如何创作科幻小说

科学为科幻小说提供了基本原理，在此基础上，如何创作一篇科幻小说呢？在这篇文章中，我们可以了解到关于科幻小说创作要注意的事项。

Science fiction writers create imaginary worlds. The way things work in your imaginary worlds will be based on actual science. So it's important for you to be familiar with the scientific principles and inventions that are related to your creation. For example， if you're writing about humans living on a planet with zero gravity， then you need to know the effects of zero gravity on the human body.

Then you have to figure out the exact rules of your imaginary worlds. And you have to follow them. If humans are able to breathe underwater in Chapter 1， your characters can't drown in a swimming pool in Chapter 3. The issue here is keeping your readers' trust. That means the readers are willing to pretend along with you. If you start out with an ordinary detective （侦探的） novel and then throw in someone breathing underwater in the 6th chapter， you will pull the readers out of their imagination. The same thing happens if you change the rules halfway.

Part of your preparation work for the novel is to map out its world in great detail. You should decide the following issues： the history of the world， the geography， what possibilities it offers， how everything works in this new reality， and how all of these factors affect the way your characters think， feel， and react to things. You don't have to tell your readers all the rules in the first chapter. But you have to let readers know enough to understand what's going on. This also allows you to work out logical problems and contradictions （矛盾） before you start writing.

When you are writing， remember to make it feel real. You are inviting readers to visit a new world. They will want to be able to see， hear， feel， smell， and even taste what it's like. Whether your novel is about a world without disease or an undiscovered planet， help your readers feel like they're actually there.

Reading Check

1. What can we know about actual science and science fiction？

A. Actual science offers science fiction basic principles.

B. Science fiction promotes the development of actual science.

C. Science fiction often reflects the development of actual science.

D. Actual science limits the imagination in science fiction.

2. How does the author develop paragraph 2？

A. By making comparisons. B. By following the time order.

C. By giving examples. D. By listing data.

3. What does the third paragraph focus on？

A. The different types of novels.

B. The reality of science fiction.

C. The detail in the first chapter of science fiction.

D. Part of the preparation work for science fiction writing.

4. What's the purpose of this text？

A. To introduce some novels.

B. To study scientific principles.

C. To share some writing techniques.

D. To give some tips on writing science fiction.

Language Study

Useful expressions

figure out 弄懂

be willing to do sth 乐意去做某事

map out  （精心）规划;安排

主题应用·语库构建

Ⅰ. 话题单词

science fiction 科幻小说

adaptation 改编本

explode 爆炸

alien 外星人

appreciate 欣赏;感激

character 角色

description 描写

literature 文学

popular 受欢迎的

classic adj. 经典的

n. 名著

masterpiece 代表作;杰作

original adj. 首创的

n. 原作

release 发布

remark 评论

plot 故事情节

breakthrough 重大进展;突破

challenge 挑战

intelligent 智能的

mobile 可移动的

modern 现代的

network 网络

predict 预言;预测;预报

convenience 方便

electronic 电子的

experiment 实验

explore 探索

hopeful 有希望的

scientific 科学的

technology 科技;工艺

artificial 人工的;人造的

virus 病毒

cyberspace 网络空间

drawback 缺点;不利条件

Ⅱ. 话题短语

be adapted from 根据……改编

be set in 以……为背景

sense of beauty 美感

leave sb a deep impression 给某人留下深刻的印象

on exhibition 在展出中

shape one's character 塑造某人的性格

enrich one's life 丰富某人的生活

broaden one's horizons 开阔某人的眼界

win the Nobel Prize in Literature 获得诺贝尔文学奖

have a strong interest in 对……有着浓厚的兴趣

have a positive/negative effect 有正面/负面影响

carry out scientific experiments 开展科学实验

with the development of  随着……的发展

modern technology 现代科技

keep pace with 跟上;赶上

do/work wonders 创造奇迹

high⁃tech products 高科技产品

make a new discovery 有新发现

Ⅲ. 话题句子

1. He thinks to read the original work is better than to see the film adapted from it. 他认为读原著比看由原著改编的电影更好。

2. Nowadays， science fiction is enjoyed by people around the world. 现在，科幻小说深受世界各地读者的喜爱。

3. On the one hand， reading literature books can let the students learn about the culture. On the other hand， reading literature books can also improve their writing skills. 一方面，阅读文学书籍可以让学生了解文化。另一方面，阅读文学书籍还能提升他们的写作技能。