《How to Write Stories People Will Love》Question 84: Writing about future technology
Advertisement
asks: I'm writing a science fiction novel that plays off in the 22nd century with high technology. How do I know what to use as new objects since its almost a hundred years from now? I don't want my ideas to sound off or impractical. How can I describe new tech and objects in that era?
Some fiction known as "hard science fiction" is very much into scientific accuracy. The future technology in the story has to be grounded in existing scientific principles. The Martian is a good example of this, and was written by a software engineer who also a enjoys studying space, physics and orbital mechanics for fun. He knew what he was talking about.
If hard science isn't your thing, then you don't have to worry about scientific accuracy. The story can be more about the plot rather than the technological details. The less you know about how something works, the vaguer you want to be about the details of that tech. You are, after all, writing a story and not a reference guide.
I once read a romance that was set in a sci-fi world. They shot "laser guns" and traveled in "space ships". All the future tech was very generic. It was extremely weak as a science fiction story, but it was a romance above all else. Readers who want romance don't usually need a lot of sciency stuff.
Tons of science fiction authors make up their own technology. Star Trek had transporters, complete with their their own set of terminology for parts and mechanisms. Dune had space travel made possible by some esoteric material called "spice". Sci-fi video games have "plasma weapons" that simply work like normal guns, only with energy shots instead of bullets. They don't attempt to explain how they work, they just assume scientists figured it out and this is how it is.
Advertisement
I think a nice balance is to take existing technology that people are familiar with and "improve" it somehow. Like stun guns that emit sound waves instead of electricity. Or cars that levitate instead of drive on wheels. Or jetpacks that use antigravity mechanisms instead of fuel combustion. The tech will be familiar to the reader (we already know what guns, cars, and jetpacks are) but they will seem future-like by not functioning exactly as they do today.
For a good balance of light sci-fi and YA plot, read The Lunar Chronicles, or at least Cinder, Book 1 of the series. You get a good sense of the technology of the time without having to tangle with technical terms. What made that series popular were the characters and the plot. If you write a good story, people can forgive any scientific weakness it may have.
Advertisement
- In Serial34 Chapters
Headcase
Everywhere there are superheroes and supervillains, but Adrian is just a ghost. His power allows him to go anywhere unnoticed, and he hasn't wanted to be noticed at all. Until today, this telepath could barely remember his own name, let alone what his purpose in life was. But no one can ignore their destiny forever. Adrian needed a wakeup call to come back to the world, and it came in the form of an unstoppable rampaging super. He must keep his feet on the ground now if he wants to survive and become the strongest sane hero left standing - and save the city he loves. Author's Note: This will be my fourth original novel here on Royal Road so you can have confidence in my completion rate. My last book 'Creep' received both extreme praise and criticism which I have taken to heart. My intent here is to redouble all the best elements of my writing. I hope you enjoy! UPDATING MULTIPLE TIMES WEEKLY
8 394 - In Serial8 Chapters
I should have been the Hero instead
William Valenston had a happy life untill a new demonlord appeared.With the constant threat of the vile creatures he must quickly become a man and defend his Race from the approaching disaster. the synopsis and title will probably change later on And I think it gets better after arc 1 ch 3 The real story won't begin untill the heroes are summoned so you may feel a little bored while Im building the world and te mc' s personality. I wanted to state that this novel will start with a lighter tune but then get dark real fast. For the sexual content: it wont happen untill much longer. And when it happens it wont be overly explicit. Gore and traumatising content: It wont be at the level of nauseous but it may be too so just to be safe. This is my first try on writing novels so I welcome all of your criticism either good or bad. And lastly english isn't my native tounge so expect some grammer mistakes.But I will work on that part I promise.
8 198 - In Serial16 Chapters
Honestly I'm A Good Vampire
Year 2021, in a modernized Earth where money stands at the pinnacle of power. Enter a miserable, ugly, teen girl named Hanaka Griego.Her family was the poorest of the poor. Living with heartless, abusive, and selfish parents, she was a most unfortunate child. However, her luck turned when she befriended her new neighbor.Her friends's parents offer to adopt her, but Hanaka's parent's got angry and violent at the suggestion. They made her cut ties with the kindly family.Her parent's abuse worsens. The attacks her very own soul and mental state, which leads her to thinking she has only one way out.Death.After sleeping for eons, she reincarnated in other world as new individual.What awaits to Hanaka in her new life, living in a new world lead by egoistic nobles and strong ones? This is the tale of young girl pursuing happiness, who, with her unique skills will make herself strongest among her peers.
8 93 - In Serial9 Chapters
love by chance the series oneshot book
basically some oneshots of lbc. includes fluff,angst,smut etc.....and ghost ships.
8 218 - In Serial35 Chapters
Reincarnated into the Otome Game as the Princess Villainess?!
When Primrose, an average everyday girl, walks home in the rain, she spots a kitten sitting in the middle of the road and a truck approaching at high speed.And as a closet animal-lover, how could she not save it from the ever so devious and doomsday device truck-sama?Follow her rebirth in a well-known and loved otome game as Princess Amaryllis Aster Fleur de Kusteza--the villainess.HIGHEST RANKING IN FANTASY: #13this book is actual trash and im questioning while people still read it lmao
8 131 - In Serial14 Chapters
Roommates
Y/n is the daughter of Tony Stark. You all live together at Avengers Tower. But when all of them have an important mission to go on, you have to go and live with the schools nerd, Peter Parker. Unbeknown to y/n, Peter is Spider-Man.
8 87

