Writing Sc-Fi & Fantasy fiction is in my opinion one of the hardest genres to write. Some readers and writers believe that it is the easiest; as, unlike say romance or a 'whodunnit' crime novel, the writer can make it up as they go along. However this is what I believe makes it the hardest - readers expect sci-fi and fantasy to wrap them up in tales of magic, dragons, vampires or werelwolves - yet if the plot doesn't flow and the action scenes are disjointed, then it can be hard to follow. Tied in with this is credibility - readers want to be taken to strange new worlds, find superheros or aliens - but if the story doesn't have a thread of realism running through it, with logical explanations for events, then readers will lose interest. Finally this genre is one of the most popular with readers, and lucrative, so naturally it attracts more writers and therefore the competition is fierce. This makes it difficult for original ides to come through, or to make your first novel stand out enough to grab readers in-between the masses. So, here are some tips for new fiction writers in these genres to stand out from the crowd and make your story a success.
- Use an unusual point of view - This can be the best way to stand out from other books if your story is similar to others already published. Playing around with POV in the draft stages of your novel can work out where the interest lies in your story and find unique aspects which will grab the reader.
- Develop your own writing style - This is something that is worth remembering for all genres, not just Sci-Fi or Fantasy. How you write is your main source of originality. If your story or plot is not new or ground breaking, then tell it in a new way. If no-one out there writers like you, then this is a good thing! Write how you would want to read and develop your own style and flow.
- Remember the detail - Keeping the reader believing that whatever happens next is plausible in the context of the novel is key. If the MC has a set of characteristics, then these need to follow through from the start to the end, not suddenly change to fit a scenario or to overcome a problem. Review your plot and ask yourself how these things could happen in real life. If they can, make sure the reader can follow the path and join up the dots. If they can't happen because of the laws of physics, then make the reader aware at the outset that magic/superpowers are actually real or common in this world. Think about the small detail of how things happen and this will make sure you put enough detail in to keep the reader believing the plot.
- Don't write a story from your view, write it from your characters - A great plot can be a boring read if the reader doesn't have any empathy with the characters. You need to get the reader to tie in emotionally with the MC, or despise the villain, so they care what happens next. When planning your plot put enough layers in to give the characters depth and an arc as the story progresses. Remember even if the story is similar to others in your genre, your characters are not. They are yours, your creations, so do them justice!
- Don’t be afraid of going big - If you have a plot in your mind which is the next Lord of the Rings or Hobbit, then write this. Don't water it down. If your plot takes 3 books at a 100,000 per book, then so be it. The reader will thank you for it, rather then cramming it into one 60,000 book which doesn't develop the characters fully or misses out key scenes. Take your time, write the story you want to write.
- Promotion to your target audience – Consider the profile of who your target audience is, and how best to contact them to promote your book. Will they use Twitter, or Facebook? Will they read blogs, or vacate forums? What books out there are similar, or recent films in your genre? Think about where your audience spends their time, then go and find them there. It may take time, but it will be worth it!