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110+ Sci-Fi Writing Prompts (+ Sci-Fi Story Idea Generator)

Bring on the robots, aliens and distant planets with this mega list of over 110 extraordinary sci-fi writing prompts.

Science fiction (or sci-fi for short) covers a breadth of topics including aliens, technology, future cities, space travel and scientific experiments. While many sci-fi stories are set in the future, they can also be set in the current time too. For instance, a scientist creating a new drug, or the discovery of life on Mars could be plot lines for sci-fi stories set right now in this exact time period. The thing about sci-fi is that it is the opposite of fantasy. Magic, monsters and fairy tales have no place in a sci-fi story unless there is a logical reason for them being. If you’re going to include monsters, creatures or aliens, think about the theory behind their creation. Is that monster the result of a science experiment gone wrong? Did life always exist on a distant planet? Numbers, formulas and logical reasoning are what make a sci-fi tale so believable. 

Sci-Fi Story Idea Generator

In this post, we have outlined over 110 sci-writing prompts that you can use for your next science fiction novel! To make life easier for you, we even created this sci-fi story idea generator , so you can focus on one prompt at a time:

Hopefully, you’ll find this list useful whether you’re writing a creative essay, novel or even a collection of sci-fi short stories! You might also be interested in the following resources:

• 25+ writing prompts about space
• 56 dystopian writing prompts
• Planet Name Generator
• 70+ Fantasy Writing Prompts

Sci-Fi Writing Prompts List

Let the science commence, with this list of over 110 remarkable sci-fi prompts and topics to write about:

• You volunteer to take part in a study on human interaction. Little do you know that the study is part of an elaborate plan by a group of aliens to invade Earth.
• It is the year 3000, and Earth has changed a lot. Describe some of these changes?
• You and your friends are messing around in a broken, old warehouse until you find a purple, glowing egg. What do you do?
• Your billionaire uncle gives you a hi-tech robot for your birthday. What do you do with the robot?
• Your science teacher invents the time machine. You decide to use it secretly to change the past. What problems do you cause by changing the past?
• Strange portals start appearing all over your neighbourhood. You step into one. Where does it take you?
• Aliens have declared war on humans of Earth and only you can stop them. But how?
• You return from holiday to find that a radioactive explosion at a nuclear plant has turned everyone into zombies in your town. What will you do?
• As a lonely astronaut, you crash land on a distant planet. Describe the planet.
• An alien crashed its ship in your garden. How will you help it?
• Write a help guide for a new alien settling in on planet Earth. What does the alien need to know about Earth?
• A lonely robot travels to another planet in search of a better life and some true friends. 
• A young woman is just starting to move up the ranks in the military. She, along with the other soldiers need to stop a deadly virus from spreading. Her job keeps on getting more and more dangerous each day. 
• A fearful teenager lives in a world full of people that think he is a ‘freak’. He doesn’t fit in and feels that he can’t have his own feelings. Until one day he discovers the truth that he is an alien. 
• Write a sci-fi story about a very young alien who wakes up one morning in a different universe and finds he cannot remember his life. All the alien remembers is the night of the accident, when his best friend was killed. 
• Two young children, a brother and a sister are trapped inside a broken spaceship. During the crash, both their parents passed away. Can both the children survive on their own?
• A young alien boy named Nana is sent on a journey by an alien race to the past in order to learn the history of the world. Unfortunately, he gets sent along with his brother and step sister who have very different plans about what they will do on Earth. 
• A small village is under attack by giant aliens. Eventually, all the civilians want to leave that village. However, the mayor does not want them to leave. He manages to contact the leader of the alien creatures. The mayor then makes a deal with them to invade any other city on Earth, but not this village. 
• Write a sci-fi story about a young boy who is being chased by an evil space monster who wants to eat his father. 
• There is a planet in the galaxy similar to Earth. It has a human-like feel to it, and on the surface, you could call it Earth 2.0. Humans used to be the dominant life form on this planet, but something has changed in recent years.
• Write a sci-fi story about two people with supernatural abilities fighting against the evil forces that want to take over the world. The main character is a young boy who happens to be psychic. While the secondary character is a girl, who has super-strength, speed, and healing powers. The story opens in another world called Earth, where there is the “World of the Living Dead”, a land ruled by a group of “Night People” who are all dead. 
• A group of people are trapped inside a broken spaceship. Originally the group of people believe that this was an accident. But soon they find out that someone on board caused this ‘accident’ on purpose – But why? This is a mystery sci-fi story.
• A young man graduates first in his class with a degree in computer engineering. He goes on to invent the very first artificial intelligence (AI) in existence. He must use this AI to save humanity from impending doom.
• During a digging expedition, a scientist discovers a series of artefacts that seem to be ancient technology that might be part of a secret world. Putting all the pieces of the broken artefact together creates a portal device to another dimension. 
• An alien device is uncovered deep in the Sahara desert with an Ouroboros (snake) symbol. It has the power to control the weather on Earth. It turns out that thousands of years ago aliens had the power to control Earth. Soon this deadly weapon ends up in the wrong hands.
• A group of intergalactic rebels, led by a beautiful alien princess, go on a daring mission to restore peace to the galaxy.
• A scientist works for a government agency that develops a technology that enables humans to telepathically communicate with each other. Soon humans using the technology receive communications from aliens. 
• A doctor is sent out into the wilderness to help the population of a small town that has been affected by a deadly disease. Soon he gets caught in a war between the human survivors and the ‘others’.
• Write a sci-fi story about a scientist and his young daughter who are taken on a journey to the planet S.A.L.L.E. Their mission is to find answers about the planet’s life forms. Soon they are separated from one another. When they meet again, the father discovers something odd about his daughter.
• Stuck in the same old loop every single day, David needs to make an important choice fast. Continue a safe, repetitive life or move to a planet where humans rarely survive.
• A robot with a soul and its human best friend go on a criminal rampage. Soon they are being chased by the authorities and even other people and robots that they have upset. Will they escape?
• Humankind is divided into two groups: one a technologically advanced civilization, and the other an old fashioned, non-techno group. The technologically advanced civilization is going to wipe out the human race in the next two decades.
• A friendly housekeeper robot goes rogue and joins the war against mankind. The robot’s human family want him to come back home.
• Write a sci-fi story about a group of soldiers whose sole job is to travel through time and space to stop a dark force that threatens the future of the universe.
• This is a sci-fi story about a young, un-engineered robot named Enceladus (named after one of Saturn’s moons). Enceladus has been programmed to find a healthy water source on Earth. After pollution and contamination have destroyed Earth.
• One single mind has the power to save Earth. An unlikely human far superior to others can stop a whole alien invasion from happening.
• Society has come to the point where humans and artificial intelligence are indistinguishable. A young woman named Samantha wakes up in a hospital bed after an injury that will change her life forever. At her hospital bed, Samantha meets a man who is also waking up: a robot named Bob. She doesn’t know it yet, but Bob is an advanced AI.
• The daughter of a scientist who passed away has the ability to see, hear and manipulate objects around her. As she grows, her powers become stronger. Soon she hears every radio signal coming from the city around her. And she sees all the people in pain and danger. Too much to handle she loses control.
• A group of kids are on the run from the authorities. They have all been in contact with another life-form on a distant planet. In order to protect this life-form, the kids will do anything to keep their secrets away from the government. 
• The world ends, and the future just begins for two groups of people. These last survivors on Earth must find a way to survive with the new dangers they encounter.
• In the future, mankind has invented a weapon that will make war impossible. But soon this ‘weapon’ becomes the cause of war on Earth. People must fight to save their lives, their homes, their lives.
• After a mysterious accident, David’s entire life becomes a never-ending nightmare. As his memories return, he tries to escape this nightmare and reclaim his true identity. 
• Two siblings, Sam and Mia must survive the epidemic of Crime in Detroit. Their parents are divorced. Their father is a police officer who has been left by the wayside due to his car being stolen. Their mother is trying to get back to Detroit to save her children.
• A small village has been turned into a hive of evil creatures. As scientists run secret experiments. Will the inhabitants of this small town survive the transformations? 
• The human race has evolved into five different groups, each with its own beliefs on how to survive on Earth. The two biggest groups are Draken and Lumia. The Draken group believe that weak humans must die in order to survive. And the Lumia group believe that humans should become one with the Earth, living naturally to survive.
• A man in the future has been licensed to death. He spends every day trying to escape death. Every morning he wakes up and says, ”This is the last day of my life.
• This is a sci-fi story about a space pirate named Czar who has been chosen by the space council to try and save his home planet from an evil tyrant known as the Emperor. In one scene, he has to infiltrate the ship of the Emperor while disguised as a prisoner.
• The civilians of a small town think that Jake is possessed by a demon. But in actual fact, an alien is telepathically controlling this young boy against humankind.
• Write a story about a young doctor with a futuristic cure to prevent disease and a young woman who can transform into anything she wants. The story starts off in the past, where we meet a young girl who is struggling with her body image. 
• Describe a parallel universe , which is exactly like Earth but there is one major difference. What is this difference?
• A fortune teller has a vision of a boy falling down a well. She must find this boy and save him. The twist is that her vision does not show that the boy is actually pushed by a robot.
• A futuristic technology called the Machine makes the people of the planet dependent on it. The Machine is the only reason why humans are still alive in the future. Suddenly the Machine stops working, and people start dying. Eventually, people start learning that they don’t need to be dependent on the Machine to live – They can live independently. 
• Describe a world that is not human. A world of destruction, and heartache. What kind of creatures inhabit this world? Was the world always in this state? Does this world have a leader?
• Write a sci-fi fairy tale about a girl who has the power to turn ordinary objects into objects of great beauty. She uses this power to gain control of a futuristic kingdom, and of course to live happily ever after.
• A group of people live together like a family. The group is the only family that has all lived together for such a long time since families are banned in the future. The main character is an engineer, he is the brother of a medical doctor. After a huge party, the main character realises that no one on the whole planet is like them.
• This sci-fi story starts off in the present day, where the main character discovers something shocking on his smartphone. Eventually, we see the machines and their dominance of the future.
• Write a sci-fi story that is broken into three parts. The first part shows the future of mankind, the second is set in the past. And the final part is set in the present time. The overall theme of the story is about how machines are manipulating humans and their daily lives.
• This is a sci-fi story about a space travel expedition to a new planet called Earth. What secrets and discoveries will the main character make?
• A scientist gets trapped in a strange, hostile dimension on Earth. The only way out it to use his alien blaster to kill anything that comes in his way.
• A local biotech company is running some trials for their new gene therapy service. This is the first time they are running trials on humans. Two people have been selected to genetically enhance their genes to get rid of any deformities. At first, the gene therapy looks to be a success, but then…
• A secret alien race called the K9s has been hiding from the human world. The K9s are different from human K-9 dogs. They look like human dogs but are ruthless and highly dangerous. Eventually, the K9s alien race starts hunting down humans one by one.
• The main character was in a lifeboat. He gets knocked out by an accident while he’s onboard, and wakes up in the middle of a sea battle. The sea battle is between humans and water-born aliens.
• A lonely engineer creates an AI robot. Due to some events, the AI robot becomes very angry and obsessed with destruction. The engineer must stop this robot from hurting any more people.
• Write a sci-fi story about a family of beings who have appeared on Earth in the past. They are called the Inhumans and are a race of aliens that have the ability to shape their own reality. They eventually become the leaders of this new world, also known as Earth. This family is part of a royal bloodline. There are three different branches of the Inhumans family.
• A boy gets caught up in a fight between two alien races. With the help of his uncle (an agent) and his guardian (a space pirate), he tries to track down the invaders, and end this fight.
• Write a story about a young woman from the future who travels into the past to take a stand against a monster.
• In an intergalactic space station, there lives a group of mercenaries called the Zurriors. When the station goes into a power outage, the Mercenaries start attacking each other, and have the misfortune to end up in a rather hostile environment. The action is very chaotic, and they will use the elements to their advantage.
• Write a sci-fi story about an android called Astro, that looks like a human with mechanical parts. Astro is a social robot created as part of a project on human communication. It is programmed to help people who need help with communication skills.
• To fulfil his childhood dream of creating a human-like robot, one scientist find himself trapped inside a robot’s body. Son the robot starts taking over the human body and destroying it.
• This is a sci-fi story about a man’s desperate quest to survive in a hostile and dark post-apocalyptic world. It’s told from a first-person perspective and the only characters we really see are a father and his young son. 
• Write a story based on the first man in space (Yuri Gagarin).
• A group of scientists want to prove that the afterlife does exist. Through experimentation and unethical practices, they discover the shocking truth.
• This is a sci-fi story about what happens when a robot breaks free from her programming and runs amok. A camera is placed inside a robots head. From the perspective of the robot, we see everything that causes the robot to change. 
• This is a sci-fi story about a family living in the 21st century, in a near-future universe in which we have been genetically engineered. In this future, humans don’t need food, nor do humans need jobs. In fact, the only thing human-kind needs is more humans. The main character is a young lady who is a clone of her mother.
• This is a sci-fi story about a man that has lived on the moon with his family for decades. After having their house attacked, the man and his family must leave.
• The main characters are two teenage boys. The first is an orphaned child who was taken from his parents by the Red Star Empire, the military dictatorship that took over the Earth in the 23rd century. He was sent to the planet of Zonama Sekot, a planet of warring factions of different species. It was there that he met the other boy, a teenager named Lask. The two of them became friends.
• A city is infected with an alien virus. The only way to escape the city’s deadly undead hordes is to get a ride into the countryside on a zombie-killing train.
• Write a sci-fi story about one of the world’s greatest scientists, who decides to stay in the dark about how his inventions will save mankind, even from aliens.
• An ambitious engineer is attempting to build the ultimate weapon to destroy an enemy called the Rave. The Rave is a species of mutated ravens. See our Species Name generator for more unique species names.
• This is a sci-fi story about a band of space pirates who come back together to stop a deadly, world-threatening virus.
• A young man awakes from an accident and thinks he has developed telepathy. In actual fact, a race of small creatures has invaded his brain, and have been living there for over 20 years. These creatures have their own memories and emotions which they project inside the young man’s mind.
• This is a sci-fi story about a race of sentient insects who are all genetically engineered. These insects eventually take over Earth, making humans their slaves in farms.
• A group of people leave planet Earth, to start their own civilisation on a new planet. They finally find a new planet where they can set their own rules. On the surface, this planet looks uninhabitable – Not suitable for humans. But then a secret switch shows the true beauty of this planet.
• A computer hacker is tired of all the emotions that he feels. He is in too much pain, so comes up with a plan to turn himself into a cyborg. With this plan, he can carry on living his life without sadness, depression or anger.
• For centuries humans have found no life on Mars. One scientist wants to prove everyone wrong. He wants to prove that Martians or aliens do exist. So he concocts a plan to create his own life in a laboratory, and then send this ‘life’ to Mars in a ship. He can then boast that aliens do exist.
• Two children are born after a nuclear war on Earth. They are raised in a world ravaged by the effects of nuclear technology. This is a coming of age, sci-fi story about living in a post-nuclear world.
• A group of friends are captured by aliens and put into hibernation. Years later a little alien girl wakes them up and helps them escape from an uninhabitable planet. 
• Write a sci-fi story about an astronaut who wakes up to find himself and his crew trapped in an alien world. 
• A small space exploration group travel to Mars for a mission to study the Red Planet. However, when they arrive, they find the place to be deserted. While exploring, they end up getting into a situation that is completely unique and exciting. The team are captured by aliens, who have given them one of their spaceship suits and have the humans inside. The astronauts have to survive and figure out how to get out of this situation.
• A young girl gets lost at sea and wakes up on a deserted planet. But she’s not the only one who wakes up on a deserted planet. She’s one of only a few survivors of a race of alien warriors who used to live there. The only way that she can return home is if she joins up with a team of scientists who are building a super-weapon that can protect people from the aliens and give them the power to fight back
• Write a story about a group of robots that get sent back to Earth from their universe and have to live with their descendants in a car factory.
• This is a sci-fi story about a team of highly skilled astronauts who were sent to the Moon on a mission to become a new kind of human. The mission was a failure because they were attacked by aliens on the Moon. They were never seen again and the aliens are now trying to steal the technology of the Earth’s space program.
• The main character’s spaceship is destroyed on a planet, so he needs to look for a new one. But just then a giant alien arrives, making his task much more difficult.
• On planet Kgnis, a warlord gets sucked in a conspiracy that humans are going to take over his planet. He fights backs but ultimately is unable to survive the war. 
• In a matter of minutes, a robot can change the world at its will. The main character is a mysterious figure named H.A.R.D.A.M. He is an extremely powerful and intelligent humanoid robot that can change the world as it will.
• An artificial intelligence program in the healthcare industry needs to learn how to do its job to the best of its abilities. But instead of developing a brain with the characteristics of a human being, it starts off by growing a brain with the characteristics of artificial intelligence. It uses its new brain to develop the basic building blocks of a new program.
• A group of human colonists set off on an exploration mission to the planet Earth. The planet is called Earth, and it is populated by other species who call it “Earth”. The main characters are an engineer and an astronaut. The engineer is called J-1, the astronaut is named J-2. They find a place called Earth to settle, but in the early stages of their missions, J-2 is infected with some kind of virus.
• Write a sci-fi story about a small-scale space station that suddenly becomes the grounds of a giant space battle with a thousand-year-old god.
• A young girl gets extremely ill, and her father wants to save her. The only way to save his sick daughter is by asking the aliens for help.
• A young boy discovers a mysterious device that can connect him to the minds of his deceased ancestors. This gives him a “remote viewing” experience of how his family passed away. He then uses this device to help solve the mystery of his sister’s death.
• The youngest of five brothers is keeping a secret. When he turns 18, he wants to go on a trip to a faraway planet to become a space pirate.
• This is a sci-fi story about a group of people who want to make the universe safer, and that means taking down a huge, powerful alien menace that’s on an existential mission to wipe out humanity.
• Write a story about a space exploration team that go out of their way to find extraterrestrial life on a distant planet. However, they discover that there is no life on the plane.
• A man who finds himself alone, as he attempts to build a civilization on a planet called Earth after the destruction of its previous inhabitants. He eventually finds out that there are some survivors living separately on two planes of the Earth. One plane is called the ‘Grassy’ world and the other is called the ‘Barren’, which is a mountainous region.
• In the distant future, a group of misfits tries to stop a rogue group from destroying Earth by using some mysterious objects from the past to their advantage.
• Two strangers keep crossing paths as they try to find their families during an alien attack.
• Write a sci-fi story about a father who’s trying to build a spaceship to save his daughter. While he’s not 100% certain he’ll succeed, he’s pretty sure his daughter has a chance to do better than he has.
• This is a sci-fi story about a robot named K1R5 that is searching for its rightful creator. He travels to many places, and meets many people, but will it ever find its creator?
• This is a sci-fi story about a spaceship pilot and his crew that must protect an alien child from a horrible fate when he is found by another strange, extraterrestrial creature.
• It’s the last few days of mankind, and then the galaxy will be split in two by an artificial wormhole. 
• A group of individuals discover a device that allows them to live in the future for a very short period of time, without going insane. What follows is a very interesting, and terrifying, journey into the future. 
• Write a story about an alien race that is trapped on Earth and can’t escape. The aliens want to be seen as human and so they begin to adopt human forms. After a while, the aliens grow tired of pretending to be humans…

