Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Don’t Ignore the Economy or Politics


             I just loaded one of my playlists to my computer’s music player. I have the following songs among many I am listening to as I write tonight including Roll with the Changes by REO Speedwagon, Jukebox Hero by Foreigner, Bang a Drum by Bon Jovi, Heartbeat City by The Cars, Bad is Bad by Huey Lewis & the News, What it Takes to Win by Journey, Speed Turtle by Brian Wilson, Baby Come Back to Me by Manhattan Transfer, Brand New Day by Sting, and Africana by Kurt Bestor. The selections are a bit eclectic but a good mix for me. I realize it is loaded with what many would consider some older period works (1970’s – 80’s). I have very vivid memories of listening to groups like Three Dog Night  and Journey in the Utah State University Spectrum (basketball stadium) with more than 7,000 screaming fans (all considered close friends by the end of the evening). The stage was raised about 6 feet off the floor with four 20 foot high sound columns on the sides of the stage, a wall of speakers behind the band that stood 8 feet high and ran the entire width of the stage. I am convinced that when they powered up the sound and light systems in the Spectrum the lights dimmed in the rest of Logan. The band would start with something like Line of Fire (by Journey) and it would just get better and better. This is not the same experience you get by plugging in your ear buds and cranking up the volume on your IPod. Ear buds may be able to deliver a similar decibel level as music measured in a concert hall but that is where the similarities end. I remember the feel of the sound waves slamming into me. It was very much a physical thing. One could feel the bass notes through the floor, your shoes and into your bones. There is something very real about the feel of that kind of music in that setting.

             The best writers, like the best musicians help us experience stories through our senses. Somehow the reader has to be able to feel, to see, to hear, to touch,  to smell the story. All designed to create emotion and a sense of connection. We need an investment in the story. I read one of David Weber’s Honor Harrington series of books about a naval officer and her exploits. Weber is particularly good at describing naval battles. The stories are very much science fiction but  the terms, the tactics and the weapons are all well detailed and dovetail together. I remember reading an engagement in which the good guys did what is called a rearguard holding action. The action is designed to allow a group to escape but depending on the strengths of the opposing force, it may bode ill for the defending group. Here it allowed a group of under armed transports to escape a devastating ambush. I felt heartache for the dying rearguard force as the transports watched the destruction of this cover fleet but which destruction allowed the transports to escape. In real life those purchasing the time usually do not survive and know they are not likely to. One doesn’t have to have actual experience in death and destruction to feel the loss however, as Weber evokes emotions through descriptions and feelings by the characters who survive and those who know they are going to die. A good writer creates a mental image that one can immerse themselves in to generate and drive complex emotions, some very intense ones.

             L.E. Modesitt Jr. in his writing has the ability to lay out very complex economic, political and ecological concepts in such a manner as to make good story telling. Granted, one does not usually experience death from economic conflicts but it can be the catalyst that leads to death and destruction. However, with the proper use of such conflicts a much richer story is delivered. These principles and concepts add spice, flavors, colors, sounds, sights, if you will. It is important not to neglect the use of the soft sciences in story telling. These can be part of the back story or of the world building. They can also add dimensions and layers to main and secondary characters and create well rounded  plots and story arcs. Consider just a few of Modesitt’s books for particular situations. Parafaith Wars and The Ethos Effect show religious expansionism  vs. eco-technology and what can happen. The books are stand alone volumes but written in the same universe, centuries apart yet linked. A portion of the Recluse series involves the main character named Lerris who is an order mage but has to earn his living as a woodworker (a craftsman). He has to practice his trade to get enough money to travel. Yet because of his trade there are many great story arcs. The first 3 books of the Imager series involves the main character as a portraiturist and then as a magic user. The painting stays in the character’s background and colors the story. The entire economic and political setting is consistent with this aspect. In the Ghost series (a three book series) the main characters are university professors. The setting is such that it reminds me of class and all the situations one gets in that setting. Again Modesitt weaves the occupations into the story which adds story arcs and gives interesting flavors to the setting and characters. One of my favorite science fiction books by Modesitt is The One-Eyed Man. Here a society and social order is build around a planet that is influenced by a unique lifeform hidden yet in plain sight. The hero is commissioned to do an ecological survey to see if the settlements are interfering with the planetary systems. No one wants to upset the balance but things look poised to do just that.

             So, don’t neglect the full body effect of economic and political settings, ecologic and environmental aspects and certainly give characters jobs and lives. All will help generate deeper and more intense situations and many more story arcs, plots and subplot opportunities. Remember, politics can kill us. Just look at the French revolution.

Monday, February 15, 2016

LTUE 2016 & persentation

We have just finished up with LTUE 2016. It was a busy 2 days for me. EA (Emily) Younker and I were able to give our presentation; Faith, Followers and Fanatics: The Devine in Fantasy and Science Fiction. I would like to thank those who participated in the presentation. Some asked if they could get a copy of the paper. I will gladly send a copy, just drop me a short line at my email address; bhallredgen@gmail.com . Thanks again for coming to our presentation and watch here over the coming weeks for new posts on economic and financial concepts and thoughts.