Blog 39: Spacing Out
- Angie Halliwell
- Oct 5
- 4 min read

Welcome to blog number 39! I have an interesting fact about that number: it’s Japanese chat slang for thank you (san kyu). Following that little snippet of info, I would like to thank all of those who have been supporting and encouraging me by reading my blogs. I have endeavoured to keep my weekly blog habit going and seeing the number of people who have read them, does keep me motivated to continue to write the next. Of course, I have had assistance on the occasional week from the very knowledgeable and poetic Shannon Éilis and those I have interviewed. I would however, find it helpful to receive some feedback as to whether you find the topics I write about useful, and also please hit me up with other topics you would like me to cover and I will jump right into that for you.
Right now, we are beginning World Space Week. As I am currently still feeling unwell, I have been preferring to have my own space. I also get space in my head when I suffer with brain fog. But of course, that isn’t the kind of space I’m referring to. No, it’s that vast area outside of our atmosphere that holds an infinite amount of the unknown, and teases our imaginations with questions like: Are there aliens, and do they look like us, or some unusual creature portrayed in the movies? Will we ever travel to other planets and bungee jump off them in space suits, or pack up our stuff and move there? Will there be a time when we discover just how big it is?
When we begin to think of the possibilities of what could be out there, it really does prompt a lot of story ideas, as many already have. From writers, such as A Grand Day Out by Nick Park where Wallace and his faithful dog, Gromit travel to the moon on a DIY space rocket and collect moon cheese because they have ran out, to sci-fi comedy, A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, originally a BBC radio sitcom, where we follow the adventures of Arthur Dent, the last surviving man on Earth and Ford Prefect, a human-like alien, after the planet is destroyed to make way for a hyperspace bypass. Or the more chilling sci-fi of War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells where the Earth is invaded by more advanced beings.
I have recently read a book of short stories by a self-publisher who appears to have limitless sci-fi material to write about. It is certainly an interesting and exciting topic to venture into when we think of what the future may look like in terms of technology and outer space. But if you haven’t attempted this genre before and you aren’t quite sure how to go into it, here are a few tips to help:
1. What if
Give your world a What If concept. The above examples may be something along the lines of:
What if a man who was obsessed with cheese, ran out, and decided to build a rocket to discover what moon cheese tasted like?
What if there were many inhabited planets with alien lifeforms, and Earth was destroyed to make room for a hyperspace bypass?
What if the Earth was invaded by more technologically advanced aliens who wanted to take their planet because there’s was dying?
A question like this can give you a base line to proceed into a plot, characters and a world or worlds. A question needs answers, and this is where you will begin planning your story.
2. Research
How sciencey are you going to make it? You may not be a technical whizz, and you are likely to have to take time to do some research to make your story believable. The best thing about science fiction is that despite it being something this world has not encountered, you want to put the idea in the readers’ heads that maybe, in the future, it could actually occur. So, think about how technical you want to get. You don’t have to go crazy, but you will have to make it tight with info checking.
3. The theme
There can be one or many themes to your story. A lot of recent sci-fi films, such as Terminator and iRobot use the human versus machine theme. Let’s have a look at some other examples: -
The Martian by Andy Weir - survival, human ingenuity, and resilience in the face of odds, the importance of teamwork and human connection.
Dune by Frank Herbert - the corruption of power, the impact of the environment on human culture, the struggle between free will and fate, and the dangers of organised religion and hero worship.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin – gender, sexuality, loyalty and betrayal in politics, political intrigue and power struggles between nations, the nature of humanity.
4. Tech time
It can’t be science fiction without some futuristic technology. So, what do you have in mind? Here are a few questions that may help you along:
Is the purpose of it to help or punish people?
Can everyone use it, or just specific people in society?
How and why was it created?
What powers it?
Does it have any potential risks of danger?
Are there any real-world examples that are similar to it?
How does it work into the theme of the story?
How does it relate to your main character(s)?
5. Character
As always, your character needs something to strive for or a problem to solve to give them a purpose and push the story forwards. But wait, this is sci-fi! So, think about how you will include it? Is it going to help, hinder or pose a threat to your main character as he tries to reach his goal?
6. Read
Researching this genre includes reading other sci-fi books. It can give you ideas in terms of setting up your society, technology and inspire your plot.
So, there you have it. Six tips to get you started. Now to find some space in your schedule to write and you can begin. Have fun and catch you next week.

Comments