For more inspiration, check out our guide on the dieselpunk genre , along with examples and story ideas.

Can you think of any more interesting sci-fi writing prompts? Let us know in the comments below!

Marty the wizard is the master of Imagine Forest. When he's not reading a ton of books or writing some of his own tales, he loves to be surrounded by the magical creatures that live in Imagine Forest. While living in his tree house he has devoted his time to helping children around the world with their writing skills and creativity.

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24 Space Writing Prompts and Story Ideas

Space is such a fascinating and mysterious place, right?

It’s the perfect setting for all sorts of adventures – exploring new planets, encountering strange stuff, and just wondering about the big questions out there in the universe .

If you’re a writer (or someone who just wants to try writing something fun ) here are some awesome story ideas to get those creative juices flowing.

Let’s go!

• Terraforming the Red Planet : A team of scientists and engineers have been working on an ambitious project of terraforming Mars . The team is preparing for the first launch, which involves a highly complex and volatile process to create a breathable atmosphere. Write a story that encapsulates the trepidation, excitement, and hard work that goes into making this unprecedented feat a reality, including the challenges and ethical considerations. Emphasize the dramatic transformation of Mars and how it affects the team and the whole of humanity.
• The Arrival of an Interstellar Object : Astronomers have detected an unusual object approaching our solar system, something they’ve never seen before. It isn’t a comet, nor an asteroid, but an intelligently designed alien artifact. The world’s governments and scientific communities are on high alert as the object gets closer to Earth . Explore the unfolding story as humanity grapples with the first real evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.
• Living in an O’Neill Cylinder : Imagine living in a massive space habitat, an O’Neill Cylinder, where you could look up and see your neighborhood curving overhead. Write about the day-to-day life of a character living in such a world, dealing with the social , cultural , and technological aspects of such a life. Focus on the unique aspects and challenges of living in an artificial , yet self-sustaining environment.
• Interstellar Travel Gone Wrong : A group of astronauts is on a mission to the nearest star system, Proxima Centauri, using a new form of propulsion technology . However, due to a malfunction, they are thrown off course into the uncharted depths of space. Write a survival story, detailing the crew’s efforts to survive, repair their ship, and attempt to return home .
• Revolution on a Space Colony : In a distant human space colony, a revolutionary group rises against an oppressive Earth-controlled government. The revolution, however, is more complex than the typical good vs. evil narrative , with every participant having deeply personal reasons to fight . Explore the intricate politics, ethical dilemmas, and personal stories in this revolution set in the vastness of space.
• The Last Astronaut : The world has moved to unmanned space explorations, making human astronauts a thing of the past . Our protagonist, the last human astronaut, is on his final mission before retirement. Write a poignant narrative, highlighting his reflections on his career, the evolution of space exploration, and his personal feelings about the end of an era.
• Living on a Spaceship Generation : In a desperate attempt to ensure the survival of humanity, a massive spaceship was sent out with thousands of people towards a potentially habitable exoplanet. But the journey is so long that it spans several generations. Follow the lives, societies, and cultures that develop on the ship, as well as the challenges and triumphs they experience in this closed system.
• The Search for Alien Life in the Outer Solar System : A team of astrobiologists embarks on a mission to Europa, Jupiter’s ice-covered moon , in the hopes of finding extraterrestrial life beneath its icy surface. The mission becomes a race against time when their limited resources begin to dwindle. Narrate the mission’s trials and tribulations and the thrilling possibility of discovering alien life.
• Cosmic Archaeology : In the near future , humanity has spread throughout the solar system. As we continue to explore, we start discovering remnants of extinct alien civilizations on distant moons and planets. Write about the archaeologists who study these ancient ruins, uncovering the mysteries and histories of these long-gone civilizations.
• First Contact Protocol : Earth has received its first message from an intelligent alien species. The message is indecipherable at first, and the entire planet anxiously awaits while linguists, scientists, and governments scramble to interpret it. Narrate the intricate process of deciphering this first contact, the conflicts that arise, and the impact of its eventual revelation.
• Dark Side of the Moon Base : On Earth’s moon, a secluded lunar base has been operational for years, conducting classified research. Suddenly, all communication with the base is lost, and a rescue team is dispatched to investigate. Write a suspense-filled story unveiling the chilling secrets hidden in the silent , dark side of the moon.
• The Singularity in Space : The singularity has occurred, and AI surpasses human intelligence. To ensure the survival of humanity in case the AI turns against them, a group of humans embarks on a mission to establish a colony in a distant star system. Write about their journey and struggles, contrasting the organic life in the spaceship with the AI-dominated life on Earth.
• Astronauts and the Psychological Impact of Space : The psychological impacts of space travel are as challenging as the physical ones. A team of astronauts on a long-duration mission to Mars start experiencing psychological strains that test their mission and personal relationships . Write a deep character-driven story exploring the mental toll of long-term space travel.
• Exoplanet Gold Rush : In the wake of faster-than-light travel technology, a newly discovered exoplanet rich in a rare, valuable element triggers a modern-day gold rush. Companies, governments, and individuals all vie to stake their claim on the planet. Write about the high-stakes competition, alliances, betrayals, and the unanticipated effects of this extraterrestrial gold rush.
• Interstellar Diplomacy : Humans have made first contact with several alien civilizations, leading to the formation of an interstellar alliance. But the alliance is fragile, with varying interests and cultures often clashing. Write about the diplomats navigating this complex web of interstellar diplomacy, striving to maintain peace and cooperation.
• Spaceship as a Living Organism : A breakthrough in biotechnology leads to spaceships being ‘grown’ rather than built, where the ship is essentially a living, self-sustaining organism. Explore the relationship between the crew and their living vessel, including the challenges and benefits of working with a ship that’s alive.
• The Solar System’s Sistine Chapel : A famous artist is commissioned to create the most significant art piece in human history – a massive mural on the outer surface of a space station, visible from Earth. Write about the artist’s journey to conceptualize and execute this monumental artwork while battling the physical and emotional challenges of space.
• A Spaceborne Disease : A previously unknown disease begins to spread among the inhabitants of a large, self-sustaining colony ship traveling towards a distant star. There are no doctors onboard capable of diagnosing or treating the disease. Narrate the desperate struggle for survival and the attempts to understand and combat the mysterious ailment.
• The Dark Matter Detective : Dark matter, an elusive substance that makes up a large portion of the universe, has finally been detected directly by a space station in the outer solar system. Soon after, strange anomalies begin to occur on the station. Write a detective story set in space where the detective has to solve the mystery related to these dark matter anomalies.
• The Quantum Astrophysicist : A quantum physicist is working on a controversial theory that could redefine our understanding of the universe. She believes that she can harness quantum entanglement for instantaneous interstellar communication, but faces opposition from the scientific community. Write about her struggle to prove her groundbreaking theory and its implications for space exploration.
• Survival on Titan : A team of explorers lands on Saturn’s moon Titan, only to have their spaceship irreparably damaged. Stranded in an alien world with a hostile environment, they must use their ingenuity to survive until help arrives. Write a gripping survival story highlighting the harsh realities and surprising beauty of life on Titan.
• The Neutrino Network : In a future where the solar system is colonized, communication is established via a complex network of neutrino transmitters, capable of transmitting data near-instantaneously across vast distances. Write a story focusing on the network’s operators, their struggles with maintaining the fragile system, and the implications of a system failure .
• The Cosmic Refugee Crisis : After a catastrophic event on Earth, humanity is forced to evacuate en masse to space habitats and off-world colonies. However, the crisis management is plagued with inequality, corruption, and desperation. Narrate the harrowing story of the displaced people, the politics of survival, and the fight for justice and equality in this time of crisis.
• The Space Time Capsule : As a last-ditch effort to preserve human culture before a predicted apocalypse , a spacecraft is sent towards the stars carrying a time capsule of human civilization. Write about the process of deciding what to include in the capsule, the launching of the mission, and its implications for humanity’s self-understanding and legacy .

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Writing Prompts about Space: Explore Cosmic Creativity

My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

1. Igniting Imagination: Embark⁢ on ​a Celestial Journey through Writing ⁢Prompts

2. outer space‍ wonders: unleash your creativity with stellar writing prompts, 3.‌ exploring the unknown: write captivating stories about ⁢the mysteries of space, unleash your imagination:, conquer new worlds:, 5. cosmic connections: discover the interplay between space and humanity in your writing, 1. research ⁤and immerse⁣ yourself:, 2. ‌tap into human emotions:, 7.‌ futuristic speculations: speculate on the technological innovations and challenges of space travel, 8. celestial poetry: ‍craft astral verses that illuminate the spiritual and ethereal nature of⁤ the⁣ cosmos, frequently asked questions, in retrospect.

If you’ve ever gazed into the night sky and felt the urge to ‍explore the mysteries ‌of the universe, then these ‍writing prompts about space are perfect for ⁢you! From distant galaxies to the wonders of our own solar system, let your imagination take flight ⁣as you embark on a cosmic journey of creativity!

1. Life on Mars: Imagine being part of the ‍first human colony on the red planet. Describe the ‍challenges, the sense ‌of ​adventure, ‍and the scientific ‌discoveries that await​ the pioneers ⁤who‍ call‍ this alien world home.

2. Alien⁣ Encounter: You stumble ‍upon an alien ​species ‌unlike anything ever documented by science. Describe its appearance, behavior, ⁣and communicate a story​ that unfolds as you establish contact with this enigmatic civilization.

3. The Time Traveler: Develop a ⁢story where a ⁣time traveler journeys millions of ‌years into the future to witness Earth’s final moments. How do they experience the cataclysmic ending and what lessons can humanity learn ​from this glimpse ⁣of cosmic destiny?

4. Asteroid Mining: Earth’s resources are dwindling, and humanity’s hope lies in the asteroid belt. Present a scenario where miners face the dangers of space to extract valuable minerals. Explore the ethical implications and unforeseen ​consequences ⁤of such a pursuit.

⁣ Are you ready to‌ unlock the powers of your imagination and venture into unexplored galaxies of creativity? ‌Look no further! Our celestial collection of writing prompts will ‍set your creativity ablaze and ​launch you on an ⁢extraordinary journey of self-expression. Whether⁢ you’re an experienced writer or just starting​ your literary‍ expedition, these prompts will ignite a spark within⁣ you like never before.

With ⁢our carefully curated selection of writing prompts, the possibilities ‌are ⁢limitless. ⁤Discover distant planets, mythical creatures, or parallel universes, all within the bounds of ⁢your ⁢own mind. Unleash the cosmic forces of⁣ storytelling as you craft⁣ captivating ⁢narratives or ‍delve into poetic musings inspired by the celestial wonders of the universe. Each prompt is designed to push your creativity to new horizons, encouraging you to explore unchartered territories of your imagination. ⁣

Embark on‌ this celestial journey through our⁣ writing prompts and:

• Challenge your mind to think beyond conventional boundaries.
• Develop unique characters‍ and plotlines that‌ transcend earthly limitations.
• Engage all your senses as you bring otherworldly settings to life.
• Explore themes ‌of love, loss,⁢ and the ‌pursuit of knowledge on a cosmic scale.

Don’t let your imagination be confined to the ⁢mundane.​ Let our⁣ writing prompts⁢ be your launching pad to new realms of creativity. Get ‍started today and see where⁣ the celestial wonders of your mind will take you!

Prepare for an ‍intergalactic adventure that will ignite your imagination! Our collection⁤ of stellar‌ writing ‍prompts will transport you to the ⁣far reaches‌ of outer⁢ space, where infinite possibilities converge. Explore⁣ the mysteries of distant galaxies, encounter ⁤alien civilizations, and embark on⁢ thrilling space missions, all through the ⁣power of your pen. Whether you’re an aspiring science fiction writer or simply yearning for an extraterrestrial creative outlet, these ⁣prompts will fuel your cosmic inspiration.

From captivating character explorations to mind-bending plot twists,‍ our prompts ⁢cover a range of ‍cosmic themes. Delve into the realm ⁢of futuristic technology and envision groundbreaking inventions that redefine the boundaries of human understanding.⁢ Imagine encounters with extraterrestrial lifeforms, each with their own quirks ​and customs, sparking a sense of⁤ wonder and offering fresh perspectives. Venture into the⁤ uncharted territories of space⁢ exploration, crafting narratives that combine scientific accuracy with thrilling plotlines. With these stellar writing⁣ prompts, the universe is your canvas and the possibilities are as vast as the cosmos itself.

Get ‍ready to ​unlock your creativity and venture into the great unknown. Let your‌ ideas ⁣take flight ‌and⁢ immerse yourself in a world where the stars are your guides. Whether ‍you prefer short ⁣stories,‍ novels, or even poetry, ⁣these prompts will launch your imagination‍ to new heights. Embrace the wonders of outer space and⁣ let your⁢ creativity soar ⁣among the stars. The universe awaits your words!

• Uncover the secrets of a long-lost ⁢space station buried deep within an⁢ asteroid field.
• Describe a day in the ⁤life of an astronaut stationed on a space colony in orbit around a distant planet.
• Write a dialogue between ‌a ‍human and ⁢an advanced alien AI, ⁢exploring the challenges of inter-species communication.
• Imagine a future where teleportation is a reality and craft a story around its ⁢societal impacts.
• Create a poem‌ that captures the ethereal beauty of a nebula in breathtaking detail.

