Science Fiction Newsletter - Mar 2011

March 1, 2011

Editor: EarlyHours-A Vigilante Ranger




1. About this Newsletter
2. Letter from the Editor
3. Special Feature
4. Editor's Picks
5. Ask & Answer

Characterization in Science Fiction

Characterization is a standard topic for writers of any genre. Therefore, most of the rules about character development tend to be nonspecific in regard to genre, which doesn't reduce their validity. But as usual, there are specific issues to consider when writing science fiction. Science fiction has the responsibility of presenting a significant scientific idea or revelation, which must be weaved in with the characters and plot.

This newsletter touches on idea-driven versus character-driven stories. The first quote is from Isaac Asimov, and clearly states where he stood on the issue. But there is no doubt that we love our sci-fi characters. So all of the other quotes presented this month are famous quotes from favorite science fiction characters.

"I just make sure that I remember where the science fictional bottom line is. Not characterization, not style, not poetic metaphor — but idea." Isaac Asimov

Characters or Ideas?

Is characterization important in science fiction? Most writers would probably answer, Yes, of course it is! But surprisingly, this is a controversial topic. Throughout the history of the genre, there have been arguments for the supremacy of idea over characterization. In the May 1985 issue of Asimov's, Asimov himself fueled the debate when he published an essay called The Little Tin God of Characterization, proposing that because of the unique nature of science fiction, characterization is not as important as getting the ideas right.

In science fiction, the idea itself is always a very important aspect of the story. It is not the same as plot, but refers to the component that makes the story science fiction. Perhaps it is the technology that is extrapolated into the future, or the scientific advancement that allows for human transcendence. It is the scientific foundation, without which the story falls apart.

In general, writers are taught that character-driven stories are better than plot-driven stories. How often do we hear, Let your characters write their own story! or, Create believable characters and the plot will come? In science fiction, however, a solid idea sometimes takes precedence over characters and plot. Arthur C. Clarke's classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey, is an example. It presented groundbreaking ideas that examined artificial intelligence and humanity, but was told by some pretty flat characters.

On the other side of the controversy, an idea-driven science fiction story needs to have universe-shaking revelations about science or reality if it wants to make up for poor characters. Although it is crucially important to get the ideas right, like fiction in any genre, science fiction stories are better when well-drawn characters show those ideas to the reader. They are the reader's guide to the ideas of the story, and if they're not real, no one will believe them, or stick around to hear the ideas.

As Asimov went on to point out, character and idea are not mutually exclusive. As with other genres, character, plot, setting, theme, idea and style are all inextricably bound. Sometimes one aspect must suffer in support of another, but as a good general rule, skimp characterization at your own peril!

"The needs of the many outweigh ... the needs of the few... Or the one." Mr. Spock, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

"Are you telling me you built a time machine... out of a Delorean?" Marty McFly, Back to the Future

Who is Your Favorite Sci-fi Character?

As it turns out, it's impossible to compile a list of Best science fiction characters. The genre is full of richly memorable humans, animals, aliens, robots, computers, and other entities (some of which are intelligent gas clouds that feed on hemoglobin). Selecting our Favorite characters is a bit easier. But one person's Luke Skywalker is another's Nyota Uhura, so everyone's list would be different.

SF Newsletter readers are invited to post their favorites at the "Science Fiction Newsletter Forum" , and some will be included in next month's issue. Don't be shy! Join the discussion! But in the meantime, here is a starter-list of all-time favorite sci-fi characters from the popular media:

Frankenstein Actually, Frankenstein's monster. With thousands of kids dressing like him on Halloween, who could say he's not a favorite?

Buck Rogers One of the original space explorers, he first appeared in 1928 in Amazing Stories, and then was the hero of a syndicated newspaper comic strip. He was the star of the very first science fiction radio show, and eventually made it to movies and television. He brought the idea of outer space swashbuckling to popular media and culture.

Darth Vader Now that he's made it to a Super Bowl commercial, he's finally hit the big time. Instantly recognizable, he's one of the most loved antagonists in sci-fi history.

Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock Mr. Spock is arguably the more recognizable of the two. Even my Mom, who has never watched Star Trek, can do the Vulcan salute. But my Dad knows Shatner from the Priceline commercials! Other characters from the franchise are almost equally memorable, such as Dr. McCoy, Scotty, Jean-luc Picard, and of course, Klingons.

HAL 9000 Although monotone and flat by necessity, Clarke's insane computer was way ahead of its time, and kicked off a theme that's prevalent in the genre to this day. Is this an argument for "idea over character" in science fiction?

Doctor Who A classic character of radio, television and books. The 900 year old do-gooder Time Lord travels through time and space, sticks his nose into historical events, gets to meet famous people, and fights a succession of aliens.

