Home Writing Channels: Science Fiction & Fantasy

Channel: Science Fiction & Fantasy
Channel Manager: Ma. Christina B. Nuyles (mnuyles@mydestiny.net)
All links verified accessible as of 13 June 2004

1. 10 Big Myths about Copyright Explained
   Of course every writer knows the importance of copyright and this site attempts to help the author by explaining some of the myths that surround this seemingly confusing term.

2. Christian Apocalyptic Fiction
   This relatively new field in the SF/Fantasy genre introduces us to some unique concepts about the convergence of Religion and Science and all the consequences of such a union.

3. Computer Game Developers and Speculative Fiction Authors: A Symbiotic Relationship
   The onset of the computer gaming era has proved to be more than another passing fad with figures on developers' balance sheets growing at tremendous rates and graphical and sound capabilities reaching a point where players could suspend disbelief. . . . Is this the end of speculative fiction as we know it?

4. Creative Gibberish
   Everything you need to know if you plan to pursue a career in Creative Fiction. The site illustrates what the author thinks are important to creative writing.

5. Cryptozoology
   Stumped for an idea? A look at the not-so mythical creatures that permeate human history just might provide you with the proverbial shot in the arm and get you speeding your way to your first Fantasy novel.

6. Definitions of Science Fiction
   "Oftentimes, in order to write it, you must sometimes understand it first," a no-nonsense, definitive look at the art called Science Fiction.

7. Elven Blades and Zero-G Ki: The Evolution of Martial Arts in SF and Fantasy
   Genre conventions have changed, and now the "training sequence" is almost obligatory in novels in which previously untrained characters end up fighting. This article comments on the changes in SF and Fantasy with regards to 'Fight scenes' in modern day fiction.

8. Excuse Me, How Much Did It Cost You?
   This was an article published by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc. regarding even how the best of us can get duped by unscrupulous publishing houses who tell us that they will publish our masterpieces for a fee, of course!

9. Five Easy Pieces of Advice
   A quick guide on what to do if you want to write Fantasy or Science Fiction.

10. The Golden Age of Fantasy Is Twelve: SF and the Young Adult Novel
    SF/Fantasy writers should take note that his target market is one busy with the dilemma of growing up. Author Rachel Manija Brown: "The years between eleven and eighteen are crucial ones… People who pass their teens without getting addicted to SF rarely acquire a taste for it later on..."

11. Guillotines and Body Transplants: the Severed Head in Fact and Fiction
    Why is the severed head such a powerful image throughout movies and within our heads? This article takes us back to the prehistoric conceptions and myths surrounding severed heads, and then move to some more contemporary science fictional ideas.

12. If we are lucky, our pets may keep us as pets
    A look at what the future holds for us. The essay attempts to predict just how superior or "post-human" intelligences might come to be. Step aside Terminator, enter… Darth Magilla!

13. Interview: Jeanne Cavelos
    Jeanne Cavelos is an astrophysicist and mathematician, teaching astronomy at Michigan State University and working in the Astronaut Training Division at NASA's Johnson Space Center. She is also an editor at Dell Publishing. In this interview she talks of the changes that have made great impact on the SF genre.

14. The Moon in Science Fiction
    An extensive list of all SF novels and short stories where the Moon has played a major or at least significant role. This site is an excellent resource for the writer who is looking into featuring the moon as the focal point of his story.

15. On Faith and the Difficulty of Writing
    Let us look at the struggles of a Sci-Fi writer from the eyes of his beloved robot creation. Sometimes things just don't work out the way we plan them.

16. The People Writers Don't See
    In writing we often forget about the people we write about. There are unspoken rules where characters have to follow set parameters on how to portray, write or cast them in a politically correct manner. Author Mike Cassutt talks about this in his commentary The People Writers Don't See.

17. The Profit Motive
    The book publishing business is just that – a Business. It is therefore a must that the would - be published writer should know how to evaluate if book writing is a lucrative venture for him or not.

