Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 182 Extrapolating Military Technology, more on the Simulation

1 February 2014, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 182 Extrapolating Military Technology, more on the Simulation

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

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

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

Today's Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, visit my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.

The four plus one basic rules I employ when writing:

1. Don't confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don't show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.

I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction.  I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.

By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated.  Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.

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

Military simulation, as I've mentioned, today is based mainly in aircraft and the simulation of aircraft systems, not necessarily combat operations.  There are some combat simulators, I've been in them, and there are some experimental simulators for combat and for other simulations.  The military, like other fields is experimenting and working toward more and more accurate simulations.  Simulations today, in the military, are used for systems training and for experimentation--and that should give you a clue how the simulation business will move. 

Simulations achieved for experimentation means the new products for aircraft systems are simulated, when possible, to determine capability and ease of use.  These simulations will eventually make their way into system simulators.  You have to have the simulators first, so that is a necessary step for any system.  Without a simulator, you will not get your simulation.  Once a simulator is in place, newer simulations will be used to upgrade the simulation.  Because, much of the complexity and capability in new systems, especially aircraft, these new simulations will be operational in nature.  Operational, will move naturally to combat operations.  This is because operational, means to practice combat operations. 

At this stage, much of the simulations done are in the systems themselves--that is, a combat aircraft includes a training mode to allow the pilot to train with the combat system without the risk of dropping a weapon.  These are necessary, but will move to simulators to save the costs of flying an aircraft.  You might also see other, low cost aircraft used as a basis for training.  This will be a great way to save money as operations costs increase.

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