2. Sci-fi can be just as flexible as any other genre.

Remember, you’re writing about a world or galaxy that very possibly may not exist! Therefore, unlike “the real world”, you get to make your own rules. You can build a society you’ve always dreamed of belonging to. Or you can play devil’s advocate, and create a world that’s more nightmare than daydream. It’s up to you. It’s your world. Go wild!

3. Don’t worry too much about explaining technical details. 

Sci-fi is a broad genre. Don’t limit yourself to what you know or don’t know about science. Think about all the devices and gadgets you use in your own life. How much do you actually know about how they work? (Me either.) When things are commonplace in our world, we don’t often consider how it functions. We just get on with using it. You can approach the tech in your sci-fi with a similar attitude. If your characters use certain devices on a regular basis, they may take for granted how they function. 

(Keep in mind, the moment you begin to try to explain how something works, you lose your readers, if you don’t actually know how it works.)

4. Diversify! Don’t let traditional characteristics of sci-fi limit you. 

Open your mind to new possibilities and your sci-fi will soar! Imagine a world where all kinds of people (and maybe even aliens) co-exist. Can you picture the possibilities? They’re endless! Defy stereotypes. Challenge harmful ideologies. Represent the marginalized. You have the power!

5. Use real life scenarios to inform your writing. 

Your sci-fi story is an excellent opportunity to address and discuss current events and themes of your present reality. It’s like getting permission to rant! How often does that happen? (You’re right. Not enough.) 

If you don’t feel your voice is being heard on a particular topic or issue, use the blank page as an opportunity to tell your readers how you really feel about the current socio-political climate. Skip the messy social media wars. Save the drama for your sci-fi novel!

Many of these tips were inspired by posts from NaNoWriMo participants in our Genre Lounge: Science Fiction forums thread. They were compiled by previous NaNoWriMo intern Malissa Bilbrey for this YouTube video, and were adapted to a blog post by current intern Nina Sacco.

1. Make your magic have consistent rules. 

Magic in fantasy is a lot like science in sci-fi. It doesn’t need to make perfect sense, but it does need to make logical sense in the context of the world. You can make your magic systems as complex as you want, but however much or little detail you provide, magic should adhere to the rules. It can be strange to us, but it should be consistent. 

2. Make your magic have limitations. 

Even with supernatural or extremely powerful characters, it’s more interesting to read about them when they have some kind of limitation or obstacle that they have to overcome. For example, wizards in Harry Potter need to memorize spells and (usually) have their wands to channel their power. Fairies and gods are often bound by strict rules and need to work through humans. In some stories, magic users have to fuel their power with their own physical strength. Decide what the boundaries of your characters’ magical powers are. 

3. Decide how much your characters know about magic in your world. 

How do your characters describe, interact with, or respond to magic? Is magic common or rare? Are magic users respected, or do they have to keep their powers hidden? How does magic complement or conflict with other things that your readers might already be familiar with, like electricity or religious practices? What’s the history of magic in your world? 

In spite of my doubt, I reached 50,000 words by November 20, and still kept writing. When I won, I reflected on my surprise and rambled briefly on my personal blog about what the experience taught me about myself:

“I am a happy observer. I am a bejeweled and coffee-soaked fly on the wall.”

“I’ve learned and confirmed some things about myself and my process over this last month. Chiefly among the confirmed things is the fact that I am not a social writer. I couldn’t get into word sprints. I made an effort to attend exactly zero write-ins. I’d click around in the NaNo forums and find the occasional interesting topic, then I’d go to chime in and immediately decide that OMG saying things is exhausting. I am a happy observer. I am a bejeweled and coffee-soaked fly on the wall. I hope this makes me a better writer than I am a party guest.”

I fully embrace writing as an introvert’s joy. And I appreciate the NaNo format because it doesn’t require that you use the social participation components in order to become a winner, although those tools are ready should you ever need them. In that way, it’s the best kind of community: one that sincerely wants you to do well and supports you while still respecting your privacy. 

“You have the rest of your life to get to 50K on whatever you start this November. Or not. The point is that you grow in your craft.”

This year, as every year, there are new stresses, new circumstances, new triggers vying for our attention. And sometimes they will consume more of it than we’d like. Life might get in the way of 50K, but don’t let yourself get taken over by disappointment if that happens. We have to be kind to ourselves with this undertaking. 

Time doesn’t stop on December 1st. You have the rest of your life to get to 50K on whatever you start this November. Or not. The point is that you grow in your craft. If you can manage that--even slightly--you’ve won.

