Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 106 Counterculture

14 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 106 Counterculture

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.

Which means almost all science fiction authors are counterculture--or at least their writing is.  Just look at 1984 or Animal Farm.  How about Brave New World?  Even works like 50,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in 80 Days, and Mysterious Island have counterculture aspects.  In fact, I suspect that science fiction heroes are more often the kid who can't or doesn't get along with the sheriff more than the guy in the cube giving a briefing.  Not to say the stolid office worker can't be a science fiction hero, but I suspect he or she is breaking out of the cube mold to fight internal and external tyranny.  Science fiction rarely works in the system, usually "the system" is the antagonist.  I can't remember a single science fiction book where the government is the good guys--I'm sure there is, but I don't remember reading them.

I suspect this is already emblazoned on most science fiction author's brains, but just to be sure, I thought this was the perfect transition from technology problems based on government surveillance.  When your own government is spying on you, they aren't the good guys. 

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 105 and more Subversion, Economics, and Technology

13 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 105 and more Subversion, Economics, 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.

A great science fiction theme along these lines would be how to limit government to prevent the use f technology to spy on its own citizens.  Perhaps you imagine that leaps in technology give the common person little power in the overall mix--my point is that science fiction authors should be giving us the means to counter government overreach. 

How can you limit the government so it doesn't abuse its powers.  The Shockwave Rider by Brunner gave us some ideas on the how.  The main character in that novel made a computer virus to take over the spy apparatus.  The novel also was the model that led to the first real computer virus.  Viruses are likely not the appropriate solution--notice how viruses have been contained in the last 10 years.  But computer programs as well as legislative mechanisms will be part of the solution.  It would also be a great thing if people valued freedom as much now as they did in the past.  It is kind of difficult to write about freedom when a majority of the people are clamoring for limits on their freedom.  Since many of the classic science fiction novels are about fighting tyranny, newer novels should give ideas of how to fight information tyranny or perhaps computer tyranny.

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 104 more Subversion, Economics, and Technology

12 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 104 more Subversion, Economics, 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.

We can already see that the greater the technology, the greater the power to snoop on citizens and potentially to control them.  There is no benevolent government--at least not within the imagination or reality of humankind.  Governments are never good, except to those who control them or have power in them.  The future will be stark choices between giving more power to government or reigning government in and taking its power.  The science fiction writer can play all day with different types of government and levels of government control.  I think the science fiction author is at his/her best when writing about stark contrasts in governmental systems and power.  It is easier to see abuses that way. 

As we already saw, technology increases best under a free market with freedom and lots of money with a strong degree of wealth.  Technology does not increase very well under controlled markets with little money, controlling government, and limited wealth.  The contrast for a science fiction author should be obvious.  Now, you just have to take advantage of this reality.

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 103 Subversion, Economics, and Technology

11 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 103 Subversion, Economics, 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.

We are all familiar with 1984.  It is the seminal work concerning intrusive and coercive government.  We also know little about the economic or political system in the novel.  George Orwell left the details unexplained, but we can guess at the basis.  Unfortunately most science fiction authors seem to have a utopic bent--they don't seem to be able to extrapolate political or capital systems very well.  Perhaps it is because they didn't understand them.  Jack Vance seems to be the most erudite science fiction author when it comes to cultures, political systems, and markets.   His societies are multifaceted and multicultured.  They are not all cut from the same mold.  Many science fiction authors don't appear to realize that every society and culture is different and that every planet will have at least one, but usually many different cultures and societies.  There are at least 200 separate languages on the planet earth.  Each language denotes a different culture.  Among each language is likely many subcultures.  Among each subculture is more than one society.  There are mixtures of each subculture and society.  We have not begun to discuss the political, economic, or social differentiation of cultures, societies, or nations.

I recommend you explore these concepts in your extrapolation of science and that you write clearly about them--this is a key part of the setting of your novel.

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 102 more Economics and Technology

10 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 102 more Economics 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.

Why don't we have flying cars--yet?  The reason in the USA is government regulations.  The first flying car was made in 1934 (it's in the Smithsonian).  In 1956 the Ford Motor Company proposed to the USG (US Government) to build a flying car and a couple of flying car factories in Dearborn.  The USG immediately rewrote the FAA (CAA at the time) regulations to prevent a flying car.  They basically made the licensing of a pilot so difficult that it was economically unreasonable to build flying cars--at the time.  Today, the FAA is still trying to keep you out of your flying cars.  Now, the reasons stated are: too much current traffic (the number of aircraft have been decreasing since 1974), competition with the airlines (the airlines are constantly trying to prevent aviation innovation that might result in more people flying in something other than their buses), and regulatory difficulty (wouldn't be any problem if there wasn't any regulations).

