Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Could use some help with a Scifi alternate history novel

This is topic Could use some help with a Scifi alternate history novel in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/writers/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=005923

Posted by B. Elison Bradley (Member # 8907) on :

I could use someone whose knowledgeable in Soviet Jewish culture, Soviet contemporary culture and modern Russian contemporary preferably someone whose good in both for comparative purposes.

Someone knowledgeable in Soviet military culture would be nice as well.

Planning on writing a science fiction alternate history series but I am uncertain of the full depth of my 'first rights' inregards to it, as such I'm unsure how much I can discuss it outside of private correspondence.

Also would be interested in anyone knowledgeable in astrophysics, as I intend for the series to be on the 'hard' side of the Moh scale.

Anyone interested in helping me out, please email me at blayne dot bradley at gmail dot com I think I have skype linked to that account.

Was looking more for someone I could consult with informally but this is a possibility, largely I'm looking for information that could help me write convincing dialogue between members of Soviet/Russian armed forced personnel and dialogue between regular forces and 'specialist' or political officers.

As well as information then force deployments and naming schemes, as the setting takes place some 50 odd years in the future obviously current armaments would be out of place but having an idea of how to plausibly name future weapon systems would be grand.

Detailed information on how they conduct officer, NCO, and specialist military training schools would be nice to skim through for some of the backstory.

Also what would be good to find is information on the treatment of jewish members of the Soviet armed forces, being the future I could probably get away with whatever I want, but knowing how it was in the past and whatever trends existed up until glasnost would be good for flavor or perspective.

For example if the Soviets had a space colony like in Gundam Wing, a orbital colony with say quarter of a million residents what would they name them? Having an idea of the Soviet mindset for naming projects would be good to know.

Also, if they did expand and settle the solar system would it have evolved from the Airforces, or would it be naval or the Soviet Rocket forces? Alot of stuff to discuss and figure out.

Posted by Teraen (Member # 8612) on :

I'm no expert on any of that stuff, but I've had a few classes, and may know enough about soviet jewry around the turn of the 20th century to get you pointed in the right direction. If you want as much detail as you say, you'll have to commit yourself to some serious research!

Posted by B. Elison Bradley (Member # 8907) on :

I'm currently compiling a list of reference works for the various subjects i wish to read on.

Posted by rich (Member # 8140) on :

I don't even know how to spell Soviet, but I would suggest that you write as much as you can BEFORE doing any major research. From my own experience, I've found that I get carried away with research, and I tend to "censor" myself when it comes to putting the story down.

I guess I'm saying do enough research to get you started, but make it up as you go along after that. When you're done, you can double check what you've written to see if it works with what you now know.

If that doesn't work for you, and you need to do your research before you get too deep into the work, check out university staff listings for anyone that might fit what you need. Explain what you're doing, and ask if they're willing to have a phone chat/or respond to emails.

Posted by Jmsbrtms (Member # 8874) on :

Wikipedia is a good start. Follow the foot notes and external links. Don't just rely on the main wiki articles.