LeKesha (L.D. Lewis) is the Art Director for FIYAH Magazine of Black Speculative Fiction. She writes a lot of fantasy and reads a lot of non-fiction. She is an ASL teacher in Florida, reads for bipolar representation for Disability in KidLit, and blogs about books and mental health occasionally for BlackGirlNerds.com. You can follow her on Twitter @ElleLewis6 and on Tumblr.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting a character’s name to be perfect, but remember, having a name contrast with your character’s personality might shake things up a bit. A disconnect between your character’s name and how they act can help develop those interesting character flaws - and who doesn’t love a flawed character?  Real-life people don’t always turn out the way you’d hoped, and it’s wise to remind readers of that truth. Invite a sense of reality verses expectation. Creating that reality in your story also reminds readers that it’s okay to be themselves. Go against the grain! However...

Go easy on the creativity.

Even when you’re trying to make sure a character’s name isn’t too predictable, remember that your readers will want to be able to get to know your character. It’s true, we writers enjoy finding unique names, but what most readers enjoy is a relatable name… or at least one they can pronounce! And while you want to ‘wow’ your readers with that epic, memorable, oh-so-stylish name, you may want to take caution. Remember, if it’s your protagonist that you’re naming, your reader will have to say this name in their heads many times until the end of your story. Let’s not distract them along their journey.

Reserve the honor.

We all get that wonderful urge to name a character after our favorite person in the world. It’s your story, so why not throw in the name of someone who deserves the honor, right? Before you do, just remember to use care when choosing whom to include - and ask for permission! Not everyone likes to be the honoree, but if they do, this will cut your decision time in half.

Don’t take names too seriously.

Discovering names with great meaning is no doubt important, but if you find yourself consumed in deciding on the perfect name, a good old game of ‘Eeny Meeny Miny Moe’ may be in order. Don’t forget you still have a story to write. Trust your gut and go with it. Someone is bound to love the name you’ve chosen, trust me.

Melissa L. Rose is a YA Fiction writer born in Maryland, USA. She is an active member of the SCBWI writers’ organization and the Inked Voices critique group. When she is not writing, she can be found counseling troubled youth, spending hours reading in bookstores, and taking care of her free-spirited pup. She has always been passionate about writing for the young and the young at heart. You can connect with Melissa on Twitter @MelissaRWrites.

As writers contributing to a pool of diverse stories, we stress about whether our stories properly represent these communities. We want our leads to be more than flat stereotypes; we’ve seen that positive and complex representations of diverse identities are often only respected if they fit a certain mold (my literature classes overdosed me with memoirs about poor refugees of war and suicidal LGBT teens). We’ve internalized the feeling that there needs to be a legitimizing, ­often tragic,­ reason for our protagonists to not be able, cisgender, white, or male. It's a messed up mentality, but nearly every writer has thought this way at some point.

“Your story doesn’t need to be a dissection of society to feature Asian-­American bachelors, or Latina tech CEOs.”

So how do you convince yourself that your story matters? Tell yourself this: your existence, and the existence of those around you, is why we need your story. That reason alone is good enough.

You do not have to legitimize anyone’s background, including your own. Your story doesn’t need to be a dissection of society to feature Asian-­American bachelors, or Latina tech CEOs. If you want to explore their racial identity, that's great. If your character is more stressed about fighting aliens than being in a wheelchair, that's great too. Your stories are different because differences exist in the real world.

Nobody walks the same path in life, and your creativity, ideas, and stories have the right to be told.

If you're not convinced, I want you to close your eyes. Think about every time you saw someone who looked like you, with a name like yours, on the cover of a movie poster or book jacket.

Now think about all the times you didn't see yourself. Do you remember how you felt? It’s probably not joy. Whatever emotion came, someone like you has felt the same way, too.

You can share a culture, or background, or physical description with thousands, but no one owns your journey. Remove the pressure of providing the most accurate, comprehensive experience of your character’s respective community. Represent your voice first, and the rest will follow.

Kathy Vo is a die­hard Californian trying navigate the adult world beyond happy hour deals, Bay Area traffic, and Korean spa treatments. Her middle-­school self would exclusively write fantasy adventures starring white male heroes, but now she creates stories and screenplays exploring the Asian­American experience beyond math nerds and sexy geishas. Like many millennials, Kathy is clueless about her future, but is passionate about the problems she wants to solve.