⁣ The vastness of space has always​ fascinated curious minds, and⁢ writing captivating stories about its mysteries⁣ allows our imaginations to ⁢soar ⁣beyond our ‍earthly confines. Whether you’re⁢ an aspiring science-fiction writer or simply someone who loves to explore ⁢the unknown, delving into the ⁤depths of ​space can offer an endless source of inspiration ⁤for⁢ your storytelling. ⁣Let’s uncover some tips and ideas to help ⁢you‍ craft spellbinding tales that transport readers to​ uncharted galaxies and mind-boggling concepts. ‍

1. Research is key: ‌Begin by immersing yourself in ⁤the wealth of scientific knowledge available about space. Explore the latest scientific ⁣discoveries, theories, ⁣and concepts related to stars, planets, ⁤galaxies,‌ and⁣ more. Expand your understanding of ‍space-time, wormholes,‌ or⁣ even the possibility of extraterrestrial life.‍ Incorporating real scientific insights into your stories will add depth and authenticity that ⁤captivates your readers. ⁤ 2. Set the stage: Creating a vivid and immersive world is crucial in any storytelling endeavor. When⁤ describing space, focus on the awe and grandeur. Paint a picture ‌of ⁢sparkling galaxies, swirling‍ nebulas, and ⁤dazzling celestial phenomena. Be sure to emphasize the vastness ⁤of​ space, ⁣the silence that pervades, and the contrast between​ the cold vacuum and the breathtaking beauty. Transport‌ your readers to a ⁤place where the⁣ laws of physics sometimes bend, ⁢and the possibilities are limitless.

4. ⁤Cosmic Adventures: Create Extraterrestrial Characters and Conquer‍ New ​Worlds

Embark⁣ on an unforgettable journey⁣ into the vast unknown, where your imagination is the only limit! In this⁣ thrilling module, Cosmic‌ Adventures, you will explore ​the depths of space, delve into uncharted ​galaxies, ⁤and take on the role of ‍a master creator. Unleash your creativity ⁣as you ‍design unique‍ extraterrestrial characters and discover fascinating new worlds to conquer.

Step⁣ into the​ role ⁣of an interstellar explorer, equipped with a ‍powerful array of tools and a boundless universe at your fingertips. Our intuitive character ⁤creation feature allows you to bring​ your otherworldly vision to life with ease. From awe-inspiring alien physiques to bizarre, yet intriguing, facial features, your possibilities are endless. Use our advanced customization options to⁤ modify physical ⁣attributes, including appendages, eyes, and⁤ skin textures. Once satisfied with your‌ creation, equip your character with remarkable abilities and distinctive personalities, ensuring an immersive and ⁤compelling experience.

• Design extraterrestrial ‍characters with unique appearances and⁢ abilities.
• Create captivating ‍backstories for your characters, exploring⁢ their‍ origins ‍and motivations.
• Discover unexplored‍ galaxies, each with their own peculiarities and challenges.
• Embark on thrilling quests and⁤ missions across distant ‍planets and‌ star systems.
• Form alliances with extraterrestrial civilizations or engage⁤ in fierce battles as you establish dominance.
• Build a ⁤thriving intergalactic empire, shaping the fate of entire‌ solar systems.

Exploring the vastness of ⁢space has ⁤always captivated the human imagination, and its influence on our understanding of ourselves and the world around us⁣ is undeniable. In this section, we delve into the fascinating interplay between space and humanity and how it can enhance⁤ your writing. Here, ⁢you will discover how to infuse your stories with cosmic connections that spark curiosity,​ inspire awe, and challenge the limits of our existence.

Unleash your creativity as you embark on a cosmic journey through your writing. Dive into⁤ the mysteries of⁣ the universe and ‌let⁢ them shape your narratives. Explore the following ways to masterfully incorporate the interstellar realm ⁣into your⁤ stories:

• Interstellar Travel: Transport your readers on a mesmerizing voyage through the cosmos, where they can visit distant planets, encounter alien species, and witness breathtaking celestial⁣ phenomena. Immerse them in the wonders of space⁣ travel and make them feel like they are right there, witnessing the extraordinary.
• Cosmic⁣ Themes: ‍ Delve into profound cosmic themes such as the nature‍ of time, the existence of parallel universes, or the ‍philosophical implications of our place in the universe. ​Use these themes as a backdrop to ‌explore‌ human emotions, relationships, and the deeper questions that shape our lives.
• Astronomical Imagery: Paint vivid pictures in your readers’ minds by describing awe-inspiring cosmic⁤ landscapes, stunning astronomical events, ⁤and the⁣ ethereal beauty of celestial bodies. Use rich metaphors and‌ descriptive language to make the heavens​ come alive, capturing the imagination and invoking a‌ sense of wonder.

6.​ Infinite⁢ Inspiration: Harness the Beauty and Grandeur of‌ Space in Your Prose

Let the vast expanse ‌of⁢ space ⁣ignite your ⁤creativity ​and transport ‍your writing to ⁣new dimensions. Exploring the beauty​ and ⁣grandeur of space in your ‌prose can add a touch​ of awe and wonder to your​ storytelling.‍ Whether you’re crafting a science fiction epic or simply aiming to infuse your work with a cosmic flair, here are some ‌tips to help​ you harness the infinite inspiration⁢ that space has to offer.

Embark on⁢ an exploration of​ our universe through books, documentaries, and online resources. Dive⁢ deep into the mysteries of galaxies, planets, and celestial‍ bodies. Familiarize yourself⁤ with the latest discoveries and scientific theories. This knowledge will provide a solid⁣ foundation for creating realistic⁤ and captivating space-related narratives.

While ‌space is vast ⁣and seemingly remote, it can evoke‍ powerful emotions in humans. Use this emotional connection to your advantage. Consider how​ the infinite nature⁢ of space can bring ⁢about feelings of insignificance, awe,⁣ and curiosity. Incorporate these emotions into your characters and their⁣ experiences, capturing ⁢the ⁢essence of humanity against the‌ backdrop⁢ of the cosmos.

Futuristic Speculations: Brace yourself for a thrilling ⁢ride as we ⁤delve into ​the ‍realm of space travel and peer ⁤into the ​future ⁤of ​technological‍ innovations and potential challenges that lie ahead.

1. Novel Propulsion Systems: ​

• Ion Propulsion: Harnessing the power of ionized particles, this technology promises to revolutionize space travel by propelling spacecraft at unprecedented speeds, reducing‌ travel time between celestial‌ bodies significantly.
• Warp Drive:⁤ Inspired by science fiction, this ‌hypothetical concept ⁣could enable‍ faster-than-light travel. Although still in the realm of theory, scientists continue to ⁣explore the possibilities ⁢of bending the ‌fabric of space-time.
• Solar Sails: Utilizing⁣ sunlight as a propulsion ​source, these spacecraft could navigate through space by capturing the momentum of photons, paving the ⁤way‌ for sustainable and long-distance journeys.

2. Advanced Space Habitats:

• Microgravity Farms: ​By developing innovative farming techniques, future astronauts could cultivate nutritious food in​ space​ habitats to sustain prolonged missions, reducing reliance on ⁣resupplies from ⁣Earth.
• Artificial Gravity: Overcoming the detrimental⁢ effects of prolonged weightlessness, engineers may design rotating ⁤spacecraft ⁣or habitats that simulate gravity, providing a familiar environment for space travelers and mitigating health risks.
• Nanotechnology: The integration⁤ of nanobots within spacecraft could revolutionize repairs and maintenance, creating self-repairing systems​ capable​ of detecting⁢ and fixing ‌mechanical failures without⁤ human intervention.

3. Emerging Challenges: ​

• Radiation Protection: As humans venture farther⁣ into space, shielding against cosmic radiation becomes increasingly crucial. Developing advanced materials and shielding technologies ⁣will be imperative to⁢ ensure the safety and ​well-being of astronauts on⁤ extended space missions.
• Interstellar Communication: Communicating across vast distances ‌in space poses unique challenges. ⁢Scientists are working on advanced communication systems, including the utilization of quantum entanglement, to enable real-time communication with Earth from⁣ interstellar destinations.
• Space Debris Management: As space⁢ travel becomes more prevalent, ‍managing the growing number of defunct satellites and​ debris orbiting Earth will be essential to prevent ‍collisions and protect future space missions.

Excitingly, these speculations reflect the potential future of space travel, a continuous journey ​towards unlocking the secrets of the universe.

Step into the realm of celestial poetry, where words transcend the boundaries of our⁣ earthly existence‍ and ‌soar ⁢into the infinite expanse of the cosmos. ​Embark on⁣ a poetic journey that explores the profound connection between the human spirit and the ⁣vast wonders of the universe. ⁢Through the artful arrangement of carefully chosen words, you can⁣ weave a⁣ tapestry of stardust and emotions, capturing the ethereal essence of the celestial realm.

Unleash the creative energy within you to compose verses that transport ⁢readers to celestial landscapes, where galaxies swirl and nebulae dance. Immerse ⁣yourself in the cosmic symphony, using poetic metaphors to represent the awe-inspiring beauty⁢ and grandeur of the stars, planets, and constellations. ‍Every line can be a thread connecting the earthly and spiritual planes, ⁢inviting ⁤readers to contemplate the mysteries of existence and find solace in the cosmic embrace.

• Transcendental Imagery: Envelop your verses ​in⁢ vivid imagery to paint a sublime picture of ⁢the ⁣celestial realm. Draw inspiration from the interplay​ of light and ‌darkness, the ever-changing hues of celestial bodies,‌ and the mesmerizing patterns that adorn the night ​sky.
• Muse of the Cosmos: ⁢ Seek inspiration from the ⁢wonders of the universe that stir your ‌soul. Whether⁤ it be ‌the majestic dance ​of the planets,​ the graceful‌ arcs of shooting stars, ⁤or the quiet serenade ⁣of distant supernovas, let the cosmos ​ignite the spark​ of your creativity.
• Embrace the Unknown: Dwell‍ upon the‌ enigmatic nature of the cosmos, infusing your verses ⁣with the tantalizing mysteries ⁣that‌ lie beyond our human‍ comprehension. Embrace the ineffable aspects of the universe to⁤ evoke a sense of⁢ wonder and curiosity in your readers.
• Transcendental Love: ⁤ Explore the⁤ notion of love ‍in the celestial⁣ realm, where cosmic entities entwine in a celestial dance of attraction and longing. ‍Paint the ethereal hues ‌of love across your verses, capturing ‌the ineffable⁣ connections that resonate throughout ‍the universe.

Words have ‌the power to bridge ‍the expanse between‍ the terrestrial and the celestial, allowing us to glimpse the spiritual nature of the cosmos. So,⁤ take ⁤up your celestial quill and embark on a poetic ‍odyssey that will transport ‌both you and your readers to the boundless‌ reaches of the universe, where beauty,⁤ awe, and enlightenment​ await.

Q: What are writing prompts about⁣ space? A: Writing prompts about space are stimulating questions or statements designed ⁤to inspire creative writing ​focused on the vast ⁢universe beyond Earth. They provide a⁢ launching point for writers ​to explore cosmic themes and​ imagine ⁣limitless possibilities.

Q: Why‌ are⁣ writing⁤ prompts‍ about⁢ space useful? A: These prompts⁤ help writers​ develop their imagination, storytelling ⁢skills, and⁢ knowledge about space. They encourage creativity by challenging writers ‍to think beyond conventional boundaries, offering​ them a⁣ universe of ideas to explore.

Q: What kind of writing prompts can one expect about space? A: Writing prompts about space can vary widely. Some may ⁤ask you to envision life on ⁤other planets‌ or describe an interstellar journey. Others may call for⁤ the creation of⁢ new extraterrestrial species or explore the emotional impact of space exploration. The possibilities are‌ endless!

Q: Do I need to be a space expert to write using these prompts? A: ​Not at all! Writing prompts ‍about space are designed to unleash​ your imagination rather than test your scientific knowledge. While having a basic ​understanding of space can help, these prompts ⁣are meant for anyone interested⁤ in exploring the cosmic unknown.

Q: Can these prompts be used for different ‍forms of writing? A:⁤ Absolutely! ⁤Writing prompts about space can be used for various forms of writing, including short stories, poems, novels, ‍or even screenplays. They provide a versatile framework that allows writers to adapt their‌ creativity to different formats and genres.

Q: How can writing about space benefit my writing skills? A: Writing about space can enhance your descriptive abilities, character development, and world-building‍ skills. By exploring the vastness of the universe, you learn to vividly depict‍ unfamiliar environments, create unique characters , and build ​complex storylines.

Q: Are there any resources available to help with writing prompts about space? A: Yes, numerous books, websites, and forums offer writing prompts about space. These resources range from ‌simple exercises to comprehensive ⁣collections of prompts specifically tailored to ⁢spark cosmic creativity. Exploring these sources​ can provide inspiration‌ and guidance for your writing journey.

Q: Can I share my writing based on these ⁢prompts with others? A: Absolutely!‍ Sharing your⁢ work with others, whether in person‍ or through online platforms, can provide valuable ⁤feedback ‍and foster a supportive writing ⁢community. Don’t hesitate to seek out opportunities to share and receive‌ constructive criticism on your space-inspired creations.

Q: Can⁢ writing prompts⁤ about space be used in educational settings? A: Yes, these prompts can be a fantastic addition to any classroom. Teachers can use them to inspire students’ ⁢creativity, encourage research on space-related topics, and integrate science​ fiction ​elements into writing assignments. They offer an ⁢engaging ‍and educational way to explore both⁢ scientific‌ and imaginative concepts.

Q: Are⁤ writing prompts about⁢ space suitable for all age groups? A: Absolutely! Writing prompts about space can be adapted to ‍different age groups, making them accessible and enjoyable for‍ children, teenagers, and adults alike. They provide an opportunity for individuals of all ages to unleash their‌ creativity and foster a passion for writing and space exploration.

In conclusion,​ writing prompts about space open up a ⁤universe⁤ of possibilities for cosmic creativity. So, let your imagination‌ soar and explore⁤ the‌ wonders of the cosmos⁢ through your words. Happy writing!

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11 fun space writing prompts

Space writing prompts.

A collection of space writing prompts to help your students get creative with their writing. Sometimes English learners can get a mental block when it comes to creative writing, these worksheets provide both sentence and visual ideas to help get over the problem and start writing.

The printable PDF writing sheets each have a short prompt on them which you can use and add to with more of the suggested ideas for each page. Alternatively, you can just ignore the writing prompts and provide your own or let your students come up with ideas from the pictures.

Space writing prompt 1

The first printable writing sheet above has the prompt – Your spaceship is about to fly into a wormhole. What will happen? What is on the other side? When and when will you come out?

You add ideas to this such as – What is travel through the wormhole like? Describe the experience. How long does the travel take? What is dangerous about the wormhole? Where do the wormholes appear?

Space writing prompts 2

The prompt on sheet 2 is – A strange UFO lands in your backyard and you go out to investigate it. What happens next?

Other ideas might be – Who or what is on the UFO? Describe them. Why did the UFO land in your yard? What is the UFO made of and where is it from? How does it fly?

Space writing 3

The prompt on sheet 3 is – You are an explorer on a new planet. What will you find? What is the planet like? What lives there? What are the weather and geography of the planet?

You can add – Why are you exploring the planet? What equipment do you have? Who is with you? How did you get there?How is the planet different from earth?

You could even use a completely different writing prompt such as – You are exploring a distant planet and you walk into a cave when suddenly………

Space writing 4

The fourth sheet of the space writing prompts has –

You are a scientist living on a space station. People on the space station are disappearing, what is happening to them? Where are they going?

You can add – How many people have disappeared? Where and when do they usually go missing? Where is the space station? What is being researched on the space station? Who is in charge and what is being done to find answers about the disappearances?

Planet writing

This printable is a little different in that students must first draw and color their planet.

Once they have completed their drawing there are some simple prompts to describe what their planet is like.

You could add things like – number of moons, oceans and water, things underground, planet size, atmosphere and gravity, and places of interest or landmarks.

Space writing prompts page 5

Sheet 5 has the prompt – On a planet far away there is a civilization of cat people. What are these people like and how do they live?

Other ideas include – How do the cat people communicate? What do they eat? What do they make and do? What are their houses like? Are they friendly? What technology do they have? What other life lives on their planet?

Space writing 6

The writing prompts on sheet 6 are –

Your spaceship lands on a planet that has strange robot creatures. What happens next? Are the robots friendly? Can you communicate with them?

You can get your students to go into detail about the robots, where they came from and what their planet is like.

Another completely different prompt might be – You are a robot in a strange world, where did you come from and what are you meant to do?

Space writing 7

Printable writing sheet 7 has the prompts of  –

You are taken on to an alien spacecraft. What is the spacecraft like? What do the aliens want from you? Where are they from?

A different prompt you could use for this picture could be –

You are an alien from a distant world who has travelled to the Earth to study humans. How will you study them and what do you think of the human race?

Space writing prompts 8

The prompts on sheet 8 are –

Your spaceship has problems and is about to crash into a planet. What will happen next and how will you survive?

