Essentials of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing

Live long and write prosperous! When you write science fiction, fantasy or horror, you dive into your imagination to create worlds that never were. Your words can deliver a reader from their mundane existence into realms yet unknown. By the end of this course, you will have completed a short SF/Fantasy story (up to 2500 words) under the guidance of an experienced, published author.

Course level:  Beginner / Intermediate

Required Book:  How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card

Workshop Length:  6 weeks

Tuition:  $250.00 ($225 for VIP)

Start Date: View Essentials of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing Course Schedule

Course Structure
The workshop will consist of six one-week sessions. Each session will include online lectures (text based) and associated textbook reading assignments, along with a writing assignment to be submitted to the instructor for private review. In addition, work will be posted each session for group review and feedback. Throughout the workshop you will be able to participate in asynchronous lecture discussion and be encouraged to take advantage of ongoing informal discussions and posted self-directed writing and creativity exercises. (1.2 CEUs)

You will learn:

  • How to write a viable, saleable science fiction, fantasy, or horror story
  • The history of Science Fiction and Fantasy, and about the the many subgenres
  • Tips for building your SF/Fantasy world – either “as you go” or “from the ground up”
  • How to develop characters – human and otherwise!
  • How to find an agent or publisher for your book.

Who should take this course:

  • Short Story writers and Novelists who love the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres
  • Graduates of other beginner level workshops who now want to focus on their passion of Science Fiction & Fantasy writing
  • Students of any level who want to explore the Science Fiction / Fantasy genre in more depth and gain key insights from a Published Author

Essentials of Science Fiction & Fantasy Writing Workshop

Course Outline

Session One: Genres and Subgenres

  • Discussion of the various forms of SF/fantasy, and their many subgenres
  • A short history of SF/Fantasy
  • From idea to story: SF and fantasy based on ideas
  • The importance of originality
  • SF/fantasy as the literature of ideas
  • The science in science fiction, the magic in fantasy
  • Science and technology in SF stories
  • Ways to generate story ideas

Writing Assignment: Using the methods described in the lecture, write three short ideas that could lead to stories, up to 500 words.

Session Two: Worlds and Worldbuilding

  • The importance in setting in SF/Fantasy
  • Worldbuilding “as you go” and “from the ground up”
  • Common settings for the various genres
  • Tips for worldbuilding

Writing Assignment: Weave aspects of your setting into a 500 word scene.

Session Three: Humans and Others

  • The characters in SF/Fantasy
  • Ways of expressing character
  • Humans, aliens, robots, and others
  • Dialogue and behavior
  • Tips for dialogue and character creation
  • The central character(s).
  • How many characters? The importance of character focus.

Writing Assignment: Write a description of protagonist and antagonist (250 words each) and a 500-word dialogue scene that shows conflict between them.

Session Four: Stories and Plots

  • Telling a story as a series of things that happen
  • Tips for plotting
  • The importance of the exciting scene
  • When to outline

Writing Assignment: Write a two-page outline of story as a sequence of events.

Session Five: Starts and Stops

  • Getting the writing started: the terror of the blank page.
  • Starting with an exciting scene.
  • Opening narrative “hooks.” Narrative “voices.”
  • Choosing a viewpoint: What does “point of view” really mean?

Writing Assignment: Write exciting scene of story, either opening or coming later (up to 500 words).

Session Six: Resources and Workshops

  • Joining the “Country Club”: Professional organizations.
  • Online resources for writers.
  • Fan conventions.
  • Workshops and critique groups.
  • Markets and listings.
  • Manuscript preparation.
  • Finding a literary agent.
  • Submitting to publishers on your own.
  • The Four Rules of Writing.

Writing Assignment: Write a complete story of up to 2,500 words.