Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 75 Other Transportation

14 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 75 Other Transportation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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 obvious question when we get to this point is what about more advanced ideas in transportation--like what about transporters.  Right now from a known science concept a transporter is right out.  For a transporter to work, you'd have to remember the position of each molecule in it's proper position and sequence in 4 dimensions, record that data, take the thing to be transported apart without killing it, then put it back together with every molecule in the proper location.  What happens when you get molecules of bacteria and insects mixed up with the person--that's the fly.  The possibility of a transporter is somewhat impossible, but there are potentially other ways to move things through space.  The trick is to think of them.  If we are talking about hard science, there has to be a method for the science to work--it isn't good enough to have noises and lights.  Noises and lights (like Star Trek) might fool the untrained, but those who understand science won't buy it.

There are still other areas of extrapolation to exploit.

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 74 more Space Transportation

13 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 74 more Space Transportation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

Aircraft and then spacecraft should follow the example of automobiles.  For ground transportation we have: buses, then taxis, then individually owned automobiles.  In aircraft, we have: airlines, then charter, then individually owned aircraft.  Your flying car will just be a variation of the individually owned aircraft.  In spacecraft, expect: spacelines, then charter, then individually owned spacecraft.  Your first thought might be, spacecraft are very complex, expensive, and difficult to fly.  You are right in thinking of spacecraft today, but not those in the future.

Automobiles today are nothing like their ancestors.  By that, I mean, in the past, I could work on an automobile with few problems. Automobiles have become more and more complex to the point that the average and not so average person can't work on them without lots of books, tools, and training.  Aircraft are similar.  All of these inventions come from humble beginnings. 

The flying car (aircraft) will be very simple to operate.  You will put in where you want to go and the GPS will navigate you there.  The car will fly you there.  The system will seem simple, but it will be very complex.  In the future, spacecraft will be as simple to use.  We just aren't there yet.

What about other transportation, like transporters...

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 73 Space Transportation

12 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 73 Space Transportation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

You can expect airborne transportation to move to suborbital airline flight while we still have atmospheric airline flight.  The expectation is for the cost of charter and individual atmospheric aviation to reduce and individual aircraft will become simpler to use.  You can expect in at least 100 years your flying car--that is unless the government regulates the capability out of the range of your pocketbook.  You will definitely have your flying car within 1000 years.  The government can't keep a good idea down forever.

From suborbital airline travel we will get orbital and eventually interplanetary travel.  What will these spaceships look like?  Most likely, they will be nothing like we imagine today.  There will be innovations in science and technology that will make space travel much different than we imagine today.  It will not be purely extrapolation, but for science fiction, including hard science fiction, this will be enough.  This is what we call cultural and technological shaping.  The best we can do right now is to extrapolate how we understand space travel to be based on how we understand space travel right now. 

The future of space travel will follow aircraft travel...

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 72 Flight Transportation

11 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 72 Flight Transportation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

It isn't really worth discussing bus or taxi transportation--not because it isn't important, but because it has already been overcome by automobiles.  Land based transportation has been completely maxed out--the individual land transportation method is the highest level of technology.  The only place land based technology can go is faster, but you only can go so far with that.

The real increase in transportation is air based transportation.  We started with the wealthy and individual aircraft because that is the only place you can start with aviation.  It quickly moved toward mass transportation, then to taxis (charter aircraft), and finally individual aircraft.  The government got involved at the behest of the airlines and has tried to do their best to destroy both charter and individual aviation.  In Europe, individual aviation is dead and mass aviation transportation is dying.

The goal of transportation is to go from mass transportation to individual transportation.  If aviation had not been crippled by the government, everyone would have their own flying car by now.  Where is your flying car, it has been ruined by government control and regulations.   Of course, the steps of space ship transportation will be the same as atmospheric based aviation.

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 71 more Transportation

10 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 71 more Transportation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

Trains are the first level of technology for powered transportation.  Trains can't really used independently.  Trains require much land and resources.  These resources were available to individuals in the 1800s such that they could build and develop entire rail and railroad lines.  Today, regulations and government restrictions would likely make rail impossible--except under government control.  The problem of government interference in new technology is an age-old problem.  It does not improve service or cost--just look at AMTRAK in the USA.  Although there were individuals who did own their own trains and train cars, rail transportation lends itself to mass transportation.  Without government interference, transportation, indeed, all technologies, will move toward the individual.

It shouldn't surprise us that the automobile grew up quickly to compete against rail transportation.  It should not be surprising at all that individual transportation is the mechanism (all technologies move toward the individual) of the future for ground based transportation.  When people assert government or corporate dominance to try to force people from individual transportation toward mass transportation, they are working against history, freedom, and the most basic desires of people.  We should expect this trend to continue in transportation.

