Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 80 and even more FTL (Faster than Light)

19 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 80 and even more FTL (Faster than Light)

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.

Remember, there is a limit (as far as we know) at the speed of light. If you don't understand this and e=mc^2, you definitely need to do some studying.  Don't even begin to write science fiction about FTL if you don't understand why we need to talk about FTL at all. 

I used cultural and technological shaping with FTL (and other technologies) in The Ghost Ship Chronicles and The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox.  In addition, if you noted, I left myself an opening for the next series of novels.  In the first series, the astrogator programed the entry and exit to null space and there was great risk to the ships because they couldn't maneuver in null space.  In the second series, the astrogator had to program the entry and exit from the initial null space entry, but the ship could look ahead during shutter and maneuver around gravity wells and detect derelict ships (a key point in Ghost Ship).  In the potential third series, the ships will be more advanced and require less astrogation.  I don't have any inspiration for this future series, but I'm sure it will come to me in time.  Right now, I still have to finish the last of Ghost Ship and I am writing a really fun novel about a Greek Fox Spirit.  If you say, you can't imagine a novel about a Greek Fox Spirit--good, themes must be unique and unusual, or they won't sell.

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 79 and yet more FTL (Faster than Light)

18 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 79 and yet more FTL (Faster than Light)

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.

Remember, there is a limit (as far as we know) at the speed of light. If you don't understand this and e=mc^2, you definitely need to do some studying.  Don't even begin to write science fiction about FTL if you don't understand why we need to talk about FTL at all. 

In The Ghost Ship Chronicles I go into detail about the FTL drives and the operations of the systems.  In The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox, it is extremely dangerous to move a ship in Null space near a gravity well--based on the theory of the FTL systems I develop.  The characters of Dragon and Fox use this risk to bring their ships more quickly into battle and turn the tide against the Imperial forces.  In Ghost Ship the method of FTL is shutter drives that bring the ship in and out of null space every minute or so.  In Ghost Ship, the limit is that the astrogator has to set up the initial entry into null and the exit from null space.  This works great for technological and cultural shaping.  In other words, I technologically shaped the FTL systems to match the theme and plot of the novels.  Culturally, the operations for space have created a process or education for astrogation.  In Ghost Ship, I show you that whole education system.  The Ghost Ship novels are really fun to read--I like discovery novels where people discover their full capabilities in the novel.

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 78 yet more FTL (Faster than Light)

17 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 78 yet more FTL (Faster than Light)

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.

Remember, there is a limit (as far as we know) at the speed of light. If you don't understand this and e=mc^2, you definitely need to do some studying.  Don't even begin to write science fiction about FTL if you don't understand why we need to talk about FTL at all. 

Since the speed of light is a limit, you need to discover a means to move within the galaxy that doesn't depend on the speed of light.  In my novels, I progress from FTL that is a single transition in null space to systems that shutter in and out of null space.  In the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox and The Ghost Ship Chronicles, the method of FTL is through null space.  Null space is the straight line distance between systems.  The assumption is that null space allows travel through the gravity waves that fold space.  The Chronicles don't go into as much detail on the operations as the mechanism.  Ghost Ship goes in depth about the operations and not so much the mechanism.  Null space allows relatively quick travel between solar systems.  In Ghost Ship, the travel has progressed to shutter null drive.  The ships move in and out of null space at specific intervals.  In both series, the transition through null space requires special training and individuals.  In Ghost Ship, I go into detail on the methods and training.

If you are moving inter-solar system relatively quickly, for your universe, you need to develop some means of FTL.  The means needs to fit some known or unknown extrapolation.  Warp drive won't cut it.

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 77 more FTL (Faster than Light)

16 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 77 more FTL (Faster than Light)

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.

When we are talking about 1,000 o 10,000 years in the future, we can extrapolate the possibility of FTL travel.  The methods can be varied, but they are generally based on the same concept--gravity folds.  Science fiction writers have proposed various methods to get around the limits of the speed of light.  If you don't know that the speed of light is a physical limit, then you really need to get studying.  In the 100 to 1,000 year extrapolation, it can be expected that travel between solar systems is difficult and accomplished at non-FTL speeds.  This means it will take about 5 years at near light speed to get to the closest solar system (from earth).  A portion of the travel will be accelerating out to near light speed and decelerating back from near light speed.  You need to do the math yourself--it isn't difficult.  If you can't do the math, you really shouldn't be writing science fiction. 

There are various methods of FTL travel that have been suggested.  I'll get to that 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 76 FTL (Faster than Light)

15 October 2013, Writing Ideas - Writing Science Fiction, part 76 FTL (Faster than Light)

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 want to get anywhere in the universe, you need some method of moving Faster than Light (FTL).  In extrapolating science we can see means of non-FTL transportation.  The most obvious are those that have worked in our solar system--hydrogen/oxygen rocket engines.  There are many others such as solar sails, fusion acceleration, fission acceleration, electromechanical, photon, particle acceleration, there are more and more to be discovered.  If you are working in the intra-solar system regime and 100 to 1000 years in the future, you will want to explore these methods.  You will also want to apply complete orbital dynamics to your universe.  In a universe where fuel for movement isn't a big deal, the orbital dynamics should be less of a problem.  In any case, if you are moving around in space and from a planetary surface into space, you need an understanding of orbital dynamics, gravity, and atmospherics.  You basically need to understand what it takes to get into space, achieve orbit, and return to a planetary surface.  Start studying.

The trick is what to do when you move more than 1,000 years into the future.

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