Writing Science Fiction And Fantasy

Plot vs. Story Preview 12:13

Plot and Story are two very different things. This lesson explains why. It's perhaps the most important topic of the entire course.

Space Travel Preview 15:40

This lesson discusses realistic space travel and what to consider if you're using it in your story.

Time Travel Preview 16:34

Time travel is tricky business. What rules will you need to establish to make sense in your world?

Psy Powers Preview 04:58

In this lesson, we discuss the classic varieties of telepathy.

Magic Preview 12:44

Magic must have a cost. If you're considering incorporating it into your world, this lesson discusses the ground rules you'll need to include to make it work.

World Building Preview 28:22

To make alien planets and alternate Earths feel real, they must be thoughtfully constructed. This lesson will give you the tools you need to think through when inventing new planets or civilizations. 

Character Building Preview 10:29

This lesson discusses the important attributes you'll need to think about when creating any character. The supplemental material is also great for brainstorming vibrant, three dimensional characters.

Your Protagonist Preview 13:57

Your Protagonist is your main character, and the most important person in your manuscript. Learn how to create a compelling protagonist in this lesson. 

Your Antagonist Preview 07:13

Your antagonist (the bad guy) has a special relationship to your protagonist. This lesson shows you how to create an antagonist who can act as the perfect dramatic foil for your protagonist.

Other Characters Preview 07:32

Your manuscript is populated by many characters. Here's how to create them using a "character pyramid."

Dramatic Elements Preview 10:04

Meet the four dramatic elements on which all fiction is based.

Story Structure Preview 11:30

Three Act Structure is the key to almost all successful fiction. We make it easy to create your novel or screenplay, by breaking the three acts up into nine checkpoints.

Act 1 Preview 13:00

Let's look at the Act 1 checkpoints in detail: Hook, Backstory and Trigger.

Act 2 Preview 10:44

Act 2 features the plot-oriented Struggle, bookended by two emotional moments, the Crisis and Epiphany.

Act 3 Preview 13:18

In Act 3 your protagonist makes a Plan that gets you to the Climax, and then you wrap things up in the Ending.

Scene and Sequel Preview 11:03

Scene and Sequel makes your writing flow logically and strike with maximum impact.

Conflict Preview 05:57

Conflict is was drives action. In this lesson, you'll learn techniques for creating compelling conflict.

Suspense Preview 06:07

The clock on the bomb ticked down from 3... 2... Don't you want to find out what happens next? You'll learn valuable techniques for creating suspense that will keep readers turning pages and viewers' eyes glued to the screen. 

Mystery Preview 04:14

An element of mystery can keep readers interested in all genres of Science Fiction or Fantasy.

Pacing Preview 05:23

Pacing is a vital part of any manuscript. If things move too fast, your audience won't be able to follow the plot. If things move too slow, they'll get bored. This lesson shows you techniques for controlling the pace of your manuscript to keep your audience hooked.

Viewpoint Preview 08:35

Experiment with Omniscient, Third Person Limited and First Person viewpoints, and decide which one works best for you.

Voice Preview 10:09

This lecture helps you get a handle on the challenging topic of Voice.

Tense Preview 04:59

This lecture shows you the difference between past and present tense, and explores the benefits and pitfalls of switching between them.

Setting Preview 13:40

Setting is especially important in Science Fiction and Fantasy since the world may be totally foreign to readers.

Dialogue Preview 15:00

Great dialogue makes your work more interesting and more readable. This lesson shows you how.

Beginnings and Endings Preview 08:42

Make your story's beginning and ending work together, and resonate with your readers using these powerful techniques.

Writing Big Preview 09:41

Writing Big means giving your work maximum impact. We'll share a variety of techniques that enable you to amplify your fiction.

Writing Well Preview 06:50

Polished prose is the difference between amateur and professional writing. This lesson shows you how to polish yours.

Manuscript Evaluation Preview 09:56

This handy checklist helps you make sure your manuscript is ready for publication.

Analyzing Great Science Fiction and Fantasy - Time Travel Preview 04:55

In this lesson, we'll discuss books by: Isaac Asimov and Connie Willis

Analyzing Great Science Fiction and Fantasy - Multiple Worlds Preview 07:29

In this lesson, we'll discuss books by: Rand and Robin Miller, Philip Pullman, and Stephen R. Donaldson  

Analyzing Great Science Fiction and Fantasy - Alternate Realities Preview 07:10

In this lesson, we'll discuss books by: Piers Anthony and Scott Westerfeld

Analyzing Great Science Fiction and Fantasy - The Future Preview 05:17

In this lesson, we'll discuss books by Margaret Atwood and Blade Runner, the famous adaptation of Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

Marketing Collateral Preview 04:49

Traditional Publishing Preview 10:43

This lesson walks you through what you need and the steps you'll follow if you decide to pursue traditional publishing. 

Self-Publishing Preview 06:01

This lesson discusses the benefits of self-publishing and how to get your words in print and into your reader's hands.

Cover Art Preview 08:18

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but books are sold by their covers. The lesson looks at how different covers appeal to different markets, and will give you some ideas for your own work's cover.

Marketing Preview 11:38

Now that your book is published, here's how to market it to maximize sales.

Next Steps Preview 01:34

Here are some great resources for continuing your exploration of Science Fiction and Fantasy!