Further ideas can be – What is wrong with your spaceship? What is the spaceship’s name and who is the captain? Who is onboard? What planet are you about to crash into? What happens when you reach the planet’s surface?

Space writing 9

This sci fi writing worksheet is about an alien invasion. The prompt is –

You are the leader of a planet in space that is being attacked by aliens. How will you defeat them and save your planet.

In this activity students can go into detail about the aliens – what they look like, where they are from, and what technology they possess.

Space writing 10

On worksheet 10 the writing prompt is –

You are the captain of a voyage to Mars that will set up a new colony. Describe what happens and what goes wrong.

Here students can write about the journey, landing on Mars, and setting up the new human colony.

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17 Space Writing Prompts

Today I’ve written a range of prompts around the topic of space, which I’m sure will help get the creative writing flowing.

A popular subject for students of most ages, imagining (and trying to comprehend) what goes on in the vastness of space can be a powerful trigger for the imagination.

So let’s dig in to how it can help, and get started using prompts about space to inspire fantastic writing.

Why write about space?

Ever since I was a child I’ve had a fascination with space.

I can’t pinpoint exactly when it started – or what might have initially caused the interest from a young age.

My best guess is that I was a very curious child, and looking up at the night sky was just interesting to me – I wanted to understand what I was looking up at.

This progressed to reading science fiction extensively from an early age, and I’ve never looked back – space, our solar system, and our place in the Universe have always captured my imagination.

I strongly believe this was a major factor in my developing a love of the written word, and helped foster my creative thinking.

And it’s for these reasons that I’m a big believer in using subjects such as space travel, or far flung planets, as a creative spark to encourage creative and thoughtful writing.

How to use prompts to inspire students:

Honestly you can use these effectively in so many ways.

Here are some ideas:

• Give a selection of prompts to your class and let them run with the one that captures their attention.
• Select a specific prompt and provide this one alone to the entire class. Let them go away to write individually, and you’ll be amazed at how many different stories emerge.
• Divide your class into small groups and give each group one unique prompt each. Have them brainstorm their ideas for who will feature in the story, what the beginning, middle, and end should include – and so on. They can then write the story as a group, and bring it back to the class to share.
• Have your class decide on a number between 1 and 17 without showing them this list, and then tell them the prompt that they’ve “chosen”. A fun variation on assignment, where the kids can feel engaged from the very beginning.

The Writing Prompts:

• She looked down at Earth from the space station window…
• The rocket launch counted down, 3, 2, 1…
• Their space ship had been travelling for 8 months, they were almost at Mars…
• He was searching for strange signals from space, and then he heard it…
• She woke with a start. She’d been living on the moon-base for two years now…
• Their rocket was moving faster than anything on Earth, but would still take years to reach Jupiter…
• The robotic ship landed on the asteroid, and began mining…
• He considered himself a Martian now, having lived on Mars for more than 10 years…
• Through the shielded dark windows of the ship they could see nothing but the Sun getting closer…
• As he sat at his campfire out in the woods at night, the bright flash of a meteor suddenly lit up the valley as if it were daylight…
• They had damaged their planet too much, and had to look for a new home…
• Looking up at the silent night sky, he saw something that he could not explain…
• She was floating weightless in space, and had to try her experiment…
• The plants they were growing in their space station were behaving strangely…
• He looked back at Earth as it got smaller and smaller, a tiny blue dot…
• She was proud of her mother getting chosen to go to space, but was nervous watching the rocket launch…
• She’d finally made it, she was the first YouTuber to go into space…

How have you used these writing prompts?

We’re always so thrilled to hear from you all about how you’ve been able to use our resources with your students.

There is honestly nothing more motivating for us to create original teaching resources for you than hearing your stories of difficult students being able to express themselves through writing a story they are proud of, or a class becoming excited about writing class for the first time.

We really hope that you find todays space prompts can help inspire some creative writing and enthusiasm from your students.

We have more writing prompts and other teaching resources coming out all the time, so don’t forget to bookmark and Pin – we’d love to have you back to share in what we’re publishing for you to use next!

It would mean the world to us if you could share this with others who you think would find our website useful, thank you so much.

Thanks, – Matt& Hayley

How to Design Spaceships in Sci-Fi: A Complete Guide for Authors

Is there anything more iconic in the sci-fi genre than spaceships? The USCSS Nostromo, the Heighliner, the Millenium Falcon, Serenity, the Hermes… I’m sure at least one of those famous spacecraft evoked some fond memories in your head, and I could go on for ages listing off even more.

The thing about these spaceships is that they become more than just another detail in your story. They can be a setting, a crucial tool for your plot and fictional crew, and even somewhat of a character themselves (especially if they have some built-in artificial intelligence ).

And if you want the spaceship in your novel to be a reader’s new favorite, you’ve come to the right place. Heck, even if you’re just looking for a guide to writing a good spaceship, I’ve got your back.

In this (inter)stellar guide, we’ll be discussing:

• The fundamentals of spaceship design
• Integrating futuristic technology
• Developing aesthetics and iconic features
• Mapping out the interior of spaceships
• Designing alien technology
• Balancing realism and your imagination

This is going to be a fun one. So do a final systems check, punch in the coordinates for Gliese 667 (or whichever star system you want to visit), and prepare for liftoff.

Foundations of Spaceship Design in Science Fiction

Before we can think about navigating wormholes and equipping our crafts with planet-destroying cannons, we need to understand the basics of spaceships. Assuming the vast majority of people reading this article (myself included) aren’t NASA engineers or astronauts, this can be a daunting task.

As science fiction authors, there are a few things we need to accept:

• A good amount of our readers gravitate towards this genre because of its scientific accuracy or plausibility;
• We need to do more research than most other writers, especially compared to other literary fiction authors;
• Even with those two things, someone, somewhere, will find a scientific flaw in something you write;
• And that’s okay

That last item on the list might be the most difficult to accept, but it’s also the most important. We’ll touch more on balancing realism later in this article, but remember that half of science fiction is fiction; while we dissect the basics of spaceship design, don’t feel like you need a Master’s degree before you start brainstorming.

Spaceship Must-Haves

The spacecraft you dream up and write about will be your own, as unique as the science fiction novel you’re writing. That said, there are some elements that every star-sailing vessel needs to have.

Function: What Your Spaceship is For

Before you even think about lascannons, jump drives, or the food your crew will be chowing down on in the final frontier, you need to figure out what your spaceship is used for.

There’s a ship for basically anything. Some functions might overlap, while some out-of-this-world designs only serve one purpose. But what your ship does dictates how it looks, what it’s made of, what tools and weapons it would have, and more.

I can’t tell you what your spaceships will be used for; that’s for you and your imagination to figure out. But here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Dogfighters
• Near-space travel (to moons or nearby planets)
• Long-distance travel (to other solar systems or galaxies)
• Cargo transport
• Spaceship carrier
• Mining or salvaging
• Exploration
• Colonization
• Interdimensional travel

Ships designed for near-space travel won’t need the fuel capacity, cryosleep pods , or resources of a long-distance craft. A mining or salvaging ship doesn’t need the weaponry of dogfighters but will need more than a vessel transporting goods from Jupiter to Io. A crew jumping through dimensions will want a much more durable hull than most other spaceships.

Figure out the purpose of your ship before spending time on all the other details.

Form: What Your Ship Looks Like

First, you want to think about the shape of your spacecraft. With our technology, our current space shuttles are very aerodynamic in their design, because they have to fight against the drag created by our planet’s atmosphere as they attempt to leave orbit.

This sort of design is mirrored in X-wings in Star Wars, some of the most iconic ships in pop culture.

But what if your spaceship was built on a space station or a lunar colony? What if there is no atmosphere to create drag in the first place? That opens up a lot more ideas for the form of your spacecraft. 

Think about both the function of the ship and the stressors it’s going to experience. That will help you figure out what shape it’s going to take on.

Materials: Consider the Structural Integrity

Speaking of stressors, your ship is going to face a lot of them. We’re talking different atmospheric pressures, varying gravitational forces , solar storms, space debris, and potentially combat.

Material extends beyond the metal shell keeping everything inside your ship, too. What are the interior components made of? Who is needed for repairs? Is the spaceship modular?

You also need to figure out if the materials you use are real or part of your sci-fi worldbuilding . Either way, I suggest looking into current spaceship construction and architecture then draw a line from where we are to where your current setting could be.

Propulsion: How Your Ship Moves

When you consider what actually makes your ship move, you start to venture from what we currently know to what could be possible in the future or in your fictional world.

I’m not going to pretend to understand the complete science of it (and I’m not one to just rip off Wikipedia and pretend to be smarter than I am), but technology like ion thrusters are grounded in modern science and thus more realistic.

However, more fictional and futuristic science is brought into the fold when you introduce warp drives or hyperspace engines.

While the propulsion systems of your ships will be largely determined by the ship’s function and the technology your builders have access to, this feature will affect the overall design of a spaceship, including size, shape, and layout.

Survival: Considerations for Life Support and Habitability

The last must-have for your ship is how it keeps its occupants alive.

Space isn’t life-friendly, at least not for any sort of life we know about. Oxygen is pretty important. Our bodies are fine-tuned to a particular atmospheric pressure. It’s freakin’ cold out there, too.

The life support system of your ship ties back to its function. A dogfighter doesn’t need to provide multi-day habitability if it is only meant for combat that lasts a few hours. On the other hand, though, colonization and exploration vessels need to sustain life for months, years, or even decades. 

Life support can include air recycling, water purification, waste management, living quarters, agriculture, artificial gravity, birth and funeral capacities, medical bays, and more.

Does this mean you need to know or write about every single aspect of your ship’s life maintenance systems? No. Most readers don’t care about interstellar waste management .

But at least understand the basics of how your spaceship keeps its crew alive. Then dig as deep as you want.

Coming Up With Your Own Technologies

Let’s be real: one of the best parts of writing spaceships in your science fiction story is coming up with your own tech. Yes, grounding your ship in real or plausible technology is important, but imagining the gadgets and scientific breakthroughs in your unique world is a lot of fun and can lead to incredible, memorable books.

There’s no limit to what you can come up with, so this section won’t cover every possible imaginary technology. I mean, you could create a craft that melds its pilot into it with some technorganic interface. Or it’s controlled by psionic powers. Or it’s just Joe from down the street blasting off into the great unknown with retro-style control panels.

Truly let your imagination run wild, then make sure everything makes sense (or as much sense as it needs to). Here are some techs to get you started, though, and some principles to consider.

Energy Sources

Call me a nerd (I wear it as a badge of honor), but energy sources are one of my personal favorite parts of sci-fi. Maybe it’s because we ourselves are on the cusp of an energy revolution . Maybe it’s because the root of all technology and possible advancements are contingent on energy sources.

Whatever the reason, I want you to be as excited about fictional or futuristic energy sources as I am. Or at least a little bit excited about it.

Here are some ideas for you to consider:

Fusion power - A theoretical step above our own capacity of fission, fusion energy is often depicted as cleaner and more suitable for long-distance travel. This is mimicking the energy creation process of stars themselves, so you might consider radiation shielding, heat dispersion, and magnetic containment fields in your designs.

Antimatter reactors - Take a page from the USS Enterprise’s playbook and fuel your ship with an antimatter reactor. If your society has the science and budget to use the stuff that makes the space between everything we can see to propel vehicles forward, it can lend a solid case for warp drives and the like. Consider how dangerous these reactors can be and what sort of space or design they need to take up in your ships.

Zero-point energy - I’m going to be honest, zero-point energy is a bit above my head. It’s harnessing the power of the vacuum of space itself, and some folks theorized that there is enough zero-point energy in the vacuum of a single light bulb to, if handled properly, boil the world’s oceans. This can drastically reduce the size and increase the efficiency of your spaceships, but you won’t catch me on a spaceship toting around that much energy unless scientists have done a few more studies.

Energy Sources and Worldbuilding

One thing to consider, regardless of the energy source you go with, is how that energy affects your worldbuilding.

I can guarantee you that a society harnessing zero-point energy isn’t just using it for space travel. They can be powering supercomputers and hive cities with it. It could be monopolized by some dystopian megacorp.

Think about the ways your energy sources affect your broader world, especially when it comes to ethical considerations and conflict.

Navigation Systems

Fantasy readers (myself and my better half included) love their maps. It only makes sense, then, that sci-fi readers love their navigation systems. Unfortunately, we can’t slap these nav systems onto a page at the front of our sci-fi novel.

But what we lack in visual representation we make up for in possibilities. Here are some nav system ideas to consider.

AI-driven systems - There will come a time when our need for scientific calculations and analysis will outweigh human capacity. When you’re hurtling through the abyss of space, you need real-time data processing and decision-making in navigation. Explore how AI systems can handle complex tasks like plotting courses through asteroid fields, navigating nebulae, or calculating FTL ( faster than light ) jumps. Also consider how an AI-driven ship affects your crew.

Multi-dimensional mapping - If you want to get really trippy, think about mapping beyond our own knowledge of three dimensions. This could take time into account or track elements like gravitational anomalies and antimatter. How can you translate this information into something we can understand?

FTL navigation - Faster than light travel is common in a lot of sci-fi, but that doesn’t mean you should take it for granted. Think about the challenges of FTL navigation, like avoiding collisions, navigating in hyperspace, or dealing with relativistic time effects. You can use this navigation to complicate your narrative with FTL mishaps, if you want to be a mean author, too.

Navigation Systems and Worldbuilding

Guess what? Your nav systems will affect your worldbuilding, too. If you’re able to jump from one galaxy to another in a matter of hours or days, that completely changes trade, diplomatic relations, the reach of a civilization, and access to new resources.

Alternatively, mapping more than the three dimensions we can see opens up more possibilities than I can fathom without another cup of coffee.

Theoretical Physics and Cutting-Edge Technology

Energy sources and nav systems are concrete examples of tech you can come up with yourself, but I’m sure your sci-fi author mind is already brimming with your own spin on things.

To that end, here are some elements of emerging science and technology that you can incorporate into your writing and spaceships.

Emerging technologies - Sci-fi and new real-world tech has always had a two-way relationship. They guide one another, so take a look at advancements in artificial intelligence, nanotech, and materials science. Think about how you can extrapolate these into self-repairing hulls, AI-powered androids, and lightweight, ultra-durable craft.

Theoretical physics - There is almost always a place for theoretical physics in science fiction novels. Do your research and see how you can incorporate string theory and quantum mechanics in a way that is not only feasible but accessible to readers who aren’t experts in those fields.

Science consultants - If you’re willing to pay, there are experts out there who are willing to give you feedback on your ideas, introduce you to a better angle, or dump a fraction of their knowledge on you. Just make sure it fits in your budget and you will actually use the information you get.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again before we’re done with this guide: whatever you introduce—whether in your spaceships or elsewhere in your science fiction novel—has to have some kind of link to our understanding of science. It doesn’t have to be direct or obvious, but your reader needs to be able to grasp at least a fraction of it.

Aesthetics and Iconic Features in Sci-Fi Ships

Beyond their practicality and technological marvels, the aesthetics and iconic features of spaceships cement these galactic crafts into our memories and define the culture of the fictional universes they inhabit.

The design of a spaceship is more than just a shell for its advanced technology; it reflects your story’s tone, the culture of its creators, and the era it represents. Just as the sleek lines of Star Wars ’ X-wings capture a sense of agility and readiness, the formidable appearance of Star Trek ’s Borg Cube instills a sense of ominous, mechanical coldness.

Crafting Iconic Spaceship Designs

Iconic spaceship designs often blend functionality with a distinct aesthetic appeal. A spaceship's design can be a reflection of the culture and history of its creators, all while putting a unique twist on the craft’s function.

Culture - A ship built by a warrior race might boast aggressive, angular designs with protruding weaponry, while a vessel from a peaceful exploratory society might favor sleek lines and unobtrusive features.

Technology - The level of technology available to a civilization will greatly influence its spaceship designs, too. A society harnessing zero-point energy will have compact, efficient ships, while one using bulkier fusion reactors might have larger, more robust designs.

Genre - The genre of your story can also influence spaceship aesthetics. In a hard sci-fi setting, designs might lean towards the realistic and practical, mirroring contemporary space technology. In contrast, a space opera might feature more extravagant and fantastical designs that prioritize dramatic effect and narrative symbolism over technical feasibility.

Once you’ve considered these big elements of design, think of a way you can make important spaceships stand out from the crowd.

This could mean a distinct paint job representing the skilled pilot. Or maybe it’s a different design entirely, like the Millennium Falcon’s oblong disk shape with a protruding cockpit. Alternatively, it could be something so alien and weird, like the aforementioned Borg Cube, that it lingers with your reader for a while.

