Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book General > Writers' Corner

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 09-01-2010, 08:39 PM   #1
Steven Lake
Sci-Fi Author
Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lake's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
The Laws of Science Fiction

Recently another member here started a thread on the laws of zombionics, which of course dealt with all the laws about zombies and the like. So here's my spin on it for science fiction. What do you believe are the top rules of science fiction? Now, to make it more interesting, I'm looking for a top twenty list, but this will be broken down into two categories: Sci-fi Do's and Don'ts. IE, what things should always happen (or they are things you highly recommended should happen) in a scifi book, and what items should NEVER happen in a good sci-fi book. Let's hear your thoughts.
Steven Lake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2010, 09:27 PM   #2
curtw
Outside of a dog
curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.curtw ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
curtw's Avatar
 
Posts: 863
Karma: 4457646
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Device: Kindle Voyage
Kind of a meta-law, but...

Never leave a well-loved and best-selling series idle for more than a decade without a new book (I'm talkin' to YOU, David Brin!)

Last edited by curtw; 09-01-2010 at 09:30 PM.
curtw is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 09-02-2010, 09:03 AM   #3
Steven Lyle Jordan
Grand Sorcerer
Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lyle Jordan's Avatar
 
Posts: 8,478
Karma: 5171130
Join Date: Jan 2006
Device: none
Never invent a set of rules for how exotic science works in your story, then change it in mid-stream (or, in a series, from book to book). Consistency is vital, especially because SF readers key in on that stuff like red flags waved at bulls.

It is considered "bad form" to have aliens reveal hidden traits or powers at way-too-convenient moments, like when it looks like the protagonist is about to die at the climax. If it happens early in the book, when characters are still being established, it can be forgiven.

Try not to pattern aliens too closely after stereotypes of Earth nationalities. It usually comes off as racist. (Sorry, Star Trek.)
Steven Lyle Jordan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 09:09 AM   #4
Steven Lyle Jordan
Grand Sorcerer
Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lyle Jordan's Avatar
 
Posts: 8,478
Karma: 5171130
Join Date: Jan 2006
Device: none
Exotic science doesn't make up for bad writing: Don't hide a mediocre story behind gee-whiz gadgets and explosions.

Unless the explosions are planet-sized and have pretty expanding rings in them... in which case, it probably doesn't matter.
Steven Lyle Jordan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 09:27 AM   #5
crich70
Grand Sorcerer
crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.crich70 ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
crich70's Avatar
 
Posts: 11,306
Karma: 43993832
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Monroe Wisconsin
Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)
If something has to happen to resolve the storyline make sure you set it up earlier on in the story and avoid the "god from the machine" syndrome. Rules can be bent if the framework is set up ahead of time, but otherwise once set the rules should be followed by the author.
crich70 is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 09-02-2010, 10:30 AM   #6
Steven Lake
Sci-Fi Author
Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lake's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan View Post
Exotic science doesn't make up for bad writing: Don't hide a mediocre story behind gee-whiz gadgets and explosions.

Unless the explosions are planet-sized and have pretty expanding rings in them... in which case, it probably doesn't matter.
lol! Well said! That's one of my pet peeves as well! My biggest thing is I've been accused of always appearing to bring the cavalry in a little too late to save the heroes.
Steven Lake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 12:06 PM   #8
kcmay
Addict
kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.kcmay ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
kcmay's Avatar
 
Posts: 363
Karma: 500001
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Georgia, USA
Device: Kindle2
Great list!

Remember that planets usually have complex weather systems. Writing "It was raining on planet Flabizoo when the aliens arrived" makes me think that's a very small planet.
kcmay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 12:30 PM   #9
Steven Lyle Jordan
Grand Sorcerer
Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lyle Jordan's Avatar
 
Posts: 8,478
Karma: 5171130
Join Date: Jan 2006
Device: none
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Lake View Post
lol! Well said! That's one of my pet peeves as well! My biggest thing is I've been accused of always appearing to bring the cavalry in a little too late to save the heroes.
That must be tough on your heroes!

If the cavalry comes in on time, always make them descend with the sun behind them, or out of a deep cloud or fog bank, for best dramatic effect.

If the cavalry arrives too late, make them look incredibly oversized for the job, then look stupid when they realize they don't have to do anything.

Deadly alien monsters MUST be taller then the hero/heroine.