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 70 Transportation

9 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 70 Transportation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

Transportation technology is the huge extrapolation in most science fiction novels.  In fact, the funny thing is that many science fiction authors extrapolate transportation and forget about the other types of technology.  Computers didn't exist until the second part of the 20th century--why didn't any one guess this capability.

In the extrapolation of transportation technology, we need to recognize that space ships don't just get Faster than Light (FTL) capability, the entire transportation of a culture changes.  Without government interference, transportation moves naturally away from communal toward individual transportation.  Most science fiction novels display the opposite.  This is both illogical and unhistorical.  We see in all transportation technology that the movement has always been from multiple, communal, complex transportation to simpler, individual transportation.  For example, in warfare, we start with chariots with two horses.  When the chariot was overcome for warfare, it was used for transportation.  As horses became stronger, people migrated to individual horses instead of chariots for transportation.  The horse drawn carriage was originally for the transportation of goods.  If there had been a market, it would have moved people too.  Instead we see carriages moving to something an individual owns and uses and from multiple to single horses. 

In powered transportation, we start with trains...  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 69 yet more Medical Extrapolation

8 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 69 yet more Medical Extrapolation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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 use of medical technology in The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox and in The Ghost Ship Chronicles is a direct example of technological and cultural shaping.  The expectation in medical technology is that implantable chips that interact with the brain and brain stem will be in the near future.  Near future is 100 years.  They will be available in at least 1000 years. 

In future technology, the question is rarely if it is almost always when.  The answer is in the hands of the author.  You must use the extrapolation of science to create your science fiction universe.  You also need to explain the why and wherefores of the timing of the technology.  The example I gave from my novels was genetic manipulation was outlawed as was human augmentation.  The results of illegal augmentation is shown in The Ghost Ship Chronicles.  The point here is that I explain why the obvious technology of human augmentation is not used in the universe of my novels.  I could have taken the tact of illegal augmentation as the theme or plot, but I didn't.  The culture I used in the novels was based first on Anglo-Saxon culture and second on a guild trading culture.  The Anglo-Saxon culture is driven by honor and not criminality.  The guild trading culture is based in mercantilism.  Both are very strong ethical cultures. The cultures around The Ghost Ship Chronicles major culture are not so finicky, and they play in the novels in many ways. 

So, you should recognize that with medical technology, we will likely have both augmentation (physical and mental) within 1000 years and genetic manipulation within about 100 years.  There is much more such as the cloning of organs, body cloning, etc. etc. You should think about how medical technology will change and extrapolate it into the future--it certainly won't be what it is today.  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 68 more Medical Extrapolation

7 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 68 more Medical Extrapolation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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 use of medical technology in The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox and in The Ghost Ship Chronicles is a direct example of technological and cultural shaping.  The expectation in medical technology is that implantable chips that interact with the brain and brain stem will be in the near future.  Near future is 100 years.  They will be available in at least 1000 years. 

In both my science fiction series novels, the universe is  governed by genetics and biotechnology.  In the first series, genetics and the purity of human genetic strains controlled human reproduction and human capability.  This obviously reduced medical technological experimentation away from cyber and physical enhancements.  Because of this, medical experimentation moved to psyonics.  In the period between the series, psyonics ruled biotechnology.  In the second series, the people are reinventing and reinvigorating the knowledge that was lost in that period. 

Both series rely on cultural shaping (it is illegal to conduct genetic experimentation and human augmentation) and technological shaping (because it was illegal, science went down a different pathway).  This is the way you build a universe that is different than what you might expect using game theory.  Game theory and pure logical extrapolation says we can expect certain types of technology and science in the future, cultural and technological shaping allows the author to build a science fiction universe that is much different than what might be expected.  Notice, the science fiction should still be true to logic and potential 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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 67 Medical Extrapolation

6 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 67 Medical Extrapolation

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

There is much more in technology to extrapolate.  One very important area of science and technology is medicine.  Most science fiction doesn't extrapolate medicine very accurately.  This is one area where technology or cultural shaping comes in handy.  Most likely, the future of medicine is implants.  Not just implants for bones, but organs and especially electronic devices.  The first step will likely be RF tagging.  We already RF tag pets.  The ability to RF tag people will make identification and finances precise.  There may or may not be much resistance to the idea, but it will happen eventually.