Don’t overdo it, though. Pick one, maybe two features of your spaceship and give them a little twist based on the elements above.

Interior Design and Practicality

Up until now, we’ve mostly been focusing on the exterior of a spaceship: what it looks like, how it moves, what you’ve slapped on the hull.

When we venture into the heart of a spaceship, the interior design becomes as crucial as its exterior. This isn't just about crafting a visually appealing cockpit or a futuristic mess hall; it's about creating spaces that are functional, impact the characters , and reflect life within the void of space.

Breaking Down a Functional Spaceship Interior

When you’re writing a sci-fi story, a spaceship’s interior is where the abstract concepts of space travel meet the concrete realities of daily life. The design of these interiors tells a story… one of technological advancement , social hierarchy, and the day-to-day challenges faced by those who call the void their home.

Living Quarters: More Than Just Sleeping Pods

Designing the living quarters on a spaceship is a balancing act between space efficiency and comfort. In a ship bound for distant stars, these quarters can be your characters' (and your reader’s) sanctuary.

Let this fit in with the overall function of your ship and the culture and economy of the civilization it comes from. Are living quarters tight and compact like a modern-day submarine to accommodate a smaller profile and more complex weapons and nav systems?

Or is your starship more akin to a cruise liner with luxury bedrooms, private baths, and room service? Do some people get access to luxury while others are packed in like sardines?

The Bridge: Command and Control

The bridge or command center is the nerve center of any spaceship. Here, form and function merge to create a space that’s both operationally efficient and indicative of the ship's hierarchy. 

The design of this area, from the placement of the captain's chair to the configuration of control panels, speaks volumes about the leadership style and the operational dynamics of the crew.

It's also a stage for key narrative moments— battles , tough decisions, and the ever-present hum of a ship carving its path through the cosmos.

Recreational Spaces: A Glimpse into Daily Life

Spaceships are not just about the journey; they're about the lives lived during that journey. Recreational areas, dining halls, and common rooms are as important as any other part. 

These spaces offer a glimpse into the social dynamics of the crew, their leisure activities, and how they maintain their mental health in the isolation of space. A well-designed common area can become a hub for character interactions , plot development, and a showcase of the ship's culture.

Alternatively, the lack of recreational spaces can show the reader insights into the culture of your spaceship.

Engineering and Maintenance: The Unsung Heroes

The engine room and maintenance areas are the unsung heroes of spaceship design. These spaces are a testament to the ship's technological prowess and the skill of those who keep it running. 

The maze of pipes, wires, and machinery must be more than an industrial backdrop; it should reflect the ship’s age, technology level, and even the resourcefulness of its crew. It's here that we often find characters tinkering, problem-solving, and showcasing their technical expertise.

Medical Bay: A Refuge in Space

In the unforgiving environment of space, the medical bay is one of the most crucial components of any ship. Its design needs to reflect the technological level of the civilization, the types of medical issues anticipated, and the level of care available. 

It’s a space that combines the sterility of a hospital with the intimacy of a place where characters are at their most vulnerable.

Similarly, laboratories and science bays tell us what our crew is after. These are places where understanding meets ambition and can be ripe for character and plot development .

The Impact of the Spaceship’s Interior on Characters

More importantly than any room, the design of a spaceship's interior directly impacts its inhabitants. It shapes their daily routines, affects their mental health, and dictates their interactions. 

The cramped corridors of a fighter ship can create a sense of intimacy or claustrophobia, affecting crew dynamics. A spacious and well-appointed vessel, on the other hand, might indicate luxury but also detachment and isolation. 

These spaces are where characters fall in love , hatch plots, confront their fears , and sometimes meet their fate.

As a science fiction writer, when you design the interior of a spaceship, you're doing more than mapping out rooms and corridors. You're creating a setting that will become integral to your story. It's where your characters will live, work, and play; it's where they'll face challenges and celebrate victories.

So, you know, put some real thought into why your rooms are the way they are.

Alien Spaceships and Extraterrestrial Design

Now we’re getting to the extra fun stuff. I mean, everything up until this point (including, if you’ll remember, the thoughts on power sources) has been fun. But, to some sci-fi authors and readers, aliens are the best part of science fiction.

While designing an alien civilization could be a massive article itself, we’re focusing in on alien spaceships for this guide. Before we go on, you need to recognize that these crafts are more than mere vehicles; they're a representation of their entire civilizations.

This is especially true in first-contact situations, so you need to be intentional about their design. That’s a polite way of saying you can’t just throw on spikes because spikes are cool (that’s indisputable), because that imagery will automatically paint those aliens in a certain way for your reader. 

At their core, these vessels offer a unique opportunity to explore the creativity and imagination that define the genre , blending the alien with the familiar, the bizarre with the believable.

Here’s how we can do that.

The Creative Process of Designing Alien Spaceships

Designing an alien spaceship is an exercise in creative freedom and speculative science. It starts with a vision—perhaps a shape, a texture, a color—something that sets it apart from human design. From there, it's about building a world around that vision.

Starting with a Concept

Begin with a concept that reflects the nature of the alien species. Are they warlike or peaceful? Technologically advanced or primitive? This initial idea will serve as a cornerstone for the entire design.

Also think about what you want the ship to be used for. War? Mining? Exploration? Commerce?

Even though these are alien spaceships, we can’t ignore the must-haves we established at the start of this article. 

Shape and Structure

The shape of an alien spaceship can be a reflection of the aliens’ psychology, culture, or environment . A species that evolved in a dense jungle or aquatic environment might have ships that mimic the flowing forms of nature. 

In contrast, a highly logical and communal species might favor geometric, symmetrical designs that reflect their organized society.

Color and Texture

Colors and textures can convey a lot about the aliens’ aesthetics and technology. A ship with iridescent scales could suggest a species that values art and beauty, while a dull, rugged exterior might indicate a utilitarian approach or a ship built for endurance.

Cultural Influences on Extraterrestrial Vehicle Design

An alien culture’s history , beliefs, and societal structures can significantly influence spaceship design. These aspects can be subtly woven into the design, providing depth and backstory without you needing to infodump a neutron star’s worth of exposition.

Use these ships as another tool in your sci-fi toolkit. Here are some things to think about.

Design as a Cultural Expression

Every element of a spaceship can be a cultural expression. Emblematic designs can be incorporated into the hull, the layout can reflect societal hierarchies, and even the choice of materials can tell a story of resource scarcity or abundance.

Even if grimdark isn’t your thing, I’d suggest checking out the variety of ships in Warhammer 40k to understand how alien ship design can mimic culture. I’ll never forget the first time I saw one of the Imperium’s cathedral-shaped ships. Talk about defining the importance of their messed-up faith with a single image.

Technological Manifestation

Technology in an alien ship can be a direct manifestation of the species’ cultural values. A species that reveres nature might develop bio-technological ships that are grown rather than built. Alternatively, a culture that values conquest and strength might create imposing, armored vessels.

Also bear in mind that the disparity between the ships of different civilizations will play a massive role in your worldbuilding and any conflict between those cultures.

Biological Factors Influencing Design

The physiology of the alien species is a critical factor in their ship design. Their size, shape, and physical abilities will dictate the ergonomics of the ship.

Accommodating Alien Biology

Consider the living conditions required by the species. Do they breathe a different atmosphere? Do they prefer darkness over light? These biological needs can greatly impact the interior design of the ship.

Control and Navigation

How the aliens interact with their ship is heavily dependent on their biology. A species with multiple limbs might have complex control panels, while a telepathic species might control their ship through mental commands.

Integrating Technology and Biology

In alien ship design, the line between technology and biology can be blurred. Organic ships, living systems that are part machine and part organism, can be a fascinating area to explore.

This can even extend to ships that are truly alive.

Living ships can be characters in their own right, with their own needs , desires, and abilities. This concept opens up a myriad of storytelling possibilities, from symbiotic relationships between the ship and its crew to ethical dilemmas about the nature of consciousness.

The Role of Alien Ships in the Narrative

An alien spaceship is more than a setting; it can be a catalyst for the plot, a symbol of the alien culture, and a source of conflict or alliance.

The design can reflect broader themes of your story. A ship that is a hodgepodge of different technologies might represent a culture that has grown through conquest and assimilation, while a harmonious, organic design could symbolize a society that lives in balance with its environment.

Really, the only limit is your imagination. These vessels are a way to explore new ideas, to challenge our perceptions of technology and culture, and to bring to life the diversity of the universe. 

Whether through sleek lines or organic curves, through bright colors or muted tones, each ship tells a story—of its creators, its passengers, and the worlds they inhabit. 

No pressure, but remember that every decision, from the largest structure to the smallest detail, is an opportunity to enrich your world and captivate your readers.

Balancing Realism and Imagination in Ship Design

Listen up, your spaceship isn’t just for deep space exploration or cool dogfights. It serves as a bridge between the known and the unknown, between scientific reality and your imagination. 

And getting that balance right is tough . 

Science fiction thrives at the intersection of fact and fantasy , which means we’re blending accuracy and invention. The key is to know when to adhere to scientific principles and when to allow your imagination to take the helm.

Understanding the Basics

Start with a foundation in current scientific understanding. Grasping the basics of space travel, propulsion methods, and life support systems can lend credibility to your creation. 

This doesn’t mean you need a PhD in astrophysics, but a general comprehension of how things work in reality sets the stage for believable deviations.

When to Bend the Rules

Once you have the basics down, identify where you can bend or even break the rules to serve your narrative. 

This might mean faster-than-light travel, artificial gravity, or energy shields—elements that, while currently in the realm of fiction, are rooted in real scientific concepts.

Creating a Believable Yet Fantastical Spaceship

The art of designing a spaceship in sci-fi lies in making the incredible seem plausible. Your creation should be awe-inspiring yet relatable, futuristic yet grounded in some form of reality.

Consistency is Key

Ensure that your ship’s design is consistent within the world you’ve created. The technology and aesthetics should align with the level of advancement and cultural attributes of the civilization that built it. Inconsistencies can jar the reader out of the world you’ve built, breaking the spell of your storytelling.

Detailing for Depth

Details can be a powerful tool in making a spaceship feel real. Think about the materials used, the layout of the ship, and how the crew interacts with various systems. These small touches can make the difference between a generic vessel and one that feels like it has a story to tell.

Don’t bog your readers down with too much detail, but use feedback from beta readers or an editor to help you find that perfect amount.

Tips for Balancing Realism and Imagination

Finding the sweet spot between scientific realism and creative liberty can be a nuanced process. Here are some tips to guide you:

Do your research - Spend time researching current space technology and theories. The more you know, the more confidently you can innovate.

Define boundaries - Decide early on how far you are willing to stretch scientific facts. Setting these boundaries helps maintain internal consistency in your story beyond your spaceships.

Use analogies - When introducing complex or purely imaginative concepts, analogies can be a great way to help readers understand and relate to these ideas.

Consult experts - If possible, consult with scientists or experts in the field. Their insights can add authenticity to your work and spark new ideas. Not that there are a lot of experts in the field of alien spaceships, but you know what I’m saying.

Focus on the story - Remember that the story is paramount. If a scientifically accurate detail doesn’t serve the narrative, it’s okay to modify or omit it. I give you a free pass.

In the end, the believability of a spaceship is not solely dependent on scientific accuracy but on its fit within the story and its ability to captivate the reader’s imagination.

Every aspect of the spaceship’s design should serve the narrative in some way. Whether it’s a feature that becomes crucial to the plot or a detail that deepens the reader's understanding of the fictional universe, ensure that your design choices enhance the story.

A well-designed spaceship should ignite the reader’s imagination. It should be a vessel that readers would want to board (or are terrified to), filled with mysteries and wonders they can only discover by flipping the page.

Set Course for the Far Reaches of Your Imagination

If you’ve made it this far, I’m promoting you to captain of this ship. You’ve put in the work to craft your own killer spaceships in your sci-fi novel, so you deserve the commendation.

Unfortunately, your mission is only just beginning. Now you actually need to get to work and bring that spaceship, its crew, and your universe to life. That’s no small feat.

Don’t worry, I’ve got some tech of my own for you.

First, head on over to this link for a full guide on writing your science fiction story .

Then, get the best nav system/writing tool in the known universe: Dabble. You can grab it for free for 14 days , giving you access to powerful plotting and worldbuilding tools, writing anywhere on any device, goal setting, and so much more without even putting in your credit card info.

Finally, click this link to grab our sci-fi template to give you a leg up on your story.

Now go visit some of those billions of stars and planets with your spaceship.

Doug Landsborough can’t get enough of writing. Whether freelancing as an editor, blog writer, or ghostwriter, Doug is a big fan of the power of words. In his spare time, he writes about monsters, angels, and demons under the name D. William Landsborough. When not obsessing about sympathetic villains and wondrous magic, Doug enjoys board games, horror movies, and spending time with his wife, Sarah.

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20 Sci-Fi Story Ideas

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Hello, friends! Last time, I shared 20 fantasy story ideas to get your brain moving. This time, it's my pleasure to go from earth to space. It's time for… *drum roll*  sci-fi story ideas!

Need even  more  ideas? Check out our top 100 short story ideas for every genre here .

Twenty Out of this World Story Ideas

Just so you know, these are “soft sci-fi” rather than “hard sci-fi,” which basically means they're more focused on character than math and science. 

• Aliens who only  communicate with sign language invade. To avoid war, our governments must engage a vastly marginalized portion of the human population: the hearing-impaired.
• A  rogue planet  with strange properties collides with our sun, and after it's all over, worldwide temperature falls forty degrees. Write from the perspective of a someone trying to keep his tropical fruit trees alive.
• Ever read about the world's loneliest whale ? Write a story in which he's actually the survivor of an aquatic alien species which crashed here eons ago, and he's trying very hard to learn the “local” whale language so he can fit in. Write from his perspective the first time he makes contact.
• An alien planet starts receiving bizarre audio transmissions from another world (spoiler: they're from Earth). What does it mean? Are they under attack? Some think so…until classic rock ‘n' roll hits the airwaves, and these aliens discover dancing. Write from the perspective of the teenaged alien who first figures it out.
• Take anything we find normal today (shopping malls, infomercials, products to remove facial hair, etc.) and write a story from the perspective of an archeologist five thousand years in the future who just unearthed this stuff, has NO idea what any of it was for, and has to give a speech in an hour explaining the historical/religious/sociological significance.
• Housecats are aliens who have succeeded in their plan to rule the world. Discuss.
• A highschooler from fifteen hundred years in our future is assigned a one-page writing project on a twenty-first century person's life based entirely on TV commercials. Write the beginning of the essay.
• Timetravel works, but only  once in a person's life. Write from the perspective of someone who chooses to go back in time, knowing they can never return. Where do they go and why?
• So yeah, ancient Egypt really was “all that” after all, and the pyramids turn out to be fully functional spaceships (the limestone was to preserve the electronics hidden inside). Write from the perspective of the tourist who accidentally turns one on.
• The remarkable San people of South Africa are widely considered the most ancient race of human beings on the planet. Write a story in which their unique genetic structure has been preserved by the thousands-of-years-ago creation of nanobots.

More Sci-Fi Story Ideas

• Take this set of fascinating facts from Chinese history and write a story about the “fortune-teller” (translation: con-artist who knows science) who invented the compass before selling it to the explorer and mapmaker Zheng He.
• Ten years from now, scientists figure out how to stop human aging and extend life indefinitely—but every time someone qualifies for that boost, someone else has to die to keep the surplus population in check. Oh, it's all very humane; one's descendants get a huge paycheck. Write from the perspective of someone who just got a letter in the mail saying they're the one who has to die.
• In the future, neural implants translate music into physical pleasure, and earphones (“jacking in”) are now the drug of choice. Write either from the perspective of a music addict, OR the Sonforce agent (sonance + enforcer) who has the job of cracking down.
• It's the year 5000. Our planet was wrecked in the great Crisis of 3500, and remaining human civilization survives only in a half dozen giant domed cities. There are two unbreakable rules: strict adherence to Life Quality (recycling doesn't even begin to cover these laws), and a complete ban on reproduction (only the “worthy” are permitted to create new humans). Write from the perspective of a young woman who just discovered she's been chosen to reproduce—but she has no interest in being a mother.
• In the nineteenth century, there's a thriving trade in stolen archeological artifacts. Write a story from the perspective of an annoyed, minimum-wage employee whose job is traveling back in time to obtain otherwise unobtainable artifacts, then has to bring them back to the present (the 1800s, that is) and artificially age them before they will sell.
• Steampunk! Write a story from the perspective of a hot air balloon operator who caters to folks who like a little thrill… which means she spends half her time in the air shooting down pterodactyls before the paying customers get TOO scared.
• Human genetic modification has gone too far, and the biggest trend for teenagers is to BECOME their favorite fictional character. Describe the scene from a bored security guard's point of view as he has to break up a fight between an anime character (I dare you to use Goku from Dragonball Z) and a Brony .
• It is the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868), and the practice of  Sakoku is in full effect, completely closing off the country to Western influence. The reason, however, is not to eschew Western culture, but instead to protect the aliens that landed in the middle of Kyoto and are trying desperately to repair their ship and get home. Write from the perspective of one of the few remaining Samurai assigned to protect and keep these aliens a secret.
• Creation myth! Write from the perspective of a crazy scientist in the year 28,000 who, determined to discover how the universe began, rigs up a malfunctioning time machine, goes to the “beginning” of the universe, and ends up being the reason for the Big Bang. (Logic? Causal effect? Pfft. Hush, it's time-travel, and that was never logical.)
• It turns out dinosaurs were completely sentient creatures,  thank you very much , and most of them actually left the planet in their gigantic and REALLY WEIRD spaceship when they realized an asteroid was coming. They've decided that enough time has passed and the Earth has probably recovered by now, so today, at twelve noon, they're coming home.

