Scott Harral - Author W. Scott Harral

Scott Harral’s sci-fi and mystery book, Moon Luck, is a wonderful example of writing mystery into a hard science fiction setting; it sounds difficult to do, but it is possible.

Scott Harral’s sci-fi and mystery book, Moon Luck, is a masterclass in how mystery can be integrated into hard science fiction. The book is set in a lunar colony in the near future, where there are secrets afoot, and questions must be answered before everything ends.

While the two genres may seem, at first glance, difficult to actually mix together, there are simple ways to go about it.

But first—

What is Hard Science Fiction?

Hard science fiction is a subgenre of science fiction that is very concerned with scientific accuracy and logic. What this means is that while Star Wars and The Martian might be under the umbrella of science fiction, they are on very opposite ends of the spectrum.

Where in most science fiction, technologies, and scientific themes are tropes and tools used by the author, hard science fiction integrates scientific discoveries and realistic possibilities into its narrative. What this means, in essence, is that authors of hard science fiction are very diligent and exhaustive with their use of science. What they write about is something that is theoretically possible and not just used because the concept sounds cool and awesome (although it can be).

Impossible Puzzles

One reason why it is very difficult to integrate mystery into hard science fiction is that the genre does not lend itself well to the illogical or the fantastically creative, even though some aspects of the two seem to mesh very well together. On the one hand, hard science fiction relies heavily on actual scientific and technical principles, and on the other, mystery fiction is all about solving puzzles and uncovering secrets.

Yet, isn’t science all about uncovering the mysteries of the world?

Adding Mystery in Hard Science Fiction

Regardless, if you want to write something like Moon Luck by Scott Harral and integrate mystery into a hard science fiction setting, here are some steps you might consider taking:

Establish the rules of the universe and stick to them.

Because hard science fiction is very strict when it comes to the workings of its setting, you have to be very mindful about what can and what cannot happen—and NEVER violate any of them without reason.

How you define the laws of physics, the limitations of technology, and the important scientific principles you are focusing on can make or break your story. Having a handy set of rules allows you to develop a world that is equally believable as it is functional.

When incorporating mystery into your hard science fiction setting, ensuring your story follows these rules is vital. The secrets that inform the story should be based on science and technology, not magic or supernatural elements. Breaking the laws you set out means breaking your readers’ trust, and that is not a thing you want happening if you want to write a good mystery.

Base your mysteries and secrets in science.

If you want to properly incorporate mystery into your hard science fiction setting, you have to use science to create it. Be creative with your use of technology in a way that is plausible and, at the same time, critical to understanding the puzzles you have laid out for both your characters and your readers.

Using science in this way creates a more believable story and allows you to incorporate fundamental scientific principles and theories into your plot. This also has the added benefit of making your narrative more educational and engaging for readers who are interested in science.

Create Complex Characters

A good mystery novel is one populated with complex characters, each with hidden motives and secrets. Incorporating characters with depth into your hard science fiction slash mystery novel can add depth and intrigue to the narrative.

Keep the Reader Guessing

If you want to create a successful mystery, it is essential to keep the reader guessing. This means introducing multiple suspects and red herrings throughout the story. As the story progresses, readers should constantly re-evaluate their theories and suspicions.

And with a hard science fiction setting, these re-evaluations should be spurred and hastened by a deep understanding of the scientific principles involved.

Incorporating mystery into a hard science fiction setting can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. By using science to create clues and suspects, creating complex characters, and keeping the reader guessing, you can make a story that is both educational and entertaining.

The science fiction thriller genre usually involves a thrilling and mysterious journey, with unexpected twists and dangers that keep readers on the edge of their seats.

A science fiction thriller is a genre that combines science fiction and suspense. It occurs in the future or on distant planets, featuring advanced technology, aliens, or dystopian societies. The characters may face life-threatening challenges, like battling evil forces or uncovering dark secrets. It’s a genre that appeals to those who love science fiction and suspenseful storytelling.

Science Fiction

Science fiction is a genre that imagines events and technologies in the future or beyond our world. It explores scientific concepts like space travel, time travel, robots, or alternate realities. Often set in space or advanced societies, science fiction features imaginative elements and possibilities that aren’t yet real but could be one day. The genre is famous for its ability to inspire wonder and curiosity while addressing important themes like ethics, human nature, and the impact of technology on society.

Thriller

The thriller genre keeps readers or viewers on the edge of their seats with intense excitement and suspense. It centers around high-stakes situations, danger, and unexpected twists. The genre can cover various settings and themes, such as crime, espionage, or psychological tension. It aims to evoke strong emotions like fear, anticipation, and excitement while captivating audiences with gripping narratives and characters facing dangerous circumstances.