Last edited by Steven Lyle Jordan; 09-02-2010 at 12:34 PM.
Steven Lyle Jordan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 12:39 PM   #10
Steven Lyle Jordan
Grand Sorcerer
Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lyle Jordan's Avatar
 
Posts: 8,478
Karma: 5171130
Join Date: Jan 2006
Device: none
In sci-fi, everyone is in great shape, because fat has been defeated. The only fat people are rich eccentrics who don't care how big they get.

In SF, most people are skinnier, paler, less-athletic versions of ourselves.

Humanoid robots better than men and women in every way are easy.
Steven Lyle Jordan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 12:44 PM   #11
Steven Lyle Jordan
Grand Sorcerer
Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lyle Jordan ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lyle Jordan's Avatar
 
Posts: 8,478
Karma: 5171130
Join Date: Jan 2006
Device: none
Sci-fi-acceptable technology that, in all honesty, we will probably never crack:

FTL drives

Anti-gravity

Immortality

Universal Translators
Steven Lyle Jordan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 03:18 PM   #12
Steven Lake
Sci-Fi Author
Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Steven Lake ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Steven Lake's Avatar
 
Posts: 1,157
Karma: 14743509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Michigan
Device: PC (Calibre)
Good points Steve. Those are some things that seem like well accepted cliches that nobody bats an eye at. A few try to break the norm and look at things different, and they usually get labeled as eccentrics or fools for doing it. Oddly though, I've actually taken just as much away from those as other more traditional sci-fi's. One that comes to mind is a sci-fi novel (forget the name) where there was no such thing as shields, artificial gravity, FTL and the like. It was all traditional rocket ships which had to accelerate over a period of time, and then decelerate and they fired lasers, you wore space suits inside the ship in case the hull was breached from laser fire, and you had to use gravity folds in space in order to jump between stars.

Very fun book despite not using more cliche sci-fi systems and technology. I almost wish I could remember the book because I'd read it again.
Steven Lake is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 03:44 PM   #13
nyrath
Addict
nyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfolded
 
nyrath's Avatar
 
Posts: 281
Karma: 52007
Join Date: Jun 2010
Device: nook
Quote:
Originally Posted by kcmay View Post
Remember that planets usually have complex weather systems. Writing "It was raining on planet Flabizoo when the aliens arrived" makes me think that's a very small planet.
Yes, SF author Larry Niven put it "It was raining on Mongo, that day"
Which makes about as much sense as "It was raining on Earth that day"
nyrath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 03:47 PM   #14
nyrath
Addict
nyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfoldednyrath reads XML... blindfolded
 
nyrath's Avatar
 
Posts: 281
Karma: 52007
Join Date: Jun 2010
Device: nook
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan View Post
Sci-fi-acceptable technology that, in all honesty, we will probably never crack:

FTL drives

Anti-gravity

Immortality

Universal Translators
Hard science SF stories generally do not have any of those EXCEPT for FTL drives. The author thinks "You want it, they want it, everybody is doing it..."

So even though it is probably forbidden by the laws of physics, a hard science author will use it, or be faced with the grim prospect of setting their story in the limited confines of the solar system.
nyrath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-02-2010, 05:33 PM   #15
Jaime_Astorga
Member Retired
Jaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura aboutJaime_Astorga has a spectacular aura about
 
Posts: 274
Karma: 4446
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Florida
Device: PRS-350-SC: Sony Reader Pocket Edition
If you want to write hard sci-fi, a 5 minute glace at this page should tell you all the DOs and DON'Ts about spaceships, with the rest of the site serving to elaborate if you care to learn more about a subject. There's also a good essay on respecting science in science fiction.

Vonda N. McIntyre's "Pitfalls of Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy,
General Useful Information, & Other Opinionated Comments" is also neat. Read it here or here.

As for my own contribution, all I can say is that please, for the love of God, avoid what TVTropes calls a "planet of hats": having all members of a species be defined by a single trait. If the majority of your alien species have a single one-note culture, like being logical or being warriors or being greedy, chances are you are doing something wrong.
Jaime_Astorga is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
"The Three Laws of Zombiotics" - STORIES, PSEUDO NON-FICTION, POETRY, ETC. NEEDED Dr. Drib Writers' Corner 109 04-26-2011 12:41 PM
Historical Fiction to Science Fiction/Fantasy Georgiegirl2012 Reading Recommendations 12 11-13-2010 07:22 PM
Seriously thoughtful When science fiction meets science fact pilotbob Lounge 51 04-25-2009 03:30 PM
A question:Is it true that USA copyright laws forbid to download the laws to your PC? godel10 News 2 09-04-2008 03:21 PM
Soft on the Science - Science Fiction Domokos Reading Recommendations 0 01-29-2006 09:18 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:59 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.