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Post by yrdeni on Nov 24, 2012 15:03:37 GMT
Does adding long medi-chemical-sounding words make my story more sci-fi, or does the bull***t simply put the reader off?
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bonusparts
Junior Limebird Member
Rocket Cat!
Posts: 29
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Post by bonusparts on Nov 25, 2012 12:16:32 GMT
I think it would depend on who is speaking, or in what context you're using such terminology. Personally, I can handle it (and even find it fun), in the right situation.
For one example, a Spock-type character using a lot of techno-speak and then his foil asking for a translation "in real words." For another, if it's a term or name that everyone uses, regardless, simply because that's what's correct ("electrocardiogram" looks long on the page, but that's just what it is), I think that's fine, too.
As for sci-fi, I think some explanation of your tech or science is worthwhile, but there's no reason to go overboard. If you're working in a laboratory setting, a scientist would likely say, "Anaxolygrathus Peritrechlotese Diasulphanorate" and not blink an eye. I would tend to think, though, if a reader has to see that a lot, they're going to either skip it or truncate it in their heads.
Hope this helps! Happy writing!
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Post by yrdeni on Nov 25, 2012 12:51:30 GMT
Thanks, Bonusparts. What you say makes a lot of sense. I think I only mentioned the full wording once, in the end. The rest of the time, it's abbreviated to APD and it's got a "street name" of blue dust. Apart from anything else, I kept spelling it wrong
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Post by limebirdwriters on Nov 26, 2012 18:39:46 GMT
The only thing that might put me off is that I know that that isn't an actual chemical... haha! Pharmacy nerd! However, in your story if it's abbreviated and made up then that's fine!
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Post by ottabelle on Nov 29, 2012 4:52:47 GMT
I'm a HUGE Doctor nerd, and there are tons of alien names in the series, of course, and it fits and works. Can it get any more ridiculous than a planet named Raxacoricofallapatorius with a twin planet of Glom? So, if it fits, it fits.
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