Five Science Fiction Thriller Novels

“The Paradox Hotel” by Rob Hart

In the thrilling science-fiction novel “The Paradox Hotel,” January Cole faces an impossible crime while working security at the mysterious hotel. The place is no ordinary spot, as it hosts time-traveling tourists and is rumored to be haunted. When a perplexing corpse appears, only January can see it, setting her on a dangerous path. Simultaneously, influential figures gather to claim privatized time-travel technology, and “accidents” target them. January’s unique ability is to see what others can’t become a double-edged sword, blurring her sense of reality. In this gripping murder mystery infused with humor, grief, and ghostly encounters, author Rob Hart takes readers on an unforgettable ride through time.

“Moon Luck” by Scott Harral

Shortly, with moon colonies becoming a reality, “Moon Luck” by Wayne Scott Harral delves into the lives of 30 astronauts on the lunar surface. This science-fiction tale showcases their experiences as astronaut scientists and explorers, conducting experiments, mining minerals, and forming bonds and conflicts. However, when a senior member dies under suspicious circumstances, the story takes a thrilling turn as they seek to uncover the truth behind the apparent accident. As the moon becomes humanity’s new frontier, the book raises a compelling question: can a death on the lunar surface be considered murder? Be prepared for an enthralling journey of intrigue and exploration.

“The Caves of Steel (The Robot Series Book 1)” by Isaac Asimov

In a distant future, humanity has colonized the galaxy and created positronic brains. Enter Isaac Asimov’s Robot novels, where a New York City detective, Elijah Baley, forms an unexpected alliance with a humanoid robot. Earth’s overpopulation has left Baley disliking the Spacers and their robots. However, when a prominent Spacer is killed, he’s sent to the Outer Worlds to solve the case. The situation is complicated by his distrustful Spacer superiors and the fact that his partner, R. Daneel Olivaw, is a robot designed to resemble the victim. Can they overcome their differences and catch the killer? A gripping sci-fi tale of detective work and human-robot relationships awaits.

“Shovel Ready (Spademan)” by Adam Sternbergh

Meet Spademan, once a sanitation worker, now a hitman in a near-future, post-apocalyptic New York City. After a dirty bomb tragedy and the loss of his wife, the city has crumbled into a stark divide: the privileged who live in virtual reality and the struggling survivors on the streets. Spademan chooses the gritty reality, but his latest assignment complicates things. Hired to kill an influential evangelist’s daughter, he must navigate the stark contrast between the two worlds, fulfill the job, and confront his conscience. Will he survive the deadly game and ensure justice prevails, or will he become another victim buried in the ground?

“The Last Policeman” by Ben H. Winters

Amidst impending doom from an approaching asteroid, Detective Hank Palace grapples with the futility of solving murders when humanity’s end is near. With only six months left until impact, the economy crumbles, crops wither, and people abandon their jobs. In this pre-apocalyptic setting, death by hanging catches Palace’s attention in a city plagued by suicides. As everyone else loses hope, he can’t shake the feeling that something is amiss. In a world on the brink, Palace doggedly pursues the truth. This rare blend of apocalyptic and detective fiction weaves a suspenseful tale transcending the ordinary procedural, offering a gripping and unique reading experience.

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While living in a moon colony sounds plausible, as is described in Moon Luck by Scott Harral, there are issues people will have to face because of physiology.

Humanity can trace their origins back to many spots in the continent of Africa before they spread across the face of the Earth, becoming the apex species and essentially dominating the food chain. This is not an exaggeration; some of the most inhospitable places on Earth, like the Sahara Desert, the heights of Everest, and many others, have been inhabited by humans—there’s even a permanent settlement in Antarctica, which is considered to be one of the coldest areas on Earth. Such is the spirit of exploration that exists in the collective consciousness of humanity.

The Next Frontier: Space

With this in mind, there is now a question of where the next frontier is—and all answers seem to lead to outer space, which is the principal setting of most science fiction stories. This is not without standing. Humans have already developed the tech necessary to transport other humans off of Earth, and there have already been unmanned missions to other planets within and without the solar system. Yet, while a lot has been happening, there are only a few dozen active astronauts, and actually establishing proper human settlements is only still a theoretical dream.

The Possibility of a Moon Colony

While manned operations to space are seen as wonderful voyages akin to sailing on a ship, the reality is far more dangerous. Extended stays outside of Earth, the place where humans evolved to accommodate themselves, can bring many challenges; a lot is already known, and a far larger number are unknown. Therefore, learning how to live in the conditions of space is important to know before humanity can ever launch a plausible colonization program on other planets.

