How to Write Space Opera (SF Sisters)

Name: How to Write Space Opera (SF Sisters)
Rating: 4.7 (21 reviews)

One of a matched pair of courses in writing "classic" science fiction.

Created byHarry Dewulf

Last updated 9/2018

English

What you'll learn

Conceive, write and perfect a Space Opera novel

Course content

5 sections • 12 lectures • 1h 13m total length

General Introduction to Science Fiction7:56
This lesson is present in both courses, with a small variation. This is an introduction to classic SF, a little of the history and the basic conventions.
General Definition of Space Opera5:40
This lesson digs into the work of the authors who defined the genre, to find the common values at the core of Space Opera; the foundation that makes it instantly recognizable as a genre.
About this Course2:10
This is the course outline. Try not to think too hard about the recursive nature of reading the description of the lesson that describes all the lessons. Unless you want to write “weird SF” in which case, definitely do think too hard about it.
The complete outline is available to download in the resources section.

Relative Hardness in Space Opera9:55
There's a lesson with this name in both courses, but the lessons themselves are different, and mutually complementary. They deal with the sometimes thorny issue of what makes some science fiction harder and some softer.
Relative Hardness in Space Opera, first assignment
Relative Hardness in Space Opera, second assignment
Worldbuilding from Hardness
A Word About the Future7:55
This lesson is almost identical to the lesson of the same name in the sister course. In it you'll learn about Science Fiction's uncertain relationship with the future and with futurology.
You'll also learn the key technique of "Lighthousing" for managing your reader's expectations.
Lighthousing - how to encourage the right people to read your SF
Space Opera World Building6:52
In this lesson you will learn an approach and some methods, to ensure you build the right kind of Universe for a Space Opera to take place in.
Approaching Universe-Building from Both Directions

Ensemble Cast Principles and Pitfalls6:38
About working with multiple main characters, this lesson covers the uniquely social nature of the characters in Space Opera, and how not to get it disastrously wrong.
Multiple Redundancy
The Soloists - what do main characters need to be?4:37
The next lesson is on the nature of, and how to create, the main characters in Space Opera – in particular, how they differ from the characters in much of the rest of fiction!
Learning by doing What not to Do.
The Chorus - Secondary Characters and how to use them5:44
The third is about the essential role of secondary characters in a Space Opera story and its Universe. In particular, how to use them to enhance your main characters, without giving the reader too many names to remember.
Making a "Chorus" from your Secondary Characters

Summary of Key Points, Principles, Pitfalls and Objectives6:11
This lesson is in the form of a summary of the main points. The summary, along with the assignments, will help you to solidify the lessons of this course, as well as providing a sort of prompt-sheet, for when you go back to your SF WIP to apply the lessons you will learn here. The full script of the summary is available as a handout. Feel free to print it out and use it as a wall chart!
Bonus: What Makes it SF in the First Place, and a few links4:55
This is a bonus lesson in the broad and accepted definitions of Science Fiction; an opportunity to deepen a little your knowledge of the genre.

Requirements

You need some basic knowledge of storytelling.
You want to write Science Fiction.

Description

Do you want to write a book?

In particular, do you want to learn about writing a book in the genre of Science Fiction, Space Opera?

Do you love classic SF?

In these two courses, I'm going to show you some of the familiar conventions and tropes of 20th century SF. I'm going to show you how to approach plot, characters, world and story to create a convincing, optimistic vision of the future, at the same time as a satisfying read. But I'm going to apply, as I expect you to apply, experience and judgment to those conventions and tropes. I'm going to show you what's wrong with the way that both classic and contemporary SF is written, show you how to adapt the tropes and conventions so they will be meaningful to readers.

You will learn:

What makes it SF
How to define your rules for following the conventions of SF writing
How to build an SF Universe suitable for Space Opera
How to create characters for Space Opera
How to compose a group of main characters
How to conceive and design the plot of a Space Opera

All the images used in the course are either original or NASA images in the public domain.

Who this course is for:

Anyone who wants to learn how to write a novel, especially genre fiction

How to Write Space Opera (SF Sisters)

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introduction and definitions3 lectures • 16min

World Building in Space Opera Science Fiction3 lectures • 25min

Space Opera Characters and Characterization3 lectures • 17min

Plotting your Space Opera1 lecture • 5min

Summary, Conclusion, Reflections and Bonus2 lectures • 11min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: