How much science does a science fiction writer actually need?
Filed under My Writing • 09-12-2008 •
I’m fascinated by science but when I write, I write about people. I write about characters reacting to the situations in which they find themselves. In an interesting article on his website, Jeremiah Tolbert pretty much sums up my own attitude to writing the science in science fiction:
(The thing) I take exception to is the notion that you need to be deeply conversant in anything. I think you just need to do research to the point where what you have to say doesn’t break the suspension of disbelief and I think that’s a long ways from being a polymath. You don’t need to be an expert on anything but people.
Read the full article here: http://tinyurl.com/5k6448
See also my earlier article, Near Future SF *is* Possible
Tags: Inspiration • Writing
Well, dang – we came up with almost identical headlines for our responses to this one! I’m taking comfort from the fact that by dint of your profession you know better than I do what a good headline looks like, so maybe I’ve learned something.
To clarify: When writing, I focus on the characters first and the science second. That said, I DO take pains to ensure the science I use is as accurate and plausible as possible.