Conceiving the Heavens: Creating the Science Fiction Novel

Aliens, spaceships, life on Mars, other worlds, cloning, coming back from the future, new species - science fiction pervades our imaginations and increasingly ourselves. But how does an author write these stories so that they are believable and meaningful? Melissa Scott, a science fiction author shares her techniques and insight to help would-be science fiction writers turn their ideas into workable stories. Topics discussed include: the need for good writing - not just good ideas; the specialized technique necessary for science fiction writing; characterization, settings, invented languages and research; training to think "what if?"; exercises and mind games to expand imaginations; artistic intention and responsibility; writing science fiction as a profession and being a professional at it; problems unique to the science fiction field; and a glossary of science fiction terms.