolating Military Technology, still more Morale

17 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 226 Extrapolating Military Technology, still more Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

The Roman Legions absorbed the new religion (Christianity) and they lost heart for defending their culture and society. Held to the standard of Christianity, their culture and society were not moral or ethical and their people were not independent or self-reliant. The cultural collapse caused by the changes in the culture when mixed with the ethics of Christianity destroyed the morale of the Roman soldier. This was both individual and corporate.

The Greeks had a similar problem. The military forces of the three Greek empires (Mycian, Selucid, and Egyptian) where fueled with the power (morale) of Hellanization. The world was Hellanized because the Greek gods and cultures had prevailed over the world. The Greeks, however, were more interested in self protection and philosophy--those are difficult cultural and social concepts to defend well. They had not worked well for morale building in the past and they weren't very good even in a Hellanized world. The ascendant Romans tore into the contemplative Greeks and handed them their heads. The Mycians fell, followed shortly by the Egyptians, and most of the Selucid Empire was carved out, but not totally defeated by the Romans. In any case, the Greek forces couldn't maintain their morale in the face of the Romans.

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

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 225 Extrapolating Military Technology, yet more Morale

16 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 225 Extrapolating Military Technology, yet more Morale

Announcement: There is action on my new novels. The publisher renamed the series--they are still working on the name. I provided suggestions as did one of my prepub readers. Now the individual books will be given single names: Leora, Leila, Russia, Lumiere', China, Sveta, and Klava--at least these are some of the suggestions. They are also working on a single theme for the covers. 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.

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.

The major areas in warfare technology are:
1. Software
2. Weapons
Heavy Weapons
3. Countermeasures
4. Defense
5. Communications
6. Robots
7. Vehicles
8. Environments (personal equipment)
9. Costs
10. Morale (discipline)

The main point about morale is that you have to have a reason to fight. In general, people need a reason to do the work they do--more so when their lives are on the line. Patriotism is really not enough. There are two levels of reasons to fight. One is head and one is gut. You fight because of what you believe in. If you waver in your dedication to the higher ideals of your nation--such as national exceptionalism, you still need so idea or ideal to propel your thinking. You could imagine this as self esteem. Without a strong self esteem, a military fighter will not be able to continue the fight.

On a lower level, the core belief that you fight for some idea or ideal is critical. This is when the larger ideal will not do. Usually, the loss of either ideal will result in the critical loss of morale. For example, the Romans were propelled by the idea of national exceptionalism. This was fueled by their conquests and the Romanization of those they conquered and others just outside their sphere. They were also propelled by the view that their gods and their society was perfect, moral, and ethical. The beginning of the end for the Roman Empire came from the realization that their culture and society was not ethical or moral. In general, the system of providing the dole and entertainment to the people was undercutting their culture--"bread and circuses" led to the idea that their society was not self supporting. Along with the loss of self esteem from the realization that other cultures could provide for themselves and that the Romans were dependent on others, came the additional input (from Christianity) that their paganism was not very ethical or moral. It is hard to see which idea was more potent in bringing down the morale of the Legions.

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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