Here’s the last prompt for this month’s theme of speculative fiction. Study the photos and write the first lines for a scifi story.
Here’s my inspiration:
Slumped in her swivel chair by the front control panels, Dalian said, “Sector Q-37 is clear. All normal readings. Exactly what we’ve found in all the previous sectors, and exactly what we’ll find in all the rest. Thick forests, steep mountains, and no intelligent life.”
I rubbed my eyes and flipped several switches. “The scouting mission wasn’t a total waste. Mining is possible in the mountains.”
“Those trace amounts of elements wouldn’t make it worth any companies time.” Dalian stared at the front screen which relayed the terrain in front of our ship. “My brother-in-law has told more than I’ve ever wanted to know about mining.” She sighed. “Sectore Q-38 is …”
I looked up from the buttons in front of me.
Dalian stared straight ahead and lifted her hand to point at the screen.
Our ship was quickly approaching a structure big enough to be a city jutting from the side of a pinnacle.
“I guess there is intelligent life. Or was.”
“But it’s not registering.” Dalian had moved her focus to the displays. “According to our sensors, there’s just a mountain peak in front of us.”
We looked at the structure and then at each other.
Say hello to author Jen Booth! She’s new to JPC Allen Writes and today provides advice on writing speculative flash fiction with punch. Take it away, Jen!
Speculative fiction is a tremendously fun genre to write, because you are inviting the reader to experience the “what if” and “what could be.” In speculative fiction, we create something new—either taking our world and adding fantastic elements or creating an entirely new world. The most recognized speculative sub-genres are fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, and horror.
Flash fiction is a very short story, usually under 1,500 words. When we think of speculative fiction, we tend to think of stories with a broad scope, often in a series, and with a lot of words. How does a writer take such a sprawling genre and turn it into such a short story?
Think of a flash fiction piece as a snapshot. While it will have a beginning, middle, and end, it is like zooming in on one aspect of the greater world. Some call it a story within a story.
The rules of good flash fiction apply especially to speculative fiction, because we are asking our readers to suspend their disbelief. We must draw them in and hold them fast, putting them in the character’s shoes in a world that defies reality. That’s why it is vital to begin with a sharp hook. Set your hook, and they’ll stay on for the ride. Make them ask, “Why?” Spark their interest.
From the hook onward, every sentence must play off the one before it. Verbs are your friends here. Stay away from too much backstory, and choose powerful but minimal description, giving just enough to let the reader’s imagination fill in the details. Flash fiction inevitably forces you to tighten your prose to make each word count.
Use a strong narrative voice. Whether writing in first or third person, immerse your reader into the mind of your character so that they experience the story as if they were there. A strong narrative voice helps the reader believe what you are showing them. If the traveling bard has a relatable personality and realistic reactions, the reader can buy it when his songs become weapons to slay monsters in the neighboring village. Make the reader connect to your character, and they can connect to your story.
Just as you begin the story with a hook, end it with a strong punchline. Sometimes this is a plot twist, but it doesn’t have to be. The ending should tie things together and illuminate what was foreshadowed throughout the story. A good flash fiction piece will not end on a cliffhanger—but it will leave your reader wanting more.
If you would like to read great speculative flash fiction, check out Havok Publishing. They have a free story every day, in various sub genres by many different authors.
Don’t forget to have fun! If you’re enjoying your story and the world you’re creating, it will shine through your words. Pour yourself onto that page—just keep it short!
Jen will have one of her speculative flash fiction, “The Rejected”, published in a Havok anthology next year!
Jen Booth is an author, wife, and mother who hails from the lush hills and lazy bayous of North Louisiana. She has had four flash fiction stories published with Havok Publishing and one with Clean Fiction Magazine, and is currently querying an epic fantasy novel. When not writing or homeschooling her children, you can find Jen outdoors—usually with her family, and often dreaming of dragons. Follow her on her website, Istagram, and Facebook.
Study the photo and let your imagination run free as you answer the question: who are these fantasy characters? They look like friends. Or are they enemies? Is one of them dominant? Have they just met or have they known each other a long time?
Here’s my inspiration:
“Her parents were right.” Matthias glanced at his tablet. “She does have the gift.”
The little girl stroked the kryvern as it flopped its tail and growled with contentment.
Natalia watched from the seclusion of the tall bushes. “I’ve never seen a child so young command it so well.”
“I couldn’t believe it either,” said Matthias. “We get calls all the time that this person or that is dragon sympathetic. Most of the time it only means that they had an encounter with a dragon and didn’t get fried. But this girl is obviously sympathetic.” He studied his tablet again. “The parents wanted to know if they could enroll her in the academy–the one in the capital–despite her age.”