The only place that humanity currently has the greatest chance of colonizing is its closest celestial neighbor, the moon.

Human Physiology and the Lunar Environment

Living on the moon sounds like a dream come true for a lot of people, but that is because they have not considered what problems may arise when human beings are taken out of their natural habitats and pushed to alien environments. Living in a moon colony sounds plausible, as is described in Moon Luck by Scott Harral, but there are issues people will have to face because of their natural physiology. That is because the atmosphere and the geology of the moon are quite harsh and entirely different than what is present on Earth. For starters, there is no water on the moon, and there is no working atmosphere.

Here are the most pressing issues people will face when living on the moon:

The Strength of Gravity. On Earth, if you fall down, you are pulled down by the gravitation pull of the Earth. But on the surface of the moon, gravitational forces are only a sixth compared to that of Earth. This means that if there is to be a working moon colony, people have to forcefully adapt themselves to living with a significant reduction of muscle and bone mass.

For the body to properly acclimate to strong gravitational forces, the bones, and muscles have to strengthen themselves simply to keep humans standing upright—without this natural pressure, the bones and the muscle quickly weaken and, as a result, humans living in a moon colony might begin to shrink, which leads to the prevalence of osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones fragile and vulnerable to breakage.

Radiation Exposure. Although the atmosphere of the Earth has seen better days compared to the moon’s, it is simply a highly advanced filtration system that sifts the more harmful effects of the sun’s radiation, allowing the planet to safely take in the sun’s rays. The moon, on the other hand, has little to no atmosphere. This means that its ability to protect people from the sun is non-existent, which will lead to higher rates of skin cancer and other diseases for people living in a moon colony.

Circadian Rhythm. Because humans evolved on Earth, they are more attuned to the day and night cycles there. But for people living on the moon, their circadian rhythms are greatly disrupted. This is because a day on Earth lasts 24 hours while a day on the moon lasts for almost 720 hours.

Photo by Nicolette Attree

Authors craft characters that readers either hate or love. However, with the constant need to create engaging and exciting plots, authors have created a new set of characters that are neither truly good nor evil, those morally grey ones.

When it comes to novels, the primary characters are sectioned into protagonists or antagonists. Authors typically craft their characters as either good or bad, adding depth and background to each so they move or influence the course of the story. However, readers won’t have to debate who they want to win or lose. Between these characters, it’s natural and typical for readers to root for the protagonist, someone characterized as an all-good and just figure fighting for a cause they believe is right.

Protagonists and antagonists are often clearly distinct in how they’re presented and, often, how they look. Some authors may want to confuse their readers and not put their true protagonists at the forefront of the story, telling the whole thing from their antagonist’s perspective. But overall, these characters can be determined based on their beliefs and choices.

But What Happens When the White Mixes With Black?

It’s the quintessential and expected dynamic, the protagonist will always stick to what’s right and best for the situation, and the antagonist will always oppose. There may be instances where the bad guys disguise themselves and have morally sound choices. But their real motives will be uncovered sooner or later, revealing the selfish reasons behind their actions.

It’s good vs. evil. Light vs. dark.

And these white or black personas are the fundamental characters in every story. However, authors aren’t sticking to monochromatic traits these days. Gone are the days when heroes and villains stick to stereotypes. Instead, the authors have mixed whites and blacks, creating interesting characters. These figures challenge morality and make readers question their beliefs, keeping them on their toes in amusement and alarm.

Today, people aren’t all that crazed about helpless and innocent princesses locked in towers. Instead, they might root for princesses who aren’t afraid of manipulating their captors or even shedding some self-defense blood for freedom.

The Shades of Morally Grey Characters

Readers are introduced to troubled characters in Scott Harral’s sci-fi and mystery book, who are too ambitious for their good and their teammates’ benefits. They’re more than willing and adamant about achieving their goals, so they aren’t afraid to put others in uncomfortable situations. However, they aren’t hurting others. Instead, they’re only too fixated on their goals and unapologetically aspiring, and they may fail to notice others’ feelings.

Does this make them the bad guy? When they aren’t hurting others, not necessarily. But their behavior doesn’t also make them a generally good person.

A morally grey character lives by their moral code, often deviating from social standards. While they may sometimes do questionable things, these characters are the most human. After all, people are rarely ever all good or all evil. They’re flawed. Instead, they will aim to do good deeds, which may or may not end positively. They may also fall into bad habits and be blinded by their goals and ambitions, leading to questionable and often harmful choices.

