Science and technology have starring roles in a wide range of genres--science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, and more. Unfortunately, many depictions of technical subjects in literature, film, and television are pure fiction. A basic understanding of biology, physics, engineering, and medicine will help you create more realistic stories that satisfy discerning readers.
This book brings together scientists, physicians, engineers, and other experts to help you:
• Understand the basic principles of science, technology, and medicine that are frequently featured in fiction.
• Avoid common pitfalls and misconceptions to ensure technical accuracy.
• Write realistic and compelling scientific elements that will captivate readers.
• Brainstorm and develop new science- and technology-based story ideas.
Whether writing about mutant monsters, rogue viruses, giant spaceships, or even murders and espionage, Putting the Science in Fiction will have something to help every writer craft better fiction.
Putting the Science in Fiction collects articles from "Science in Sci-fi, Fact in Fantasy," Dan Koboldt's popular blog series for authors and fans of speculative fiction (dankoboldt.com/science-in-scifi). Each article discusses an element of sci-fi or fantasy with an expert in that field. Scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and others share their insights in order to debunk the myths, correct the misconceptions, and offer advice on getting the details right.
Putting the Science in Fiction
Expert Advice for Writing with Authenticity in Science Fiction, Fantasy, & Other Genres
By Dan KoboldtF+W Media, Inc.
Copyright © 2018 Dan Koboldt
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4403-5338-3Contents
FOREWORD BY CHUCK WENDIG, 1,
INTRODUCTION BY DAN KOBOLDT, 4,
PART ONE: RESEARCH LABS, HOSPITALS, AND REALLY BAD WAYS TO DIE,
1. HOW TO ASK AN EXPERT by Engineer Eric Primm, 7,
2. RESEARCHERS GONE WILD by Microbiologist Gabriel Vidrine, 11,
3. PROPER LAB TECHNIQUE by Nuclear Chemist Rebecca Enzor, 14,
4. ORGANOGENESIS IN 3D by Toxicologist Megan Cartwright Chaudhuri, 18,
5. MEDICAL MISCONCEPTIONS, PART I by Nurse Karyne Norton, 21,
6. MEDICAL MISCONCEPTIONS, PART II by Nurse Stephanie Sauvinet, 26,
7. THE SCIENCE OF TOXINS AND POISONING by Toxicologist Megan Cartwright Chaudhuri, 30,
8. THE MANY FACES OF DEATH by Science Reporter Bianca Nogrady, 33,
PART TWO: GENOME ENGINEERING: IT NEVER ENDS WELL,
9. A WHIRLWIND TOUR OF THE HUMAN GENOME by Geneticist Dan Koboldt, 37,
10. EYE-BASED PATERNITY TESTING AND OTHER HUMAN GENETICS MYTHS by Geneticist Dan Koboldt, 40,
11. THE NEAR FUTURE OF HUMAN GENOME ENGINEERING by Geneticist Dan Koboldt, 44,
12. THE SCIENCE OF JURASSIC PARK by Microbiologist Mike Hays, 48,
13. ZOMBIE MICROBIOLOGY 101 by Microbiologist Mike Hays, 52,
14. ROGUE VIRUSES AND PATHOGENS by Biomedical Researcher Lee A. Everett, 57,
15. PLAGUES AND PANDEMICS by Microbiologist Gabriel Vidrine, 62,
PART THREE: THE BRAIN IS WIDER THAN THE SKY,
16. WRITING MENTAL HEALTH IN FICTION by Psychiatric Nurse Kathleen S. Allen, 67,
17. BIPOLAR DISORDER by Psychiatrist Jonathan Peeples, 72,
18. SCHIZOPHRENIA by Psychiatrist Jonathan Peeples, 77,
19. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MEMORY by Behavioral Neurologist Anne M. Lipton, 82,
20. DEMENTIA MYTHS, PART I by Behavioral Neurologist Anne M. Lipton, 86,
21. DEMENTIA MYTHS, PART II by Behavioral Neurologist Anne M. Lipton, 90,
22. CHILDREN WITH BEHAVIORAL, EMOTIONAL, & SOCIAL DIFFICULTIES by Teacher Rachel Heaps-Page, 94,
23. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT BEYOND PERSONALITY QUIRKS by Educational Psychologist Maria Grace, 98,
24. THE HORIZONS OF NEUROSCIENCE by Neuroscientist Paul Regier, 103,
PART FOUR: FROM ZERO TO SIXTY (LEGS, THAT IS),
25. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY by Wildlife Biologist Rebecca Mowry, 108,
26. WRITING OUTSIDE THE HUMAN BOX by Biology Professor Brie Paddock, 113,
27. WHAT BUGS ME ABOUT INSECTS by Entomologist Robinne Weiss, 116,
28. PORTRAYING WOLVES FAIRLY AND ACCURATELY by Environmentalist William Huggins, 120,
29. GENDER DETERMINATION IN ANIMALS by Entomologist Robinne Weiss, 124,
30. OUT IN THE COLD: POLAR ANIMALS by Biology Professor Brie Paddock, 128,
31. TENTACLES: FROM OCTOPUS TO ALIEN by Marine Biologist Danna Staaf, 132,
PART FIVE: THINGS TO KNOW FOR WHEN SKYNET TAKES OVER,