There are many more things you can do with bioelectronics.  How about an implantable chip that allows you to compute advanced math in your mind.  Or a chip that allows you to browse the Internet with nothing more than your mind.  An complete bio computer interface isn't that far in the future.  In my Ghost Ship Chronicles, I proposed direct mental interfaces for computer input and output.  The reason was that the people of the times had outlawed direct mind interface chips.   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 66 more Game Theory

5 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 66 more Game Theory

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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 didn't get it all ready, game theory is a basis for extrapolation.  There are other bases, but game theory is one of the best.  I don't use game theory, I use logical extrapolation.  Logical extrapolation is the process I have been discussing.  In game theory, you set up all the parameters of current technology and the world and you game incrementally, the changes in technology or the world.  This is also a method to predict the future of the world. 

Is game theory a good method of extrapolation?  It is a more tedious method and may or may not be more complex than logical extrapolation.  Is game theory more accurate?  Who knows?  Game theory is so new that it has not been able to predict much at all.  Game theory is as variable as any other method of extrapolation.  It is definitely more detailed.  Whether right or not, that is hard to tell without more data. Logical extrapolation has not been that successful either. 

The science fiction author may find that logical extrapolation is more fit than game theory to describe and define the future worlds they want to portray.  In game theory, the world may not be what the writer desires at all.  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 65 Game Theory

4 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 65 Game Theory

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

Gaming with and without computers is an extrapolation concept.  With it, you can simulate any possibility in life.  You can recreate any incident in history.  Theoretically, if you properly control for the macro possibilities, you can achieve similar results.  You can also achieve different results.  In general, simulations are based in logic theory and in probability theory.  If you can also apply chaos theory, you would perfectly simulate any situation in the past or the potential future.  Game theory allows you to extrapolate any possible future or past.  This is much more than simply literature that provides a basis for alternative reality.  Game theory potentially allows an interactive interpolation of the past or an extrapolation of the future.

In engineering science, we use logical theory (mathematics), probability theory, and chaos theory, to reproduce the physical world (in all its complexity).  With game theory, you would be able to do the same for history--either past of future.  This is essentially what a science fiction writer does.  Instead of computer models, however, a science fiction writer uses logic to delve directly into potential futures.  There is great power in game theory--and the world is just beginning to see those advantages. 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 64 even more Computer Science and Technology

3 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 64 even more Computer Science and Technology

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

Part of the earthquake of change was from games.  Computers made games available to people that were outside of human imagination not even 5 years before their advent.  Before the rise of computers, role playing and military games were in ascendancy.  Computers gave life to role-playing and military type games like nothing else could.  Games ushered in violence that had never been imagined before in human entertainment, but it was controlled.  There is also a pornographic and sexual side to computer gaming. 

The world changed because simulators went from events to life.  Games simply are life simulators.  The life or lives they simulate are as varied as science fiction.  There has been a blurring of simulation and the real world.  How much this blurring will continue is entirely in the realm of science fiction.  Remember Tron and the redo.  Not the greatest movies, but if Disney is doing it, it can't be that unique or great.  Gaming is having an effect on the world that is little understood even by those involved in the transition.  This is a great area of potential extrapolation.  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 63 more Computer Science and Technology

2 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 63 more Computer Science and Technology

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

Once computers got out of the hands of 10,000 professional researchers and into the hands of a million plus experimenters, the world began to change.  The result is similar to what happened when video or audio recording came into the hands of millions from thousands.  You get an exponential increase in technology and product.  Although the advent of real software for business use transformed business throughout the world, games also had an enormous effect.  Let's discuss the business end for a while.

Before the PC, secretaries and secretarial pools were necessary for the production of business documents.  With the PC an entire part of industry disappeared.  It was like the end of buggy whips.  Secretaries are still necessary, but not the hundreds and hundreds before the PC.  There were many other parts of industry that was affected by the advent of the PC.  We have not seen the end of this revolution, and likely there is no going back. 

Could you have imagined such an end 20 or 30 years before the end of the secretarial pool?  I suspect not.  Most science fiction writers couldn't.  The PC ushered an earthquake of change in the world.  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 62 Computer Science and Technology

1 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 62 Computer Science and Technology

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

Let's discuss the extrapolation of computer technology.  Believe it or not, computer technology followed a very similar path to aviation.  However, because computers were not regulated, we saw a geometric increase in computer technology that we didn't see in aviation.

In the beginning, computers were 100% utilitarian and only available for science and science research.  In spite of this, there were those who developed more than science with computers--games for example.  The wealthy were not really interested in computers, but there were early expensive tools and computers the wealthy and experimenters used--the Altair 6 is one.  But something happened on the way to the future, three low cost computers became available to the general public: the TRS-80, the Apple II, and the Commodore Pet.  This immediately brought over a million programmers and experimenters into play. 

