Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 216 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Food Tactical Costs

7 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 216 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Food Tactical Costs

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 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  How do you provide 2000 calories per meal to troops in the field.  That is a daunting logistics feat.  It only became possible in mass in the 19th and 20th Centuries.  The mass logistics meals of that time were made possible by cans.  Until cans, fresh or cooked food could not be transported or stored for any reasonable period and distributed to the troops.  In the past, most armies ate grain of some type as their mainstay--for example, wheat, oats, barley, or rice.  In my published novel, Centurion, I give many details of the Legion's meals and logistics.  The food was plentiful compared to the rest of the populace, but very sparse and monotonous compared to our meals.  The Legions ate mostly wheat gruel and that was it.  There were some additions like olive oil, cheese, and beer (usually barley beer), but not much else.  They didn't eat meat.  Meat was reserved for the sacrifice and festivals.  That's true of all meat in the ancient world.

So, the easiest logistics were those in the ancient world--all they needed was refined wheat, transport capability, pots, fuel, and water.  Think about how daunting, in ancient times that was.  The pot themselves were literally worth their weight in copper or brass.  Remember in the time, copper and brass were used for money--they were literally their weight in value.  The pots had to be secured all the time, so they wouldn't walk away.  The pots were heavy as was the wheat.  The cooks had to be full up Legionnaires to protect the pots, the transportation (wagons and horses or oxen).  All of these things were of great value in the ancient world.  All these things were necessary to fight and keep fighting.  The Legionnaires did carry some rations, but that is another part of this discussion.

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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 213 Extrapolating Military Technology, Space Ammo Handling Operations Tactical Costs

4 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 213 Extrapolating Military Technology, Space Ammo Handling Operations Tactical Costs

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 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  So, let's extrapolate ammo handling into the future.  Since I don't expect land or sea based operations to change much at all, let's look at space operations.  In space, ordinance handling will be more difficult.  The difficulty with handling ordinance in space is the problem of containment, fusing, operations, and weightlessness. 

When a bomb goes off in space, their is no air friction, ground, or gravity to contain the blast or the blast particles.  So, even though you can't hear the explosion, the particles (fragmentation), will continue to travel at the speed they started until they hit something.  Now, space is big, but massive warfare in orbit could cause significant problems for ships in that area for a long time--until the fragments leave the solar system.  This is a significant problem for operations in space.  An uncontained explosion will be horrific in space.  Therefore, you can expect all space operations to use directed explosion weapons with as little fragmentation as possible.  You really can't have uncontained fragments of any size hanging around.  The weapons will need to actually strike their targets.  In modern warfare, you don't need or really want the weapons to hit their targets--you only need to get close enough to blast fragmentation into a target.  In space, you want to hit the target and then pour energy into it.  This means tracking and attack systems must be able to handle high velocities and closure rates.

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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 211 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Emergency Ammo Handling Operations Tactical Costs

2 March 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 211 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Emergency Ammo Handling Operations Tactical Costs

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 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  When you have any aircraft problem with live ordinance, the first step in a combat environment is to get rid of the ordinance.  This is harder and easier than it sounds.  It is easy to get rid of a load of ordinance--it is usually inconvenient and painful.  The inconvenient and painful is that you have to have a place that the drop won't hurt the good guys, but that is convenient to the battlefield--or you just drop your load on the bad guys.  The problem with that is, with a bad aircraft, getting shot at is a bad idea.  Getting shot at in a good aircraft can be a bad idea, and anything in the air is a target.

In considering the costs, economics, and operations, in your writing, you should understand these issues and, when necessary, in your writing, you should use and write about them.  The use and write about them is the key point.  I know that many science fiction writers have no concept about how these things work.  Many in the military have no idea, unless they have been involved.  The point of writing is to convey the reality of the times and world.  The more real your world is the more depth your writing will have.  These details give great breadth to your writing.

What you do with live ordinance when you get on the ground is also important--in many cases, you can't get rid of it, so you have to bring it home.

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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 206 Extrapolating Military Technology, Ammo Handling Tactical Costs

25 February 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 206 Extrapolating Military Technology, Ammo Handling Tactical Costs

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 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  The rounds (bombs etc.) have special packaging and markings.  In the gunships, the aircraft are not loaded in the normal preflight area.  Usually, the aircraft is checked (preflight), started, and moved to the loading area.  In the loading area, the armament troops bring the ammo out to the gunship and load it.  The loading area is in the weapons safety station also called "last chance." I can tell you lots of stories about last chance. 

In normal fighter aircraft, the aircraft are usually loaded on the ramp by the armament troops.  The fight starts up with everything pinned and ready to go.  At last chance, the armament troops arm the systems.  The pull the arming pins and the pylon pins.  They pull the pins on the guns.  They set the rockets and missiles to arm from safe.

