Let’s get one thing straight; sci-fi books are totally badass. They get to explore a place and space that has never been explored because everything – every last little detail – is brewed in the dark recesses of your freaking awesome mind. There is just one Game Of Thrones sized wall to overcome, and that is writing a sci-fi novel ain’t easy.
So, here’s my advice:
1. Never Try To Write A Best-Seller
The reason being, you can’t. It is impossible. Best-sellers are not only subjective and unexpected, they are part of trends that come and go, so if you are trying to write a best-seller that is part of a current trend, well, sorry sweetheart, but you are already behind. Anyway, it’s like we said, no one knows what is going to be a success and every successful author has had to fight for their place.
2. Write The Book You Want To Stay Up All Night Reading
There is one really quick way to failing as a writer, and that is to write a book that you wouldn’t read. There is just no point in it. Writing is a craft that needs love, attention, intrigue and bloodthirsty lust; so only write the things you want to write and the things you want to read. If you don’t love it no one else will. Simple.
3. Sit Down And Start Typing
So many people want to write a book but they don’t want to put in the work. They want to have written a book. Maybe they will try for a bit, before realising how long and arduous the process of writing is. But sitting in a chair and tapping away persistently and determinedly is the only way you’ll ever get that best-seller written. Write, write and then write some more. We get better with every page we sculpt, remember that.
4. Cardboard Characters Will Always Suck
Sure, writing a cool world with loads of cool stuff is cool, but it isn’t enough. What makes a story is the characters, people or things that we can bond with and care about and relate to. They are the main source of awesomeness when it comes to being sympathetic in a sentence, the thing that will get hairs standing up and tears rolling down cheeks and, maybe, just maybe, fists punching the air. If people don’t care about your characters then they aren’t going to care about the cool world you have created.
5. Forget About Anything But Your Writing
If you want to have a best-selling book more than anything then you may find you’ll be disappointed. This is because it is impossible to control all the variables that it takes to achieve that success; the marketing, the timing, the agents and publishers, the media and the landscape. Instead, focus on just one thing; writing a book that is as good as you can get it. Write a book that you are totally proud of. A book that you want to read and that others will want to read to. Forget the best-seller thing, it is out of your control. Just up your chances by writing something amazing.