Bang go the profits thenDrew, I want to ask ... you are buying everyone breakfast on Saturday, yes?
Philip Coutts
Volunteer Moderator
I'm still reading but I agree a bit with amigacooke. There are some words that I don't think "fit" in a science fiction novel such as "swarthy" and "popinjay" but to be honest that's me nit-picking and it hasn't spoiled my enjoyment of the story.
It's a right good read and I'm completely hooked. I'm going to read Chapter 11 just now in my lunch break. Really good read, hats off to Senator Drew
It's a right good read and I'm completely hooked. I'm going to read Chapter 11 just now in my lunch break. Really good read, hats off to Senator Drew
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Drew, I want to ask ... you are buying everyone breakfast on Saturday, yes?
That eventuality has been covered my dear. You may ask at the Writer's Q/A.
Cheers,
Drew.
In my defence, some of the language I used was based on a quote from the Empire Guidebook (which I can't share with you) which described the 'Duval Empire' as a cross between the Ancient Roman Republic and the British Empire of 100 years ago.
My use of language for the significant Imperial figures was based on a bit of research into historical depictions of noteworthy British Imperial individuals to give it a bit of jingoistic flavour.
My book also paints the Imperials as being obsessed with image, style and presentation over substance. Many of them do nothing else other than 'be seen to be seen', so there are a lot of foppish and dandy types in the Empire.
(Think Beau Brummell, Lord Byron, Noel Coward etc)Cheers,
Drew.
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Sink me! Fertile ground for a fictioneer, is that!
My book also paints the Imperials as being obsessed with image, style and presentation over substance. Many of them do nothing else other than 'be seen to be seen', so there are a lot of foppish and dandy types in the Empire.
Also in your defence, I very much appreciated the way each character's story was told through their voice. It's a good way to squeeze more life into a story that was already bulging at the seams.
Since we're talking anachronisms though, communications being affected in interesting ways by interference is very 20th century. At the very simplest level, a web page doesn't come out full of spelling mistakes when you download it over a phone out in the countryside, and voice data can use many of the same error-correcting algorithms. This is a good way to make space feel big and to prepare the reader for the chaos of battle, and I've been desensitised to it by all the times Starfleet Command sent orders to the Enterprise on what appeared to be worn-out VHS tapes, but from a realism perspective people in the far future will probably have at least as much technology as a digital TV service.
Good observation.
I was aware of this one, but decided that a more traditional static-laced jamming of a transmission worked better as fast-paced narrative device than having to describe or deviate into explanation about error handling in 33rd century communications.
I could also have just left it as 'transmission jammed', which is more realistic, but having a partially transmitted message is better drama, even if it is arguably less plausible. It is a compromise I agree.
In terms of the 'holofac' transmitters aboard ships. The cockpit instrumentation within the game also flickers and is susceptible to damage. Also, the communication with the Damocles in the FD combat video exhibited interference in a similar fashion (watch the opening comms before the hyperspace jump and note the phasing and syncing artefacts on the schematic of the Damocles that have been deliberately introduced), so I extrapolated from that for my in book communication. I would say FD are adding drama here for effect rather than adhering to realism too.
Cheers,
Drew.
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It is not only words and phrases that change, but names.
Some names seem to endure for a very long time. Others do not: fashions come and go. Arthur, Harold and William are still around; Ethelred and Ethelbert not so often. If I look at the names common in my grandparent's generation, many (Agnes, Edith, Enid (not to mention plain Ethel), Cecil, Claude, Percy etc.) seem to be sunk without trace. Hell, even names that are common in my generation, like Mary and Susan and Malcolm and Derek are rarely seen in children. So I like my SF authors to use a few traditional names, but also a pile of made up ones.
Some names seem to endure for a very long time. Others do not: fashions come and go. Arthur, Harold and William are still around; Ethelred and Ethelbert not so often. If I look at the names common in my grandparent's generation, many (Agnes, Edith, Enid (not to mention plain Ethel), Cecil, Claude, Percy etc.) seem to be sunk without trace. Hell, even names that are common in my generation, like Mary and Susan and Malcolm and Derek are rarely seen in children. So I like my SF authors to use a few traditional names, but also a pile of made up ones.
I was going to post some thoughts about damage vs. noise, but today's newsletter makes me glad I procrastinated:
Newsletter #30 said:
Can't fault you for sticking to canon, and even though this makes even less sense, it sounds much more fun than something with strict logic behind it
I personally really enjoyed this writing style. It was restrcited to the Imperial nobles, which suited well their entire cultural style. I think it's great when you're reading a book and you can tell a lot about a character just from the words they use. In too many novels all the characters sound exactly the same. Drew did a great job with having colourful characters in his story
Here is the 'Special Edition' Elite: Reclamation trailer as first seen at LaveCon 2014. Music by Allen Stroud.
http://www.drewwagar.com/media/video/
Enjoy.
Cheers,
Drew.
http://www.drewwagar.com/media/video/
Enjoy.
Cheers,
Drew.
Thanks Steph!
Latest blog is live, where I answer a bunch of questions I've received about Elite: Reclamation...
http://www.drewwagar.com/progress-report/questions-about-elite-reclamation-from-readers/
Cheers,
Drew.
Latest blog is live, where I answer a bunch of questions I've received about Elite: Reclamation...
http://www.drewwagar.com/progress-report/questions-about-elite-reclamation-from-readers/
Cheers,
Drew.
In homage to the Beta release next week I've started to read this to get me really in the mood for the Elite Universe. I'm only about 10% in but am extremely hyped up about how the story is starting to unfold. Am very much taken to the author's writing style, nearly missed my train stop this morning as I was so engrossed
In homage to the Beta release next week I've started to read this to get me really in the mood for the Elite Universe. I'm only about 10% in but am extremely hyped up about how the story is starting to unfold. Am very much taken to the author's writing style, nearly missed my train stop this morning as I was so engrossed
Love it
Cheers,
Drew.
Folks,
This is the last but one update on the Elite: Reclamation Kickstarter, the final one will announce the availability of the last pledge awards, hopefully sometime later this month.
For now though I'm prepping for Fantasticon on the 16th and news of a twitter event on the evening of the 15th.
All on the blog as usual. If you're planning to be at Fantasticon make sure you say hello! I'd love to shake your hand and thank you in person.
http://www.drewwagar.com/progress-report/fantasticon-and-scifihour/
Cheers,
Drew.
This is the last but one update on the Elite: Reclamation Kickstarter, the final one will announce the availability of the last pledge awards, hopefully sometime later this month.
For now though I'm prepping for Fantasticon on the 16th and news of a twitter event on the evening of the 15th.
All on the blog as usual. If you're planning to be at Fantasticon make sure you say hello! I'd love to shake your hand and thank you in person.
http://www.drewwagar.com/progress-report/fantasticon-and-scifihour/
Cheers,
Drew.