Computers are not computers without software.  Until the advent of the three experimental computers above, there was no purpose for computers in the business or home environment--there was little or no software the average person could use.  Almost immediately, an experimenter invented the spreadsheet.  This was an fundamental software invention that led directly to a business use for computers.  This was followed quickly by editors and database programs.  There had been database programs for the giant UNIVACs.  There were word processors.  There had not been anything for small office use before.  Business offices suddenly had computing power available to them.  The other side of this development was games.  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 61 even more Transportation Science and Technology

30 September 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 61 even more Transportation Science and Technology

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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 writing about the patterns we see in technology and science.  I'm writing about transportation right now.  We know the ultimate for transportation moves from suborbital to orbital, then intra-solar system to inter-solar system.  You could extrapolate as far as inter-galactic.  We know writing that moves this far technologically.  The question is how.  In hard science fiction, the author posits a means.  In soft science fiction, it just exists.  The point is the technology and the capability.

The how of space transportation is a very interesting part of the extrapolation equation.  In The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox, I extrapolate space transportation as ships in warp type FTL (Faster than Light) flight.  I assume a situation similar to today with spaceliner travel for the majority and individual ships for the minority wealthy.  This is a reasonable assumption.  This assumption and extrapolation may be completely wrong.  If we evaluate the other possibilities, the extrapolation looks better and better. 

In the age of aviation, regulation makes individual ownership of aircraft very expensive.  We can expect his same model with space craft.  Governments will not want individuals to have this ability to travel.  I expect their resistance to be at least as bad as the current regulations with aircraft.  The model of ships may be even better with many able to own small intra-solar system ships and the minority unable to own inter-solar system ships.  We see similar problems with computer 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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 60 more Transportation Science and Technology

29 September 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 60 more Transportation Science and Technology

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

In technology, we always see a similar pattern since almost the beginning of time. First, comes the science.  The Wright Brothers studied flight, built wings, practiced with gliders, designed an engine, built a wind tunnel, etc. before they put together all the science into the technology of flight.  Technology, in this sense, is the application of science.  The Wright Brothers did the science, then they applied it to build a flying vehicle. 

Second, comes the early wealthy experimenters and owners.  The airplane was originally envisioned only as a plaything for the rich.  There were exhibitions, but most of the early effort was for entertainment.  The military also took an interest and during the first opportunity, put aircraft to use in warfare.  The development by the wealthy experimenters and the military resulted in the first airlines in the 1920s and 1930s.  Notice that the technology went first to the rich and then the military.  The result was then air transportation for the wealthy.  Flight on airliners was too expensive for the average person.  The next step, also propelled by war, was the creation of less expensive aircraft and the beginnings of mass individual transportation.

Unfortunately, government regulation has prevented the quick next steps in aviation--that is low cost individual aircraft.  That will change.  What I want you to note is that without the wealthy, generally technology will not flourish.  You have to have someone who is willing to pay high prices for early high tech consumer products.  You also need wealthy experimenters.  This is very clear in computer 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

Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 59 Transportation Science and Technology

28 September 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 59 Transportation Science and Technology

Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to its publication. I just heard that the proofs will be here soon--likely before the end of the week. My publisher also wants to put the entire set of novels based on Aegypt on contract--that's 5 more novels for 8 total. They also want to put my other novels on contract. The release schedule should be one novel every 2 months. I'll keep you updated.

Introduction: I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon. This was my 21st novel and through this blog, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing. In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes. You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel beginning with http://www.pilotlion.blogspot.com/2010/10/new-novel-part-3-girl-and-demon.html.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published. I'll keep you informed along the way.

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.

What other concepts can we extrapolate.  Travel is another relatively easy field to extrapolate.  If we look at the model of ground transportation, we can see the change from mass transportation to individual transportation.  No one moves the other way--that is, not without government coercion.  We can expect automobiles to move from ground to air.  Right now, most governments are intentionally preventing air transportation from moving from individual private to individual public.  Automobiles did that long ago.  For example, in ground transportation, individual private is a chauffeured vehicle.  Individual public is a taxi.  In aviation, we talk about private aviation (individual private) and charter.  Eventually, aviation will reach the point of everyone having a flying vehicle.  The problem, from the beginning, has been governments.  Government don't want you to have the freedom of aviation travel--they can't control it well.  Eventually, we will get there, it will just take some leaps of technology.

In aviation, we can also expect low orbit transportation, eventually.  Government are also trying to keep this under wraps.  The commercial aircraft are slowing getting closer and closer to Mach 1.  When they finally and efficiently exceed it, there will be a kerfuffle with government regulations, but eventually, the governments will allow low earth high Mach travel.  That isn't far from low earth orbit.  The government doesn't really want people to have access to space, but eventually, they will need it and want it.  There will likely be a race to orbit like you can't imagine and if that race is controlled by commercial entities, it will be peaceful and profitable.  If it is government, it will be exclusionary and warlike.  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