Thursday, August 12, 2010

Spinward Fringe Broadcast 7: Framework - What To Expect

"Every few generations there is a leap in technology so drastic the conditions of living change. All your fears are justified."

That line was first seen in The First Light Chronicles Omnibus: Starfree Port (also known as Spinward Fringe Broadcast 0: Origins). The idea of framework technology started there, but has been one of the core fixtures of the series ever since. The primary reason why it's been in the books all along is simple; there's a point, a conclusion that delivers on Doctor Marcelles dark prediction. How? Well that will be told in Broadcast 7: Framework, which is also the third part of the Rogue Element Trilogy.

The Rogue Element Trilogy was always meant to be the season one finale, if you will, of the ongoing Spinward Fringe series. When I say I write this like a television series, I'm not kidding. The First Light Chronicles is like a TV movie or mini-series, while the Spinward Fringe series can be measured out in a longer, on going television series that's marked like seasons of television. How long is a season? After much consideration over the last two years, I've decided it's seven books long. Deconstructing the scenes and story lines neatly provide twenty one or twenty two episodes of television. My white board got a serious workout while I puzzled that together.

That brings me back to the Rogue Element Trilogy. Broadcast 5: Fracture was largely a wish fulfillment book for me. I wrote it as though it was in real time and directed like a film. Every perspective led easily into the next scene, joined by some kind of contact between characters whether one was thinking of the next, or they were communicating with each other, and then the baton would be passed. 
I also got to show a lot of the characters existing strengths. The crew were at their best, and in Broadcast 5 they had the opportunity to function in a challenging setting while trying to address some personal drama. We also got to see a couple characters at rest, Ashley in particular. She was our guide as we visited the bunks and the Pilot's Den, where we were reminded that the crew had lives off duty, and it wasn't so bad for some of them. She also added a little swagger and sauciness back into the book that I thought was missing in Spinward Fringe Broadcast 4: Frontline.

In Spinward Fringe Broadcast 6: Fragments, the struggle is on, and many of the characters have to deal with situations that aren't easily resolved. A number of characters have to operate outside their regular skill set, and a few emotional challenges confront them along the way. I'm of the mind set that the second part of a trilogy should always be the most emotionally driven, and introduce intrigue that will be important in the final part of the trilogy. I also took the opportunity to introduce a type of setting that I've wanted since  Broadcast 2.

Waiting almost two years to introduce this setting has nearly driven me bibbildy bonkers, and I'm not even disappointed that very little of the research that went into it (over eighteen months worth), has been used yet. Anyone who has read Broadcast 6 should know which setting I'm writing about. Nothing is simple, to everything there is an impending cost, and you've only seen a glimpse of a few small patches of land. The characters that come along with this setting took a lot of doing as well, and they're as important as Cheshire in Alice in Wonderland. I had to get them right, and I had to make sure that they were interesting for different reasons. Why did I introduce a new setting that has a vast potential for milage? I'll need it. It'll be important in Broadcast 7 for a few reasons, and in future Broadcasts.
One more thing about Broadcast 6: the bad guys are back. The second part of the trilogy gives us the opportunity to learn more about many of the characters, including the ones who, while they may think they're on the right path, really stand to do more harm than good.

Broadcast 7: Framework is the book everyone has been waiting for. Unlike traditional science fiction season finales, most of the plot lines that have been running since Broadcast 0 and Broadcast 1 will come to a thunderous end. Loose strings? Most of them will be tied up. Questions left unanswered, and mysteries left unsolved? Broadcast 7 is the book of solutions. I'm not giving anything away here, the third part of a trilogy is traditionally about resolution.

Our favourite characters are in difficult situations thanks to the events in Broadcast 6, which did resolve a lot of the immediate problems that started in Broadcast 5 after a fashion, but they aren't operating on a stable foundation. Broadcast 7 is the third part of a trilogy, meaning that everything in the other two parts of the trilogy (Broadcast 5 and 6), should be dealt with, but it's also a coalescent book, meaning that our characters will find themselves facing greater challenges than ever as the drama, intrigue and momentum that has been generated since the very first novella, Freeground - comes crushing down on them.
Many of my readers are fairly new to long form serialization and I completely understand how frustrating it is to come to the end of one of the books, realizing that the ending to the whole thing remains elusive. In a way, Broadcast 7 is for you. While no one will ever see me write; "and they all lived happily ever after." this will be the closest thing you'll ever see in Spinward Fringe. The answers are here, and most of them don't lead to more questions.

While Broadcast 7 is the ending of a trilogy, and the first "Season" of Broadcasts, it's important to remember that, after all is said and done, you, the reader have been quite vocal about wanting more, so there will be indication of more to come at the end of Broadcast 7: Framework. While I will be releasing a horror and fantasy novel in 2011, I also plan on writing one or two new Broadcasts before 2012, not including Broadcast 7, because there are so many other stories left to tell.

