An Introduction to. . . Science Fiction

Welcome to the next part of our introduction to series. This time is one of my second favorite genres- science fiction. Like fantasy, it has a lot of options and sub-genres, but I'll only cover a few in this post. Let's take a look at science fiction.

Genre: Science Fiction

Science fiction (commonly shorted to sci-fi) is a genre that is full of, you guessed it, science. But not just normal science. It normally has things like spaceships and aliens and takes place in a future time. Technological advances that we don't have and time travel fill these books. If it isn't magical or seems more science based, it's sci-fi.

Sub-genres

• Hard sci-fi. Hard science fiction is full of real science and data and numbers that all add up. It's very realistic and make up a smaller portion of novels. The Martian falls under that category.

• Soft sci-fi. The kind of sci-fi most people write. It doesn't matter so much how the technology works, just that it does. It may bend the rules of science a bit to make something cool that wouldn't actually work.

• Space opera. A grand epic science fiction story that spans many plot-lines and places. The galaxy is huge and the creatures numerous. Star Wars is often described this way.

• Gothic science fiction. Think monsters, magic, and science. It attempts to explain things like werewolves or magic through scientific means.

• Sci-fi horror. Science fiction and horror mixed together. I bet some of Doctor Who's episodes could fall under this one.

• Sci-fi humor. Similar to the horror one, but with humor instead. They often have a silly or humorous approach to science fiction.

• Apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic. Dealing with the end of the world and after the world goes through some trauma respectively. The two of these often overlap, so I listed them together.

• Alien invasion. The very classic storyline where aliens invade Earth. Think War of the Worlds.

• Time travel. Deals with time travel and it's abilities and problems. Doctor Who and The Time Machine are examples of this.

For further sub-genres, read this article.

A Guide to Science Fiction Sub-genres

Tropes

• Aliens. A ton of science fiction has to do with aliens, whether friendly, evil, or a part of the world. You can never go wrong with aliens, but remember to make them unique.

• Spaceships. Another huge staple of sci-fi is spaceships. Big ones, small ones, junk ones, sleek ones. Bring on all the spaceships. It's even better if your protagonist can't fly one and has to figure it out on the go.

• Other planets. Whether real ones in our solar system or made up ones in galaxies far, far away, having planets other than Earth often shows itself in sci-fi. Humans are always looking to the stars and wondering what's out there.

• Advanced technology. This is one of the top things science fiction explores. Whether it is spaceships, robots, or high tech elevators, there are the best gadgets in science fiction I can't wait to be made real.

• Robots. Call them bots, call them droids, they're all robots. And what's a sci-fi book with a trusty robot sidekick?

• Science terms. Warp drive. Hyperspeed. Photons. Nebulae. There are all sorts of sciency terms to go with sciency books. But try not to throw around random jargon without knowing what it means.

• Holograms. I always fall for a good hologram. And when are we going to get one? I want to talk to people like they do in Star Wars or Black Panther.

• Special abilities. Mind control. ESP. Telekinesis. There always seem to be some sort of mind powers in science fiction, whether these are good or bad.

To Avoid

• Rebels vs. Big Bad Guys. Star Wars did it, and now everyone thinks they can do it. Sure, sometimes this is fun, but if I had a dollar for every time there was a rebellion, I could probably buy the Death Star Lego set.

• Evil AI. This was cool a few times, but all the time? No thank you.

• Aliens that look like us. It's cool to have humanoid aliens, but should they all be that way? No. Let's get creative and make some new ones, like the ones from Arrival.

• Useless armor. I love cool looking armor, but when it does nothing, even against sticks and rocks? Why don't they just run around in their underwear for all the good it does them.

• Time travel to change the past. It never works. And it's boring. So leave it alone.

Here are a few articles with some more ideas.

10 Overused Science Fiction Tropes

10 Worst Science Fiction Cliches

Example Books

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Have you ever written science fiction? What are your favorite and least favorite things? Tell me in the comments.

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An Introduction to. . . Fantasy