32. DEBUNKING MYTHS ABOUT COMPUTERS AND THE INTERNET by Programmer Matt Perkins, 137,
33. YOUR SCIENCE FICTION CELL PHONE ISN'T COOL ENOUGH by Tech Consultant Effie Seiberg, 141,
34. CGI IS NOT MADE BY COMPUTERS by Video Game Developer Abby Goldsmith, 145,
35. WHAT'S POSSIBLE WITH CYBORGS AND CYBERNETICS by Neuroscientist Benjamin C. Kinney, 149,
36. BELIEVABLE NANOTECHNOLOGY by Physicist Dan Allen, 154,
37. CRAFTING HOLOGRAMS by Engineer Judy L. Mohr, 159,
38. INFORMATION THEORY: DEEP THOUGHTS ON BUILDING HAL by Decision Scientist A.R. Lucas, 162,
PART SIX: EARTH AND OTHER PLANETS. YES, PLUTO COUNTS!,
39. NEAR-FUTURE SCENARIOS FOR HUMANS AND PLANET EARTH by Science Reporter Bianca Nogrady, 168,
40. THE FUTURE OF ENERGY by Geophysicist K.E. Lanning, 172,
41. EARTHQUAKES: FACT VS. FICTION by Structural Engineer Amy Mills, 176,
42. IMAGINING CLIMATE CHANGE by Geophysicist K.E. Lanning, 180,
43. HOW THE OCEAN WILL KILL YOU by Marine Biologist Danna Staaf, 183,
44. HABITABLE ATMOSPHERES by Atmospheric Scientist Lynn Forrest, 186,
45. AGING PROPERTIES PUTTING THE SCIENCE IN FICTION by Chemist Gwen C. Katz, 190,
46. GRAVITY BASICS by Physicist Dan Allen, 193,
PART SEVEN: SOMETIMES, IT REALLY IS ROCKET SCIENCE,
47. REALISTIC ASTRONOMY by Astronomer Tom Benedict, 198,
48. IMAGING OVER LONG DISTANCES by Engineer Judy L. Mohr, 203,
49. RELATIVITY AND SPACE-TIME by Physicist Dan Allen, 207,
50. MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SPACE by Aerospace Engineer Jamie Krakover, 212,
51. REALISTIC SPACE FLIGHT by Pilot and Aviation Journalist Sylvia Spruck Wrigley, 217,
52. WASTE MANAGEMENT by Environmental Scientist Gareth D. Jones, 221,
53. ENCLOSED ECOSYSTEMS AND LIFE-SUPPORT SYSTEMS by Biomedical Scientist Philip A. Kramer, 225,
PART EIGHT: STAR WARS AND THE FAR FUTURE,
54. FASTER-THAN-LIGHT TRAVEL by Physicist Jim Gotaas, 231,
55. CRYOPRESERVATION by Research Biologist Terry Newman, 235,
56. THE WEAPONS OF STAR WARS by Engineer Judy L. Mohr, 240,
57. HOW TO DESIGN A PRACTICAL SPACESHIP by Engineer Eric Primm, 244,
58. EXOPLANETS AND HABITABILITY by Physicist Jim Gotaas, 248,
59. PRINTING THE FAR FUTURE by Aerospace Engineer Jamie Krakover, 252,
ABOUT THE EXPERTS, 255,
CHAPTER 1
HOW TO ASK AN EXPERT
By Eric Primm
Stories require a delicate balance between too much and too little world building. Authors must always know more about their fictional setting than the reader, but the story needs only the information necessary to make the reader believe it is real. Authors research and research and research a subject necessary to their stories to increase the verisimilitude. One possible research method is asking an expert, and the following tips will help you ask more efficient questions.
PREPARATION
When seeking information, make sure to contact the correct expert. As the world gets more and more technologically advanced, professions become increasingly specialized. For example, while engineers have general knowledge of other fields, an aerospace engineer probably won't know the answer to a chemical engineering question. Just as no one would go to a doctor to learn why a car engine is rattling, they also wouldn't go to a mechanic for a flu shot. Specialization matters. Therefore, seek an expert with experience and knowledge in the relevant field. If your "go-to" expert can't help, it's acceptable to politely ask if she knows anyone who can, but the author needs to respect the expert's right to say no. Finding the correct source is as important as finding the information itself. Some questions are general enough that the expert may not need graduate-level knowledge to explain some basics, but the author should follow up with an expert who understands both the basics and the complexities of the subject. For example, a doctor may be able to explain how brake systems work, but it's best to verify that information with a mechanic who knows for sure. Just like precision jobs need the correct tool, a smart author needs the correct expert.
How the question is asked matters as much as the information you are looking for. Requirements analysis is one phase of project planning. This is an attempt to clarify what is really needed. In the example question "Would water, telephone lines, and other utilities function in a postapocalyptic world without a major power grid?" the requirement is information about how utilities...
