This is where the real work starts. For me in real life, not the aliens or even the humans in the story. I have deeper research to do into space travel and exploration and also into communications and languages. I realize that when writing science fiction, you can make up a lot of stuff, and I do, but unless you’re writing about uncharted space it needs to seem possible, I think, if not entirely probable. That’s how I feel when I read sci-fi, so I’ll try to deliver it when I write it.
I have an app and now another big book I just ordered for the languages. For space I’ll look to the experts online. Neil DeGrasse Tyson is one of my favorite podcasters.
I suppose I can rely on Class M planets and warp drive verbiage (how do you say “I’m givin’ her all she’s got, Captain!” in Creaok?), but I’d like to have some differences and new ideas along the way.