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Science Fiction is not just about the future of space ships travelling to other planets, it is fiction based on science and I am using science as my basis for my fiction, but it's the science of prehistory - palaeontology and archaeology - rather than astronomy or physics.
– Jean M Auel, author of ”Clan of the Cave Bear”
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Science fiction writing weaves stories about things that might one day be possible because the element of science makes the possibility a reality. Fantasy fiction describes things that are usually impossible or unbelievable, with no basis in science. Yet sometimes the genres meet, and this blending of the possible with the impossible has created some wonderful works written by respected authors.
There are two types of science fiction. Hard science fiction contains great detail about the scientific elements of the story, and the characters’ personalities and lives are not the main focus. Most classic science fiction, such as Robert Heinlein’s and Isaac Asimov’s early work, are classed as hard science fiction. Soft science fiction stories place more emphasis upon the characters and how they interact and relate to different social situations and other beings. Most science fiction written today can be considered soft science fiction.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or have a science degree to write science fiction. Science is all around you. The world we live in is full of science, and ideas can be sparked from the tiniest thought. And it’s available wherever you look; in magazines, newspaper articles or on television documentaries. Animal Planet, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel are wonderful sources of information and facts and figures about our world and our solar system. Some of the creatures sharing this planet with us – humans included – are stranger than any alien from Jupiter or Saturn!
One way to approach science fiction is to place yourself in the story as a central character, using your perspective and your point of view. If you like gardening describe an alien world using your observations for a specific character. If you’re a teacher tell the story of a civilisation as though you are giving a lesson to your class. That way you won’t be wasting time trying to tell a story from the point of view of an astronaut!
Learn to ask yourself: What If? Look at the world around you, and ask yourself how different things would be if a specific technological advance had never been introduced. Alternately, where would we be if a particular industrial process had evolved and expanded? What if a historical event had had a different conclusion? What would happen if we discover life on Mars or on the Moon? What will the future hold if a current social or contentious issue – like cloning - takes a particular path? The most contentious and controversial topics can be used by science fiction writers to place the story in an alien world or a distant future culture. People watching is a favourite occupation of many people, and placing a certain person into a hypothetical situation might just be the beginning of the next bestseller.
While most science fiction is set in the future, history is also a great source of inspiration for sci-fi writers. Mythology and folklore are full of wonderful stories about different worlds and extraordinary beings facing the same kinds of challenges man has faced throughout history. If you have an interest in history or folklore why not incorporate elements of a favourite myth or legend into your story?
Like all fiction successful science fiction is about people; it explores the human reaction to a situation. You don’t necessarily have to place a human in your story, because as the writer your human perspective lives in the story’s details and descriptions. This is easy to do if there is a human in the story, but it can also be done when your story is populated by alien personalities. When you describe the sight of two suns rising in the morning sky you might use an alien creature to paint the picture for your readers, but ultimately the description is YOUR perceptive, presented to your human readers.
Elements of the future must be incorporated into a science fiction story. Imagine how current technology may evolve and develop and how our society and lifestyles will change in the future. When one considers how our lives have changed over the last ten or twenty years it’s easy to see how things will change in the future. Don’t settle for a few sentences about alien spaceships or laser guns – let your imagination flow and create an interesting futuristic world.
Finally, as with any fantasy fiction you must have a good idea of what happens in your science fiction world. Where is this world, and how does one get there? Is it a variation on the theme of Earth, or is it a planet that humans have colonised? Has man learned anything from his experiences with Earth, and how have we adapted to live in this new world? What species live there, and do women and minorities have fundamental human/alien/creature rights? What kind of government is in power?
Here are a few examples of “soft” science fiction fantasy books:
 Anne McCaffrey has written 18 books in her “Dragonriders of Pern” series, which combines traditional elements of fantasy (dragons, lords and ladies) with scientific products (fertiliser, microscopes and telescopes) and astronomical elements like stars and planets.
Larry Niven applies the traditional myth of the unicorn to his book “The Flight of the Horse”. The hero Svetz goes back in time in the hopes of capturing a horse, a species now extinct in his world. He captures one, but it nearly gores him to death with its horn…
{e;bullet}Robert Silverberg creates an oceanic planet world called Hydros in “The Face of the Waters”. Hydros is a penal colony where all inhabitants – native inhabitants and human settlers/prisoners - live on floating islands
Ursula LeGuin bases her classic “The Left Hand of Darkness” an asexual society, where all the inhabitants of Gethen are biological hermaphrodites capable of bearing or siring offspring.
Sheri Tepper creates a fascinating world in “Grass”, using religion and politics mixes with traditional counterparts – good against evil and colonialists against natives.
Margaret Atwood sets her book “The Handmaid’’s Tale” in the future, when society is about to collapse under the control of a dystopian government. In a world where infertility has had a detrimental effect upon the population women no longer have any rights, and a “Handmaid” is a woman who only purpose in life is to produce children.
Next month’s I shall be editing the 27 February issue, which will feature “Names in Fantasy Writing”.
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nomlet 
Thanks again for another informative newsletter, Sarah. I haven't tried a half-human character yet, but it seems like they would naturally come with some of that inner conflict that makes characters so interesting. Even if a character isn't the immediate product of a Human/Other union, fantasy stories are always attributing odd characteristics or magical powers to old bloodlines with interesting origins.
Thanks again for all the work you've done on newsletters this past year!
Conflict in personalities is always an interesting challenge for any fantasy writer, and when two species are combined the options can make for a fascinating individual. Thank you for the encouragement!
Sweet Musings
Great newsletter and something I have wondered about but not really considered using. Although it may come about. As to mapmaking I found using graph paper and using a set scale of the squares helps keeping track of the map. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thanks for the great idea, and I’m glad the newsletter was helpful to you. May 2008 be a great writing year for you!
petemcf
This was an amazing newsletter, and very well thought out with the subject matter. I love Lovecraft’s ideas, and the in-bred children that show themselves in the works of Clive Barker, amongst others.
This was really inspiring, especially as I am writing a comic script that I intend to utilise aspects of the "monster" in its heroes' super powers.
Anyone wishing to read any material I have posted so far please go to http://writing.com/authors/petermcfarland and check out my untitled novel's first two chapters and the plot synopsis for my comic, which I would especially appreciate feedback on.
Lovecraft is a wonderful source of inspiration for any fantasy (or horror) writer, and he seems to have been a great inspiration for many famous writers in both genres. Good luck with your novel, and thank you for the link to your site!
Acme
Hey Sarah  Thank you for highlighting my Kalico Jones story in this edition of the Newsletter - I'm grinning like a Cheshire Cat! 
You are most welcome! I enjoyed the story, and I hope it got some valuable reviews.
sultry
Ah, Sarah! You have rekindled my love for mythology by informing me of things I didn't know or had plain just forgotten.
One point I want to make here is that there have been some misbegotten creatures created by genetic manipulation, much like the creatures found in H.G.Wells "The Island of Dr. Moreau".
I think you can also throw vampires, werewolves and other werebeasts into this mix. Can you imagine the creatures we could create if we crossbred some of these popular monsters?
Thank you, Val, for reminding us of a classic tale of half-human creatures.
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Fantasy: January 30, 2008 Issue [#2200]
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