World-Building

Word Count for Space Rescue
Complete (62,594) Goal (80,000)
100% complete
Since Last Post = 385 words

Things accomplished in fiction: Just finished Chapter 4.

jeff_duntemann asked me to “Describe more of your processes as a writer: How you conceptualize a plot, how you scope out chapters, how you design background elements (technologies etc.) how you research, and so on.” This seemed like a good idea, so I’ll take a stab at some of these processes.

To me, plot is the most important part of the process, and I can’t start writing the story until I have a basic one in place. Unfortunately, you can’t write a plot without building a world. So let’s talk world-building.

( Cut to spare flists )

Thus my vision of what Mars could look like, circa 2074, which is hundreds or thousands of tiny private settlements registered by hundreds of different countries. The settlers of these colonies wouldn’t necessarily be from the flag country. Instead, they’d be the same sort of folks who settled America circa 1700 – people who got kicked out of their old country for one reason or another.

To start tying this to plot, a key element of plot is conflict. Well, this situation is ripe for conflict. Much like the old Wild West, government and the law is thin on the ground, and almost by definition, the locals aren’t the sort of people who Play Nice With Others.

That didn't last very long

In a previous post I promised to swear off politics for a month on pain of a $10 per post donation to Reading is Fundamental. Well, put me down for $20 to the good folks at RIF.

Thanks to the Supreme Court's ruling on GITMO detainees, I got into an argument over at John Scalzi's place. That was $10, so here's the other $10 worth. The argument is:

1) Who decides if somebody is a POW, an illegal combatant, or a civilian?
2) What set of rules should be followed?

Personally, unless they are US citizens or residing in the US, I'd just as soon keep the civilian courts out of it. But, whatever court does make the decision as to be fair. The court needs to allow defense counsel, access to witnesses, and all that other legal jazz. We're not doing that.

Also, as a practical matter, it needs to move along. We've held people for six years now. It is impossible to argue to the "Arab Street" (or any other street) that we're the good guys when we're doing exactly the same bullshit that any tinpot dictator would do. Don't get me wrong - being ruthless has a certain advantage, but we're not even getting that advantage by our gyrations at GITMO.

So, off to pay my $20.

Edited to add what he said.