Category Archives: science fiction
Lessons from Isaac Asimov: Writing Tips for Success
Isaac Asimov (January 2, 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American writer and a professor of biochemistry at Boston University. Asimov was considered one of the “Big Three” science fiction writers along with Robert A. Heinlein and Arthur C. Clarke. He was a prolific writer and wrote or edited more than 500 books within his lifetime. He is most well known for his science fiction, but also wrote mysteries, fantasy, nonfiction, and popular science.
He started with a series of science-fiction novels in the 1950’s, which includes the classic Foundation Series, and his writing in time extended into non-fiction. He wrote works for popular science, guidebooks to classic novels like Gulliver’s Travels and Paradise Lost, and even a 1,200-page Guide to the Bible.
He wrote on numerous other scientific and non-scientific topics, such as chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, history and literary criticism. He even wrote a few joke books and a book of limericks, but he didn’t stop there. He wrote a Guide to Shakespeare and a thorough Chronology of the World. By publishing his Three Laws of Robotics in 1942, Isaac Asimov defined rules for humans and robots to coexist.He brought a new understanding of robots and their relationship between machines and humans which led to modern movies like I, Robot and Bicentennial Man. Asimov enlightened our imaginations.
What can we learn from this amazing writer?
Make the time to write – no excuses. Asimov had many duties but always kept himself on a tight schedule and made the time for his writing. He went from can till can’t.
Stick to what you know. We all have a circle of competence – an area of earned knowledge. Learn to know the limit of that circle and stick within that limit to keep the advantage. (Asimov wrote the books but let screen writers execute the movies)
Find what you love and have unstoppable determination. (Asimov simply “had” to write. It would have been unfathomable not to.)
Never stop learning – have a thirst for knowledge and do massive amounts of research.
Never let the fear of criticism and perfectionism hold you back. Continue striving and writing. Be prepared for imperfection and correct your result, not your process.
Commit to your writing or everything will distract you. Don’t be stopped by a creative block. If one project isn’t working, move on to another.
“Knowledge is not only power; it is happiness,
and being taught is the intellectual analog of being loved. – Isaac Asimov
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Unveiling Endless Possibilities: The Essence of Science Fiction
The dictionary defines Science Fiction as follows –
Fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently representing space or time travel and life on other planets.
You generally find things like parallel universes, spaceships, clones, aliens, self-aware AIs, virtual reality, time travel, mind control, interplanetary warfare and humans interacting with scientific methods or technologies.
Some say it should have its foundations in actual science to qualify and the actual technologies should be a plausible progression of the current education and abilities that we have.
There is usually some type of scientific discovery involved.
Future technology is a common theme with the cost of progress a recurrent theme.
Usually set in realities that are plausible but involve survival.
Worlds are often cynical and dystopian but utopian societies can also exist.
These discoveries and technologies are oftentimes analyzed as to whether it is progress that is worth the price or whether the well-intentioned new breakthroughs are either corrupting mankind or furthering its progress. Entire story lines are built around this premise.
Science Fiction has been around for as long as people have had a curiosity about our world and its physical laws. How far can the boundaries be pushed?
Add human characteristics and emotions into this scientific phenomenon, build a plot that weaves in and out of the scenario, and you can create a world of endless possibilities while developing characters that are relatable to your readers.
Bring science into your conflict but be careful not to “dump” key scientific information on the reader too quickly. Give out scientific explanations and background sparingly so as not to overwhelm them so they stop reading. Remember that dialogue, action and flashbacks are all ways to creatively dispense key information.
Some examples of Science Fiction –
Jurassic Park – by Michael Crichton
The Hunger Games – by Suzanne Collins
Journey to the Center of the Earth – by Jules Verne
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – by Jules Verne
The Time Machine – by H. G. Wells
The First Men in the Moon – by H. G. Wells
Dune – by Frank Herbert
1984 – by George Orwell
I have always been a huge fan of science fiction. It’s not only what I read most often, but a genre in which I write as well. You can find my books at my website and other varied locations.
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Solitaire Parke - Sci-Fi/Fantasy Books 