1. Introduction
2. World-Building and Why We Care
3. Character Development and Connection
4. Plot Structure
5. Theme Exploration
6. Research Skills
7. Imagination and Creativity
8. Revision and Editing
9. Conclusion

Introduction

Hey Authors of Tomorrow! Welcome to the overall summary of the essentials of science fiction and fantasy that we covered over 2024. If you’re a new reader finding this page first, you can access the full articles by clicking on the title of each section.

World-Building and Why We Care

Maintain consistency and immersion within the rules and logic of the world you’ve created. Ensure that the details, such as technology, magic systems, and societal norms, align with the established world-building elements. Contradictions or convenient plot choices that defy the world’s internal logic can break the reader’s suspension of disbelief.

Craft a detailed and immersive world that serves as a foundation for characters and stories to unfold naturally. World-building elements like geography, culture, history, and systems of magic or technology should impact the plot, character actions, and thematic exploration. Well-developed world-building can create opportunities for conflict, character development, and thematic depth, while also providing an engaging escape for readers.

Character Development and Connection

Ground the narrative and provide an emotional connection for readers through well-developed characters. Characters serve as a lens through which readers experience and perceive the new worlds you’ve created. Fully fleshed-out characters with inner struggles, emotions, and unique perspectives help readers invest emotionally and make the fantastical elements feel real.

Use characters to expand the reader’s understanding of the world and its complexities. Give characters contrasting viewpoints, opinions, and subjective experiences of the same world. This highlights different facets of the world-building and raises thought-provoking questions, enriching the reader’s immersion in the fictional universe.

Plot Structure

Plot structure is a key element in science fiction and fantasy writing. It helps build the world, develop characters, and keep the story flowing smoothly. It gives readers a cozy and familiar reading experience, even in unusual or magical settings.

Try different plot structures to find what works best for their storytelling style, like Save the Cat or Three-Act Structure. When a plot is well-structured, it adds tension, conflict, and resolution to make the reading experience more satisfying and memorable.

Theme Exploration

Science fiction and fantasy let writers tackle complex ideas and provoke thought among readers, exploring larger questions about existence, technology, and society in a thought-provoking way.

Well-crafted themes in a book give purpose to every word and can make the story more appreciated by challenging readers to analyze and discuss the world and future possibilities. This leads to more engaging and memorable works.

Research Skills

Research is crucial for effective world-building in science fiction and fantasy, providing a foundation of facts that lend authenticity and credibility to speculative worlds, as exemplified by Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn series.

While not all research may appear directly in the story, it enhances the writer’s confidence and understanding, leading to improved accuracy and consistency throughout the work, as illustrated by David Estes’ Kingfall Series and its magic system based on the Law of Conservation of Mass.

Imagination and Creativity

Science fiction and fantasy thrive on these qualities, allowing authors to create unique and captivating worlds, characters, and plots. These genres challenge both readers and writers to envision the impossible and explore new possibilities, making the extraordinary feel real and believable.

These genres help form a strong connection with the audience by exploring deep, universal themes. They inspire readers to draw parallels with their own lives and face their realities with newfound courage, driven by the sense of wonder and possibility that these stories evoke.

Revision and Editing

Revision and editing are crucial processes in science fiction and fantasy writing, transforming rough drafts into polished works by ensuring consistency, coherence, and attention to detail in world-building, narrative, and prose.

The editing process allows authors to identify weaknesses, refine their storytelling craft, and focus on specific areas of improvement, such as interiority, to enhance the overall reading experience.

Conclusion

Studying the essentials of science fiction and fantasy is a never-ending process, as writing is an art that’s never finished, but only abandoned. Our books and fiction will never be perfect, but by implementing these essentials, we can get as close as we can. If you found one article more helpful than the others, I’d love to hear about it. Drop your favorites in the comments below!

Previous Post: December Newsletter

Next Post: Speculative Subgenres: How to Navigate the Marketplace