18. Quality in Epic Fantasy
    A single author's dissertation on why he feels trilogies don't often work.

19. Rare Bird in Parts: The State of the SF Serial
    Nowadays, though, just after the turn of the millennium, serials have become quite rare birds..” The author describes the slow death of the SF and Fantasy serial, the once predominant medium for the SF genre.

20. Scientist Building 101
    Scientists are people and as such they must be written with as much semblance to his flesh and blood counterpart as possible with the whole gamut of complex passions and emotions that accompany human existence.

21. Sleeping with the Bug-Eyed Monster: Sexuality in the Novels of Anthony, Heinlein, and Le Guin
    The author explores society's fascination with all things sexual, the mores and traditions surrounding sexuality and the reasons why this is such a popular avenue of exploration in science fiction.

22. Writer's Block: A Definition by Example
    Writer's Block defined definitively.

23. Writing and Publishing Lead Times
    You've finally taken SF writing seriously but don’t have any idea how long it actually takes to churn out that epic of a novel you are thinking of writing, well, Jeff Carver gives wonderful insight on the life of a novelist - from the cradle (writing) to the grave (publishing).

24. A Conversation With Alan Dean Foster
    Best selling author Alan Dean Foster gives advice to the aspiring authors who wish to enter the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy writing.

25. A Conversation With Eric Van Lustbader
    "You have to be exceptionally disciplined to write a novel," so says well known Fantasy author Eric von Lustbader when asked about his writing habits in this candid interview by Writer's Write, columnist Claire E. White.

26. A Conversation with Terry Pratchett
    What's in the mind of a Fantasy writer? From what dark depths in his brain does he dig up his visions of the world he personifies in the pages of his novel? In this interview with Discworld author Terry Pratchett, we get a glimpse of the mind behind the author.

27. A Little Bit of Me, A Little Bit of You
    Daily life can sometimes be the best source of inspiration when writing Fantasy. According to Holly Lisle, only when, "...we risk the censure of readers not just for what we have written but for who we are that we stand any real chance of creating something of lasting worth..."

28. A Look into the Mind of Janny Wurts
    Janny Wurts co-author of the famous Empire Trilogy shares her insights on Fantasy writing. She compares writing Fantasy to, "...tossing a marble into a pinball maze -- you know where it enters, you know where it's going to exit, but the course it takes getting there is the event that fascinates."

29. An Interview with John Marco
    Fantasy writer John Marco describes his typical day, "For me, a typical day of writing is pretty much like a typical day at any desk job, except that I don't have the distractions of meetings or other people around me." He also gives great insights on the Fantasy writer's world.

30. Aphorisms for Writing Science Fiction
    A wonderful site for those attempting to write SF or fantasy. Author David Smith provides the reader with informative steps on prerequisites of a good story, offering advice on creating the dramatic structure of the story, to suggestions on making scenes work and even tips on improving the prose afterwards.

31. Bestiary: Your On-line Guide to Mythical Monsters
    Bestiary - a collection of stories, each based on a description of certain qualities of an animal, plant, or even stone. This site which provides the would-be Fantasy writer comprehensive descriptions of mythical creatures such as unicorns, dragons, sirens, werewolfs, and other (lesser known) creatures he might use in his stories.

32. Choice of Words
    Taken from famous SF author C.J. Cherryh's list of antique words and words from the 1900’s that have changed usage. This is a great resource for writers of historical fantasy. As they say, "Get the words right!"

33. Creating a Believable World
    A short essay that teaches the Speculative Fiction writer the importance of "suspending the disbelief" of his readers. For it is only when the reader is able to put aside his doubts about the existence of the writer's world that the great Fantasy or Science Fiction story achieves success.

34. Cyberpunk Fiction: Alternative Writing
    Cyberpunk is an alternative form of Science Fiction writing that was initially attached with the onset of the Internet. It is, in essence, a form of speculative fiction that deals with a high-technology future. The following articles provides some tips by the author on the elements of the Cyberpunk genre.

35. Fantasy Worldbuilding Questions
    The following site contains a rather extensive guide for Fantasy writers who seek to create believable imaginary settings for their stories. It tackles such issues as creating the fantasy world lived in by the characters, their magic and where it comes from, their culture, history, manner of living, even commerce.

