This page will introduce you to science-fiction writing. You can read for pleasure, to decide whether you want to participate in writing science-fiction for yourself, to enter a contest, or hopefully for publication. You will read about some suggestions and resources to consider to help you grow and develop as a science-fiction writer.

The following information should help you decide for whether you are interested in starting by writing the briefest science-fiction Flash Fiction, a short story or novella, or join the ranks of those writing Novels, which could take a year or more to complete. Anyone can start writing as long as you have a pen and paper, typewriter, tape recorder, or computer with word-processing. You may want to begin by looking up the latest version of the 2009 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market Paperback in your library or bookstore to see what the typical requirements are for science-fiction to be published.

You need to understand which kind of science-fiction writing you will choose to begin. You also need to understand the science behind your writing, because this is a genre where "science" is an integral part. To do this you need to do research. Below are some resources and suggestions that others have found helpful.

Writing in General To read more about Novel Writing in general, and detailed explanations about it see How to Write a Novel. If you do not intend to write an original novel but one based on someone else's work see Fan Fiction. Science fiction writing can have elements of other writing in it depending on the kind of work the author chooses. Here are some related writing pages covering some of the possible combinations with science-fiction How to Write a Fantasy Novel, How to Write a Romance Novel, How to Write a Children's Book, and How to Write a Biography.

Research Science-Fiction Writing Read as many science-fiction Novels as you can not just to enjoy the experience but also with a critical eye. Try to choose good quality literature that you can learn from. A good indication of quality would be whether the book or author has won any awards or it has gotten good reviews. Reviews are not only in books, magazines and newspapers but also online on the web, and in the larger online bookstores. For an introduction to science-fiction genres see Science Fiction.

Some classic authors to consider include especially early works like Telempath and Stardance of Spider Robinson for a slightly edgy style, the classic Isaac Asimov especially his Foundation and I, Robot series from which he developed the now standard Three Laws of Robotics, Orson Scott Card especially his Ender's Game series of books about ultra video games, Frank Herbert Dune series etc. For a start on finding new books try [1].

Be active in your research by asking and answering questions about how the author wrote the work, practice writing using some of their methods, take good notes and label them so you can refer back to them for ideas and always note the source in case you need to go back to it. Videos are a good way to learn, see the example below.

Research Science Learn about the sciences and other fields of knowledge that you want to include in your novel. Read about it, take notes always noting the source so you can go back to it, plan what you would like to include and take more notes. Whether it is going to be just in the background or the main focus of your story the science needs to be as accurate as possible and if it has not yet been invented make it as believable as possible based on science today.

Some Sources of Science Information Mahalo and Mahalo Answers eg. Astronomy, Black Holes, Physics, Quantum Physics, Biology, Evolution, Genetics, Biochemistry, Artificial Life, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Life, Robotics, Nanobots.

Do Internet searches making sure the source has authority and is accurate eg. University, research institute, government.

View television and film eg. Naked Science, National Geographic Books eg. Stephen Hawking has written many including A Brief History of Time which is introduced in this film by the same name A Brief History of Time

Now that you have researched and decided on some basics you will have some background to proceed to the real meat of the project: to prepare the story, characters, and setting. Remember, that not all writers use all these methods and resources. They are presented to you for your consideration so that you can decide what to do.

Story Many writers say that a good story is the most important element for a successful novel, and crafting the plot is the backbone of the whole novel.

Write a summary of the story as if you were telling someone else about what happens in the novel. You may find it also helpful as an exercise to state the purpose of the novel in one sentence for focus, see How to Write a Thesis Statement

Make a chronological timeline listing all the events in the novel including events before and after the novel takes place

Make an outline, storyboard or plan of how the story will proceed from start to finish labeling jumps forward and backward in time Once you have an outline you can write individual scenes until you have a novel.

Read How to Write a Screenplay and How to Write a Television Script for more ideas on how to bring your characters and story to life so they are more three dimensional. specifically, look up in books or the web how to make a storyboard, as understanding and using a storyboard could help make each scene or event more real.

Some writers may not have the outline or overview in mind and may prefer to write a short story first - even publishing a series of short stories before the rest of the novel comes into focus and that can work also starting from something small and compelling. Resources for this include How to Write a Short Story, How to Publish a Short Story, How to Publish a Short Story Videos.

For practice or if you find that the whole process is too complicated for you at the start consider trying to write the briefest story form of Flash Fiction, see How to Write Flash Fiction for instructions.

Characters The characters are what your readers identify with and well developed, consistent, compelling characters can lead how your story unfolds naturally.

Write a complete life history for each character from birth to death even if that is not included in the novel

Make charts for each character and fill in the details for each one eg. hair color, eyes, height, age, describe clothing, character traits etc.

Make charts in columns and or draw on a large piece of paper the relationships between all the characters

Take each character and write a biography for them as if they were real people for a book of biographies.

Take care in all details including naming each character - consider if they need certain names for symbolism, comedy, irony, to sound exotic, to be believable etc.

For further information see How to Develop Characters When Writing a Novel.

Setting It is the setting where everything takes place that fleshes out the bones of your story and characters, making them more believable and real.

Draw a map and place on it the location of all the events in the novel

Describe each location where events will take place in general and in detail eg. if in a coffee house visit one and take notes

If the world you are writing about is imaginary pretend it is real and write a history, travel guide, and encyclopedia entry for it.

Write about this world you will have and describe its history, philosophy, social structures, politics etc. as if it was real.

Help yourself imagine the setting eg. find pictures, draw, paint somewhere similar and keep them available to look at.

Consider what kind of a writer you are and how you get your best results. Look at previous writing projects eg. school essays, homework assignments, writing for work, any creative writing etc. Are you the kind of person that does better planning every step and sticking tightly to a detailed outline prepared in advance? or do you make some plans and gather background information but do better letting the creative process unfold and go with it? Be flexible.

Some writers start with the characters and get to know them so well as individuals that the story almost writes itself because it all flows from what would this character do, and is it realistic to do that?

Some writers do best planning every detail of the story outline and then place the characters within that structure and make them fit in it.

Some writers have an overall theme, issue, problem, historical event, or happening and everything else needs to fit into that. Those are a few examples of many.

Whatever is your best approach to start with of those above, some combination or something completely different, a good writer will be aware of all the background work that was done and make sure every part of the novel is consistent, reasonable for the situation and relevant to the story being told. If the novel takes place in the future or some other world that we know nothing about the notes and research will be even more important. In made up worlds you may need to research beyond just science to include many fields mentioned in your world to give it the sound of reality. Further readings may include Psychology, Sociology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Linguistics, Etymology, and so on at Mahalo.

Many great writers have written their books out in longhand, used a typewriter, or basic word processor. The equipment alone will not make a great novel, but if you are interested in looking at other software that may be useful to consider, here are a few places to start your research:

• TopTen REVIEWS: Creative Writing Software Review

[1]

• DailyWritingTips: 25+ Pieces of Writing Software You Should Know About [2]

Write out your science-fiction work until it is as complete as you can make it, referring back to your notes, charts, research, videos, pictures, etc. as needed. Don't worry about any missing parts, you will be revising and writing and adding to it many times yet until you are satisfied with it.

Last but not least is edit, edit, write, rewrite and edit repeating any of these that are needed until your work is ready. Read it aloud, or have someone else read it to you so you as you go along so you can check how well it flows and catch errors. Additional resources are in the Related Mahalo Pages and below.

If you have not already done so, read the most recent relevant writer's market and other sources for publication information.