Interstellar: A Science Fiction Guide

Introduction

Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that contains imagined elements that don't exist in the real world. Science fiction spans a wide range of themes that often explore time travel, space travel, are set in the future, and deal with the consequences of technological and scientific advances.

—Masterclass

Science fiction (sometimes shortened to sci-fi or SF) is a of that typically deals with and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes and extraterrestrial life. It has been called the literature of ideas, and often explores the potential consequences of  scientific, social, and technological innovations.

—Wikipedia

Yes. Science Fiction doesn't only revolve around MMORPG games, robots, virtual reality and viruses. Science Fiction covers a wide range of scientifically potential events that might happen in the near future. There are more things you can offer about writing in Science Fiction. Keep reading so you'll know what more topics you could write about.

Hard and Soft Science Fiction

There are two (2) broad categories science fiction possesses: Hard sci-fi and soft sci-fi. But what is the difference between the two?

Hard sci-fi novels are based on scientific fact. They're inspired by "hard" natural sciences like physics, chemistry, and astronomy. These novels are concerned for scientific accuracy and logic.

Soft sci-fi novels can be two things: Either they are not scientifically accurate or they're inspired by soft social sciences like psychology, anthropology, and sociology. This means that the novel consists of any scientific or futuristic elements, it does not go deep into the technical details of science. It focuses more on people, less emphasis on those math, engineering, and other high nerd talks.

These words are  helpful for readers to identify what are they're going to expect and what foundation lays your book. So, don't forget to insert them at some point in the story!

Common Characteristics of Science Fiction

Including a wide variety of concepts, science fiction makes anything possible, especially in soft sci-fi novels. A sci-fi novel can be about space, time travel, aliens, or time travelling aliens in space.

But regardless to futuristic details the novel possesses, all sci-fi stories and/or novels explore larger themes and commentary about society beneath the surface.

Classic elements of a science fiction novel includes:

a. Time Travel
b. Teleportation
c. Mind control, telepathy, and telekinesis
d. Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms, and mutants
e. Space Travel and exploration
f. Interplanetary warfare
g. Parallel universes
h. Fictional worlds
i. Alternative histories
j. Speculative technology
k. Superintelligent computers and robots

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