36. How to Deal With a Critique
    You finally gather the guts to submit your beloved novel to one of the numerous on-line workshops for writers when suddenly your world comes crashing down as you receive e-mails tearing your work of art apart. This article helps the beginning writer gain the most from the experience.

37. Is that a Hobbit in Your Rocket?
    Read on and learn as authors Lois McMaster Bujold (The Curse of Chalion ), Dave Duncan (Sky of Swords) and Michael Swanwick (Stations of the), share their thoughts on how and why some authors choose to write both Science Fiction and Fantasy, and the difficulties and creative freedom this gives them.

38. Is This Stuff Sci-Fi, SF, Or Skiffy?
    A glib look at the evolution of the Science Fiction genre and what it means to the writers who immersed their writing life living it.

39. Magazine Editors
    Lets take a look at the editor;s view of the merits of short vs classic (long) fiction in this transcript of the discussion among SF;s foremost magazine editors: Gordon Van Gelder (The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction), Gardner Dozois (Isaac Asimov's Magazine), and Ellen Datlow, (Omni).

40. Maps Workshop -- Developing the Fictional World through Mapping
    Have you ever had one of those days when you find yourself sitting zombie-like, staring at the blank screen of your computer, completely stumped for an idea on where to begin? According to Holly Lisle, sometimes the best solution comes from simply taking out your pen and drawing a map.

41. On Thud and Blunder
    This is a classic essay by renowned SF author Poul Anderson. "On Thud and Blunder" is especially good for those writing Sword and Sorcery or creating their own fantasy worlds.

42. Outlining Your Plot
    Presents tips on how to write strong, convincing plots which are touted as the basis of the underlying structure of a story. A weak plot structure usually means that the story will be weak as well.

43. Science Fiction and Fantasy: A genre with Many Faces
    Brief descriptions of the subcategories of Science Fiction and Fantasy are given in this short essay on the many faces of speculative fiction. If you're at a loss on what type of Science Fiction or Fantasy novel to write, then this is the place to get some ideas.

44. Science in Science Fiction: Making it Work
    Author of A Door into Ocean and The Children Star, Joan Slonczewski enlightens the would-be SF writer on her ideas about getting the science in science fiction right. She also adds some of her own ideas on how and where to get ideas for SF writing projects.

45. Self-Editing For Fiction Writers: Show and Tell
    Although not specifically dealing with SF and Fantasy, this excerpt from the book Self-Editing for Fiction Writers is still a great aid in teaching any would be writer the importance of editing his own work.

46. Shopping List for Better BEMs (Bug-eyed monsters)
    A very short guide on how to make better, and more effective, "Bug-Eyed Monsters" for both fantasy and science fiction.

47. Take a Teaspoon of Science, a Pinch of Fiction, Stir
    These are excepts from a roundtable discussion about science fiction featuring authors Lois McMaster Bujold, Tony Daniel and Jack McDevitt. The topics revolve around each authors thoughts on the difference between SF and Fantasy.

48. THE WRITER'S CRAFT: Tips to aspiring writers from Ben Bova
    "No two writers work exactly the same way, but there are certain things that any writer must do to be successful." Ben Bova, famous SF writer, shares his words of wisdom to those who dare take up pen and paper and write of worlds beyond worlds.

49. What if John Wilkes Booth Shot My Grandfather?
    Some of today's hottest fantasy/SF authors - Guy Gavriel Kay (The Sarantine Mosaic: Lord of Emperors), Susan Matthews (Colony Fleet), Sean Russell (The One Kingdom ), and Pamela Sargent (Child of Venus) - share their thoughts about employing history and alternative histories as springboards for fantastic fiction in this round table discussion.

50. Why I Have Written Science-Fiction
    Why do Science Fiction writers write Sci-Fi stories? Author Ben Bova (The Precipice) shares his reasons in this short and enigmatic essay.

51. Worldbuilding From The Ground Up
    These are transcripts of the discussion by authors Dave Duncan, Dennis Jones, Anne McCaffrey and Juliet McKenna on what it takes to build a world and bring it alive with characters and story.

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