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October 8th, 2010
So I'm going back in for NaNo this year.
This time, it's an original novel. China in 650AD, at the start of the Tang Dynasty, featuring a bastard Chinese Princess, successional politics, an Egyptian embassy from the Second Ptolemaic Dynasty, and possibly a land war in Asia. I'm thinking it might lead into another novel - either about the journey from China to Egypt, or possibly that Chinese steampunk novel I so wanted to write.
The thing about Chinese steampunk is that, with a more Mohistic school of thought driving Chinese science rather than a Confucian/Taoist one, it's likely to have produced the kind of steampunk technology several centuries earlier than the Victorian era. As in, around 1400AD. Which presents all kinds of interesting possibilities in writing fic. But also several logistical difficulties.
Right now, we're in the 'research phase' - working out the little details of Chinese life and living circa 650AD. It's slightly ironic that the times that Western History counts as 'the Dark Ages' and skims over were times of great scientific, technological, and philosophical growth for China and the empires of the Middle East. But one doesn't learn these things in school - or even think about them.
Next up is the 'plotting phase' which will probably start to happen next weekend in the gaps during the Armageddon convention in Melbourne.
But I am so going to write that Chinese steampunk novel. Someday.
This time, it's an original novel. China in 650AD, at the start of the Tang Dynasty, featuring a bastard Chinese Princess, successional politics, an Egyptian embassy from the Second Ptolemaic Dynasty, and possibly a land war in Asia. I'm thinking it might lead into another novel - either about the journey from China to Egypt, or possibly that Chinese steampunk novel I so wanted to write.
The thing about Chinese steampunk is that, with a more Mohistic school of thought driving Chinese science rather than a Confucian/Taoist one, it's likely to have produced the kind of steampunk technology several centuries earlier than the Victorian era. As in, around 1400AD. Which presents all kinds of interesting possibilities in writing fic. But also several logistical difficulties.
Right now, we're in the 'research phase' - working out the little details of Chinese life and living circa 650AD. It's slightly ironic that the times that Western History counts as 'the Dark Ages' and skims over were times of great scientific, technological, and philosophical growth for China and the empires of the Middle East. But one doesn't learn these things in school - or even think about them.
Next up is the 'plotting phase' which will probably start to happen next weekend in the gaps during the Armageddon convention in Melbourne.
But I am so going to write that Chinese steampunk novel. Someday.
I haven't bought my general entry ticket yet, and I don't anticipate being able to get a VIP - between Michael Shanks, Ben Browder, and Torri Higginson, I dare say they're pretty sold out.
I have a ticket for the Stargate dinner, which is probably going to be very full. The price was very reasonable (compared with the $800 I didn't pay to have dinner with Joe F last year and wish I had) and they don't seem to have a limit on numbers, so...it's gonna be busy. I just hope there are a few people there that I know. And that not everyone will gush about how Daniel or Elizabeth was the heart and soul of the show. There's only so much rabid fangirling I can take in one meal.
Anyone going to Armageddon Melbourne next weekend?
I have a ticket for the Stargate dinner, which is probably going to be very full. The price was very reasonable (compared with the $800 I didn't pay to have dinner with Joe F last year and wish I had) and they don't seem to have a limit on numbers, so...it's gonna be busy. I just hope there are a few people there that I know. And that not everyone will gush about how Daniel or Elizabeth was the heart and soul of the show. There's only so much rabid fangirling I can take in one meal.
Anyone going to Armageddon Melbourne next weekend?