Okaaaaay . . .

[esmenet]

I've gotten myself into something that will probably take several years, lots of research, and plenty of dedication -- which I'm not really sure I have, but let's discuss that later. No, I haven't gotten into a college.

I've started writing a novel.

And of course I'm tearing my hair out now because this is the sort of novel that devolves into a great sprawling mass, gets split up into 321432 books, and eventually goes off the rails completely and turns into gibberish which everyone pretends never happened. HELP.

And by 'started writing' I mean 'have thought up a couple of the key characters (all 2123 billion of them) and am trying to start setting up the background'. Which I can't really do, because I really don't know enough. (Are three major powers enough? What about business conglomerates? Is 'it takes 3 days to get to Mars' really good enough details on FTL transportation?) This is the sort of story that demands politics and intrigue and well-thought-out governmental systems, the kind that I love but really know nothing about writing.

. . . Any research suggestions?

Comments

[agent-tomato.livejournal.com]

The LJ community little_details is rather good for specific details. I will also suggest Limyaael's Fantasy Rants (http://www.livejournal.com/tools/memories.bml?user=limyaael&keyword=Limyaael%27s+Fantasy+Rants&filter=all), which has a few good articles regarding governments and things.

Congratulations on being abducted by your Muse.

[ojuzu.livejournal.com]

I clicked the link and then spent three hours there. It's like TV Tropes!

[black-rider.livejournal.com]

Other post modern sci-fi. Gibson, Mieville, Stephenson, etc.

[ojuzu.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[aramis-chan.livejournal.com]

The only suggestion I have is to look into actual historical intrigues/systems for inspiration and ideas on how it might work. And good luck (is that what you tell people who start writing a novel? O_o)! It sounds like the kind of thing I'd love to read. :)

[ojuzu.livejournal.com]

I think I'm going to have to look at Italian politics through the ages, then lots of modern stuff. :x This is going to be . . . interesting, even though I really have no idea where to start.

If this goes well, it will be THE MOST AWESOME THING I HAVE EVER DONE. If it doesn't . . . well, I'll know more about politics, I guess?