by Elton Gahr

Created on: June 12, 2009

Every fan of science fiction has at some point toyed with the idea of writing their own science fiction novel, but it is an intimidating genre. Unlike other types of novel this is a genre that requires you to be informed in two different areas. The first of these areas is fiction, the second is of course science. Assuming you know these well enough to write a good science fiction novel there are only a few pitfalls that you have to avoid.

The first thing you must do is learn the clich's of the science fiction genre. The idea is king in science fiction and because of that it is important to not use ideas that have been overdone. There are lists of science fiction clichs on the internet. Before you begin your story take a look at them and make certain that you aren't choosing anything that has been overused. This doesn't mean that you have to have a completely original idea though, only that if it has been done you should know how and avoid doing the exact same thing.

The next thing that is vital is that technology cannot solve the problems of the story. They can be involved but ultimately if you want people to care about the characters in your story they have to find the solution inside themselves. Take for example a detective story set in a science fiction universe. If the story involves a "detective" going into the room with a device that tells him the solution it isn't very interesting. If instead the detective uses tools to discover answers that he pieces together to solve the mystery it can be good.

Third you must think through your technology. There are numerous science fiction books in which technology exists that is not used in what seems to be an obvious way. If you have teleportation then why does your protagonist own a car? If you have artificial gravity why isn't it used as a weapon? Whatever your technology is think it though carefully.

Finally don't try to write a kitchen sink story. Choose one or two ideas and explore them. Science fiction already has enough exposition don't make it worse by having to explain a dozen different ideas. You can always write another story later with the other ideas in them.

You don't have to be a college professor or even a scientists to write good science fiction, you simple need to understand the science and the science of writing. Do you research and write a good story with internal consistency and you can create something to be proud of.

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