5 Quick Tips for Writing Science Fiction

If you love writing stories about aliens, other worlds, and technological advances, you’ve come to the right space. Sci-fi can be an intimidating genre to jump into. Fortunately, you don’t have to make the leap alone. Today, we are offering some helpful tips pooled from our Genre Lounge: Science Fiction forums:

1. Read science news and science magazines for ideas and inspiration.

Do your research. A little research can go a long way, in terms of developing your world and plot lines. You never know when a news headline or broadcast will spark your imagination. The funny thing about science is, there’s always a new discovery, a theory being supported or debunked. Science is a bottomless wellspring, full of natural resources for your novel. Use it!

2. Sci-fi can be just as flexible as any other genre.

Remember, you’re writing about a world or galaxy that very possibly may not exist! Therefore, unlike “the real world”, you get to make your own rules. You can build a society you’ve always dreamed of belonging to. Or you can play devil’s advocate, and create a world that’s more nightmare than daydream. It’s up to you. It’s your world. Go wild!

3. Don’t worry too much about explaining technical details. 

Sci-fi is a broad genre. Don’t limit yourself to what you know or don’t know about science. Think about all the devices and gadgets you use in your own life. How much do you actually know about how they work? (Me either.) When things are commonplace in our world, we don’t often consider how it functions. We just get on with using it. You can approach the tech in your sci-fi with a similar attitude. If your characters use certain devices on a regular basis, they may take for granted how they function. 

(Keep in mind, the moment you begin to try to explain how something works, you lose your readers, if you don’t actually know how it works.)

4. Diversify! Don’t let traditional characteristics of sci-fi limit you. 

Open your mind to new possibilities and your sci-fi will soar! Imagine a world where all kinds of people (and maybe even aliens) co-exist. Can you picture the possibilities? They’re endless! Defy stereotypes. Challenge harmful ideologies. Represent the marginalized. You have the power!

5. Use real life scenarios to inform your writing. 

Your sci-fi story is an excellent opportunity to address and discuss current events and themes of your present reality. It’s like getting permission to rant! How often does that happen? (You’re right. Not enough.) 

If you don’t feel your voice is being heard on a particular topic or issue, use the blank page as an opportunity to tell your readers how you really feel about the current socio-political climate. Skip the messy social media wars. Save the drama for your sci-fi novel!

Many of these tips were inspired by posts from NaNoWriMo participants in our Genre Lounge: Science Fiction forums thread. They were compiled by previous NaNoWriMo intern Malissa Bilbrey for this YouTube video, and were adapted to a blog post by current intern Nina Sacco.

Top photo by Adam Muise on Unsplash.