The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe

by George Ochoa, J. Osier

Introduces the art of science fiction writing, and offers tips and techniques for making science fiction writings realistic

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Reference

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1993

Reviews

[Gretchen Turonek]

Is this a great guide to current science? Absolutely not, because it's dated in a lot of ways (not that I was expecting differently).

Is it a decent jumping-off point for ideas for your own writing? Yeah, sure. I found a couple of things to scribble down for later use.

The last paragraph of the book stresses the importance of being educated while you're creating something to entertain others, and I completely agree. Read up on science before writing science fiction, especially hard sci-fi. Just make sure that your sources are vetted and current.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great survey of the techniques used to create a scientifically believable science fiction universe -- or, at least, a universe that encourages suspension of disbelief. My main gripe with it is that it is strongest on the type of SF concerned with interstellar civilizations or exploration. There's some good stuff about aliens, evolving humans, future wars and apocalypses, etc, which is helpful for near-term world construction. The best coverage, though is of the sort of giant world-building concepts of Benford, Clarke, Bear and their kin.

That said, if you're constructing an interstellar SF universe, it's great. What's more, I'd say anyone who reads a lot of that flavor of SF and delights in the science and speculation would really enjoy it. There are a lot of great examples from recent SF that I enjoyed reading about, whereas I probably would never plow through those enormous books because I just don't tend to have time to read that brand of SF nowadays. It's like an anthology distilled of SF concepts custom-built to entertain me. Science fiction without all the clunky As You Know, Bob dialogue, bothersome flat characters and blockheaded diversions about how upset the interstellar scientist is that her mother died of Alpha Eridani Brain Virus and she never got to tell her that she loved her. Huzzah!

The authors' voice is amiable, clear, and easy-to-read; this is a very pleasant afternoon's reading and incredibly thought-provoking for anyone who likes hard or socially-based interstellar or interplanetary SF.

[Stephanie Carroll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this title as I was preparing to write my sci-fi novel but it really just kind of repeated the obvious and I didn't get much out of it. However, as a writer whose already put out one title and has another written, I think I have a lot of experience fleshing out a story than most people who are just starting out.

I do think this would be a great title for new writer who has a sci-fi idea but doesn't know what to do or where to go with that idea. This book does have great info for someone in that situation and I can tell you there's not many books out there that are how-tos to write sci-fi so this could be very useful.

The only thing that sucks is that it's kind of old so it doesn't take into account recent techno revolutions like social media or the net. The other would probably do well to put out a new edition.

[K.D. Sarge · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it interests you, I say read it. Outdated in a few areas (imagine videophones!) but still a good solid foundaton in the science any SF writer had better know.

[Torak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great text for getting started in Science Fiction writing. Some of the "science" presented in the book is outdated however. Still there is some great advice.