posted
I'm nearly finished with a sci-fi short story, but am unhappy with a transition section where the MC is in the "normal" world, but then enters an altered world to ride sound waves and then returns to the "normal" world later. I want to avoid a cartoon-ish effect at all costs. So how do I make the transition there to the "alternate world" of the sound waves and then back?
Do I have the MC ride the sound waves in a normal size body similar to a surfer on an ocean wave and describe the problems encountered at ~700 mph? Or, do I shrink the MC a-la "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" and have him ride the sound waves in a miniature body? Or do I show his physical body remaining in the "normal" world in a trance, with the ride on the sound waves be more of a mental trip? Or, some other suggestion?
The important part of the story is what happens during the sound wave ride (the MC becomes seduced with an attempt to keep him in the altered state and not return to normal), so I want the transition to be as unobtrusive as possible.
Any sugguestions for techniques to get in and out of this altered state or alternate world would be greatly appreciated.
posted
Maybe his body could disintigrate to ride the sound waves, and then the atoms pull back together when he's ready to stop? I've never thought about how one might ride a soundwave. I'll give it some more thought. I've heard of an alternate state similar to Christ post-ressurection. Scientists (certianly those on the fringe) have speculated on how they might give a non-divine human the same powers. Oddly enough, I remember discussing this in Freshman theology class back in high school. I'll get back to you if I think of any more ideas on the subject.
Posts: 50 | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Well, I do have a suggestion that might work, but it depends on how deep you want to get into hard sf. I don't know if you know anything about string theory, but in general it postulates that all atomic particles, and in fact everything in existence, is basiclly just a vibration, but on an atomic level. Since sound waves are nothing more than vibrations, it seems the two ideas could be combined into a believable premise that would definitely sound scientific and not cartoonish. Maybe something like his body's quantum vibrations are somehow merged with the sound waves, thus carrying him along.
I will warn you that I'm simplifying this description of string theory to a great degree, and I strongly suggest that if you're interested, you research it and understand it a little before sticking your head out to be chopped off, but that's the direction I'd suggest.
This might be a good and detailed way to put across Valtam2's idea of atomic transformation.
[This message has been edited by luapc (edited January 26, 2006).]
posted
lupac, thanks so much. Yes, I have read a book on string theory. It was strictly in layman's terms, so I almost understood it. :-) Your suggestion is excellent because the MC starts by riding a music powered motorcycle that causes his entire body to vibrate with the music, which sets the stage for the transformation into the realm of surfing sound waves where he is seduced.
So, I will need to be very careful about not trying to pretend I know a lot about string theory. I'll slip it in somehow. Maybe I should make the MC a Physics student who's hobby is music.
posted
Well, to "surf" a sound wave...that's an interesting problem. Issues of wavelength and amplitude and all that need to be answered. It seems that the best shape to ride a sound wave would be something very like a bullet/nosecone shape with a sharply tapering tail. You'd also need to accelerate yourself to the speed of sound, the same way a surfer must paddle vigorously to "catch a wave".
But that's probably not what you mean. The reference to the musical motorcycle particularly suggests that this is not a conventional physical process at all. So I suggest that you avoid any discussion of physics. Also, change "soundwave" to "sound" or perhaps "note/vibration/resonance" et al. Particularly since the plot point you seek is a mental experience, rather than a physical event.
"But that's probably not what you mean. The reference to the musical motorcycle particularly suggests that this is not a conventional physical process at all."
Yes, the non-conventional process is more the effect I'm looking for. I don't know if the story would continue to be sci-fi at that point, or would it morph into fantasy? I tend to back myself into a corner as the writing becomes more surrealistic at the climax.
Others seem to be able to pull it off and the story remains credible. But I still need work. -
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There's nothing wrong with writing fantasy, even if you consider yourself a Sci-Fi writer. There's a big cross-over and a lot of grey-area with Fantasy, Science fiction, and Horror. I've seen stories I considered more Fantasy than SF printed in SF mags, so I say just write the story you want to write, and worry about what to categorize it as later. In other words, write the story first, then worry about the market for it. You might be surprised where it fits. Posts: 326 | Registered: Sep 2005
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