Genre: Describing Technology in Science-Fiction

writing-questions-answered:

Anonymous asked: What I’m writing is a science fiction story (set in the future with aliens, space travel, etc.) but the trouble I’m having is creating the “science” and the technology behind it. I have some idea but that means nothing if I can’t explain how it’s possible. I have a character that is from the past and it’s in their nature to want to know everything. So I can’t really ignore or be vague about it.      

Unless you’re literally a rocket scientist, it’s going to be next to impossible to flesh out every single wing-nut, wire, and microchip that makes the technology in your world possible. It also might be a little boring for your readers, so what you should do is pick a few things your character will be interested in and pick something in particular about that thing to be fleshed out. That way you don’t have a character rolling out an entire spacecraft schematic and spending an entire chapter explaining how the spacecraft is able to fly.

You can look to examples from other science-fiction stories to get some ideas for how different technologies might work so that you have a starting point for research. You can also read some articles about up and coming technology to see what’s on the horizon and how it works. Here are some articles to get you started:

Technology in Science Fiction

Glossary of Science-Fiction Ideas, Technology, and Inventions

10 Futuristic Technologies That Will Never Exist

10 Upcoming TechnologyThat May Change the World

10 most promising up and coming inventions inspired by sci-fi

23 incredible new technologies you’ll see by 2021

10 ways technology will change travel by 2020

6 Revolutionary Forms Of Travel That Don’t Exist Yet… But Should

Creating Science-Fiction and Fantasy Worlds

Berley’s Top 10 World Building Tips for Sci Fi or Fantasy