Writing These Characters

These figures, while morally ambiguous, still have purpose and reason behind their existence. They may tip the moral scale either way between good and evil. But they will still have goals they want to achieve. When crafting these morally grey characters, authors don’t write them carelessly. They will also need a well-written profile with a realistic portrayal of people’s needs and goals.

Here’s a guide when writing these characters:

Must Have a Reason

Like any character, morally grey characters must have a motive. They need a reason for their actions. While they may practice questionable beliefs, morally grey characters must still have their “why?” Readers don’t have to agree or side with these characters. But they must, at least, understand why they’ve chosen that path.

This is what makes readers question their morals, as well. By making them empathize with these characters, they will wonder if they agree with these questionable beliefs.

Must Have a Weakness

Another way to make readers empathize with morally grey characters is by giving them a weakness. A perfect character won’t resonate with the readers. Instead, authors need to deepen and explore these characters’ development by giving them a weakness that either drives or hinders them toward their goal. Weaknesses will make these characters more realistic and humane for readers to understand and connect.

Must Make Difficult Decisions

While they aren’t inherently good or bad, this doesn’t mean they can’t make decisions that may be for selfish reasons or set for the betterment of others. How morally grey characters make their choices will reveal much about their beliefs, presenting their ambiguity.

Additionally, characters achieve character development and reinforce the idea and existence of their goals through these difficult decisions. Hence, authors must incorporate these events into the story, allowing their characters to choose between what they believe is right or wrong.

In Moon Luck by Scott Harral, he explores the initial stages of what lunar habitation might look like while still presenting a compelling sci-fi thriller.

Living on the moon has always been a cultural aspiration for the whole of humanity, with mentions of men on the moon and lunar rabbits dating back at least a thousand years. There have been plenty of modern stories about moon habitation, like Moon Luck by Harral and Artemis by Weir.

Who doesn’t want to live on the moon? Out there in space, looking at the great blackness of the universe around the planet Earth. And jumping really, really, really high because the gravity’s so much lower there as compared to here.

Doesn’t that just sound like a wonderful future?

Almost everyone from every corner of the world has thought of the idea–of what it would be like living on the surface of the moon. And the hold of the idea on humanity’s collective unconscious hasn’t waned, especially since the moon landings and especially now that NASA has announced its intentions to create a permanent moon base by 2030. Perhaps living on the moon won’t be so far-fetched soon.

What Needs to Be Answered for Successful Lunar Habitation?

But before you get to packing and googling for tickets, what are the issues with building a base on the moon?

Remember, the conditions on the moon are entirely different from living on Earth. There’s no arable land, no obvious source of water, no animals, no atmosphere, etc., just to name a few.

Here are the main issues with living on the moon:

What Powers Everything?

For any society to function, there needs to be power. When humans first established the earliest civilizations, power was limited only to pure labor, the energy of hard work, and domesticated animals. When civilization progressed, and technology grew more sophisticated, the rushing waters of rivers were used to power mills; then, it was steam to power the earliest engines. When oil and natural gas were discovered, they powered better engines and generated electricity. Now, there are machines that can harvest the power of the sun, the wind, the waves, and more. Without power, a civilization stagnates.

On the moon, there are few sources of power that do not include what the settlers already brought with them. The only consistent source of energy would be that which comes from the sun: solar power.

Perhaps the lack of an atmosphere will make it easier for settlers to capture solar energy, but there are still issues with storage and other minutiae. Although nothing concrete has been determined, just the discovery of a solution is highly beneficial for any future planned settlement on the moon.

Where is the Living Space?

Another important requirement for a successful civilization is the territory, the space where the people will live, work, etc. Although the moon has large tracts of unclaimed land, it is not the best, to say the least. Because of an absence of water and vegetation, most of the moon’s surface is covered in rock and dust, which made the Apollo 17 astronauts’ eyes water and throats sore after contact. The absence of an atmosphere also makes the moon quite vulnerable to meteorites and radiation.

If there is to be habitable space on the moon, it would mean relying on sealed housing that allows for protection against radiation and the recycling of breathable air.

The establishment of a moon base would require taking advantage of prefabricated structures and modular systems for quick and easy installation. This is without considering the difficulty in laying out plumbing and water systems (although there might be further achievements waiting in the future).

How to Grow Food?

