Poul Anderson outlines this in his AFTERWORD to The Man Who Counts:
the mass, age and chemistry of a star
its consequent luminosity
the length of the year of a planet in a given orbit
the quantity of radiation received by that planet
surface features
the kind of life on the planet
the evolution of that life
these parameters affecting others
the odour of a flower
what it is like to be an inhabitant of that planet
This is what CS Lewis called the Engineer's Story. Not everyone who can write fiction knows enough science which is why there is some "soft" sf by Lewis, Bradbury and Simak. (Bradbury's Mars, cold by night but hot (!) by day, is an abomination.)
13 comments:
Although it would be better if more 'mainstream' novelists did more research.
How many novels, or 'novels', are quasi-autobiographical? How many are limited to the social circles, regions and classes familiar to the writer?
Narcissistic and -boring-.
I don't write novels about aging BoBos in the American Southwest for exactly that reason. I'm not in this business to be bored out of my skull.
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Exactly! You've described why so much of "mainstream" literature is so boring. Well done mysteries and spy novels set in our contemporary times might well be worth reading.
Ad astra! Sean
Greetings to All Interested!
Dr. Shackley's daughter emailed me to inform me why he "disappeared." Unfortunately, his computer is again giving him problems and he does not expect to get it back from the shop before Saturday, Feb. 24.
Ad astra! Sean
Thank you Sean.
I was about to post a question here about whether Paul's health is OK.
It's about time I replaces my laptop. It's been a bit flakey for a while.
Kaor, Jim!
I prefer my tabletop computer. Tabletops seem to be sturdier and last longer. Yes, I know, you can take laptops pretty much anywhere!
Ad astra! Sean
Sean: that's a relief! I was also afraid Paul might be ill. Glad it's just his -computer- that's in the hospital!
Kaor, Mr. Stirling!
Absolutely! Seems to me laptops have their disadvantages.
Ad astra! Sean
Thank you, all. My lap top is back sooner than expected but I might take sometime to get organised. We are trying to move house here.
Kaor, Paul!
Good! And moving from one place to another will be very disruptive!
Ad astra! Sean
Sean,
We will remain in Lancaster, fortunately.
Paul.
Kaor, Paul!
Good, it's your home town, after all!
Ad astra! Sean
My family always moved frequently when I was a child -- first because my father was in the RCAF, and then because he switched toforeign aid after he retired.
My mother once told me that "three house moves are equivalent to one house fire".
Kaor, Nr. Stirling!
I can see why your mother thought like. Not fun, moving so often when someone has children.
Ad astra! Sean
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