How I approach writing SCI-FI as a FANTASY writer

...with great attention to detail?

Branching out from fantasy to sci-fi isn’t the most difficult transition, but the subtle difference between the genres is what makes some sci-fi novels HIT or fall flat.

I think one huge difference between the genres is:

The AWE Factor

Science fiction needs a bit of awe inspiring (fill in blank). Mostly I’d fill in the blank with scope.

Fantasy needs a driving force, it’s great if that driving force saves the world, but very rarely are the consequences of failure planetary in scope. (Except Brando Sando because he’s kinda a sci-fi // fantasy writer iykyk) Most often, the driving force of fantasy is the endangerment of a person or people and then the main character goes out and does something to save themselves or the people they love.

Sci-fi can be this, however the sci-fi I have loved is more than a personal story of ‘how me and my buddies stopped the Big Bad’ and more about how one person’s actions have a ripple effect across the universe.

Magic vs Tech

I firmly believe that tech and magic are pretty interchangeable. Slap some wires and interfaces on the magic and suddenly its tech.

I’m wasn’t a fan of ~ spaceship ~ sci-fi, until I read Ancillary Justice, but I still don’t think I’ll ever write about SPACE or its ships as the main topic of a book.

I’m much more interested in the ground and the people dotting its surface.

Humans vs Aliens vs Fantastical Races

Sci-fi is more lenient in what kind of creatures the readers are willing to expend their attention trying to imagine. Fantasy is mostly the zone for humanoid races of people.

While writing this book, I want to get really creative with the aliens and how they look. However, for most of sci-fi Humans are still the star of the show. I’m going to try and not include any in my book… we shall see how that goes!