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.
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
Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements. The simple extrapolation of ammo handling into space gives us great insight into the problems and needs of space combat. You can imagine the fate of a group who approaches combat in space like planet based warfare--they will be toast. You can imagine the carnage and the problems throughout the system where unbridled warfare exists, but you can also see the advantages for the terrorist or the rebel or the revolution.
Whether readers or writers fully comprehend the reason for the use of energy weapons in space--this is it. Except energy weapons pose their own problems. For example, how far will a blast of energy go until it dissipates or is stopped. In space, there isn't much dissipation, and it won't stop until it hits something. The possibility is that there energy beams, blasts, etc. will be traveling for eternity until they hit something. This is not a good thing at all. It makes bombs and bullets in space look better and better. I can armor against bombs and bullets, but it takes a lot to armor against energy beams and blasts.
Space is a dangerous place for warfare. There are ramifications. What happens when the Space Ship Enterprise gets hit by one of the plasma cannon shots it fired during the first episode. Couldn't happen in the Star Trek Dreck universe, but a real possibility in the real universe. At least if there really is Warped drive.
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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