Inventing Reality: A Guide to Writing Science Fiction

Many readers choose science fiction over other genres simply for the imaginative landscapes and the adventure of exploring these environments. These environments make up the story's setting, or where and when the story occurs. Setting then is the story's time and the place in which the plot unfolds. Sometimes it's referred to as the “scene”.

For example, in "Star Trek: The Original Series", the setting typically is the 23rd century and various parts of the starship Enterprise, such as the bridge, sickbay, engineering and transporter room. The various locations that the landing party visits on the planet also is part of the setting.

Setting helps shape your story's color and mood. The conflicts the characters face hinge on the setting and the situations it creates for the characters. On occasion, the setting itself must be transformed as the main character resolves his central problem.

Setting is high art in science fiction. That's because the setting typically is a time and place that doesn't exist - the future, a lunar colony, a ship traveling between the stars. The challenge to science fiction writers is to create a background that is believable.

There are several ways that writers can make their science fiction setting believable:

n New devices and discoveries should not contradict what science knows today. Science fiction readers often play what is known as “The Game - they scrutinize every story, looking for scientific or technological errors. Consider Bill's critical response to my story, “Boundaries” (though I think he misread some of the story, some of his points are well taken).

n Every background detail should advance the story. If it’s not important to the story, get rid of it. Exotic detail for the sake of being exotic is unnecessary.

n Avoid explaining how the machinery works. Just show what it does. Limited explanation should be used only if it will advance the story.

n Be thoroughly familiar with setting of your story. This requires a working and researched knowledge of ecosystems and machinery before making extrapolations. Know more than the reader, but don't leave out important information necessary to the story.

n Remain self-consistent. As soon as one detail contradicts another, the story falls apart. For example, in a society lacking energy resources, the variety of food available would be limited as transportation of staples between regions wouldn't be possible. Miss that detail, however, and the setting won't seem believable.

More generally, when describing the setting, follow these basic rules:

n Give concrete details of the place. Appeal to as many senses as possible. All of us live in a world in which we constantly see, hear, smell, taste and touch. So also should your characters.

n Ask how your main character would perceive this place. Write a description of the setting from that viewpoint.

n Divide descriptions of the setting into three sections. For example, start with the foreground, then in the next couple of the sentences go the middle and at paragraph's end to the background. Or try left-center-right or sky-eye-level-ground.

Sometimes in science fiction, masters of their craft create a "meta-setting", which is when the author’s perspective colors the selection of words and phrasing used to describe a scene. A meta-setting adds texture to your writing and can help express a thematic point to your story.

You Do It

Write a 250-word description of what your house or apartment will be like in 25 years. What appliances and electronics will be there? What pictures will hang on the walls? What foods and beverages will you find in the refrigerator (or whatever it is that replaces it)? What will be the view from the windows? Try to appeal to as many of the five senses as possible.