by Sheri Fresonke Harper

Created on: February 27, 2008

When I started writing science fiction novels, the community of writers I worked with continually challenged me to justify the category of science fiction I was writing. Most viewed science fiction as stories where space ships blast out across the universe and encounter aliens. Since I write post-apocalyptic novels, this is a difficulty because many of the characteristics that people think of when calling a book science fiction aren't readily apparent. Because science fiction has a broad range of categories and has traditionally opened itself to as wide a vision as possible, it makes it easy and difficult for the less traditional writer to find a home. The nine tips that I discuss start with mastering the basics, originality, characters, future technology, specificity, genre divisions, science concepts, range of vision and style.

Tip 1: Master the Basics
To simplify the discussion of writing, I assume that a writer will study writing and understand the basics of what a novel offers. Every writer should understand theme, plot, characterization and point of view, dialogue, setting and the mechanics of syntax and punctuation. Once a writer understands these basic writing skills, they should feel confidant to move into the additional requirements imposed by writing science fiction genre writing. Consider a writing course and supplement your study from a good range of how-to writing books offered by Writer's Digest and other bookstores. Join a genre-based critique group such as www.critique.org. Study the science fiction classics to see how the best sellers have handled techniques.

Tip 2: Understand the Various Categories of Science Fiction
Science fiction is usually teamed with fantasy and horror to make a full scale of offerings. Many writers of SFFH also write mystery, suspense, westerns or romance, thus making a total mess of categorization. The big issue is what shelf do you want your book to reside on? SFFH often has characteristics that readers prefer or dislike, so having them may place you onto the SFFH shelf, which can be a very good thing. Subcategories in the science fiction piece of the action include military science fiction that has aspects of war, space opera that deals with issues of multiple worlds in space, apocalyptic and post-apocalytic that deal with impending disaster and surviving disaster, planetary research and modification, alien contact, time travel, history, evolution, and everything in between.

Tip 3: Check the Originality of Your Concept
Before

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