The flying car is repeated in many ways.  For example, in the 1980s a company wanted to begin commercial rocket operations in the USA.  The FAA rewrote the regulations to prevent commercial space flight.  They supposedly support commercial space flight, but the 4 commercial spaceflight companies all fly their rockets out of South America (because there are no regulations).  The reality here is that regulations have basically killed commercial space flight in the USA.  We will see if Virgin Galactic can make their mark.  By the way, Virgin Galactic has been able to get around the FAA ban on on space flight by using aircraft instead of rockets.  Pretty sneaky.  This does show that that regulation writers need to write faster to keep a good idea down.

It is important to note for your science fiction extrapolation that even "free" governments can intentionally (or unintentionally) prevent technologies from begin used.  They can also promote technology in ways that do not promote freedom or productivity.  

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 101 Economics and Technology

9 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 101 Economics 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.

The market (capitalism), freedom (Constrained Constitutional Republic), and technology are in a constant upward dance.  The more constrained capitalism is, the more constrained will be your technology.  We see this today in the aviation marketplace where regulations have taken the place of common sense and are throttling the life out of aviation technology.  Cost drives markets and governments of all kinds can drive the costs through regulation.  Markets respond to cost by reducing or increasing surplus.  This is a truth that the Soviet Union along with many other socialist countries learned the hard way.

This is the way economics works.  The cost of an item is always set by the market--it is what a person will pay for the item.  Businesses respond by pricing the item at what they think is the market value.  If there is a surplus of the item, the price goes down.  If there is a scarcity of the item, the price goes up.  All this has nothing to do with profit, the actual cost to make the item, or anything else except the value of the item in the marketplace.

When a government attempts to interject itself into the marketplace, it can affect the price or the amount.  It cannot affect both.  If a government attempts price controls either intentionally by decree or unintentionally by taxes and regulations, the price of the item is affected.  If the price is higher than market value, no one will buy the product and the government will have killed or maimed that technology development.  If the price is lower than market value, the sellers will either stop selling and the producers stop producing.  The item will be bought out and soon no one will be able to get any.  Price lower than market results in scarcity which in a market brings the price up--unless the government has controlled it.  In the cases of taxes and regulations, the government is usually to stupid to understand that their magic money and special regulations are causing the price to increase.  They imagine that taxes and regulations do not affect the marketplace--this is called corporate government stupidity.  The government's involvement in any market is bad for technology.

Then you write about different types of governments in your science fiction, realize that the more control and controlling, the less the technological increase.  Your brilliant socialists (Asimov) will be living in bear skins with stone knives while your freedom loving capitalists will have smart phones and flying cars.  By the way, government regulation is why you don't have your flying cars right now. 

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 100 Exploration and Technology

8 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 100 Exploration 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.

You can also see technological increases with exploration.  The great examples of this are England, France, and Spain's exploration of the world and new world which led to many large and small technological increases.  There is a lot of technologies that were tied directly to entertainment due to the exploration, but that's another story.  In general, exploration leads to increased technology.

The greatest example is the US space program to put people on the moon.  It worked very well and produced incredible amounts of technology from Velcro, to space food sticks, to Tang, to LEDs, to cellular phones, to computer chips, to electronic watches...now many of these technological breakthroughs although fueled by the space program, had other inputs and all were market driven.  Some of the technologies developed in the lunar program are just seeing fruits.  So, although exploration can drive some technology--there must still be a market and entertainment trumps everything.

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 99 more Markets and Technology

7 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 99 more Markets 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.

Technology is shaped by more than science.  I hope this is very clear.  Most likely humanity will get to the place of higher technology, but it won't happen unless there is wealth and a market to drive it.  Also, without entertainment to drive the technological market, you can expect very little technological change and almost zero for individuals.  There are also other powerful technological drivers--perhaps the most powerful next to entertainment is exploration.  I'll explore this more, but I'd like to look at societies that made great strides in science, but almost zero in technology.

