| Author |
Topic:
Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Jedi_Perigrine
Registered:
Apr '08
|
Date Posted:
5/6 9:21am
Subject:
Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Hi All!
I've been working on a non-Rogue Squadron pilot fic and wondered what most people feel is mandatory in a good one. Obviously you need interesting characters, ships and enemies, but what else? What would make a better-than-average fighter pilot story?
I noticed there's not a ton of attention given to pilot fic here, although I've read a couple goodies. I've never read any of the X-wing series, though I've gone through the NJO series a couple of times which has a couple of good battle scenes...
Anyway, any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
-----signature-----
TIS Rules. Check out: Soon to be continued: Choices-- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28767048/p1 A Jedi must make a difficult choice when he runs into an old crush Odd Happenings: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=29123443&
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
thesporkbewithyou
Registered:
Feb '05
|
Date Posted:
5/6 9:33am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Hey, what a coincidence! I also happen to be working on my own non-Rogue-or-Wraith pilot fic.
First of all, I really would recommend that you go out and read those books. Stackpole and Allston are the originators, you could say, of pilot fic, and anything you might need to know you can learn from them.
Otherwise, I think, though, that you're right on target. In my opinion, it's the characters that make the story - the action scenes are only the icing on the cake. Characters (protagonists and antagonists, good guys and bad guys) are what drive your story. They're the reason those action scenes happen, and should be what draw your readers in.
Does that make any sense? I'm working on about only 3 hours of sleep.
Good luck with the fic, in any case! Can't wait to see it.
-----signature-----
Loyal servant ... er ... Padawan of HyperionRising.
E-sis/mutual adoptee/ter of Maggy for a happy almost 3 years
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Thumper09
Registered:
Dec '01
|
Date Posted:
5/6 9:40am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
I agree, definitely check out the X-wing novels or comics if you can. I got my basis for writing squadfics from them, and they cover it all: characterization, action, etc.
It's been locked for a long time (it's from 2005), but you might want to look through The Downtime Thread. It has an index of pilot-centric stories as well as discussion about pilots and squadfics in general. I think this is the most recent version of the thread, though I may have missed one (if I have, someone please let me know!).
Have fun with your story! 
-Thumper
-----signature-----
"Like anything worth writing, it came inexplicably and without method." -Karen Eiffel The Way--Imperial pilot OCs, OT: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28104637 OC X-wing fics: http://www.coronasquadron.com/corona.html
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
jedimasterbac
Title: Fan Sites Manager
Registered:
Jun '04
|
Date Posted:
5/6 10:05am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
|
Basically, everyone's already said that the characters are really important. What I would add to that is that it's really important to make sure you portray a sense of brotherhood between them. Pilot squadrons should really be like a big family, and while there can naturally be tension at times I think the overriding theme of stories like that should be that sense of brotherhood, along with adventure.
-----signature-----
Star Wars: Episode I - The Chosen One (Star Wars Saga Reboot/Re-Imagining) http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/27764984/p1/?1 Chronicles of the Great War: Aftermath http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28417488/p1/?1 John McCain 2008
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jade_Pilot
Registered:
Dec '05
|
Date Posted:
5/6 10:23am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
|
Humor...there has to be humor.
-----signature-----
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. - Rita Rudner
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Space_Wolf
Registered:
Mar '07
|
Date Posted:
5/6 10:59am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Jade_Pilot posted:
Humor...there has to be humor.
Just as long as you stay away from stuffed Ewoks.
-----signature-----
"The Invasive Species Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union lists 100 of the world's most invasive species. Tesco is not mentioned...yet." SWCC http://www.swcc.bravehost.com Stories in bio Emimar in disgiuse The fate of Norns awaits us all...
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jade_Pilot
Registered:
Dec '05
|
Date Posted:
5/6 11:15am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Space_Wolf posted:
Jade_Pilot posted:
Humor...there has to be humor.
Just as long as you stay away from stuffed Ewoks.
That goes without saying... 
-----signature-----
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. - Rita Rudner
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jedi_Perigrine
Registered:
Apr '08
|
Date Posted:
5/6 12:27pm
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Spork: You made perfect sense. Maybe you should go without sleep more often? 
