I'm writing a hard science fiction book

[rogers_buck]

You have given me a couple of good ideas there. Making the "phenomena" a character that shapes those who fathom it I will explore.. Thanks.<br /><br /><br />

 

[rogers_buck]

I'm about to get back to it. I had a hiatus of a couple of months while I thought I was busy, but in reality I was figuring out where to take the story. The next part is now clear in my head and I just have to write it and merge it in. I am pleased that I have come up with something that is suitably profound and bizaar and demonstrates the difficult concepts in the first part simplistically while adding subtle overtones of humor and irony.<br /><br />The trouble with the hiatus is that I now have to recapture what I have written before so I can blend in the new stuff consistently.<br /><br />I was frustrated with myself and set the work aside when I didn't have a clear idea where to take it. I now think that this is just a natural way for me to write this sort of thing. I have to build the imaginary world and story in my head, work out the details, etc. Is this typical?<br />

 

[owenjm]

You're writing a novel and you can't spell "grateful" and "helpful"<br /><br /><br />So, you're kidding, right?

 

[rogers_buck]

So your contribution to the conversation is to emulate a small computer program? This is conversational and is full of shortcuts and errors. I certainly do not intend to waste my time proofing or checking what I post here to avoid comments from grammar trolls.<br />

 

[tom_hobbes]

If you need an illustration of the Grammar Troll, (it should definitely appear in someones book!) I'm yer man! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font size="2" color="#339966"> I wish I could remember<br /> But my selective memory<br /> Won't let me</font><font size="2" color="#99cc00"> </font><font size="3" color="#339966"><font size="2">- </font></font><font size="1" color="#339966">Mark Oliver Everett</font></p><p> </p> </div>

 

[robina_williams]

I think that readers must like the characters to some extent, or they won't read on. Plot-driven stories still need to have characters with whom the readers can identify. <br /><br />I don't think that the science needs to be too deep so long as it's basically accurate. I'm a fantasy writer, though -- not a sci-fi writer. <br /><br />No, I don't write little stories first, as otherwise I'd never get started on the big story.<br /><br />And I think I'd qualify as a Grammar Troll -- I like grammar.<br /><br />Robina<br />

 

[rogers_buck]

I'm curious if the sexual relationship is necessary? So far I have developed twon characters that are attracted to each other, but I am inclined to give them only brief moments to discover their feelings for each other. I wonder if I need to throw them in the sack before the end of the book or just steadilly build the sexual tension without completing the relationship? I'm reminded of Carl Sagans Contact where he described a sex scene one way, but I heard in my mind "billions and billions of tiny tadpolian swimmers sought the welcoming egg in the warm darkness..." That seems to be a problem with dropping that sort of relationship into a technical work...<br /><br />

 

[superluminal]

Hi buck<br /> What you're writing about sounds fascinating.<br /><br /> I started my novel back in 98, and it's been a long hard progress.<br /> I'm now in the finale stages of being published.<br /><br />Anyways, <br /> I just want to encourage you to stay at it.<br /><br /> You won't regret it. <br /><br /> Don't worry about failure, just stay at it until it's done.<br /><br />That's success. <br /> <br />From all of your post that I've read, I can tell it will be an excellent novel. <br />I'd buy it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><br /><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Columbia and Challenger </font></strong></p><p><strong><font size="3" color="#3366ff">Starships of Heroes</font></strong></p> </div>

 

[rogers_buck]

Thanks for the encouraging words. I guess its not unusual for this to be a lengthy process.<br /><br />border_ruffian PM'd me a link to this web site:<br />http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/ <br /> <br />I found the advice there real helpfull, especially the value of the outline. All the other lengthy documents that I have written have been fast turn because I knew what had to be done. Writing without the outline was too open ended for this brain of mine.<br /><br />Cool stuff on that site.<br />

 

[border_ruffian]

Hi Buck, I'm glad you find the site helpful in some way. It's a good writer reference, I think. It's also very funny. Writing is a serious business, but it doesn't mean we have to be neurotic about it. <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" />