Superman Who hasn't heard of Superman, Kal-El, Clark Kent, The Man of Steel, The Last Son of Krypton, or the Big Blue Boy Scout? He is included in this list to represent all of those comic book super-heroes that have entertained us in every medium for decades. Spiderman could have been included here, but he's kind of a weenie.

Have other favorite science fiction characters? Post them! Think Spiderman is not a weenie? Let us know! The forum link is at the bottom of the Newsletter.

Editors note - Here are some of my favorite characters from the science fiction literature. How many do you recognize? Bean, Jacob Demwa, Hiro Protagonist, Shadow, Guy Montag, Nessus, Sam Gunn, Douglas Stavenger and Captain Nemo.

"I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that." HAL 9000, 2001: A Space Odyssey

"Do... or do not. There is no try." Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back

The science fiction writers of WDC have posted both character-driven and idea-driven stories. Here are entertaining examples of both! Enjoy!

ID: 1673022   (Rated: 18+) Hasty Decision  A man accused of a crime in the 22nd century makes a decision he regrets by Ace Corona

ID: 1733538   (Rated: 13+) Growing Up  All girl's have to grow up, but Julie does it in a special way. by CountryGourmetHome

ID: 1752598   (Rated: E) Queen Norma  An older woman and her disapointment when no one notices her lifes work...almost no one. by J. Butler

ID: 1750888 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 1740192 Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. by Not Available.

ID: 1749925   (Rated: E) Expect the Unexpected  Alli's science experiment doesn't turn out quite like she planned. by aralls my RS frontierman!

ID: 1755087   (Rated: E) Company Man  A machine that can read thoughts, throwdown entry by Jonas

Poetry:

ID: 1704202   (Rated: E) Behold the Master Key…  10 for 10 Birthday Contest - A cosmic thought to ponder... by Robin ~ The Rhyme Maven :-)

ID: 1749586   (Rated: E) The Asylum — 1920  Is Captain Kirk stuck in a time loop? by BlüEyez

ID: 618383   (Rated: 13+) Big Brother  A poetic interpretation of the novel "1984." by Davy Kraken

Try your skill at searching for Trek Characters!

ID: 1633333   (Rated: ------) Star Trek Word Search  How much Trek do you really know? by EarlyHours-A Vigilante Ranger

Last month's Newsletter topic was Robots, Androids and Cyborgs

:

31245bob sent in a detailed commentary regarding robots, compelling enough to warrant being included here in its entirety:

"I really enjoyed your news letter on using robotics in Sci-fi writing. The androids you mentioned are mechanisms that may not have a will of their own but do have a built in decision maker. This means if the android is saving people off a sinking ship it first removes all living humans to a life boat, then it would shift into triage mode and dress any wounds among the survivors, making the decision to treat worst injuries first least last. Then the android rows the boat to nearest safety. No robot can do more than is programmed into its memory.

"I am working now on a novella and posting it on wdc. It deals with both time travel and a survivobot stored aboard the space cruiser that crash lands on Earth a thousand years before Columbus sail for the new world. It goes without saying the survivobot would work within the three laws though it is not mentioned in the story. A survivobot would be an evacuator, medic, nurse, food provider, cook, explorer, and defender of anyone on board a failing ship. If you'd like to take a look at my unfinished novella the ID numbers are prologue-1737474 and chapters 1-onward-1737859. The first time traveler.

"If you get right down to it humans are self-replicating biological androids genetically programmed by their DNA to first survive, replicate, and evolve technically. There is no telling how many times civilizations have risen, fallen and been built again by the survivors of such."

Light , Steve Ellen and Rear Admiral Zassiliss have been having a cerebral discussion on the "Science Fiction Newsletter Forum"  about robots and artificial intelligence as it applies to equal rights in society. It is certain to interest subscribers of this Newsletter. The posts are thought stimulating, and I highly recommend checking out the thread. It begins with post #71. -ed.

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate the feedback from readers. Keep it coming! - ed.

Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Unofficial Newsletter!

Reader feedback and comments is important to the Unofficial Science Fiction Newsletter (USFNL). Much of the Newsletter's content is based on reader feedback and discussion. Feedback can always be sent directly to EarlyHours-A Vigilante Ranger , but to make discussion even easier, a USFNL Forum has been set up. Feel free to post and interact at the Forum; some of the discussion may end up here! And don't forget to add the Forum (below) to your list of Favorites, and post often!

ID: 1703191   (Rated: 13+) Science Fiction Newsletter Forum  Discussion of NL Topics, Reader Feedback, Ask & Answer by EarlyHours-A Vigilante Ranger

Please check out our "sponsor":

ID: 1617315   (Rated: 18+) The Sci-fi Writers Guild  Collaborations, discussions and reviews - Welcome to the Sci-fi Writers Guild by EvilDawg - A Vigilante Ranger!

Thanks for reading, and see you next month