The most important aspect of maintaining civilization is food. You might have power, and you might have land, but without food, all of that crumbles into nothing the minute everyone starves. From a specific reductionist point of view, the progress of civilization can be seen as a journey toward increased food productivity. Nations can only prosper with a growing population of workers, you see, and the only way to facilitate that growth is through adequate food production and distribution.

Remember the earlier point about the power needed for civilizations to function? Human beings need the power to function, too, and, as far as anyone can see, that power comes from eating food.

Luckily for any potential lunar base, there have been strides to establish methods of growing food in space and conditions similar to the surface of the moon.

Every year, there are discoveries and efforts in science and technology that make habitation on the surface of the moon ever closer to reality.

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Science fiction as a genre challenges reality and experiments with possibilities. For instance, Scott Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the moon highlights a currently-impossible occurrence of people living on the moon.

Science fiction is a well-loved genre because it gives its audience a reason to anticipate a future, especially when living in the present is deemed unbearable. It ignites their imagination to soar and perceive beyond the limitations of their physical world and consciousness, giving them a magnificent experience beyond their reality. Science fiction draws its concepts around the world’s what-ifs, exploring them and allowing people to experience these possibilities.

Science, technology, and people may all have unlimited potential if duly explored, and science fiction takes on the responsibility of doing so. With themes and concepts beyond reality and practicability, science fiction dwells on potential more than the actual.

However, to be great, science fiction must still have some sense of reality. While it tackles lines that are difficult to believe, it must still have something that helps readers ground themselves to believe in its existence or occurrence. In between unfeasible ideas like flying cars, space exploration, and time travel, people would be more interested if the story allowed them to consider reality with these existing. From these what-ifs, people should be moved to question what if the world is this way?

Whether it be an in-depth explanation of how these came about or a thorough equation that might explain why they happen, science fiction concepts should still have a touch of science for them to be effective in catching the audience’s interest.

The Science in Science Fiction

As a basic science fiction rule, the scientific component should play a significant role, if not the story’s focal point. After all, what separates science fiction from fantasy or general fiction, all dealing with the unthinkable, is the former’s science element. While it’s still fictional, “science” still precedes its name, making it a fictional genre sprinkled with or based on scientific concepts.

However, does this immediately merit that one must be competent or, in any way, have the scientific expertise to write a believable and gripping science fiction? Or can they do with a made-up science element to their story?

When asked what science fiction means, the literary field naturally divides the science component into two different perspectives. It’s typically defined as fiction dealing with the influence of actual or imagined science on humans and society, emphasizing the existence and non-limitations of what science is for this genre. As long as there is an exploration of any scientific element, either hypothetical or factual, in the story, it can be considered science fiction.

However, it must be stated that for one to even make-up science, one must still have an inkling of what it is, especially regarding the concept they’re writing about.

How Much Science Does One Need?

Writers don’t need to be knowledgeable about every aspect of science to write science fiction. They’re writing a story, not a textbook. Instead of studying science, in general, they must only be familiar with the field they’re writing about.

For instance, looking at Scott Harral’s Moon Luck as an example, it’s evident that the story’s main point isn’t plausible. People can’t live on the moon. They have tried and failed a couple of times. However, Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the moon provides enough explanation, especially on technological matters, making the whole point of the book believable and realistic.

Scott Harral isn’t a scientist nor someone who’s traveled on the moon before. This makes him not a science expert but simply someone enthusiastic about the concept. He only wrote a compelling story on the moon and space exploration because of research rather than on years of scientific background. Before going deep into the lore he built for his book, Harral presumably studied the moon and all the related concepts to write about concretely.

When writing about time travel, one must learn about the basic concepts of time and its theories. They must know about this to make their story, in some way, plausible and authentic. While science fiction is still fiction, it must still be research-focused to avoid having readers raise their eyebrows and scratch their heads when reading the story. This makes science fiction believable: ample research on the concepts tackled, not educational or scientific expertise and experience.

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Science fiction is fantastic, made plausible through the backdrop of science.

Sci-fi typically deals with themes such as futuristic science, contact with extraterrestrial beings, time travel, alternate universe, etc. Mysteries are usually solved scientifically or with scientific reasons. Familiar characters in a sci-fi novel include aliens, robots, a time traveler, a scientist, and so on.

Murder mysteries have so many moving pieces that have to fit together perfectly. There must be plausible clues, compelling suspects, and a satisfying but unexpected ending. Adding new technologies—like spaceships and time travel—and alien species who may have unusual abilities, science fiction murder mysteries take both genres to a new level.

Many readers like a mystery because life is mysterious, and story-telling exists to help us figure out how to live. Secrets help us figure out how to deal with the unending avalanche of unknowns in our lives (probably not directly, unless you deal with dead bodies a lot).

