How to write science fiction

浙江 江 丽

Science fiction writers create imaginary worlds.The way things work in your imaginary worlds will be based on actual science.So it's important for you to be familiar with the scientific principles and inventions that are related to your creation.For example,if you're writing about humans living on a planet with zero gravity,then you need to know the effects of zero gravity on the human body.

Then you have to figure out the exact rules of your imaginary worlds.And you have to follow them.If humans are able to breathe underwater in Chapter 1,your characters can't drown in a swimming pool in Chapter 3.The issue here is keeping your readers' trust.That means the readers are willing to pretend along with you.If you start out with an ordinary detective（侦探的）novel and then throw in someone breathing underwater in the 6th chapter,you will pull the readers out of their imagination.The same thing happens if you change the rules halfway.

Part of your preparation work for the novel is to map out its world in great detail.You should decide the following issues:the history of the world,the geography,what possibilities it offers,how everything works in this new reality,and how all of these factors affect the way your characters think,feel,and react to things.You don't have to tell your readers all the rules in the first chapter.But you have to let readers know enough to understand what's going on.This also allows you to work out logical problems and contradictions（矛 盾）before you start writing.

When you are writing,remember to make it feel real.You are inviting readers to visit a new world.They will want to be able to see,hear,feel,smell,and even taste what it's like.Whether your novel is about a world without disease or an undiscovered planet,help your readers feel like they're actually there.

Reading Check

1.What can we know about actual science and science fiction?

A.Actual science offers science fiction basic principles.

B.Science fiction promotes the development of actual science.

C.Science fiction often reflects the development of actual science.

D.Actual science limits the imagination in science fiction.

2.How does the author develop paragraph 2?

A.By making comparisons. B.By following the time order.

C.By giving examples. D.By listing data.

3.What does the third paragraph focus on?

A.The different types of novels.

B.The reality of science fiction.

C.The detail in the first chapter of science fiction.

D.Part of the preparation work for science fiction writing.

4.What's the purpose of this text?

A.To introduce some novels.

B.To study scientific principles.

C.To share some writing techniques.

D.To give some tips on writing science fiction.

Language Study

Useful expressions

figure out 弄懂

be willing to do sth 乐意去做某事

map out（精心）规划；安排

主题应用·语库构建

Ⅰ.话题单词

science fiction 科幻小说

adaptation 改编本

explode 爆炸

alien 外星人

appreciate 欣赏；感激

character 角色

description 描写

literature 文学

popular 受欢迎的

classic adj.经典的n.名著

masterpiece 代表作；杰作

original adj.首创的n.原作

release 发布

remark 评论

plot 故事情节

breakthrough 重大进展；突破

challenge 挑战

intelligent 智能的

mobile 可移动的

modern 现代的

network 网络

predict 预言；预测；预报

convenience 方便

electronic 电子的

experiment 实验

explore 探索

hopeful 有希望的

scientific 科学的

technology 科技；工艺

artificial 人工的；人造的

virus 病毒

cyberspace 网络空间

drawback 缺点；不利条件

Ⅱ.话题短语

be adapted from 根据……改编

be set in 以……为背景

sense of beauty 美感

leave sb a deep impression 给某人留下深刻的印象

on exhibition 在展出中

shape one's character 塑造某人的性格

enrich one's life 丰富某人的生活

broaden one's horizons 开阔某人的眼界

win the Nobel Prize in Literature 获得诺贝尔文学奖

have a strong interest in 对……有着浓厚的兴趣

have a positive/negative effect 有 正 面/负面影响

carry out scientific experiments 开展科学实验

with the development of 随着……的发展

modern technology 现代科技

keep pace with 跟上；赶上

do/work wonders 创造奇迹

high-tech products 高科技产品

make a new discovery 有新发现

Ⅲ.话题句子

1.He thinks to read the original work is better than to see the film adapted from it.他认为读原著比看由原著改编的电影更好。

2.Nowadays,science fiction is enjoyed by people around the world.现在，科幻小说深受世界各地读者的喜爱。

3.On the one hand,reading literature books can let the students learn about the culture.On the other hand,reading literature books can also improve their writing skills.一方面，阅读文学书籍可以让学生了解文化。另一方面，阅读文学书籍还能提升他们的写作技能。

4.As far as I am concerned,we can get some benefits from watching sci-fi movies.就我看来，我们可以从看科幻电影中获益。

5.Whether you want to write about peace-loving aliens or a heartbreaking dystopian future,there are a number of practical strategies for starting your novel,building your world,and landing a satisfying finish.无论你是想写热爱和平的外星人，还是令人心碎的反乌托邦的未来，都有许多实用的策略来开始你的小说，建立你的世界，并获得一个令人满意的结局。

Ⅳ.续写金库

1.Her face clouded with anger.她的脸因愤怒而变得阴沉起来。

2.Fear slowly creeps up on her.恐惧慢慢向她袭来。

3.We shed tears when we waved goodbye to them.向他们挥手告别时，我们都流下了眼泪。

4.I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.我头一碰到枕头就睡着了。

5.Hearing the news,so desperate was he that he drowned sadness in wine.听到这个消息，他绝望到借酒浇愁。

6.She put her head in hands,greatly annoyed.她双手抱头，十分生气。

7.He scratched his head,not understanding a word.他挠了挠头，一个字也听不懂。

8.She dropped her head in shame.她羞愧地低下了头。

9.She sobbed,hiding her face in her hands.她掩面哭泣。

V.话题写作

你校英语报社将举行主题为“My favorite science fiction”的作文比赛。请你写一篇短文参赛，内容包括：

1.喜欢的科幻小说；

2.给出理由。

注意：

1.词数80左右；

2.可以适当增加细节，以使行文连贯。

My favorite science fiction