In the gunship, all the ammo is loaded in the proper bins.  Only the Gatling gun ammo is already loaded at the ramp.  When the gunship is loaded, the systems are not ready to fire, but the ammo is on board.  The next step is the takeoff.    

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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 205 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Ammo Tactical Costs

24 February 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 205 Extrapolating Military Technology, more Ammo Tactical Costs

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 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  You might imagine the safety process that the production of ammo must go through.  That in itself is worth contemplating.  The real point where the military and most units get involved is transportation and packaging.  The packaging must be exact or the weaponeers and logisticians will reject it.  An improperly packaged weapon is more than dangerous--it is deadly.  An improperly made round is likewise dangerous. 

The rounds are packaged and marked very specifically.  The rounds (and bombs) themselves are marked.  In the US military, if a round has a green stripe, it is a live operational round (or bomb).  A practice or non-live round has a blue stripe around it.  This is true of all operational rounds, bombs, missiles, and rockets.  The reason for a blue stripe is to tell fire fighters and rescuers whether to fight the fire or rescue the crew.  If there is a blue stripe, rescue forces know the round is safe and will rescue the crew and fight the fire.  If the round is green, they evacuate and wait for the rounds to cook off--or on ship board, they push the aircraft into the drink.

The markings and packaging of the rounds is critical to the way they are treated and the safety of the crew.    

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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 204 Extrapolating Military Technology, Ammo Tactical Costs

23 February 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 204 Extrapolating Military Technology, Ammo Tactical Costs

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 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  One major type of support is ammo.  Ammo, like fuel has got to get to the front line troops.  The question is how will it get there.  I know in movies and many books, this is magic.  The ammo is magically there in the vehicle for the soldiers to use--or better, there is no discussion at all about ammo.  The soldiers just fire their photon torpedoes.  I don't think so.  If you know anything about the military and moving bombs, bullets, and other types of ammo around, you know all this is a big deal.

Let me explain it to you a little.  I have been in the military aircraft on target community for a long time--over 20 years.  Although, I've flown and fly aircraft that drop bombs and fire missiles and rockets, the AC-130 gunship is the most indicative of weapons safety and care.

When you are going to fire the weapons on a gunship, you go through a very complex ritual that starts with production, packaging, transportation, and storage.  

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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 203 Extrapolating Military Technology, even more Replacement Tactical Costs

22 February 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 203 Extrapolating Military Technology, even more Replacement Tactical Costs

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 

Tactical costs are food, fuel, ammo, and replacements.  So, for every vehicle class you have in your future battlefield, you will need a recovery vehicle.  You will need a resupply vehicle.  You will need transport vehicles.  Usually, you will need strategic and tactical resupply and transport vehicles.  This increases the complexity and depth of your military development. 

Imagine, in a Mecha world, the type of vehicle you will need to recover mechs.  I suspect they would be a very high power, heavy mech, but with limited firepower. Talk about a plot device.  In general, tactical and strategic costs mean most of the vehicles and troops around the battlefield are not armed as well as the front line troops.  Those in the front line may not be supplied as well as those who are committing the attacks.  In other words, the tactical commander has a great deal to say about who gets the peak of supply.  Those who don't, don't usually have the firepower (through supply) to commit to an offensive attack of any kind--they don't have enough fuel or ammo.  They may not have enough of the other stuff too. 

In a battlefield, the commander says which units get priority for replacement parts and repair.  It usually is the crack front line groups.  The ones the commander can depend on for battle wins.  This doesn't mean the commander ignores the other units, but that the best trained, best led, and best equipped are his ace in the hole.  They are the ones that usually get the full support of supply.   

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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 196 Extrapolating Military Technology, Tactical Costs

15 February 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 196 Extrapolating Military Technology, Tactical Costs

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 

When we discuss warfare and cost (economics), most people think about strategic costs--what it takes a nation to build to support an army.  In reality, you might have the most technological superior weapons (the Germans in WWII did) and still lose.  Tactical economics have a greater role to play in the costs of warfare.  Generally, in warfare, a force requires fuel, ammunition, food, and replacements (human and equipment).  If any of these are missing, the battle will not go well. 

Most of these are pre-battle requirements.  For example, before I begin to fight, I will need sufficient fuel, ammo, food, and replacements.  Each of these will be provided by the logistics system prior to the battle in question.  If I am missing or in sufficient lack of any of these, a good commander might postpone the battle.  On the other hand, all of these might be in supply, but not able to get into the battlefield.  A logistics system's purpose is to get these critical supplies to the proper place.  The Germans in WWII had a fantastic logistic system.  There problem was insufficient supplies (especially at the end).  The Russians had very sufficient supplies (at the end of the war), but a poor logistics system.  Their troops existed on German supplies, fuel, weapons, and ammo.

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