Some people say that mysteries are famous because people like puzzles. Well, I want a certain kind of mystery, but I’ve never been a puzzle person.

In science fiction especially, the “who has done it” can quickly become a “what has done it.”

Here is the list of the six science fiction murder mysteries everywhere, from the moon and cyberspace to outer space.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells. Murderbot wants to do is watch its favorite shows, keep its humans from killing themselves, and avoid uncomfortable social situations while surveying an unfamiliar planet. That last goal proves tricky because somebody else is out to destroy the survey team, and it’s up to the contracted robotic security guard, Murderbot, to stop them.

Philip Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? This 1968 novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep pins on Rick Deckard. He is a bounty hunter tasked with killing a bunch of androids who have escaped to Earth. Despite the mission’s dangerousness, Deckard needs the bounty money to purchase a real-life animal, the status symbol, and replace his crappy electric sheep.

Leviathans Wake by James S.A. Corey. Humanity has colonized the solar system—the Moon, Mars, the Asteroid Belt, and beyond—however, the stars are still out of reach. Jim Holden is an officer on an ice miner. When he and his crew stumble upon The Scopuli, they find themselves possessing a secret they never wanted.

Kate Mascarenhas’ The Psychology of Time Travel. The world would know three of their names. Four women scientists made the first time travel machine, but when one of them has a nervous breakdown, she’s thrown off the team. Her contributions are lost, and history moves on. Ruby knows her grandmother, Barbara (or Granny Bee), was part of the team, but when Granny Bee receives a newspaper clipping about a murdered woman from the future, Ruby fears it’s her grandmother. She decides to figure out what will happen and how to stop it. The story is told from shifting perspectives, exploring how the possibility of meeting your old and future selves might impact your state of mind.

Richard Morgan’s Altered Carbon. It is hard to solve a murder mystery when humans can switch bodies. Like in a video game, some people can “reset” after being killed. Plot-wise, the book is different from the Netflix series based on it—despite its multi-episode length, the latter has less time for world-building.

Moon Luck by Wayne Scott Harral. Over the years, more active stations will be located permanently on the moon. Will humans be prepared when the time comes? Harral’s Sci-Fi and mystery book, Moon Luck, is a great read! It is the story of thirty astronauts living on the moon for extended periods. The author generated an engaging story through thoughtful character development, in-depth research, and a creative storyline. Something truly unique to this book is because of its details in advanced technologies and makes some exciting leaps into the future. This is a genre that people would hesitate to read at first glance because of nowhere to be found: settings of the moon, cyberspace to outer space; however, as they read further, it would tickle their interest as it is combined with mysteries that touch on solving a puzzle or a crime.

Will life be the same without science? Can the world survive without technology’s advancement?

If there is one thing that is consistently progressing in this world, that is the constant progression of science and technology. The existence of science and technology and their impact on human life and this world are present and evident everywhere and anywhere. The cup of joe you have every morning results from scientific experimentation finely tuned by technology.

The shoes and clothes you wear result from what science and technology can do to dress up men. The food you eat, the books you’re reading, the vehicles you’re riding on, and almost anything that makes life convenient for an individual is products of science and technology.

This tells how essential are the function and use of science and technology.

Moon Luck by Harral is a book that exemplifies the benefits of science and technology. Author Scott Harral tells the story about 30 astronauts residing on the moon for purposes of carrying out experiments and research, with a twist of suspenseful plot in the form of a murder mystery. The book is a one-of-a-kind science fiction, using science and technology at the core of the uniquely created mystery plot.

Overview of Science & Technology

Although people often regard these two words as having the same meaning, there’s a distinction between what is science and what is technology.

Science has a practical definition. Science is commonly described as a structured study of the natural and physical world. The study involves a methodology of objective observation, measurement and data, investigation, and experimentation.

Science is a quest for knowledge. When people started getting curious, asking what, when, why, who, where, and how, that’s how science as a branch of study started to evolve. For this study to progress, it needs tools to support its research, findings, and conclusion.

This is when technology comes in – which leads next to the meaning of technology.

From the above understanding of what science is, anyone can say that technology is already the application of scientific knowledge.

Role in Life’s Progress

The book Moon Luck is a good case in point that depicts science and technology’s roles in people’s lives. People could go to the moon by combining these two pieces of knowledge. Individuals were able to calculate and plot how people would be able to survive life in outer space.

