What makes a great sci-fi story?
Great sci-fi combines imaginative worlds with compelling characters and thought-provoking ideas. It explores the impact of technology or the unknown on society or individuals. (I once imagined a planet where tea was currency but yeah I’m still waiting to write that one…)
Examples:
- Unique settings or futuristic technology
- Complex characters facing moral dilemmas
- Themes about humanity, progress or survival
Tips:
- Ground your worldbuilding with rules that make sense
- Balance technical details with story and character
- Avoid info dumps that weigh down the narrative
Further reading: The Science Fiction Handbook by Nick Hubble and Aris Mousoutzanis
How do I build believable worlds?
Worldbuilding is crucial in sci-fi but must serve the story rather than overshadow it. Think about culture, environment, technology and how they shape your characters’ lives. (I once designed a city powered by giant sunflowers… I just need the story now.)
Examples:
- Societies with distinct customs or laws
- Technology that influences everyday life
- Environmental challenges or alien landscapes
Tips:
- Introduce world details naturally through character experience
- Keep consistency throughout your story
- Use sensory details to make the setting vivid
Further reading: World-Building by Stephen L. Gillett
How do I create compelling characters in sci-fi?
Characters should feel human even in extraordinary settings. Give them desires, fears and flaws that readers can relate to.
Examples:
- Heroes with personal struggles
- Antiheroes facing tough choices
- Supporting characters with unique perspectives
Tips:
- Show how the sci-fi world affects your characters emotionally
- Avoid making characters just vessels for ideas
- Develop character arcs that grow with the plot
Further reading: Characters and Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
How can I keep the science believable without boring readers?
Balancing scientific accuracy with readability is key. Use enough detail to be plausible but keep the focus on story and characters. (Don’t explain wormholes for three pages!)
Examples:
- Realistic tech based on current science
- Plausible future advances grounded in theory
- Simplified explanations through dialogue or action
Tips:
- Use metaphor and analogy to clarify complex ideas
- Avoid jargon unless it enhances atmosphere
- Let characters question or struggle with science to humanise it
Further reading: How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
How do I introduce complex ideas without confusing readers?
Sci-fi often tackles big questions about society, identity or ethics. Present these themes through character experiences and plot rather than heavy exposition. (Don’t make your theme so complex that your readers needed a flowchart.)
Examples:
- Exploring AI consciousness through character interaction
- Ethical dilemmas about genetic engineering
- Societal changes in a dystopian future
Tips:
- Weave ideas seamlessly into the narrative
- Use conflict and dialogue to reveal perspectives
- Keep the pace moving alongside thematic depth
Further reading: Speculative Everything by Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby
How do I avoid clichés in sci-fi?
Many sci-fi tropes are overused but can be refreshed with originality and depth. Focus on unique characters and fresh takes on common themes. (I once wrote about time travel with a tea addiction… originality guaranteed!)
Examples:
- Subverting the mad scientist stereotype
- Reimagining alien encounters
- Offering new views on space exploration
Tips:
- Read widely to spot clichés before you write them
- Add personal or unexpected elements
- Challenge genre conventions thoughtfully
Example of writing in a sci-fi writing tone
Here’s a short scene that combines worldbuilding, subtle exposition, and emotional stakes in a science-fiction setting. It keeps the science readable and centres on character perspective.
Example: “The Last Seed”
Mila adjusted her helmet seal, staring out across the ash-covered plain. The last greenhouse on Europa was silent. No glow from the solar veins, no hum of oxygen pumps.
“Temperature’s dropping again,” she muttered.
Commander Ruiz didn’t answer. He was still inside, kneeling in front of the last viable crop: a single, curling vine with two spotted tomatoes. His breath fogged up the inside of his visor. They’d named it Sarah, like a pet. Like a child. It was stupid, maybe, but it made dying feel slower.
The mission log flickered. Day 312. Oxygen: 19%. Morale: 2%.
“Do we eat it?” Mila asked.
He looked up at her. His face didn’t move, but something behind his eyes gave way.
“If we do, the project fails. If we don’t… we fail.”
There was no right choice. There never was. Just survival dressed up as sacrifice.
She sat down beside him, their suits pressed shoulder to shoulder. Europa spun slowly beneath them, silent as a grave. Sarah shivered in the cold.
Final thoughts
Sci-fi doesn’t have to be complicated to be good. Focus on your characters, keep your world consistent, and let your big ideas come through naturally. If you’re excited about what you’re writing, chances are someone else will be too.
(And yes, sometimes less wormhole is more.)
Further reading: Avoiding Clichés in Science Fiction by Deborah Chester