Where will your imagination take you? Choose any of these story ideas and use them to explore new worlds.

Or, write your own sci-fi writing prompt and share it below for other writers!

Do any of these short story ideas tickle your storytelling bones? Let us know in the comments .

It's time to play with story ideas! Take fifteen minutes and develop one of these story ideas into at least one scene. Don't edit yourself! Set your imagination free. When you’re finished, share your work in the Pro Practice Workshop here .  Not a member yet? Join us here !

Ruthanne Reid

Best-Selling author Ruthanne Reid has led a convention panel on world-building, taught courses on plot and character development, and was keynote speaker for The Write Practice 2021 Spring Retreat.

Author of two series with five books and fifty short stories, Ruthanne has lived in her head since childhood, when she wrote her first story about a pony princess and a genocidal snake-kingdom, using up her mom’s red typewriter ribbon.

When she isn’t reading, writing, or reading about writing, Ruthanne enjoys old cartoons with her husband and two cats, and dreams of living on an island beach far, far away.

P.S. Red is still her favorite color.

65 Comments

Ideas No.12 and 14 impressed me more than the others.Allowing reproduction only to ‘worthy’ people means?… How to define them or how to create ‘worthy’ people?..perhaps it is left to the imagination of the writer? Anyhow it is a worthy idea.I like it.

Thanks for that feedback! I’ve always been fascinated (and frightened) whenever the scientific community leans toward eugenics of any kind. It’s happened before, and it probably will again.

Indeed. The idea that some people think it’s a good idea to “weed out” the bad genes is both scary and angering. All human life is precious – it’s ridiculous for people to try to play God and “perfect” the human race. We live in an imperfect world and we will only be made perfect through Jesus once we are in heaven with Him.

My poor attempt at sci-fi: The planet Wondancia, five light years from earth, is inhabited by beings designed much like earthlings. But being so much more advanced in medical science, they’ve discovered how to restructure shoulders and armpits so as to accommodate an extra limb on each side. So at birth each baby on the planet Wondancia is fitted with an extra pair of arms. Needless to say, this comes in very handy.

A century ago these creatures invented powerful telescopes and began searching the various solar systems for signs of life. They took note of a particular blue-and-green ball with a surrounding atmosphere and wondered if it might be a planet hospitable to life. They named it Kantazandy, which to them means “blue seas and green hills.”

After some decades these people developed such powerful telescopes that they could actually see creatures moving around on Kantazandy. They took note of the fact that Kantazandians, though almost identical to them in shape and size, had only two arms each. What a handicap!

After much discussion, they concluded that every one of the people of Kantazandy would probably be so grateful for an extra pair of arms. So they prepared a space ship with their most advanced scientists, medical men, and translation experts to visit this blue-green planet. This was hailed not only as a fact-finding mission, but as mission of mercy as well.

Their ship landed in the south of France in 2019 and the aliens disembarked. News of their arrival thrilled the whole planet! And when the Wondancians understood that the Kantazandians were about to celebrate the year 2020, they thought it an opportune time to offer this new gift. Human beings — as the Kantazandians called themselves — were all thrilled at the prospect that each of them could be fitted for a new pair of arms. After all, everyone was wishing for a second pair of hands, weren’t they?

Alas! The humans soon realized that all their fancy wardrobes, including fashion designer gowns and jackets that cost them the earth, would now be useless and would have to be tossed. So the humans drove the Wondancians back into their spaceship and forced them to leave the planet.

“Ungrateful wretches,” the Wondancians muttered as they roared off into space. So much for foreign aid!

Haha! I LOVE it, Christine! And your “handy” pun just had me rolling. 🙂

Glad I could give you your laugh of the day. And I’m sure you’ve wished for a second pair of hands at times, too. You wouldn’t be human if you didn’t. 🙂

This was so unexpected! I like stories that surprise me. I wonder if there’s meant to be some deeper message here about the fear of change even when it’s better for you…

Glad you liked it. You may take a deeper meaning out of it as you wish, but I hadn’t thought of that one when I wrote it. Partly I like humor and partly I was poking a bit of fun at the human love of fashions, however impractical. But that’s it.

14. Children. The government’s way of making sure the population is in check and picturesque. Although I should hate them with all my might, I adore children. Their cute round cheeks and their pudgy little hands, not to mention their innocent eyes and adorable smiles. Since only the worthy are allowed to reprodcue, children are all perfect looking, intelligent and talented. Any child who is not all of these things is immediately sent to the work camps to farm and eventually die of exhaustion or starvation. But, despite all of this, I love children.

This single attribute would end up being my downfall. When I received the letter, tears sprung into my grey-blue eyes. I had been chosen as a Reproduction Agent. My worst fear had been realized and I had no way to stop the torrent of emotions that rained down at that single moment in time. As much as I loved children, never once had I considered becoming a mother. I hadn’t even thought it a possibility, as my Schoolteacher said that I was destined for a life as a Factory Worker. At least I had been prepared for that, but I had no idea what to do with the news I had just received.

My mother kept reminding me that the government knew what it was doing and would never choose s Reproduction Agent who was not perfect for the job. Little did she know that my fear was exactly that. I was not fit to be a mother. I knew that I was less than perfect, having nearly been sent to work camps three times in my life. But most of all, I was afraid that my offspring would be as imperfect as me and have to be sent away. Of course, none of this mattered, because no one seemed to care what I thought about my new destiny.

When I arrived at the Reproduction Center for my orientation, I could barely keep it together. Seeing all the happy faces and little babies made me want to cry because they reminded me that I could never be happy. I could never be happy with my soon-to-be children scattered to the winds. I could never be happy knowing that I could give a child life and then that life could just as easily be taken away.

Oh, wow, Annie! You knocked this out of the park. I really feel her struggle and her pain; great job expanding the world, too!

Thanks! I plan on continuing with the story. I wanted to have the main character fall in love with her first child, breaking the first rule of Reproduction Agents. And then, her child is going to be deemed unfit to continue living and will be sent to a work camp. The rest of the story’s going to be an epic adventure of the protagonist trying to save her son. I’m really excited; thanks for the prompts!

That’s a fantastic idea!!! Write on!

I love her emotions. This was sweet. I had no idea what to do with this option at all. Love the way you did it.

I feel for the main character, the way she doesn’t want to be a mom because her kids will be taken away. Keep up the good work!

Hello, … Sci Fi, ugh…. Let’s try

I was pacing. They were many thoughts racing through my head. I had to go, I had to, I just had to. My mother’s face flashed on abrubtly from the holigram monitor. News time, everyday at 6 o’clock pm it came on and everyday at that exact time everyone stopped their bustle, where ever they were and turned their attentions to the fleet of scientist whose images floated in front and around them. I stopped my pacing abrubtly as well, to my dismay. It was a reflex action of pure habit. Even if one of the lead scientist, Ilinora Estrava, was my mother. My nerves were on a high. Today was the day they would announce their plan of action. They had been reported attacks. Some people said it was the Venire people. Of course, they were blamed for everything. Their ancestors had been the first alien species to land on the earth, as refugees in the year 2967. Most of them died on landing, then from failure to adapt to life here. What had saved them was the fact that they were so innocent, like adult children. At least that’s what the history books say. But the Venire didn’t remain as such. Life on Earth 2 would do that to any one. Even our children weren’t innocent. You needed tact and above average intelligence to survive in this mechanised and metallic world. They had revolted, they didn’t want to remain our slaves, pets… Our labrats. I gulped waiting. My mother didn’t share her plans with me. She hadn’t visited in a while. I knew what everyone else knew. That in a month or two the leaders of Earth 2, the scientist would either release LI432 an airborne disease engineered specifically to kill anyone with even a hint of venire genes into the earth 1 atmosphere or not. The leaders of the revolting Venire, Morda and Kaius lazered an entrance through our thick metal walls. Walls that kept them and the outside world, Earth 1, separated from us. No one knew why, no one wanted to. ” In exactly two days” came my mother’s voice, fluid and unemotional, “LI432 will be introduced into Earth1’s atmosphere in response to Venire’s act of war. All remaining Venire if found guilty of treason will be executed. I was still. I knew it was coming but to hear it. Shereeva. She had been arrested too. My mother’s favourite pet. She had offspring in Earth 1 whose genes my mother hadn’t found nearly as fascinating as Shereeva’s. I snapped out of my standing coma and pulled on my jacket and the escape bag that I had packed, when I still trying to convince myself of what I needed to do. The trying to convince was over. I was out the door. Running on our dimly lit streets. The elistest district on which I lived much later curfew than everyone else but I still had less than 45 mins to get to “the other side”, break in ( Illinora’s daughter or not) and jump start the obsolete time machine. An antique, a thing once used onlynfor prisoners on death row. No one wanted to go back. Why would they. To go back was death in itself and worse. The trip alone could cause mental disintegration if it didn’t kill you first but I had too. I was my mother’s daughter. I was above sure I could rig it right. I didn’t jave any other choice. There was no arguing with the leaders. That disease would be released. There was no way to stop it unless I went back to the very beginning and stopped them (Morda and Kaius) from ever breaching the wall. However I had too and if I died in the process than that was better than living knowing that the people that you lived would die. This was for Shereeva, for the stories she would tell me of her children’s birth when I couldn’t sleep at night. Even hd been prodded , poked, experimented on and taken from her family. She still managed to show me love. The daughter of the woman who was responsible for it all. I had to try. I had to go.

Oh, very nicely done! Definitely unexpected twists there. You may not like sci-fi much, but I’d say you’re doing a great job with it. This sounds like something you could continue.

Cool start for a sci-fi story. Keep up the good work!

Oh and thanks for the prompts. It’s really to come up with ideas for stories, at least for me. You’re prompts help. Thanks.

I’m so glad to hear it, Dina! It’s tons of fun to hand them out. 🙂 I’m really glad it helps!

Thanks. As you can guess, I don’t do sci-fi. Humor trumps any other genre in my books. 🙂

Can ye guess which one laddie, or lassie?

It started with a slight click, followed by “Oops,” and a very brief, very bright flash.

“What did you do!?”

“Nothin’, I didn’t do nothin’.”

“Well, something just happened!”

“I know. But it wasn’t nothing I did. Hell, we sound like Krauss, Something from Nothing.”

“Yeah, well, check the setup.”

“What the …”

“What? And if you tell me ‘nothing’ I swear I’ll shove that table up …”

“No … it’s gone.”

“What’s gone?”

“The experiment.”

“I checked it not a minute ago. It can’t be gone,” that was followed by a “zzzt!” and “Damn!”

“What?”

“Static. Walked across the carpet and touched the table.”

“Uh oh.”

“What!?!?”

“That’s what I did. I walked across the carpet, and touched the framework holding the experiment.”

“Damn it … What’s the potential in a static discharge?”

“Not sure, ten maybe twenty thousand volts.”

“Ahh man … Our setup was calibrated for eight thousand volts!”

“Holy crap. Was the recorder running!?”

“Yeah, thank goodness, yes it was. Let me reload the file. You ready?”

“Yeah, put it on the high def display, and slow it down.”

“There, that’s me, walking, I reach for the frame … there, there’s the arc. Jeez, must be over fifteen thousand volts, damn … Look at the overhead shot … Wow, the plates are moving …”

“Look at that … That’s the click we heard … The plates making contact … My god … Magnify … Look at that … A bubble, incredibly small, what …”

“The flash …”

“Quick, run the data through the Inverse Fractal Transform function … get the times and convert’m to Planck … Wow … look at that …”

“Holy … We just created a universe. See, here, the singularity, then expansion, then the flash when matter starts to condense and photons form … But our universe can’t hold it, so, what, I dunno, squeezes it out?”

“Just static, it all started from static discharge.”

“Wonder where it is?”

“Huh?”

“The universe we just created. Where is it? What’s happening to it?”

“I dunno. Probably has some televangelist preaching about how the universe can only be 10,000 years old.”

“Yeah,” and a chuckle, “What he don’t know. It’s only ten minutes old.”

“So, feel like God?”

“Hell no. I’m starving. Let’s go get lunch.”

Hahaha! Terrific Creation myth! Hilarious!

Makes me think of The Flash mate

The Test ————

The room that was normally bustling with the clamor and energy of youth was unnaturally quiet that day. But then, it was probably always this way on the first of May. It was the 51st anniversary of the formation of the New Republic, and the City celebrated it each year with the Festival of Youth.

There were two major traditions followed on this day. The first was a celebration where extra bread and dessert was provided to all children under the age of eighteen. There were about 500 of us in this City. We all lived in the Youth Centre where all our educational and nurturing needs were taken care of by experts. The other, and most important tradition, was that those who were about to reach the age of adulthood were given aptitude tests, which would determine their role as contributing members of the society.

The quiet room was where I had just taken the Test, with 30 of my peers who would all join the larger society next year. We all sat there, contemplating the fact that we had just written our destinies. Children who barely knew what they were going to do the next day had just had their entire future decided for them and were struggling to wrap their heads around that fact. This was the exact moment children became adults in our society.

Someone cracked a joke about failing the Test to break the oppressive silence that we were all afraid to speak into. The joke was terrible: failure was no laughing matter. We did not speak of those who failed. But the joke helped bring back the children within us who laughed at all matters serious and believed ourselves to be Gods. We walked out the room, laughing, the same as always, looking forward to the feast that night.

I walked out alone, at peace with the world. I was certain that I’d done well at the sections on math and physics. I had already begun dreaming of going to the School of Science and Technology, imagining myself solving the problems of energy and waste and improving life for all in the City.

The results would be announced that evening, before the feast, for the whole City to see. It was a big moment, especially because there hadn’t been such a large number of graduates in a single year for a long time. It was also a big deal because there had been a threat of protest at the event. You see, there were detractors of the Test: a growing group of Individualists who thought the Test was an unfair method of deciding a person’s future and took away individual choice.

Some of my peers agreed with this point of view, but they’d never voice it in class. I disagreed with them in our impassioned after-class debates when the adults were all gone. With humanity at the brink of extinction, the needs of all were greater than the needs of the individual. Besides, the Test didn’t take away choice. When they had thought to introduce the Test, the original plan had been to simply measure the brain patterns of infants at birth and decide their futures solely on the basis of natural ability. But the great Thinkers who had designed the Commandments of the Republic realized that this would doom us. They decided instead to test children after a few years of common education, and to test not their innate ability, but their perseverance and hard work. Anyone interested in a field could beat the Test with sufficient hard work.

As I wandered around thinking all this, I lost track of time until Sarah, my roommate, holo-called me asking me to get to the Square. It was time. I ran as fast as I could, weaving my way through the rejoicing crowd to the front where the Graduates stood, in front of the Info-screen. The Square was lit up in the usual fashion for the Youth festival. You could even smell the feast.

I had been just in time to see Sarah jumping in joy because the Test had marked her for an Education expert. I was happy for Sarah: she had always loved children. It was my turn next and as they called out my name, I could barely hear the announcer over my own heartbeat.

“Dahlia Young! Perfect score in math, science and technology, …”

I was elated. My dream was about to come true!

“Also a perfect score in languages, government, athletics, …”

And on and on he went. Apparently, I’d done much too good a job at the Test, and I was getting tired of this. I really hoped no one could see me blush. Sarah was already shaking my hand in a ridiculously exaggerated manner. I just wanted it to get over so I would finally know.

“With these results, Dahlia Young has been deemed best for the role of Reproducer!”