Over two years ago I said that the readers would determine when I was finished with Spinward Fringe, effectively cancelling it by no longer offering support. The opposite has happened. There are more readers than ever, and I can't wait to finish Broadcast 7 so I can release it to the world.

Overall Broadcast 7 will contain almost all the ideas regarding the ongoing plot lines that I have been holding back. Those unanswered questions? I've been waiting to tell you the answers for years. There are scenes and character interactions I've been waiting to delve into as well, and while I may not get to all of them, you'll see the important bits. I can honestly say that I've taken myself completely off the map of what I know with some of the ideas I'll explore in this book, and that's where Science Fiction does its best work.

The best is yet to come.

RL

Now to get back to work on it.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Move over 'Starwars', we have a new plot in the galaxy

Anonymous said...

I just started reading this series in August 2010 and have sped through them. I can't get enough, thank you.

David said...

I think that you're books are the only reason I got a Kindle. Because... I can't seem to find them in nearby bookstores, so... yeah. :) Please keep writing them!

Dan Robinson said...

wow, really enjoying reading this series... started with broadcast 0 about 10 days ago and have burned through to the end of 6 and now, I am just waiting for the next broadcast... I'm just waiting to see what the good ole captain learns about himself in 7 ( and hopefully 8 and 9 - n+1) broadcasts

Anonymous said...

These books are absolutely amazing I'm still working my way through Broadcast 6 and loving every word of it. And yeah I'll have to second the kindle comment I have read more Spinward Fringe on my kindle than anything else! Keep them coming they are an amazing series that draw me into an exciting universe unlike anything else I have ever read!

Anonymous said...

these books would make an awesome tv show or movies

Willhoff59 said...

Excellent Reading. I have been locked in since the first book. Can not wait for 7. Type, type, type.

Willhoff59 said...

I have not been able to get enough of these stories since the first book. This would be a great TV series or even movie with the right funding. I would hate to see a cheap version however. Can I play the old dumb fat red neck.

Joey said...

I can't wait until 7 comes out, Ive never been so intrigued with any book series in my life, this series just has an amazing plot and some of the most intricate characters of any book or movie that I know of. I only wish I could find them in paper rather than reading them on my ipod or kindle constantly.... it would be so much more convenient for the everyday reader, maybe some place to buy them online would be nice(: but back on track, just keep the great books coming, you'll be one the big names out there in the world of authors, I'm calling it now!

Rick981 said...

I've read all the previous books and have enjoyed them all. Just wanted to stop in with some words of praise and also to check in on a status on Framework 7. Any idea when it will be published? If you're looking for advance copy readers I'd be happy to help.

BillInInd said...

I was hoping that I wouldn't finish Broadcast 6 until Broadcast 7 was out. I simply couldn't put Broadcast 6 down and now I wait impatiently for Broadcast 7. I use my laptop for Kindle formatted books.

clint said...

I need a date, when will broadcast 7 be ready??

Randolph Lalonde said...

Sorry Clint, past experience has taught me not to set dates until I can be sure.

As it is, the book hasn't gone to production yet, and won't be ready to do so until 2012, so I can't predict when they'll be finished their jobs.

The best way to stay up to date on releases and other information is to join the Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/groups/60355282837/

RL

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year and hurry up with Broadcast 7!
I agree with you about time-sucking social media and read the whole series inside of 2 weeks.
Really should be a TV series.
Hope you get a simulation game as well. I'm sharing with all my sci-fi loving friends and family.
This world's authority is deteriorating fast, request permission to come aboard, I'll be your wing-man. Call sign Rebel.
Cwteter@comcast.net

Osiris said...

I'll be your SIO in that anytime! RL keep up the good work and keep spinward fringe my favorite Seiries! Preferably soon, like before February. I share this series with all the people I know, even the fantasy guys or the drama snobs. This Seiries fits me like a glove (see what i did there? Quote) I love all of the books and can't wait for the next one. Call sign H-Bomb

Simon said...

Happy new year! I have just finished reading broadcast 6 and am truly in love with the series and wanted to show my support. Iv been traveling Europe for the last 4 months and you've made a lot of long train and coach journeys somthing I now look forward too. I'm half in disbalief that there's only 15 comments to this post! My only wish is that I could buy paperback versions so I could give them as presents to everyone I know. I've never been much of a book reader but you've completely converted me. The only other book I've enjoy half this much is Haven by Justin Kempainen which I would suggest to you and everyone else who is anxiously waiting for broadcast 7.

Anonymous said...

Hello RL.
Just wanted to say what a great series. I read all the broadcasts, 0-6, this Christmas and can't express how much I enjoyed them. Needless to say I was hooked, which goes some way to expressing my enjoyment I hope. I am looking forward to 7 so all the best with it, and a happy new year to you and all your readers.

Jon Lodge (UK)

mrjohnny said...

I love these books. They are a great read for young adults and adults alike. I am 14 and this series was recommended to me by my eighth grade teachers because of my advanced reading level and it is the best, most in depth book I have read in my entire life, and I'm not exaggerating.