Q&A for How to Write Science Fiction

It helps to take basic elements of daily life and then add one or two elements to make it futuristic, or make it fit into the world you've created. From there, the challenge is figuring out how to present these things in a way that's never been done before.

Many authors combine science fiction with other genres, like horror or even historical fiction.

One good way to end a science fiction novel is to make it open-ended, with the potential for more adventure. This will keep your reader engaged in your story, even after it ends. You can also make the ending a mystery. This will leave your reader thinking about your story; some of your more creative readers may even make up their own answers.

Go to scifiideas.com. It has story ideas, alien profiles, creature concepts and generators from characters to techno talk.

Yes. It is a very good idea to put in different viewpoints for a cliffhanger. Be sure you choose the right characters for it, however.

Only if you're brilliant at writing and have a fine grasp of messing around with which protagonist is narrating the tale. Some writers can get away with chopping and changing between first and third person but most people make a mess of it. Tread with care.

A character changing (or evolving) at a fast pace - like how Spider-man suddenly gained powers after being bitten by the spider.

Yes, good writers always use their favorite books as inspiration. However, when writing your story use what others have also used in a way that doesn't make it feel copied. You can use similar or the same races, but refrain from using the same characters or plot points.

As long as your story keeps the reader guessing and has lots of action and suspense intertwined with good dialogue and narrative, it should have good pacing.

Science fiction has many themes such as the difference between "Star Trek" and "Star Wars", each has their own feel about them. Trying out something different and unique will obviously get much more positive feedback. The study of history can be a great help, as the clothing, buildings, law or historical events can be a great beginning for a science fiction story. Like the medieval sci-fi for example. For creating aliens, try something no one has yet taken, the plain green black eyed alien is used too much to be put in yet another book.

Yes, it is very creative.

I'd personally use present or past tense. Present gives the reader a sense of urgency, and past tense is conventional and easy to read. Read stories and fanfictions in both tenses and figuring out which would work best for your story!

Yes, just as long as you explain how or why that's happening. If it's a flashback, make sure your audience knows this.

Yes. The difference usually comes down to what's theoretically possible and what's not. Science fiction relies on existing and futuristic science, so the stories are usually possible in some way (even if they're not possible with our current level of technology). Fantasy stories usually include elements that are completely impossible, like elves, dragons, magic, etc. Science fiction is more grounded in reality while still using plenty of fantastical elements.

Yes, you can! There are plenty of stories written in present tense. Just make sure you stay consistent with it throughout the story.

You can't, really, but if you made it slow-paced and gentle, the story will stay the same.

Any way you'd like; it's your story. Just make sure all loose ends are tied up.

You could introduce it in the third act but it is quite a cliche. For a change, introduce it in the second act.