“If you mean the state capital, no. She will come to the national capital.” Natalia’s eyes never left the two figures in front of her.
“I-I don’t think her parents would like that. The father said he’d look for a job in the state capital so the family could move there.”
“He can get a job anywhere he likes.” Natalia strode into the clearing. “But the girl is coming with us.”
It’s been awhile, but writer Samantha Seidel is back at JPC Allen Writes with her post “Don’t Believe Movies”, which is good advice for everyone, but especially writers. To read Samantha’s previous post, click here.
“Do cars explode if you shoot the gas tank?”
I’d been working on my present-day fiction novel Foresight for about a year when one of my writing buddies offered this critique. Given the low sci-fi, on-the-run nature of my story, I pulled from my experience: years of watching action flicks. The directors put it in the movie, so it must be somewhat realistic. Right?
Spoiler alert, it’s not. After learning my epic car explosion had zero believability, I checked other action sequences I’d written of my main character Stacy escaping capture. Almost all of them made no sense.
Movies sensationalize everything. Gunshots, explosions, carnage. While they’re great inspiration for any sci-fi adventure or fantasy quest, they stretch the natural laws of reality. Laws that make your story relatable to readers. If you have a sequence in mind, check its believability with the following methods:
Understand the Laws of Your World
Whether it’s Earth, Mars, or the Land of Mages, every world has set physics and systems that allow it to grow and thrive. My initial attempt at world building ignored the logic of injuries hampering activity. Foresight, being set on Earth, helped me recognize the importance of knowing the laws of the world. Gravity, weather, public opinion, and so many other factors will influence the characters’ actions and even looks.
In the case of magic and superhuman abilities, defining limitations and expectations is important. The reader might not know all these background details, but your knowledge of these physics will create a consistent and grounded story. I’ve also found that defining these rules inspires new scenes that fit within the world.
Play the Part of Your Character
Writing isn’t just a sitting activity; sometimes you gotta act out the scene. I can’t count the number of times I contorted my face into a certain expression just to describe the muscles or eyebrow twitches. More embarrassingly, I climbed into my mom’s car and repeatedly tumbled from the backseat into the front. All to correctly describe what I wanted to convey.
If you’re shy, find a secluded room to act out your sequence or look up videos of people reenacting relevant moves. If you’re comfortable, consider getting a few friends or family members to help. You never know what inspiration will come from other perspectives. Another thing to note, a 6’5” man will approach a situation differently than a 4’3” woman. If you know someone that matches your character better than you, try watching them for inspiration or having them conduct certain moves.
Become a Research Wizard
When I discovered my beloved movie tropes were false, I googled. Military rankings, building schematics, distances between states. Nothing escaped scrutiny. This research provided ample background for my novel and inspiration for developing the story.
Be sure when surfing the web that you access reputable articles and videos. When researching homeless shelters, I looked at existing organizations. To learn more about hydroponics, I went to the library. Seek out sources that either can’t be changed (print) or are directly related to what you’re researching. The best information will come from companies and individuals who eat, sleep, and breathe your questions.
True Writers Fact Check
Writing seemed so easy when I scribbled whatever adventure I wanted. But confused readers stop reading. To write with excellence, you have to fact check what Hollywood promotes. The sky is the limit with CGI, but people know when something isn’t believable.
Same goes for our words. Build a foundation of common sense, then incorporate your speculative imaginings.
*****
Foresight (WIP) by Samantha Seidel
What choice would you make today if you knew tomorrow?
Stacy Marang wasn’t supposed to live. One mad scientist later, and she can see the future. A future riddled with mysteries and military raids. Will the visions she’s following lead to the life she always dreamt of?
*****
Samantha Seidel devotes her time to discovering unique vocabulary, designing whimsical websites, and writing thought-provoking fantasies. Based in Tampa, FL, she’s working with an agent to get her first book published. She spends time daydreaming new stories, crocheting adorable critters, and developing a green thumb. Follow her at her website and on social media.
I love finding a face, whether in a crowd, on a screen, or on a page, and deciding if I can build a character behind it. So who is this fantasy character? What story can you create with him?
Here’s my inspiration:
Name: Lucius
Species: Human magician
Age: 70
Time period: Now
Problem: He has lost the magical abilities with which he was born, the ability to manipulate fire.
Solution: He set out to visit the other rare humans who are also born with different magical abilities. First, he wants to see if they can help them. Second, he needs to determine if his loss is do to some magician dabbling in forbidden magic.
Now it’s your turn. What is this character’s name and what’s his problem?
