WOW, something different. A World-Building Bible and Guide to Writing a Science Fiction Series.
Illustrated by Jamin Allen and Kayelle Allen.
Genre non-fiction
Author Kayelle Allen
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): G
Page count: 311 pp on Amazon
For the science fiction writer, this volume teaches you how to build believable worlds, track details of your story, organize your writing, and lay out your story bible. Novice or experienced, you will pick up tricks and tips here. This EPIC eBook Award winning writer shares organizational tips, links to marketing sites, groups supporting writers, science fiction groups, and more. Material from the author's 90+ page website is included.
For the science fiction fan, the Companion reveals the worldbuilding magic that makes Kayelle Allen's Tarthian Empire tick. She shares every character in every book, 10k years of future history, offers inside peeks at scenes and stories, lays out a quick tour of the Empire, and dishes up a surfeit of secrets, all in one illustrated volume. Original art by Jamin Allen and Kayelle Allen.
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Coming soon in print
Excerpt:
Military and Ships
If your world has an army, navy, or other branch of service, consider how ranks are listed. The naming of ships should follow protocols. It doesn't matter what the protocols are, but it does matter that you use a consistent system. Organizations pivot on protocols. What makes an army effective is its ability to move as a unit. That is one reason armies adopt uniforms. The sight of a mass of people, all moving in a unified manner, can strike fear into the heart of an enemy. Use that to advantage in your books.
Uniform and other codes can be found online. Here's a link to a PDF published by the Military Quartermaster detailing requirements for an Enlisted Aide. It contains pictures, placements of uniform items, and more, for all ranks within the military.
Also try this site for links and other documents for military reference. http://www.quartermaster.army.mil/
Military ships and aircraft have naming protocols. If you create your own, follow them. On my worlds, the officers on board starships do not carry Navy designations (such as ensign), but instead use the same as those found in the Air Force. If you do this, be consistent. Be sure you know to whom members of a rank report. Your readers are likely to, and they won't like it if you have someone reporting to the wrong rank.
When I wrote the future history for my series, I studied the patterns of the past. Wars punctuate human history. We refer to them as eras (the Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War II, etc.) and certain aspects are attributed to each. When we hear "Viet Nam Era" we envision a specific time of history, and also a culture. When creating your future history, keep these things in mind. If your people have been peaceful for centuries, how has that affected their culture? Be aware of these concepts as you write.
Also consider what kind of morality drives wars. Is it a requirement that your people seek new worlds to inhabit? Why? Did they destroy theirs? Did aliens invade? Did a supernova destroy their solar system? Were they exiled? All these things shape social structure for your characters.
Consider how your people govern themselves, and the premises behind their laws. My Tarthian Empire series contains references to slaves. I created some basic laws so I could have characters break them and use them to become free. Remember the importance of consistency. If it's a law in one book, it better still be one in another, or have a reason that it no longer matters.
About the Author
Science Fiction and Fantasy author Kayelle Allen is the winner of the 2010 EPIC award for Science Fiction, and the 2008 Honorable Mention for Science Fiction Fantasy. Her unstoppable heroes and heroines include contemporary every day folk, role-playing immortal gamers, futuristic covert agents, and warriors who purr.
Homeworld http://kayelleallen.com Mobile site http://kayelleallen.mobi
Unstoppable Heroes Blog http://kayelleallen.com/blog
Twitter http://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Pinterest http://pinterest.com/kayelleallen/
About the Artist
Jamin Allen is the founder of Nimajination Studios, and is known as "Volgraza" on the popular YouTube channel V^2 Gaming, which features game play, advice, and update information for games such as SpaceEngineers, and other games on Steam. He is the son of Kayelle Allen.
Twitter https://twitter.com/vtwogamers
DeviantArt http://nimajination-studios.deviantart.com/
Nimajination Studios http://nimajinationstudios.weebly.com/
Thank you for sharing the book, LA. My son and I worked untold hours on the images for this book. We started collaborating when he was in college, and have worked together for the past 11 years on various projects.
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