I am already about 22K words into this novel, and it looks as though it is about two-thirds complete (that's what happens when you choose a starship voyage, what is usually known as a century ship, as the foundation for your story, I suppose - it seems nearly as endless). I want to spin a tale that is less your typical space fantasy, and more about life and its sometimes more mundane aspects, albeit in a more constrained and artificial environment, with a greater focus on inter-personal and interior life, as well as the more philosophical attributes of seeking a new home for humanity. After all, its not everyday your planet dies, and you are one of the few chosen to keep your species alive. And given the news these days, it may be more pertinent than ever, as subjects go.
So, here are the first 13 lines. Any takers?
From Marie Dumas’ point of view, the initial acceleration was not the least bit noticeable. When the announcement came to ready for initial departure, she at first thought it had been delayed for some technical reason, the motion was so imperceptible. Indeed, for the first week, no one on board had any idea anything was happening, except for the ship’s crew. But in the middle of the eighth day, if it could really be called day, the bridge announced the second burst was about to commence, taking nearly everyone by surprise. This time, Marie was near one of the observation ports, and had the presence of mind to look out, hoping this time to notice a difference. There was little to see that would allow the eye to measure motion against, mostly stars too distant to use to gauge the ship’s
[ February 13, 2012, 11:40 AM: Message edited by: Kathleen Dalton Woodbury ]
Posted by MartinV (Member # 5512) on :