Thumper: Oh I'm already having fun. My poor OC hasn't graduated from pilot school yet. He better learn fast though because challenges are on the way soon!
Jedimasterbac: Your suggestion is a very good one, and one I had sorta thought about and had some subconscious ponderings of, but hadn't planned to pen in intentionally. I'll make sure I do that now!
Wolf and Jade: Definitely can't live without humor. It'll be in there too. I'll try to avoid stuffed Ewoks, but no promises. If they make it in there, I blame you.
Unfortunately I live in a redneck little town where the library is next to the bar, across from the liquor store, so getting a hold of the X-wing books could be a bit hard. I'll try it anyway.
Thanks for all your suggestions! I'll take 'em to heart.
-----signature-----
TIS Rules. Check out: Soon to be continued: Choices-- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28767048/p1 A Jedi must make a difficult choice when he runs into an old crush Odd Happenings: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=29123443&
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
aurrasingrules101
Registered:
Apr '03
|
Date Posted:
5/6 1:24pm
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Might wanna check out this:
Starfighter Combat
-----signature-----
Stories in profile 1st Peter 4:16 and John 3:3 Dubbed the Mistress of Cliffhangers "You can call me 'Great One'. Most people do." -Jaina Solo
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jade_Pilot
Registered:
Dec '05
|
Date Posted:
5/6 2:12pm
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
|
Now that's a cool little resource!
-----signature-----
I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. - Rita Rudner
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
CodyMonKenobi
Registered:
Jan '01
|
Date Posted:
5/9 6:45am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
|
make sure you do some reaserch on a pilots life. Most of them are adrenile junkies, face it when you have a job like that not much else will scare you. Other than that just what everyone else said, the X-Wing books are a good start and any other books you can pick up on fighter pilots would be great.
-----signature-----
We rednecks like to stay with-in the four main food groups. Steak, potatoes, gravy, and beer, with hard liquor in moderation.  U.S. Army Field Artillery The Blood of Patriots http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/24316253/p
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jedi_Perigrine
Registered:
Apr '08
|
Date Posted:
5/9 8:33am
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Thanks for the continuing advice
Aurrasingrules' link was great! I learned a bit there for sure.
CodyMonKenobi: Good point. I took that into consideration as well, but something tells me my 5 episodes of Jetstream probably won't give me a complete picture. More searching, I shall do.
-----signature-----
TIS Rules. Check out: Soon to be continued: Choices-- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28767048/p1 A Jedi must make a difficult choice when he runs into an old crush Odd Happenings: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=29123443&
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
-thor-
Registered:
Nov '02
|
Date Posted:
5/9 12:10pm
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
- Date Edited:
5/9 12:11pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
-thor-
|
It were the X-Wing books which brought me into the EU. So pilotfics are my favourite genre.
A few things to remember:
a) Fighter pilots are a weird bunch of people. I know a few of them personally (Jagdgeschwader 73 "Steinhoff" of the german air force) and they present a very inconsistent picture to those who know them. On the one hand they're professional, rational, orderly to a fault and very focused on procedures and methods - that is their pilot side. On the other hand I've learned that most of them are real weirdos, pranksters, jokers and generally "unnormal" people when not in uniform. Keep that in mind when putting together characters.
b) Modern air combat is heavily ritualized and standardized to minimize the danger of information overload for the pilot. Most pilots are trained to adhere strictly to standard tactics to make them more effective, because nowadays the difference between a good pilot and a dead pilot is the ability to "read" the combat. The novels about Rogue and Wraith Squadron may have clouded the image of a snubfighter pilot a bit because of their skill and ability to improvise, but I envision most "normal" squadrons to be less relaxed and more focused on standard procedures. Discipline is what keeps normal pilots alive. Never forget that.
c) Air and space combat is a 3D thing. Never reduce your writing to one layer. Most people unfamiliar with air combat are thinking of it as an endless repetition of turning combats. This has been wrong as long as men got into windy crates of wood and fabric and started shooting at each other.
-----signature-----
Signature space for rent ... now where did I leave the HoloNet address ???
