Exploring the Science Fiction Genre

Direct quotes from "Writing Excuses" Episode 8: Sci-Fi Genre

"Science fiction and fantasy: the genre is about writing new things and experiencing new things. Science fiction is about new things that are conceivably possible; fantasy is about new things that are conceivably impossible in our universe."

"We write science fiction for one of two reasons: (1) we either are very optimistic about what science can do and we are telling tales about the wonders of science and reason and structured thought, or (2) we are telling cautionary tales about the coming apocalypse and nuclear energy. And, sometimes we're doing both."

"The 'what if?' drove a lot of early science fiction writers."

"In the early days, it seemed like science fiction and fantasy and horror were all really one genre: the 'what if genres.'"

"Science fiction is a very reflective genre. Regardless of how it is done and how scientific it actually is, it's still intended to reflect an aspect of our society in a way you can't do in our society without changing a bunch."

"When I sit down to write a novel, I write a fantasy. But, when I sit down to write a short story, I write science fiction."

"The ideas are what drive science fiction, and for fantasy, it's often the setting that will drive me."

"A short story reveals character through action. In a novel, you lead up to the action based on who the character is."

What does it take to be a good science fiction writer? 

"You need an understanding of the current sciences. You need to know a little astronomy, a little chemistry and a little bit of engineering."

"It's much more important with science fiction to know what's come before, than with some other genres."

"To write a cool, clever science fiction story, you have to check to make sure it hasn't been done a dozen times."

"You will always have people who are new to the genre. There's always room for entry level fiction in any genre."