What to Keep in Mind When Writing a Short Story

Speculative fiction is fiction in which the author speculates upon the results of changing what’s real or possible, not how a character would react to a certain event, etc. Therefore, the thing being speculated upon must be more elemental than character or plot.

Speculative fiction, such as fantasy, helps readers leave their inherent biases at the door when it comes to social issues. Because these stories often take place in otherworldly settings or societies that don’t resemble our own, authors can subtly encourage readers to consider different perspectives on actual issues.

1. Hook the reader right from the start.
2. Don’t start at the very beginning in a short story.
3. Description should be limited in a short story.
4. Establish the setting and the characters, and then move on to the problem.
5. Keep the number of characters to a minimum.

Speculative fiction provides vivid cases to provoke debate about such issues and thus helps us “make sense”. Maybe it’s time to wear the T-shirt again, but with a new slogan: Reality isn’t what you think it is.

5 Things We Can Learn From Reading Science Fiction and Fantasy

• Human Imagination Knows No Bounds. I’m someone who likes escapist reads—I want my books to ferry me to far-off places or times.
• Be Brave When All Hope Seems Lost.
• Magic is Real.
• Progress Isn’t (Always) What We Envision.
• You Are Not Alone.

The technology of tomorrow Science fiction literature has affected society significantly. It has inspired many to pursue careers in science which has, in turn, resulted in advancements in technology such as the developments in cloning, rockets, artificial intelligence, satellites, wireless internet, etc.

The classic elements of a science fiction novel include:

• Time travel.
• Teleportation.
• Mind control, telepathy, and telekinesis.
• Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms, and mutants.
• Space travel and exploration.
• Interplanetary warfare.
• Parallel universes.
• Fictional worlds.

All science fiction is speculative fiction. While speculative fiction can be set in any era, if the story is set in the future, that makes it speculative. To be science fiction, the story must depend upon fictional science or scientific achievements. That story would be science fiction, set in the distant past.

Science fiction

What makes a good Science Fiction story as opposed to a story is that the ideas are the main characters. If ideas do not mean more, have more impact, creativity and engagement with the reader than the characters, its not good sci fi, its just fiction with space ships. You judge it by ideas.

Here are 16 tips for writing fiction:

1. Love your story.
2. Withhold information from your readers.
3. Write simple sentences.
4. Mix up your writing.
5. Write every day.
6. Set milestones.
7. Understand basic story structure.
8. Learn strong character development techniques.

How to Write a Good Science Fiction Novel, in 10 Steps

1. Identify the ‘big idea’ in your story.
2. Know your readers and what they want.
3. Make the science integral to your novel.
4. Don’t let science overwhelm the story.
5. Show us your character’s motivations.
6. Introduce the problem early on.
7. Create believable characters.

• Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams.
• Starship Troopers – Robert Heinlein.
• Rendezvous With Rama – Arthur C.
• The Handmaid’s Tale – Margaret Atwood.
• Foundation – Isaac Asimov.
• Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury.
• Shards of Honor – Lois McMaster Bujold.
• The Forever War – Joe Haldeman.

Frankenstein

The Tale of Genji: The world’s first novel? Written 1,000 years ago, the epic story of 11th-Century Japan, The Tale of Genji, was written by Murasaki Shikibu, a woman. Written 1,000 years ago, the Japanese epic The Tale of Genji is often called the world’s first novel.