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Space_Wolf
Registered:
Mar '07
|
Date Posted:
5/9 3:02pm
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
|
The X-Wing novels are my favourites of the whole EU. They're the main reason I write about OCs, rather than sticking with the more popular canon characters like Luke, etc. However, I've always found writing space combat scenes with snub fighters difficult, espeaically making them come across realistically. Because of that, I've never really tackled squadron fics, even though I've wanted to write them. But when it comes to writing alien characters, I find them easy to do. Spending a lot of time around animals and reading natural history books are to thank for that, and that was one of the aspects of the X-Wing novels I liked the most.
-----signature-----
"The Invasive Species Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union lists 100 of the world's most invasive species. Tesco is not mentioned...yet." SWCC http://www.swcc.bravehost.com Stories in bio Emimar in disgiuse The fate of Norns awaits us all...
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Jedi_Perigrine
Registered:
Apr '08
|
Date Posted:
5/9 6:06pm
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Hey Thor--
"c) Air and space combat is a 3D thing. Never reduce your writing to one layer. Most people unfamiliar with air combat are thinking of it as an endless repetition of turning combats. This has been wrong as long as men got into windy crates of wood and fabric and started shooting at each other."
Yeah. That's why Kahn got his butt handed to him by Captain Kirk near the end of Star Trek 2.  Awww nuts I just let my geek factor all hang out, didn't I?
Haven't made the 2D oversight yet although, again, maybe I can add wee touch more detail that will really flesh that part out a bit more.
Where my Pilot OCs are concerned, a larger bunch of weirdos I haven't seen on paper.
Hey Space_Wolf, are you following me around? I'm a big animal fan myself. I based my Mrlssi character's behaviors and some of their actions on the way my parrot moves. I really look forward to fleshing that character out some more.
Anyway, I've had enough time to get something going. Is anybody interested in doing a beta read for me? It's only 27 pages so far. I'd really like a more experienced eye to take a look and see if I'm on the right track.
Thanks much for all the awesome insight, guys!
-----signature-----
TIS Rules. Check out: Soon to be continued: Choices-- http://boards.theforce.net/before_the_saga/b10475/28767048/p1 A Jedi must make a difficult choice when he runs into an old crush Odd Happenings: http://boards.theforce.net/Message.aspx?topic=29123443&
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
Trika_Kenobi
Registered:
Nov '99
|
Date Posted:
5/9 8:00pm
Subject:
RE: Pilot fiction esentials...?
|
Hey, there. Sorry I haven't made it into this thread previously, but I just got the chance to sit down and read everything, and I think you've got some good ideas going here from everyone.
Squadfic has developed a lot since the original batch of fanficcers. Back in the day, throwing a bunch of junk together magically satisfied everything that squadfic needed. It was a little of this, a little of that, and pranks. That was all that was necessary to make squadfic work. As you've seen so far, there are many different opinions as to what might be most important, but a good understanding of the camaraderie of a brotherhood goes a long way to feeding that extra humor, that subtle drama, and that need for adrenaline.
You mentioned that you've never seen a larger bunch of weirdos on paper in your OCs. I'd like to then steer your ideas more toward the melodramatic! You know that feeling you get watching the farm boy from Tatooine blow up the evil bad guy spacestation? How about that feeling when the scoundrel gets the girl? When you really get down to the essence of Star Wars, a lot of the excitement we all feel flows from really extreme circumstances. But that's what makes the stories, and that's what's fun! I love serious stories just as much as anyone, but I'm a sucker for having a good time, too. Make sure that above all else, your group of weirdos remains that well-crafted group of weirdos. They'll have their highs and lows, their joy and their pain. As long as they have that group, though, they should be able to handle anything. What's not to love about that, and what's not to root for?
I'm hesitant to volunteer my services and read it, but only because I've got a lot on my plate. I'm pretty much the biggest sucker for squadfic, though, so I'm going to go ahead and say that if you get in touch with me via PM, we can work something out.
Trika
-----signature-----
Talon Intelligence Squadron: Assaulting Good Sense and Order Since Y2K http://www.TalonIntelligenceSquadron.com TRY-kuh. el-oh-el.
|
|
|
Quote Reply |
Active Topic Notification |
Private Message |
Post History
|
