What constitutes a good science fiction story?

Question

And, just to complicate things, are science fiction and fantasy mutually exclusive? Examples are appreciated!

I'm just asking for opinions. I just like to know what other people think.

Answer 1

For me a good science fiction story is interesting, with down to earth characters and science that I can understand (and at least feel like it is plausible).

Science Fiction and Fantasy and SciFi/Fantasy are all different things.

Star Trek, Dr. Who, Blakes 7, Star Gate - these are all sci fi, because the science is a part of the story - a search for knowledge as it were. For me, the best sci fi is the older stuff: Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke - even Roddenberry. I think they were all contemporaries and they had similarly military and science backgrounds (or seemed to) that lent a real sense of plausibility to the story.

Harry Potter, Farscape, Xanth Novels (virtually anything by Piers Anthony really) - these are all more fantasy to me. Fun alien characters with strange names where really anything can happen - it is not constrained to the rules of science.

HP Lovecraft, HG Wells and Burroughs I would consider them to be SciFi/Fantasy because they kind of swing both ways - there's a healthy dose of science and fantasy in their novels.

That's my personal opinion. Good question!

Peace!

Answer 2

Science Fiction = Science + Fiction. There has to be a scientific element in it. Larry Niven & Orson Scott Card do it best. The novel of Jurassic Park was also good.
Many writers do Science Fantasy instead. Star Wars, for example, was "Science Fantasy" - the "science" part was all implied, all props and background, but wasn't the focus of the story. There was actually no science in it at all.

Star Trek tries to ride the balance between science fiction & science fantasy. A lot of their science props aren't based on any real world science, but they still try to pay attention to things like gravity and atmosphere and things. The "Nitpicker's Guide to Star Trek" series is about trying to reconcile real world science with the star trek universe (why some things won't work the way the scripts say they will).

Read as much Larry Niven as possible,is my advice. And tell me when your story is done, i'd love to read it!

Answer 3

The biggest thing that separates science fiction and fantasy is that science fiction is supposed to require the story to incorporate a plausible science to it. Other than that, a good SF story is the same as a good [any genre here] story. You have a thought-out plot and good characters and no one will mind much.

Fantasy and science fiction can be melded together (I believe people call it SciFan) and it's starting to become more common for writers to do that. I cannot think of any specific example, however.

Answer 4

No, science fiction and fantasy are NOT mutually exclusive, but you have to be a damn good writer to intentionally mix them.

What makes any story good is true for any kind of book, whether its true for science fiction or romance or historical biography. There has to be a Protagonist, antagonist, etc.

Think of a story that your writing as a Myth. Why are myths so popular, especially myths like Star Wars? Because they tell us something that was built into us since we sat around ancient stone fires until today, they speak to us about the truth. About us finding ourselves in battles with outside forces trying to define us when we knew the only ones that could define us was we ourselves. So, I suggest reading books like Zen in the Art of Writing by Ben Bova and Worlds of Wonder (How to write Fantasy and Science Fiction) by Gerrold. Also a good idea would be to study the works of Joseph Campbell.

Answer 5

The most important part of a good science fiction story (or fantasy for that matter) is always the characters. Flashy lights and descriptions of non-existant creatures and technology can be fascinating, but you need strong compelling characters to carry you through the story. The best stories are always about interesting people.

Answer 6

The same things that constitute any good story: good plot, good strong characters, conflict, resolution.....

And yes, fantasy and science fiction are two different categories entirely, but I don't believe they can't co-exist. There are always elements of the mysterious and the unknown in science fiction, which ties in nicely with the themes of fantasy.

Answer 7

They are definitely not mutually excluded. Good science fiction is grounded in science and possible future scientific developments. A good story that utilizes these projections of science as integral elements of the story becomes good science fiction.

Answer 8

To me, science fiction and fantasy are mutually exclusive.

Answer 9

Any science fiction book that holds your attention from cover to cover is a good one.
To me, science fiction is a form of fantasy.

Answer 10

i've got been into SF because of the fact the '60's. I even took a school direction on the historic previous of technological know-how fiction, from Mary Shelley and H.G. Wells to the modern-day. i think of the final novels and short tale writers artwork in that field.