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: Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
2010-11-27 20:11:00

Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
2010-11-27 20:11:00

Mood: busy

Writing Exercise: Warm Spot

The answer to "Where do you get your ideas?" is ... "Everywhere." Writers draw inspiration from everything around them.

For example, read this article about an unexpected warm spot on an exoplanet.

Now write a scene giving it a creative explanation. Is it an alien city? An engine? A wrecked spacecraft? A weird lifeform? A gate to another universe? Use your imagination. Make the explanation as bizarre as possible.

Next, create a character. This can be any kind of character you want, so long as he/she/it has a reason to encounter that exoplanet and discover (in whatever manner you wish) the truth about the warm spot.

Add a plot complication. Maybe the government or some other organization doesn't believe the truth. Maybe they believe it but want to hush it up. Maybe a rival character wants to steal the protagonist's glory by taking credit for the discovery.

Write what happens.

Tags: how to, science fiction, space exploration, writing

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fayanora

November 28 2010, 02:48:55 UTC 10 years ago

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I know what you mean about getting inspiration everywhere. Got an inspiration the other day from a discussion about mechanical arms. The idea was this: a world where almost everyone has mechanical add-ons like extra limbs, cameras to see beyond the normal visible spectrum, built-in wifi, etc. Anyone who can't or won't use mechanical add-ons is viewed like they're disabled and/or mentally retarded.

siege

November 28 2010, 04:04:34 UTC 10 years ago

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It's a "hot Jupiter", it's orbiting closely, with a period of 4.5 Earth days (incredibly fast), and it has a bright spot which, according to the animation, trails its orbit. That suggests it's being pushed, which is not a guarantee, since it is tidally locked to its star. On the other hand, that might be a heat-reflecting area... but it would have to be massive to be seen from so far away. So heat is being either generated, or siphoned somehow from the side facing the star.

I'd say it's an engine, but it doesn't have to be. It might in fact be a jet from a pre-fusion reaction... a dwarf star not quite able to fire up.

Wow!

ysabetwordsmith

November 28 2010, 07:16:45 UTC 10 years ago

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Those are cool ideas. Thanks for sharing.

natf

November 30 2010, 00:50:59 UTC 10 years ago

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This plot bunny has been running around my brain and breeding itself silly! Now, if only I can remember the results long enough to write them down… Oh, what was my name again? ;-p