Ancient China was likely the greatest inventor of new science, almost none of which became technology--none of it was assimilated into the populace and it was not used.  Why would this be?  Ancient China, like China today is a country characterized by poverty.  Poverty does not drive markets in technology or entertainment.  So, the invention of moving type does nothing in a culture where people can't read and will not read for over 4000 more years.  Gun powder, more than any other scientific breakthrough should have fueled a revolution in Chinese technology, but alas, when there are plenty of peasants for cannon, that is spear-fodder, there is no need to refine gunpowder as a weapon.  The entrenched upper-class of Chinese and the poverty of ancient China prevented any market from developing--thus all the science in the world would not have produced a drop of technology.  This problem still exists in many of these Asian countries today.  It is becoming a problem in Europe too--there are markets, but socialism is destroying the wealthy which prevents the absorption of new technology--why worry, the Americans will develop it anyway.  Such is the death knell of cultures that have nothing more to add to the world.  Oh, remember that entertainment stuff the French just hate to have overwhelm their culture?  Wonder why nothing new has come out of France in a long time.

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 98 Markets and Technology

6 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 98 Markets 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.

We have developed some very important ideas about technology and the extrapolation of technology.  The first is this, without a market, you will not get any (or very little) entertainment technology.  This means you will likely get no technology.  Almost every modern piece of technology came from entertainment or it sprang from a market.  Without the wealthy, there will be no customers for early technology, and without early technology, there will be no later technology.  This means that if you envision a socialist or communist society, there will be very little technological change.  If you wondered what happened in the dark ages--that was the problem, no market, no new technology for hundreds of years.  There were wealthy people, but no market to take advantage of the inventions.  Note that the rise of merchants began the rise of the middle ages--shazam.

You might ask, what about non-entertainment technologies--like medicine.  The market for medicine is fueled by very interesting factors.  The first is a very strong capitalistic market in the USA.  This market subsidizes many other socialistic markets.  The other side is government involvement that produces a large number of wealthy market interventions only because they wield the market hammer.  Note the almost death of medical technological investment and development outside of the USA.  There is little market because socialistic governments control them.  There is also too strong regulatory control by governments--especially the USG.  We will see what happens in the future to medical science under a very strong socialistic control system, but without wealth and a market, you can expect the worse.  There are other important points to note.

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 97 more Entertainment to Technology

5 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 97 more Entertainment to 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 the beginning, the Wright Brothers had no idea how important or capable their invention would become.  Orville predicted that aircraft would never cross the oceans or carry people for long range transport.  He saw it as a machine for war--the wealthy proved him wrong.  The Wright Brothers did aircraft right, but they did little else right.  They had no idea that the wealthy would take their invention and make it into something very capable.  Indeed, a war increased aircraft technology and made many aircraft available to people, but even after the war, it was Linbergs and Erharts and Stearmans who made aircraft great and available to people.  The wealthy were the first to fuel air transportation, and the wealthy thought markets made air transportation eventually available to everyone.

The aircraft is like almost every other technology, it starts as a plaything only the wealthy can afford and over time becomes a technology everyone has.  Computers, CDs, DVDs, video recording tapes, audio recording tapes, phonographs, cameras, motion pictures, cell phones, and all--every modern piece of technology was first affordable and acquired by the wealthy and eventually became low cost and common place.  This is one of the reasons you don't see technology in the hands of people in socialistic and communistic countries.  Without the wealthy, a market for a product can't come into place. 

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 96 Entertainment to Technology

4 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 96 Entertainment to 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.

Historically, entertainment is one of the major means of technological development.  For example, the development of the camera and film led to the movie camera, video recording, and computer recording.  The purpose of motion pictures was almost completely entertainment, but recording for historical purposes and scientific purposes is a critical technology.  The purpose of photography was at first entirely for art and entertainment.  Photography has taken on a role in science and history that supersedes but compliments its role in arts and entertainment.  Any great technology has roots in entertainment.  For example, television, almost purely conceived in terms of entertainment led to surveillance systems, but also to gaming systems and computer displays.  Television (or actually cathode ray tubes (CRTs)) led to almost every modern display technology.  The future of all technology is driven by entertainment, and almost every modern piece of technology found its genesis in entertainment.  Even aviation started as entertainment. 

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 95 and more Chaos Entertainment

3 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 95 and more Chaos Entertainment

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 will see chaos math used in games for fractal events such as landscapes and visual simulations.  Eventually, we will see simulations use chaos math for advanced simulations such as aerodynamics and other complex computations.  It may be possible to use chaos math to short cut super complex algorithms, but that is to be seen.

In any case, in terms of extrapolation of science, we know of three major fields of the physical nature of the universe: Newtonian, Probability (also called Heisenberg), and Chaos.  Each of these are natural and mathematical.  They represent the complexity of nature and our ability to mathematically simulate, predict, or reproduce it.  By the way, orbital mechanics are almost entirely based in Newtonian mechanics.  All of this has to do with games and entertainment because first of all games simulate the real world and games are the basis for individual entertainment.  Second, entertainment has very critical ramifications for future technology.  We find historically that entertainment is one of the major means of technological development.    

