Thread: Where was this YEARS ago when I was starting?

And to think it all boiled down to eight steps. I love how "sit down and actually write" doesn't appear anywhere, and that "find a publisher" appears before "proof" or "check your facts"!

How to Write Science Fiction | eHow.com

1. Start with a great idea. A revolutionary new idea or a new spin on an old one give you something to build around and will make a solid core of a book.
2. Review the work of the great science fiction masters. Become familiar with the classic science fiction texts to see why they are so popular. Find classic science fiction at Amazon, including the works of Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov and Ray Bradbury (see Resources below).
3. Find a publisher. Some of the major publishing houses like Random House have science fiction divisions or you can contact science fiction publishers like Baen Books (see Resources below).
4. Check your facts. Science fiction fans are notorious for their attention to detail. If you don't have a solid grasp on science basics, your science fiction will reflect it and your readers will recognize it instantly.
5. Proof your science fiction. It's always good to have several sets of eyes read your work. Have trusted friends and family look over your writing. Your publisher will also provide you with an editor who will correct grammar, stylistic errors, thematic elements and overall tone of the book.
6. Let your imagination run wild. When you stay true to basic scientific principles, there is tremendous room to embellish your story. In the world of science fiction, practically anything can and does happen.
7. Think about what makes great literature, not just science fiction. While science fiction does require a strong technological and scientific element it should go beyond that. A universal message will help your writing become more than a genre piece, it will help it earn a place among the great books of the world.
8. Be persistent. It can take a lot of time and leg work to get a book published. Some of the greatest writers in history were turned down again and again by publisher after publisher until they finally found someone willing to publish their work.

One might also note that it doesn't say this will produce good science fiction.

Of course, placing "find a publisher" at position three for all the world as if they grew wild on bushes, could possibly fit into an alternate reality.

What utter drivel...somebody who thinks that Sci-Fi gives you free licence to do anything that you like should stick to fantasy.

Originally Posted by felix

What utter drivel...somebody who thinks that Sci-Fi gives you free licence to do anything that you like should stick to fantasy.

Fantasy is where you go to find the trolls. Science Fiction is where you find the truth.

Which, as a treatise on how to be a really good science fiction writer, can be handily distilled to:

1. Be really good at writing science fiction.


The cat is well and truly out of the bag.

Wow, to think that's really all there is to it! I'm going to start on that list right now!

(And the sad part is, there's probably many hopeful writers that had that same reaction--sans sarcasm.)

anyone who even thinks about publishers before they've written the thing is a fool.

the real 'steps to writing science fiction' is, like chaeronia says,

1. know about science
2. know about writing fiction
3. come up with an idea involving 1 & 2
4. write it.

Wait, are you saying that doesn't work?

Let me condense that sucker down to two things:
1. Start with a great idea
2. Sit down and write!
No one can procrastinate writing, like a writer. Everything on that list is secondary and shouldn't even be thought of until the writing is done.

There was also this warning at the end of the "how-to."

"Do not expect science fiction writing to be easy. To write well involves lots of time, lots of patience and lots of sleepless nights."

I guess I'll never be able to write well, because I've never lost any sleep about my writing.

JohnB

Hell, writing makes me sleep better. I empty out my brain and sleep like a baby

I've been writing sci-fi for a few years, so to review the method stated...

1) Started with what I would call a load of great ideas. Not revolutionary ideas or new spins on old ones, but they still gave me a core to build around with my book.
2) Didn't review the work of the greats, because I didn't want to feel overwhelmed by their methods of crafting and exploring a world. I wanted to try for myself first.
3) Didn't find a publisher, becuase since when does everything need to be published? I write first, then think about publishing. That way I feel more creative
4) Didn't check my facts, so ended up writing mroe in the field of science-fantasy. That's fine, because I hate sticking to a strict genre. Genre is found after writing, not before.
5) Didn't proof as I wrote because I feel that lowers creativity
6) Let my imagination run wild, but always kept track of everything and their links/connotations to what already exists.
7) I thought about what made great literature, and actually read some, as that helps.
8 ) I will be persistent with getting it published, if I want it published.
9) I had fun writing it.



Added that last step because I thought it was important. It's certainly true for me, and perhaps it is also true for the writer of that article.

Originally Posted by felix

What utter drivel...somebody who thinks that Sci-Fi gives you free licence to do anything that you like should stick to fantasy.

You just can't compliment fantasy enough, aye.

On a side note, I've always found 'sit down and just write' perhaps the worst piece of advice imaginable. It's akin to teaching budding orators, 'just say the first thing which pops into your mind!'

I don't put much worth into these do and don't do lists.