The crowd went wild. I was stunned. It was impossible. I wasn’t meant to be a reproducer! I was so much more than that! Sure, surely, they’d made a mistake. I tried to speak, but people simply hugged me and smiled and said their congratulations. The announcer moved on to the next kid. I had stopped listening.

My head was still spinning. I couldn’t believe the test had failed me so horribly. Unknowingly, I started walking away from the Square, until I was running. I ran into a group of people who stopped me and asked me what was wrong. I hadn’t realized tears had been streaming down my face.

I tried to get away, but they wouldn’t let me. Afraid they might call the psych ambulance to help control me, I told them that I was merely unhappy with the test results.

They looked at each other knowingly. “We understand, Miss.”

I saw that Jake, the guy who cracked the joke about failing was among the group. I looked at him, wondering why he wasn’t at the feast.

“I failed, Dahlia.” He whispered, his voice filled with horror. Poor Jake! His fate was much worse than mine: he’d been discarded from society.

That’s when I saw the placards they were holding. They were Individualists. And I finally understood their point.

I was the best in my class: with my aptitude, I could be anything. But they chose to make better use of me for the society as a whole. Someone with my genetic superiority would be more useful producing more such as myself than doing anything directly. And I refused to accept that. My world crashed around me taking my ideals downs with it. For all I believed in the betterment of everyone and the needs of society trumping those of the individual, I still wanted a choice as to how to make that better impact.

To use my body against my will to do something I never wanted to… that was not a free society. And to discard someone as being unworthy, that was not a fair society. I realized that the Thinkers had been wrong, that they were fallible too.

As I looked at the protesters who were looking kindly back at me, I knew I was standing at a crossroads. I could either accept my fate, or I could change it.

I looked at Jake, and then at the image in my mind of my future self. I had made my choice. I walked away from the Square, from the world I’d known, and towards a more difficult and uncertain path where I’d help build a better world, like I’d always wanted to.

Fabulous! This reads like an opening for a YA bestseller!

Thanks! When I re-read it, I realized the story sounds a bit too much like Divergent, to be honest. Originality is hard work…

Originality is bizarre. 🙂 After all, it IS true that there’s no fully original story. It’s all in how it’s done. I didn’t think Divergent when I read it; there were no five groups, etc.

Sounds like the Giver but with different people.

I love the dinosaurs prompt. It’s brilliant.

What was the story behind the fossilized dinosaurs we found? Where they left behind? Did they choose to stay because they didn’t believe the scientists? Did they stay behind to help somehow and were heroes?

Where have the dinos been all this time? Did they terraform another planet? Or have they been floating around space all this time? Did they maybe get lost?

What happens to humans now?

There is so much potential here! But it’s so hard to write a story about speaking dinosaurs without it sounding utterly ridiculous, or like any other alien story. A challenging prompt!

YES! I love that you’re thinking this way! I was considering most of these questions when I wrote it, but I chose not to put them in there, since I wanted other writers to come up with the answers. 🙂

Clearly, the dinosaurs that were left behind represent lower order creatures, much like our domesticated animals and the wildlife that abounds on our planet. These creatures were unable to leave under their own power and did not have the intelligence to use technology. The Saurian race that did leave probably only took enough of them with them to maintain their food supply.

Rex stepped out of the ship against orders to feel the breeze in his scales and breathe in the air of the Homeland. He went back inside calling on the other two to come out and *feel* the Earth. They told him they were perfectly happy to observe it from the safety of the ship engineered to keep them alive and comfortable, thank you very much.

“Government orders, Rex. Our mission is to observe and take notes, not to engage.” That was Augustine. She liked following orders. That was why she was here in spite of her space-sickness and dislike of travel. She was the most renowned historian of their age, and knew all there was to know about the Ancestors and the Homeland. That’s why they needed her on the mission.

Rex knew there was no point trying to convince her. He’d leave her to her books.

He turned to Barry instead and smiled.

“Don’t look at me like that, Rex. You will not talk me into trouble, not here. The mission is too important.”

Barry and Rex had grown up together in the Dome, dreaming of feeling the wind and nature and running free, like the Ancestors did. Barry had outgrown Rex’s wild dreams and had become a respectable geo-environmentalist. They had sent him to study the composition of the Earth and its habitability.

Rex was here as bodyguard.

“But Barry, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! It’s everything we ever dreamed of. We’re making history here, buddy. For a million years, no dinosaur has stepped foot on Earth, and we’re the beginning of a return to our great past.”

“Try 65 million years, Rex. Why don’t you step out and make history by yourself, and I’ll take care of the work. Does that sound good to you? Augustine will make sure your name is in all the history books.”

Rex was fine with that. These bookish dinosaurs had forgotten what it meant to be free, having lived in their tiny domed planet. They didn’t appreciate the smell of the rain and the feel of soft mud and all the green that surrounded them, and the sound of other creatures.

“Rex, come in. We’re getting some strange signals here. Please get back into the ship. We may need to take off and switch base.”

Rex sighed. It was probably some other creature that now inhabited the planet. Millions of years in the Dome living only among other dinosaurs had made his kind Xenophobic to the extreme. They had forgotten the time when they lived in symbiosis with millions of other creatures right here on Earth.

The Forgotten Heroes, the dinosaurs that had tried to save the other, lesser creatures from the Great Impact, had been left behind to die by those who believed dinosaurs to be the superior race and the only one worth saving. Few spoke of this, uglier, side of dinosaur history. But it wasn’t forgotten.

____________________________________________________________________

This story is not complete yet. I’m trying to figure out what happens when the dinosaurs meet humans. But I’d like to know what you think so far.

Interesting story from a dinosaur’s perspective. I’d like to hear more and see the reaction Rex has when he first meets a human!

Continued…

The whir of the ship’s engine pulled Rex back to reality and he realized he’d better make a move or he’d join the Forgotten Heroes himself.

“Come in, base. Barry, can you hear me?”

There was only static in response. Scared that something had happened to his friends, and that he’d failed at his *one* job of protecting the ship, he ran to where he thought the base was. Unfortunately, he’d wandered rather far off from base, and, while he would never admit it, he was quite lost.

Rex tried counting down from ten to calm himself down so he could think, but a count *down*, he realized, was not a very calming thing. It reminded him of time running out or a bomb ticking down, and his heart rate only got faster as he reached zero.

Frustrated, Rex gave a loud roar.

“There, that felt better.”

He then started moving, because staying there would not help him find the ship. Unbeknownst to Rex, his sense of direction was not nearly as good as he boasted. It was hard to get lost on the small domed city where he’d grown up, but the wilderness of Earth was a whole other matter. The very land felt alive and moving and changing.

And so, Rex wandered off in the entire opposite direction, where the woods ended, and the cities began. It was night time and the lights of the city hurt poor Rex’s eyes, and the honking of the cars hurt his ears.

That is how Rex first met humans. And that is when things got really, really bad.

Rex knew that he’d paid more attention to working out than his books in school, but he was fairly certain none of the books had ever described the Earth quite like this. And they certainly never mentioned the weird little creatures with shiny shells. Curious, he walked across the road to get a closer look at the beings.

That is how the humans first met Rex. As you may have guessed, things did not get better.

The humans abandoned their cars and ran like little mice scattered by the appearance of a cat. Some stopped to click pictures first.

Rex was confused and annoyed by the commotion, but he tried to communicate. That just scared them more.

And then Rex heard a loud rumble. It was a large grey creature with a long nose. Fascinated, Rex walked towards it to say hello.

That’s when they fired at him. The blow came as a shock to Rex who hadn’t encountered gunfire on their more peaceful planet. He was unhurt, but, now scared, Rex ran right into the city, leaving behind a trail of destruction in his haste.

He tried contacting Barry again, and was finally successful.

“Barry, Barry, it’s me. You’ve got to come get me.”

“Where are you Rex? We waited nearly thirty minutes but then we figured you died out there.”

“I don’t know where I am! I ran out of the green and reached a miniature city of some sort. It looks like there’s an infestation of some tiny two legged creatures.”

“Yes, we found the creatures too. They’re *everywhere*. But Rex, they’re sentient. We were able to make contact from the ship. They have radio waves. Wait, maybe I can ask them about you.”

After about fifteen minutes of conversation where the humans realized that the Godzilla-like creature that had attacked New York was actually connected to the UFO observed, and provided the aliens with detailed explanations as to how to find their friend and to please take him away, they found him.

“Barry! Augustine! I’ve never been so happy to see you. Thank you for saving my life.”

“Yeah, wasn’t that supposed to be your job?” said Augustine, returning to the comm center.

“We have fascinating news Rex. We are not alone in the universe! There was another advanced civilization emerging right here on Earth. Isn’t it beautiful? There’s so much we can learn from each other.”

Barry was nearly jumping with excitement. Good thing he didn’t though, the ship may not have been able to handle it.

“Their technology is primitive in some ways, but more advanced in others. Specifically, they have nuclear power, which they informed us of as a sort of threat when we asked about you.”

“In any case,” said Augustine, “this is a matter for diplomatic action. If we want to return to Earth, we’re going to have to share our home with this beings.”

“We thank you for your help in finding our bumbling bodyguard,” Augustine typed on the comm screen.

“Heyy”, said Rex, infuriated.

“Glad we could help. Now take him and leave, or we *will* fire,” was the response from the humans after a three hour long consultation between the heads of all states.

Barry and Augustine frowned. This was unexpected.

“They were just as excited about the prospect of knowledge sharing just a while ago. I wonder what changed. Perhaps we offended them somehow?”

Rex shuffled his gigantic feet. Then cleared his throat.

“Um, about that…”

“Yes?” said Augustine, her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

“It may have something to do with the fact that I maybe, kinda ….”

“Go on.” It was amazing just how far she could narrow her eyes and still see.

“I may have stepped on one or two.” Rex mumbled.

“You did what?”

“I stepped… on the little creatures… it was an accident…” Rex felt himself shrinking beneath the gaze of the smaller dinosaur.

Barry stepped in.

“Well, I think that’s the end of that. Let’s get out of here before we become nuked meat. Maybe things will cool down in another couple of million years.”

HAHAHA! Oh, what a mess! I can’t imagine THIS report back home! Great job, Sana. 🙂

Thanks Ruthanne! 🙂 And I loved the prompts. They were very fun. I hope we see more posts of the kind.

Oh, poor Rex! He wasn’t prepared for this at ALL.

Oh, I LOVE this idea! I hadn’t even considered these dinosaurs being xenophobic – that adds a whole new spice to the mix. 🙂

Doctor Johnson stood in Room 12B and labeled each vial of blood, 1st, 2nd, 3rd. He dated them, then tucked them away in the final case of blood samples. His research was coming to fruition – and soon. After the blood samples had been sent off for testing, it would only be a matter of time before he discovered what in Julia’s blood gave the girl her secret power.

A knock sounded on the door.

“Enter,” he said as he locked the blood sample case.

An aide entered. “Sir, the soldiers are getting uneasy,” he said, handing Doctor Johnson his mail.

Doctor Johnson gave him a hard look. “And why is that?”

“Since the government started the Life Extension program, the men think because they’re connected to you, if your operations are discovered, they’ll be the ones singled out to die.”

The aide’s concern was nonsense—whenever the population increased to an undesired level, the government usually targeted small children, adolescents, or the old to be eliminated. They rarely chose persons closer to the middle, like Doctor Johnson, who almost forty, or his soldiers, who were in the range of mid-twenties to early thirties.

“Neither the government nor the military know about my operations here,” Doctor Johnson said. He picked up a short stack of files and tapped them on the metal desk to straighten them, then faced the aide again. “And besides, my goal is to complete my research without being discovered. The fate of a fraction of my soldiers is of little interest to me. You’re dismissed.”

The aide gave a brief nod, then exited the room.

Exhaling out a long breath, Doctor Johnson put his pen in his breast pocket and flipped through his mail. A light bill. Two credit card offers. A letter addressed to him, with the government’s stamp in the corner—finally. He’d been waiting on his tax return for over a month.

Doctor Johnson opened the envelope and tugged out the folded paper inside. In the left-hand corner, his name, identification number, and date of birth were printed in red. His eyes then scanned the first sentence. The only sentence.

The letter slipped from his hands.

He was sentenced to death.

Any feedback/suggestions are welcome. Loved the prompt! : )

Nice! It was a little abrupt though. I wished the story made me care more about the fact that the guy was dying.

The viewpoint character is actually one of the main antagonists in my story…so that’s probably why it seemed like I didn’t care as much. : ) Thank you for the feedback!

Hmm. It’s rare to read an entire story from the antagonist’s POV. I wonder why that is. Maybe because from their POV, they’re the “good guy”. Course this way you can have a slow reveal where you either see the person transform or you realise they’re the antagonist with some new information. Hope to read what happens next!

Aww thanks!

Oh, this is AWESOME. You took the idea and expanded it magnificently. The characterization is fantastic, too. I really love it! If I’d read this as a sample, I’d want to keep on reading.

I absolutely loved where you went with this story!!!!!!!!!! I want to read more!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much for these ideas!!! I LOVE #1, and I’m writing it now. When I’m done, I”m probably going to post it here. Again, thank you!

Delighted to hear it, Renee! 🙂

Fats, a large Ragamuffin cat, lay on the roof of his owner’s house. The stars were fading into the early sunrise. A clatter below him drew his attention, and Fats stood up. “Who goes there?” Fats droned. Fats’ voice was thick like his swinging belly.

“Bones and Hank,” a manly voice responded. Hank was a little, purebred British Shorthair, and Bones was an abandoned Scottish Fold kitten, whose bones stuck out from his skin. Fats dragged his stomach across the roof as he went to meet the two cats.

Hank popped up from the rain gutter, and Bones eagerly followed. As the two cats seated themselves on a pale spot on the roof, Fats spoke. “General Steve, and Commander Bob will be here to pick us up for the meeting soon,” Fats announced.

Hank snorted. “Last time they said that, they forgot,” he chuckled. Little Bones, not wanting to be left out, said, “Steve hates me.” Fats and Hank knew this was true; at any time possible, General Steve tried to get rid of Bones.

Lights took over the sky, and all three cats on the rooftop blinked in surprise. A little ship landed, and two ugly Sphynx cats trotted out a sliding stairway connected to a folding door. The taller of the two Sphynx cats paused, and announced, “Loyal housecats, we have completed our mission to control the world. Now we must mislay our love for the smelly humans, and return to the Moon.”

The two Sphynx turned on a dime, and sauntered into the spaceship. Fats, Bones, and Hank followed. The sliding stairway slipped into the bottom of the ship, and the folding door closed with a thwack! .

“Good job, Fats. You have gathered information that can be used to overcome the humans. This plan was created eighteen generations ago, and has not been completed until now. Hank, you are now officially appointed to the rank of Commander, and Bones, you… have accomplished the task of melting the humans hearts with cuteness,” the tall Sphynx congratulated the three.

The smaller of the Sphynx turned to the beeping, red-blue-green buttons and silver control panels. “General Steve, we are prepared to go to the Moon,” the little Sphynx quipped. General Steve, the tall Sphynx, nodded. “All systems go!” General Steve cried.

As the little, silver ship sped away, a couple stirred underneath the roof that the cats had been on. “Hey, Karl, did you here something?” the young wife whispered to her husband. “Huh? Oh, nothing. Go to sleep, Ginny,” her husband muttered, clearly annoyed. The woman shrugged, and closed her eyes.

She opened them again. “Karl, I have the strangest feeling that we’re being tricked by those housecats,” she murmured. Her husband snored.