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 94 more Chaos Entertainment

2 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 94 more Chaos Entertainment

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.

Games are based in Newtonian physics and math.  They are also based in probability theory.  Eventually, chaos math will make its way into gaming.  Chaos math is misunderstood by many people especially those who are not experts in math or science.  Chaos theory is not really described by the classic butterfly allegory--that is, chaos theory is not really the concept that a tiny change can have enormous consequences.  A true picture of chaos theory is that chaos theory shows that even things that appear to be chaotic are governed by order, you just have to look deeply enough.  Where this is used and seen is in turbulent flows and Brownian motion.  Chaos math is why even though it is theoretically possible for all the oxygen molecules to move to one side of a room, in nature, it will never happen.  Chaos theory is used to predict flows in nature that are unpredictable using Newtonian or probability theory.

As I mentioned, chaos theory will eventually find its way into games--it already has for scenery and landscapes.  Chaos math is what makes large expanses of space like deserts and forests in simulators look correct to the eye.  In my classes, I say that probability theory is why you won't ever make every 1 foot putt, but chaos theory is why you just might. 

The real world is based in probability--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 93 Chaos Entertainment

1 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 93 Chaos Entertainment

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.

Newtonian mathematics ruled the world of science until the 20th Century.  Although probability was understood before then, it was not understood as the basis of all reality until that point.  The probability I am now writing about isn't the simple probability I wrote about before.  They are similar and may relate directly to one another, but the probability I am referring to now is nuclear probability.  You can't determine where an electron is at any time, you can only determine the probability of where it might be at any point in time.  What this means in a macro sense is that no event will ever be the same.  I like to say that if you were to hit a golf ball exactly the same way every time (can't be done) because of probability the ball will never track the same.  We see this variance by degrees in deviations during experiments.  However, there is something else at play in the natural world that is as powerful.  

The real world is based in probability--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 92 more Probability Entertainment

31 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 92 more Probability Entertainment

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.

We don't usually think about the world being governed by probability.  Now probability is very different than luck.  A wise person maximizes probability--you do it unconsciously.  For example, if you want to get a certain job, you go to school, you study for it, you learn everything you can about it, you maximize the chance you will be able to compete for that job.  If you don't get it the first try, you try again until you achieve your goal.  All this is based in probability.  In a roleplaying game and indeed in any computer game, the game simulates real life through probability.  For example, in a tank fighting game.  You must aim the gun at the target.  Their is an inherent probability based on distance that the gun will hit the target.  The better the aim, the higher the probability.  The closer, the higher the probability.  The lower the wind, the higher the probability.  The gamer doesn't see all the math the computer does to calculate the probability of a hit.  The gamer aims and pulls the trigger.  The result is a hit or not.  There is much more to these computations.  The second problem is penetration.  If the round hits, depending on where and how it hits, there is a greater or lesser probability of penetration.  Finally, the results of the penetration.  Depending on where the round penetrated and how it struck the tank affects the last result.  The point is that for every shot, the computer game software makes these computations and determines the results of the event.  This is true of every game and every event.  The world is all about probability, and games simulate this probability through math.  The next part of this is chaos theory.

The real world is based in probability--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 91 Probability Entertainment

30 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 91 Probability Entertainment

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 that the world is based in probability that makes gaming so interesting, but rather that because the world is based in probability that game that are also based in probability are more entertaining.  Chess vs. football for example.  People don't understand the probabilistic nature of the world very well at all.  There really isn't any such thing as luck--there is greater or lessor probability.  For example, if you study like crazy, there is no guarantee that you will get a top grade.  You might study the wrong material or not the right things. You might forget key information or misread the questions.  Studying doesn't mean you will get a high grade, but the more you study and the better you study, the higher the probability that you will get a good grade.  In role playing games, this is simulated by the dreaded die-roll.  The game master might give you 10% per hour you study.  If you study for 10 hours, he would still not let you get 100% without some risk.  A proper die roll would be two fifty sided die added together with a modifier or some variant of that kind of roll.  The reason for two dice rolled together and added together is to produce a bell curve.  Everything in real life is based on a bell curve--everything.  In many role playing games three six sided dice are used--these give a great bell curve.  In the real world, your grade is based on a bell curve--you are a single point on the curve, but the more you study, the smarter you are, the better prepared you are, the better the chance you are at the good end of the curve.  Just like a well prepared test will give results on a bell curve, your result will be somewhere on that curve.  This is true about everything in the world.  Everything is on a bell curve.  

The real world is based in probability--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