Even within just the Earth’s surface, miracles are already taking place because of the efficient utilization of these two studies. From the building infrastructures people inhabit to the meals and dishes they eat to the healing sustenance such as drugs and medicines that can overcome sickness and prolong life, this world is already a basketful brimming with science and technology.

Because these so-called “miracles” are the answers people have been seeking throughout their lives.

Technology can create those dream homes if people want to live in comfortable and convenient houses.

If people want to go from point A to point B in the shortest amount of time, science could help formulate a plan for it to come true, and technology can create fast-moving modes of transportation.

And if a person wants to communicate with someone on the other side of the Earth, it can be done so fast and efficiently – not to mention at a lower cost!

The role that science and technology play in life’s progress is a problem-solver. They make things easy and convenient for people. They provide the answers that are seemingly impossible to solve. They offer solutions to challenging problems.

In short, science and technology made this world a habitable place.

What would the world be without science and technology

Unimaginable. If famous Italian astronomer, physicist, and scientist Galileo Galilei didn’t insist back in the 1500s that the world is round, everyone would have been scared to travel the globe for fear of falling off from a “flat-surfaced earth.” Suppose Isaac Newton didn’t get hit (supposedly!) by an apple in the head; people would have no idea about the law of gravity or physics or the explanation why things fell coming from the top and not from the bottom.

Conversely, if Benjamin Franklin didn’t endeavor to fly a kite with a key attached to it during a thunderstorm, everyone would still be in the dark ages without electricity.

A world without science and technology is like getting lost in a jungle without a map or in the middle of a vast ocean with no compass or anything to guide you in the right direction. A world without science and technology is a life without meaning or purpose since no one has risked the chance to find answers to their questions.

Ultimately, the only way for life to progress and advance is through the push of science and technology.

The moon, one of our most appreciated celestial bodies, has been a part of our imagination and longing for more outside our world.

The mystery of the moon, planets, and space provides people with the wonder and excitement that fuels them to learn more about this subject. Generally, people love exploring the immense possibilities regarding their existence and those around them. And to partly satisfy this desire, people create stories and fiction focusing on exploring the boundaries of their imaginations. For instance, the book “Moon Luck” by Wayne Scott Harral, a Story of astronauts living on the Moon, presents the possibility of moon habitation, one of the many fascinating and spellbinding ideas people love to investigate.

Every time people gaze at the depths of the night sky, they imagine something beyond compare. They are fascinated by its illumination, taking as a centerpiece among the stars that shine in deep darkness. But what are the reasons for our fascination with the moon?

The Moon Illuminates a Time of Heightened Emotions and Potent Creativity

The moon’s arrival seems like an avenue for poets and writers to use as a muse for their poems and writings. It influences them to compose poetry, novels, nursery rhymes, and other folklore about it. Fiction writers are also fascinated with this majestic heavenly body. There is a long tradition of this fascination that has turned it into literary art.

The mystery, commanding power, energy, intuition, and presence of the moon have captivated their curiosity about this celestial body. People are fascinated by the moon for this simple reason: they see themselves in its image. Like the moon, they have mysteries in their bodies they don’t know about. The energy they give to other people by befriending or connecting with them is the same as the moon. The moon gives them the same energy by providing light and illuminating people with its poetry and life every night.

The moon is the only sole universal body that can be seen from the earth without needing the assistance of a telescope. It is the closest heavenly body to planet earth.

One of the fascinating things about the moon is its nearness and vividness to earth. With a distance of 238,900 miles from Earth, it’s the closest celestial body to it. Hence, it’s the most noticeable from the enduring crowd of heavenly bodies at night.

Also, the Moons Control Fertility

Many early civilizations believed that the moon determined when women could become pregnant. This could explain why female moon deities from the Chinese goddess Change to Mama Quilla of the Incas are so prominent worldwide in mythologies. According to some theories proposed, full moons cause an uptick in births, flooding maternity wards with mothers-to-be in labor. However, recent studies and most experts think otherwise and state that any lunar effect on procreation is imagined.

There is a Connection to Divine Creation and Wisdom with This Cosmic Sensation

The moon may be virginal and sterile, but it seems its own birth was highly dramatic. Creationism refers to creation myths or an unrelated concept about the soul’s origin. It is also a religious belief that nature and its aspects, such as the universe, earth, life, and humans, originated with supernatural acts of divine creation. In this respect, celestial bodies like the moon have often been linked to creationism.

It is a fact that people have always been fascinated by the moon. The deep lunar connections and powers between humans and the moon have existed since the beginning of time. This wondrous, white, pearly object we admire in the night sky impacts the world in more ways than one.

