Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 108 Government Extrapolation

16 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 108 Government 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.

We can see two definite extrapolations with an infinite variety in between.  With the use of technology, the government has the capability of spying on your every word, moment, and eventually thought.  On one side is the uncontrolled use of this power.  The result will be a government in complete control of the people of a nation.  They will be able to know everything about anyone, and they will be about to indirectly and in the future directly control everything about any person.  The power will be completely in the hands of the government.  The government will be able to prevent crime, solve every crime, punish every crime, prevent every act of disobedience, allow only what it determines is correct and ethical.

The other side is a society that completely limits the power of government to spy, observe, listen, and control.  In this type of society, the government will not have the ability to observe and control.  The power will be in the hands of the individual and not the government.  The government may or may not be able to solve every crime.  There might still be acts of disobedience. 

Of course there are infinite degrees between each of these extremes.  The problem is that there is no such thing as a benevolent government.  When you write your extrapolation, you will be touching on ideas very few science fiction writers have explored.  How will people protect themselves from on all knowing and all seeing government?  Are they willing to put the "Noman" in place and blind the eye of government so it can't spy on its people?  Are they willing to accept freedom instead of safety?

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 107 more Counterculture

15 November 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 107 more 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.

Perhaps we have crossed the point already.  In the past, when you went into the USSR or into modern China, you would get your tags.  They usually gave each foreigner two--more if you were valuable.  China does it all the time.  In the USA, what if everyone has their NSA tag.  The problem in the USA is we are finding that it isn't the foreigners, it is everyone.  Writers have been contemplating this possibility in future countries--no one could imagine the possibility in a nation that isn't supposed to be a tyranny. 

The US Supreme Court ruled that the government can't look through your walls or covered windows, but they can look through your open windows.  Did someone forget to tell them, they can't listen to your phones, read your mail or email, or record your finances without a warrant.  Note, that because of taxation, they have every right (so they claim) to check and record your finances.  Because of potential terror activity, they justify strip searches of citizens without any probable cause.  They seem to imagine there is probable cause because you are alive and not dead. 

In reality, we are facing the same kinds of tyranny authors imagined in the past, but we are really experiencing it.  It is a benevolent dictator who watches and records your every move--for what purpose.  There is a load of information for your next book, but it may be a help-me guide to how to protect yourself and your privacy from the technologically superior government.

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 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