THE KEY ELEMENTS OF SCIENCE FICTION: WORLD BUILDING AND BEYOND
INTRODUCTION
To write a novel, as easy as it may seem also have rules guiding it. Genres like fantasy, romance and the likes might require a few rules, unlike science fiction, which generally rules the world of writing when science and technology is involved. Writing science fiction requires careful planning and attention to detail. It is not just about imagining a futuristic world, but also about creating a believable and logical study.
Ever since the introduction of the genre to writing, science fiction has always been a category of fiction that invites readers to explore uncharted territories, venture into the unknown and contemplate the limitless possibilities of the universe.
Science fiction explores big ideas like time travel, space exploration, and new technologies. To write a compelling sci-fi, you need to build a strong foundation, starting with world-building.
In this article, we will break down the key elements of science fiction, basically the world-building aspect and how to craft your story without flaws.
WORLD BUILDING AS THE BASIC ELEMENT OF SCIENCE FICTION
This is one of the essential parts of your writing, basically called setting in literary terms. However, world-building in sci-fi is alternately different from that of other genres, because an author has to imagine a futuristic world or places beyond the human world, unlike Romance or other genres where the real world can be envisioned.
Tips to consider while creating a perfect world setting;
BUILD A COHESIVE WORLD
When building your world, it is essential to think about how all the elements fit together. These elements include the climate, environment, cultures and the beings living in it; whether humans or aliens.
For novels that feature aliens as the characters, the world setting might likely be from another planet with a scorching hot or freezing cold temperature, with frequent storms, towering mountains or vast plains, strange growing plants, vast oceans or toxic lakes, etc.
Check out this example;
“The planet of Xeridia was a sweltering inferno, with temperatures soaring above 50 degrees Celsius during the day. The atmosphere was thick with sulfuric gases, and sandstorms raged across the dunes like titans.”
BE CONSISTENT AND LOGICAL
Have you tried reading a book, let’s take a fantasy novel for instance, where magic is introduced to work in a certain way in chapter 1 and differently in chapter 3. Confusing right? That’s where consistency comes in. Being consistent and logical involves;
- Creating rules of your world (Magic, technology, laws of physics, etc.)
- Having a timeline, i.e knowing about the significant events and history behind your world creation
- Think about the implications of the rules’ effect on your story and the characters
- Apply those rules consistently throughout the story.
CREATE A BALANCE BETWEEN DETAIL AND MYSTERY
Striking a balance between providing enough details on the immersive environment and also leaving enough mystery to spark curiosity and imagination is very important. Be assured that too many details in your story can make it predictable and stagnant, restraining the flow of suspense, which is wrong. As a sci-fi writer, you should take note of the following;
- Focus on the details that are relevant to the story; don’t beat around the bush.
- Make better use of sensory details (reference to the above example)
- Leave some questions unanswered; allow your readers to wonder about certain aspects of the world, such as the origin of a particular technology (reference: Vibranium, a fictional metal with energy manipulating properties, used in the movie ‘Black Panther’)
DEVELOP UNIQUE CHARACTERS OR SPECIES
One of the most exciting ways to make your world feel alive is by creating characters that are different from anything we know. It could be aliens or hybrid humans. If you check out the sci-fic movie “Star Wars”, you will notice the inclusion of other species like the Wookies, Droids, and Rodians, usually called the Alien bounty hunter and aliens alike, aside from the human characters. The involvement of these characters adds richness and diversity to its universe.
PUSH BOUNDARIES BEYOND JUST TECHNOLOGY
Science fiction majors on technological advancement, as the main theme of the genre, but that alone would not build your world to a perfect state. Imagine reading a book or watching a sci-fi movie precisely, that talks about how a scientist invents a new machine, the progress, how it works, without action/thriller. That can indeed be boring.
Your storyline really matters, involve action and likely other genres that will captivate the audience. ‘Black Panther’, a sci-fi movie, has a cultural mythology rooted in African culture, a bit of romance is involved, action and the use of technology.
OTHER KEY ELEMENTS
STRUCTURED PLOT
Aside from the world-building aspect, your plot, which I will consider to be a roadmap, should have clear directions, twists and turns, in order to arrive at a satisfying destination. What do I mean by this? Your setting might be scientifically inclined, but without a structured plot, it will end up looking like a science documentary.
Take ‘Dune'(1965) by Frank Herbert, for an example. The story revolves around the Young Paul Atreides, his transformational journey from a young noble to a leader, following temptations, challenges, self discovery, and survival, with each theme creating tension and moments of relief
STEP-BY-STEP PACING
Pacing is all about controlling the speed at which your writing unfolds. You can decide to make it a fast-paced action scene, which will require a sense of urgency, or make it slow-paced, by allowing the suspense to flow without much effort, but still give a chance for climax and resolution.
The fast-paced type is perfect for high-stakes moments, such as battles, chases, or dramatic revelations. While the slow-paced action can be achieved through more descriptive language or dialogues that reveal a character’s trait.
REVISING AND EDITING
Revising and editing are like the final checks before launching your sci-fi story. You want to make sure that everything is in working order, from the engines of your plot to the intricate details of your world-building.
When revising, take a step back and examine if you are not missing out on any detail. Ask yourself if your characters are well developed and relatable. Ensure that your fictional world is richly detailed and consistent.
Editing is where you get to check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors. Make sure that your writing is clear, and your sentences flow smoothly into one another.
During the editing process, getting feedback from others is also recommended. You can share your work with beta readers or a writing group to get constructive feedback. This will help you identify areas that need improvement and provide insights into your story.
CONCLUSION
Great sci-fi stories often start with building a world that feels real, whether it’s something strange on Earth or a completely made-up universe. It takes creativity and effort, but when done right, it turns a simple story into a full-blown adventure.
Start with a clear idea, make some solid rules for how things work, add rich details, cultures, landscapes, and history, then let your characters bring it all to life. But most especially, to become self-developed, read books of other great authors; the likes of Frank Herbert, H.G Wells, Philip K. Dick and many more.
If you do according to all these tips, you won’t just tell a story, but take readers on a mind-bending journey through wild new worlds and big exciting ideas.