Whatever the fascination, the moon and its effect on humans is still somewhat mastery that needs to be explored, entangled, and solved for future generations to come. So now, all people can do is admire the moon from afar, write about it or make folktales about its origin and meaning for existence.

Why the Moon Means to People

The moon is always related to the human mind. It seems like the moon and man are part of something bigger. Maybe the universe, perhaps? We still don’t know. Man’s understanding of his environment is still limited, and these things need further investigation. How much the moon means to them is not entirely determined, and the compelling part is that there are a lot of endeavors trying to explain it. These efforts are growing every now and then, striving to fulfill the human’s thirst to make sense of his environment and all of what he sees and considers. The vital thing to know is that the fundamental knowledge humans have in the world will stand the test of time, and only time will tell what will happen in human efforts to explain his position in this brief but unforgettable time he has in the universe.

Have you ever noticed how some of the most science fiction novels that make it out to the mainstream are typically those that seem very realistic?

These novels are commonly grounded on reliable scientific concepts that make their audience ponder the “what-ifs.” What if these events become true? Or, what if this is already happening without us knowing. Some of the key factors in a science fiction ground the story in reality, making it believable and understandable.

This is one of the many charms of science fiction. Its possible realism makes people reflect on themselves and their relationship with the world. It helps them make sense of their mistakes and explore and see fault in their behavior concerning the issues experienced by the world. For instance, in movies about eco-catastrophes, people may reflect on how their behavior and habits can affect the world and bring possible consequences. If not for its entertainment value, this is perhaps one of the reasons why realism should be highly considered in novels.

Why do people enjoy watching science fiction, even if they include catastrophic and scary themes?

The concept of realism focuses on creating an illusion of reality in your media. If a novel, for instance, is labeled as realistic, its concepts should have a clear reflection and association with the real world. If this makes sense, people want to experience the excitement or catastrophe science fiction has to offer without actually experiencing it. And realism in the media puts the audience into this world that the author (or director for movies) has created, which makes it so popular.

It’s been solidified that somehow people can be so curious about morbid events. Humans, as curious beings, like placing themselves in other people’s shoes, especially if this involves rather tragic circumstances. This instinct can be associated with people convincing themselves that they would never end up in these situations. If they do, they can protect themselves and survive. This unusual fact can explain why most people remain so invested in horror movies, despite being easily scared and even paranoid afterward.

This inclination has been programmed in them since time immemorial. This can be explained at the anatomical and psychological levels by how their brain functions. Being scared is reflected in the brain the same way as excitement is. This means that if people are faced with scary events, their brains can mistake it for excitement, which is why they mostly continue to anticipate or look for a stimulus that induces this emotion.

This implies that one of the ways to make a science fiction novel catch people’s interest is by making it realistic and with a theme that can stir people’s emotions. And as an aspiring writer, who aims to write great and gripping science fiction novels, you need to find ways to improve your writing skills. Here’s how you can do it.

Utilize existing or highly debated creatures and technology

There is a reason why most dinosaur and alien movies never fail to catch people’s attention. For instance, dinosaurs have been known to exist a long time ago, and how they behaved is something people are generally curious about. On the other hand, aliens are the center of the debate about their existence. Therefore, writing about them can create debate and discussion, which can help boost your book’s publicity.

This is what Harral’s sci-fi and mystery book offer. While Moon Luck doesn’t have aliens or highly dangerous predators in it, this novel tackles the curious case of moon travel. Whether or not humans can survive days on the moon has consistently been something that scientists and citizens alike have pondered the possibility of. This is why movies about this concept can quickly become blockbusters in today’s society.

Study physics and science

Just because you’re writing science fiction – with capital fiction – it doesn’t mean you can write whatever your heart and mind want. You still need to bank it on some realistic components if you want your events to seem plausible. With this, learning is still required. But this doesn’t mean you need a degree and fluency in the language of science. This only entails that you should have done ample research before you write anything involving science. For your novel to be believable, it needs to have any sense of reliability and validity.

Consider building your world around existing ones

While there’s something very unsettling about the dystopian world, creating your sci-fi world on something closely similar to the current society is even more dramatic. This does for your audience only amplifies the realism, adding even more possibility to your narrative. Perhaps in making this, you’re adding more dread to your story with the heightened plausibility of whatever catastrophe you place your characters into.

When it comes to writing science fiction, the sky’s your limit. The world becomes rather liberating, and you can devise whatever mechanism to help make your world as exciting as you’d like it to be. Realism isn’t necessary, but it does impact your story. What’s great about writing science fiction is that anyone can be a master of it with a bit of planning and wit.

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