27 December 2013, Writing Ideas – Writing Science Fiction, part 64 even more Computer Science and Technology
Announcement: My novels Sister of Light and Sister of Darkness are about to be published. I write this blog about 2 months prior to 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 on 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–start with https://ldalford.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/daemon-installment-1-the-incantation/.
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. At this moment, I’m showing you the creative process I used to put together the novel.
Today’s Blog: To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select “production schedule,” you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/.
Here are my four rules (plus one) of writing:
1. Don’t confuse your readers.
2. Entertain your readers.
3. Ground your readers in the writing.
4. Don’t show (or tell) everything.
5. Immerse yourself in the world of your writing.
I am writing about the extrapolation of science and technology to be able to write science fiction. I made the point that it is almost meaningless to try to fully extrapolate a universe (world) that is 10,000 years in the future (and maybe 1,000 years in the future) without applying some cultural and technological shaping.
By shaping the cultures of your science fiction universe, you can shape the science and technology that is extrapolated. Here is how I culturally shaped the universe of The Chronicles of the Dragon and the Fox to make the 10,000 year extrapolation work.
Part of the earthquake of change brought about with computers was from games. Computers made games available that were outside of human imagination not even 5 years before their advent. Before the rise of computers, role playing and military games were in ascendancy. Computers gave life to role-playing and military type games like nothing else could. Games ushered in violence that had never been imagined before in human entertainment, but it was controlled violence. There is also a pornographic and sexual side to computer gaming.
The world changed because simulators went from events (like flight and driving) to life. Games simply are life simulators. The life or lives they simulate are as varied as characters in science fiction. Through gaming, there has been a blurring of simulation and the real world. How much this blurring will continue is entirely in the realm of science fiction. Remember Tron and the redo. Not the greatest of movies, but if Disney is doing it, it can’t be that unique or great. Gaming is having an effect on the world that is little understood even by those involved in the transition. This is a great area of potential extrapolation. More tomorrow.
Also remember, I’m trying to show you and give you examples of how to write a science fiction theme statement and turn it into a plot.
A note from one of my readers: Speaking of which, I am awaiting for you to write a detailed installment on identifying, and targeting your audience, or audiences…ie, multi-layered story, for various audiences…like CS Lewis did. Just a thought.
I’ll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples: http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites: http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.
- Aksinya Cover Proposal
ldalford 