Writing Sci-Fi

It's not as easy as it looks, writers. Few people I come across always or nearly always say that science fiction has no plot or story arch, that it's just about weapons and technology, military vs aliens, spaceships and battles. Well I'm here to tell you and them that this is not the case.

Writing sci-fi has as much work as any other writing genre. Here are some tips below to help you plot it out. Even if you aren't writing sci-fi, this will still help; yes, that includes nonfiction novels too.

• Know you world: You are the author. It's your world and your story. Plot out the history of the world/universe. What nations/empires/republics/colonies are there? Who are the people? What's their history? Detailed outlines (though not too detailed [this leaves some room for creativity]) help you keep the history of your world/universe in check. Not only is this a benefit to you, the author, but it help to ensure that you never (almost never) contradict yourself. Some world building is nice, but don't spend the whole novel on it.
• Plot it out: Plot out the events of your story using what I call the skewed pyramid*. This helps to ensure that you stay on track and don't wander off to explain every little detail about your world/universe. You're not David Weber or John Ringo. If the scene works by adding in some detail of your world, such as an important battle, reference it, don't spell the whole thing out.
• Are weapons and technology necessary?: Of course they're necessary. It hints at the universe/world around your book. If it has contemporary technology, then the reader knows it's set around the current era of humanity. If it has unheard of technology, it's the future.

Character Lists

I think character lists/dramatis personae/cast role call are important for any novelist. Not all books should have one (if any ever do). They should be for the author only. This helps in case you forget a character or their profession.

Example:

Title of Book
   Main Characters:
     Jack Wells, commander, Death Commandos (human male from Rulnudor)*
     Rhys Jones, commander, Liberty Rangers (human male from Libertia)
     Tamara Lamnar, lieutenant, Liberty Rangers (human female from Libertia)
     Jessica Green, lieutenant, Death Commandos (human female from Calassa)
     Jori, lieutenant, Liberty Rangers (human female from Libertia)
     Kyle Daly, reporter, Calassa News Network (human male from Calassa)
     Jon Green, senator (human male from Calassa)
     Prince Khariss, head of Darkstar criminal organization (human male)
   Secondary Characters:
     Juan Lopez; lieutenant, Liberty Rangers (human male)
     Q, lieutenant; Death Commandos (Mar'ahli male)
     Nick Trang; lieutenant, Death Commandos (human male)
     Sarha Poland; captain, Liberty Rangers (human female)
     Tessa; captain, Death Commandos (human female)
     Latchton; assassin (human male)
     Y'Canthra; mechanic (Azhiiry female from Azhiiry)
     T'ol; mechanic (human female from Hydronkker)
     Tixe; general, Rulnudor Special Operations Brigade (human male from Rulnudor)
     Vhoz Lamnar; general, Libertia Special Operations Brigade (human male from Libertia)
     Stone; general, Libertia Special Operations Brigade (human male from Libertia)
* = this may be different if your story is only set on earth, main stream fiction, or doesn't involve other species like dogs, cats at which point the "(human male/female)" becomes irrelevant.

I don't recommend this for all writers though. It mainly works well with Sci-Fi or Fantasy (if you have a lot of characters, mind).

Writing Tip: Keeping Busy

For most beginning writers, the hardest challenge we have to face is making ourselves sit down and write. Life is distracting and we all know it. The trick is to sit at the computer or writing pad and just tell yourself "I'm just gonna write for a few minutes." Then, after you finish writing, hours have passed and you've completed a few scenes in your work in progress.

If not, then try picturing yourself surrounded by your family and friends, each of them telling you that your never going to make it as a writer, to get a real job, and adding all those doubts into your head. Now imagine you have a People Remote. The only button on it is the "mute" function. Simply aim it at each member and "mute" them. Then, put that remote down, and away from them, and keep writing.

The most important thing to remember while your writing is to just let it be junk. This is only a first draft. it doesn't have to be perfect on the first try. Remember back in high school writing essays. It needs to be like that, there needs to be a rough draft, a middle draft (which can take up most of your time) and your end product.

If that doesn't work for you, try plotting out a few scenes. By plotting, I mean an outline of what is to come. If you don't have a specific ending in mind, try outlining the ending. Does your main character win and is happy; win, isn't happy; lose, is happy; lose and isn't happy? Or is it the dreaded ambiguous ending?

Another ting to do is ask your main character(s) what it is he/she/they want. What is it they want most and what are they willing to do to get it? If you have a kid who wants to play the drums in the school band, he can't just do that. There needs to be tension (he gets in, but his parents can't afford to by the practice drums or sticks; the bully breaks the practice drum set or sticks). It needs to be something convincing yet realistic for your character. What obstacles is your character going to overcome? These are the important questions to ask when drafting a novel.

So get off the internet now and get writing!