Handwritten Records from 2001 for 2014 Sequel

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If you've followed this blog or my Facebook page, you know that I'm working on Relic Rescue, the sequel to Relic Tech (published by Gryphonwood Press in November 2013).

Relic Tech
First Novel in the
Crax War Chronicles

I started writing Relic Tech way back in 1998. Well, I started outlining and planning and studying how to write a novel in 1998. One thing I wanted to achieve was consistency, especially where it related to space travel.

I did my best to determine accurate distances between stellar bodies and, after creating the 'rules' for condensed space travel, I established the parameters for humans and the various alien races. The main factors included the rate at which a ship could travel based upon its own thrust capability and the degree to which it could condense space (and maintain such condensation). Another factor was the use of con-gates (condensation gates) which generally offered a more effective condensation factor and required less ship-based energy.

In essence the theory is to compress or condense space directly in front of the ship as it travels, thus reducing the time it takes to travel, by making the distance traversed 'shorter.' This mode of travel also alleviated some of the concerns of time dilation, related to when a ship begins to approach the speed of light. Time passes differently for those moving on a fast spaceship as compared to those not on the ship in question.

In any case, I made a chart for reference. Yes, handwritten, dated 200. As I write now, in 2014, I am in need the information to remain internally consistent in this novel in the Crax War Chronicles, and also to remain consistent with the first novel in the series (and that follow).

I am a believer in making backups. I keep one such file (with important photocopies of originals) a cabinet at work (about 1/2 inch thick). And the originals in a plastic file case stored out of the way in the basement. Even back then, when I was writing, I kept multiple backups of my files, saving them to disks and later thumb/flash drives, and emailing copies to myself. How devastating would it be to lose years of work? I don't know and it's something I intend never to experience.

This afternoon I am transferring this bit of paper data to a digital spreadsheet. Got to be more modern...which is something that Security Specialist Keesay (an R-Tech) might not necessarily endorse. I'm not him, that's for sure ;)
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