Hahaha! Clever lady! 🙂 I wonder if she had any idea. I also wonder if she’ll miss them now that they’re gone! 🙂 But what comes next? They accomplished world domination; what’s their next step? 🙂

The man’s footsteps were audible throughout the corridor as he sped past the storage rooms into the unexplored paths of the building that had been his home since adolescence. The usually relaxing sounds of machinery humming about seemed hostile today, as if it somehow knew the fate that awaited him. The man in the lab coat ran towards a metal portal, and pressed his hand over the array of biosensors and scanners. Behind him, his pursuer’s panting filled the corridor, and the man knew he was nearly out of time. “Identity affirmed”, a robotic voice erupted, “Entry granted to Doctor Abacus.” Dr. Abacus was not his actual name. He was called that by his peers due to his exceptional mathematical skills. If they could see me now, he thought, quickly entering the room. In a trice, the portal began closing. As soon as Dr. Abacus was going to take a huge sigh of relief, his pursuer came into sight. In the blink of an eye, he was lunging for the doors. Before Dr. Abacus could recover, he was already there. By the time the doors closed, he had cornered the scientist. “What do you want from me?”, Dr. Abacus’ scared voice echoed against the narrow walls. “Your most powerful asset”, a raspy voice replied. “Your ability to manipulate time.” “You are reading too much science fiction”, the scientist replied defiantly, “That’s where time travel is possible.” A humourless laugh resounded against the metal walls. Dr. Abacus felt a stab of fear. “You and I both know that you’re lying. Your recent discoveries seem to corroborate time travel.” Dr. Abacus was shocked. How could this beast know? Did somebody disclose it? “You have researched the string theory”, continued the captor, enjoying his prey’s helplessness, “and have discovered another kind of duality. The T- and S-duality allowed distance and coupling manipulation. Now, the new duality discovered by you allows you to interconvert space and time. They were already a part of a continuum, but you allowed their discrete manipulation. And if I am wrong”, said the man with a dangerous edge to his voice, “I will spare your life”. The man gave an emotionless smile and produced a sharp knife. “Now, start talking about the locations, security and other details of your breakthrough, or else this goes into the neck.” Dr. Abacus was dead and he knew it. Even if he gave away the specifics to the monster, he would slit his throat, and leave him here to rot. “And if I don’t?”, Abacus ventured, “There isn’t much you don’t seem to know”. The man smiled again, “If you don’t, then I will obtain it by alternate means. I simply want to choose the lesser of two evils.” “Murdering an innocent man is a lesser evil?” “Compared to the other way, yes” “I don’t think that I will give you the particulars in that case. You would only misuse them.” “In that case, Doctor, you have outlived your usefulness”, said the man, sounding disappointed. “Goodbye.” When the man left the room half a minute later, he was feeling full of adrenaline. Doctor Abacus lay in his own private room with a stabbed throat and the immeasurably powerful secret being lost from the mainstream forever, dying with his remaining brain cells.

WOW! What an intense tale! And you actually told a complete story in a short space – beginning, middle, and end, even though it leaves the reader with a lot of questions. Great job, Krish!

I’m sort of late to the discussion, but I just want to say that I absolutely LOVE #8 and #12. Thank you so much for these wonderful prompts!

thank you for the hot air balloon idea it is great! I wrote about it in a notebook and I named the girl Anna. She is protecting her city when she sees a pterodactyl, The pterodactyls are not that bad as everyone thought and soon Anna meets her best friend, a Pterodactyl named rosy. That is just a sum of the story. I hope you like it!

sounds like how to train your dragon

Time marches on, like the slow and steady beat off a drum. He could run but not forever, because time always wins.

“Quickly.” “There he is!” The voice shouted, faltering. He sprinted past the corner of the grey building ignoring the vague red lights flashing ominously, stumbling slightly as he felt his knees buckle. His breath came out in short exasperated heaves, and his hand fumbled around in his faded jeans – reassuring himself that it was still there. The one thing that he came for. Risked his life for – not that his mattered anyway. He’s over there! Not bothering to glance at who shouted, he ripped the small device from his pocket and held it to his forehead. Memories bounced around in his mind like a jack in the box before they finally settled onto one. He took the device away from his clammy forehead and peered down at it. Timetrive actualized. Initiating countdown. 10..9..8.. A strong force knocked him down from behind and he struggled against it, finally escaping it’s grasp and knocking it down with an elbow to the stomach. He ran like a madman down the bleak hallway, weary of the men pursuing him. 3…2…he halted in his tracks. The timetrave was grasped tightly in his hand. 1… His entire being started to dissolve. Like little pixels on a television, slowly evaporating. And then he was gone.

Confusion overwhelmed him, before he slowly started to recognise his surroundings. His head pounded- he was overcome with intense nausea. A lump formed in his throat and he tried to swallow it down. And then suddenly it all ceased and he felt ‘normal’ again. The faint sound of chatter lapped at his ears and stared up at the enourmous flag that covered the wall in front of him. He moved cautiously, creeping towards the sound of a man talking. “-And that is how I get my spray tan.” The voice boomed into the microphone. Venom coursed throughout his body, turning his blood hot with fire. It was him. The despicable imbecile who had ruined the nation. He could’t restrain himself any longer. After all. This was his intent from the begining. The floor heaved beneath his feet as he ran ferociously onto the stage, lunging himself at Donald Trump. All his vision was filled with putrid bleached hair “I’m gonna sue you, and make sure that immigration takes you away!” He seethed. “Try me.” He responded, before karate chopping him in the face, watching as he split right down the middle. Standing victorious over the carcas on the ground, he waved at the crowd smirking gleefully. “Sir! Sir! That was amazing. Just who are you?” Looking at the young girl direct in her eye he responded, “The name’s Boris.” He paused. “Boris Johnson.”

I have an idea: Five shards fall down on earth and 2 kids find 2 of them. The “bad guy” tries to find the rest, and the kids have to find them before himher and defeat hamher. This was my latest idea, and I am making a story based on this now!

Here is my plot

Jellyfish are actually aliens that landed here aeons ago and adapted to the warm waters of Earth. Hidden at the bottom of the ocean their master’s ship lies shut down with no sign of life. One day archeological scientists uncover a round disc full of inscriptions in an unknown language. What they don’t know is that they have just found a part of the opening device to the ship. Will they find the other pieces and unlock the ship or destroy them in their own safety? One scientist finds further information about the ship and its owners discovering that they are asleep in a time bubble called the “blue aquamarine” so that if they awake they will find that aeons have pasted in the blink of an eye. Not knowing what powers the aliens have The Earth immediately turns defensive and sets up a system that can destroy anything. But the scientist knows that the aliens only came to look for a home and tries to convince everyone that they are friendly but no one will listen. The scientist finds a way to decode the disc and it turns out that the disc is one of five different discs holding different information about the aliens. The disc that the scientists found is the disc holding information about the ship. The other discs have information about the future, the aliens and their history, species and plants on their planet and their planet. He discovers the ship is made of platinum and sets out on a journey to design a flaw in the new destroying system jamming it’s ability to destroy platinum in an attempt to save the aliens.

If I may add an idea?

600 years after Earth fell into chaos and became unihabitable. But the nerds at Nasa had a plan and secretly created a massive Bio Sphere (A half sphere that has its own cool ecosystem. In this idea just a city but often whole varieties of eco systems), on Mars. The BioSphere is the size of Texas and Alaska put together.

Ig just go from there.

“As I had been hovering on Saturn’s rings for a few hours or so, I received a faint frequency ringing through my ears. It felt as if it was coming across The Nebula.” See.. I’m wanting to actually create a story where this teenager is a gift from the Galaxies Gods. He just didn’t know that he had powers like to where he can either A- Destroy planets and become a cruel being and bend space and time to the breaking point of a black hole swallowing all. Or B- He becomes a hero, makes new planets, helps colonies, helps Earth even.. And usually when I have trouble making sci-fi novels, I listen to Starset, they have like.. amazing music that has to.. its difficult to explain.

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• 20 Sci-Fi Story Ideas | J. Giambrone - […] 20 Sci-Fi Story Ideas […]
• How Twitter Changed My Writing Life & a Writing Contest - […] shared story ideas for Sci-Fi stories, Fantasy stories, short stories, cat stories, and even some ideas we think might…
• 20 Romance Story Ideas - […] Do any of these story ideas get you in the story telling mood? Let us know in the comments. […]
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How to Describe a Spaceship in a Story

By Isobel Coughlan

Are you looking for tips on how to describe a spaceship in story? Scroll down to learn about 10 descriptive words you can use in your book.

1. Advanced

Something that has reached a high level of technological development.

“The young boy gazed at the spaceship concept drawings. They were all so advanced , and he wished he could see one in real life.”

“The pilot chose to ride in the advanced spaceship, as he had heard the technology was mind-blowing.”

How it Adds Description

You can show your fictional spaceship is very technologically developed via “advanced.” This implies that the spaceship is one of the best available, and characters with a particular interest in tech and space might be very interested in it. More old-fashioned characters might reject the spaceship, as the “advanced” design is too new and confusing for them.

Something that can move very fast .

“Anna watched the rapid spaceship sprint across the night sky.”

“The president hid records of the rapid spaceship from civilians. If they knew light-speed travel was possible, all hell would break loose.”

Spaceships are objects that can travel, and “rapid” shows that your fictional spaceship is faster than others. This gives your audience more information about the contraption, and it may explain why some characters are so fixated on traveling in it. A “rapid” spaceship could be used to get to other planets in short amounts of time, thus furthering the plot and unlocking new settings.

Something that’s very strong .

“The robust spaceship had crashed through two buildings, but there wasn’t a scratch on its surface.”

“I hope this spaceship is robust enough to make it back through Earth’s atmosphere!”

If you want to show your spaceship is strong, you can use “robust.” This adjective implies that the spaceship is made from very durable materials or by expert construction. This might make characters feel safer while traveling in it, as they’re unlikely to be harmed by a crash or accident.

4. Intimidating

Something that scares people or makes them lose confidence.

“Lara blushed as the intimidating spaceship flew closer to where she was standing.”

“The aliens knew their spaceship was intimidating , and they used it to drive the humans insane.”

Spaceships are often considered scary or “intimidating,” and this usually stems from the fact we don’t understand them. You can use “intimidating” to showcase your character’s fear of the spaceship and its inhabitants. Characters who find the spaceship “intimidating” will likely become anxious or speechless when it appears.

Something you want to know more about or are interested in.

“The spaceship was curious to Earthlings. They’d never seen anything like it at all.”

“As the sun disappeared, the curious spaceship took to the sky. It had giant wings, large jet propellers, and a chrome exterior.”

“Curious” shows that your characters are intrigued by the strangeness or newness of the spaceship. They might want to learn more about how it’s made or where it comes from. Most characters will likely find the spaceship “curious,” as it differs from any transport used on Earth. However, characters who have a fixation on outer space may become extra obsessed with the spaceship.

6. Hovering

To stay in the air in the same position.

“Nobody noticed the hovering spaceship because it was hidden behind the clouds.”

“The pilot of the hovering spaceship was extremely skilled. He could keep the spaceship still in the air without breaking a sweat.”

You can use “hovering” to describe the spaceship’s position in the air or the fact it can hover in one spot. Human characters might find this fascinating, as when a spaceship “hovers,” it looks like it’s effortlessly floating. However, superstitious characters might see this as a bad omen, as a “hovering” spaceship is too far from what they believe is possible.

7. Impenetrable

Something that’s impossible or difficult to get into.

“The team of scientists spent hours trying to figure out where the impenetrable spaceship’s door was. But they eventually gave up.”

“No one ever came in or out of the impenetrable spaceship. It just simply stood there.”

To show how tough it is to get inside the spaceship, you can say it’s “impenetrable.” This shows that characters have tried to enter it before but haven’t been successful. An “impenetrable” spaceship might tempt adventurous characters to break in as they want to explore the unknown.

8. Magnificent

Something that’s extremely good, impressive , or beautiful.

“Is that a real spaceship? It’s absolutely magnificent !”

“The NASA team knew their spaceship was magnificent , and they made sure they showed it off as often as possible.”

The word “magnificent” shows that the fictional spaceship has a positive effect on characters. Instead of running away in fear, they might flock to look at the “magnificent” spaceship because it’s beautiful or remarkable. Characters that created a “magnificent” spaceship are also likely very proud of their invention.

9. Mysterious

Something that’s not understood .

“Eli looked up at the evening sky and wondered about the mysterious spaceship. Was it real? Or part of his overactive imagination?”

“The townspeople gathered to marvel at the mysterious spaceship. No one knew where it came from or even when it landed.”

If you want to show that your characters don’t understand the spaceship, use “mysterious.” This adjective shows that the spaceship is strange or puzzling to your characters, and it can explain their inquisitive reaction to it.

10. Formidable

Something that you feel slightly frightened of due to its power.

“The lady shielded her children’s eyes as the formidable spaceship flew past. She didn’t want them to have nightmares.”

“John nervously approached the formidable spaceship. He knocked on the door with trembling fingers and anxiously waited for an answer.”

“Formidable” implies that your characters are slightly afraid of the spaceship. This could be because it’s very powerful or because it’s controlled by enemy characters. Only courageous characters will likely make contact with a “formidable” spaceship, as they have less fear or want to prove that they’re brave. Nervous characters are more likely to avoid a “formidable” spaceship.

Dan Koboldt

Writer, blogger, and genetics researcher

Practical Spaceship Design for Writers

February 9, 2017 by dankoboldt 16 Comments

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About the Expert

Eric Primm is an engineer for Boeing and has spent the past nine years making sure the wings don’t fall off various aircraft. He’s already provided some great posts on realistic fighting abilities  and how to ask an expert . He writes fiction about philosophers and non-fiction about martial arts. You can find his musings on the arts on the STL Counterpoint blog .

Science fiction loves a beautiful starship. Really, who doesn’t? From the Minbari Sharlin to the Empire’s Star Destroyers to the Borg Cube to the Heart of Gold, aesthetics rule. From a practical standpoint, most starships in SF are poorly designed. They’re made to elicit that feeling of awe, but a ship designed from the viewpoint of economics 1  and efficiency would be rather boring.

Credit: Star Trek Database (fair use)

Physics would still apply to post-scarcity societies. Rather than having to repair poor designs, ship operators would want to get the most use possible with the least downtime. This is accomplished by having great engineers, and the discipline of engineering is based on learning from failure.

To make practical spacecraft, lessons from current design’s failures need to be studied. Shape, windows, and manned fighters are the easiest and most pertinent changes to make.

In order to support life within a starship, it must contain atmosphere for the passengers. Outside the spacecraft is the vacuum of space. The structure must be sealed tight and not leak. In other words, spacecraft are big balloons. Inside the ship, the atmosphere must operate at homeworld standard pressure or, at least, a pressure that supports life. Because of the imbalance in pressure outside and inside, the ship’s atmosphere is pushing on the hull, trying to equalize. Logically, the hull is pressing back on the atmosphere to keep it contained. This means that even when not moving, the ship’s structure has a certain amount of force applied to it. In engineering terms, the structure is pressurized .

Airplanes – at least the portion with people inside – and submarines are vehicles that undergo pressurization, and in general, these craft have a rounded shape. Propane tanks for the grill and helium tanks for blowing up balloons are rounded because it is the most efficient design to hold the pressure inside. The best shape for pressurization is a sphere; in the sphere, the pressure pushes equally in all directions. But inside a planet’s atmosphere the sphere is limiting. Aerodynamics and fluid dynamics are why the body of airplanes and submarines are cylinders. Practical starships would be either spherical or cylindrical, and most likely a combination of the two shapes.

Add in maneuvers, environmental changes, gravitational fluctuations, weight modifications, pressurization cycles at airlocks, etc., and it’s easy to see that spaceships undergo a lot of force. The varying levels of force have an effect on structure known as fatigue. Yes, structures get tired. Instead of getting irritable and needing a nap, structures tend to crack and need repairs.

The aerospace industry found this out with the de Havilland Comet, a commercial airplane that had several crashes due to catastrophic cracks. It was determined that cracks at square window cutouts grew large enough to cause problems. As the study of cracking grew, engineers learned that corners are bad for design. They create stress concentrations, which is as bad as it sounds. These are locations that love to form cracks. The sharper the corner, the higher the stress concentration.

Therefore, designs that have gentle curves have lower stress concentrations. Windows on commercial airplanes follow this design rule. Doors in bulkheads on submarines are rounded at the corner for this same reason. A civilization that is advanced enough to build spacecraft will know and understand fatigue and fracture, and while their technology would be much more advanced than the current understanding, it makes sense that they would implement these basic design touches to ensure the safest vehicle possible.

Credit: Wikipedia .

Rounded designs are practical. Look at commercial aircraft and submarines to see good examples of efficient structure. The best SF example is the space station Babylon 5 from the show of the same name. Note that it is cylindrical, which is close enough to a sphere for a good engineering tradeoff. The worst SF example is the city ship from Firefly. That ship is horrible. It’s creative while being an engineering nightmare.

Credit: Firefly & Serenity Database on Wikia (fair use)

Space is huge, and honestly there’s not much to see out there. Regardless, SF spacecraft tend to have windows, and even worse, they have windows so that the pilot can…erm, pilot. Sylvia Spruck Wrigley already talked about the dangers of visual piloting in her excellent post on Space Flight in Science Fiction . Since she is correct and spacecraft would be piloted by instrument, the pilots don’t need to see outside the ship. A window is basically a hole in structure with something clear filling it. In other words, windows are weak points.

Putting important functions of the ship near weak points is not a good design option. Despite the ship’s mission, chances are good that it will encounter debris in space. Whether environmental factors like Micro meteors, debris from battle, or trash left behind by inconsiderates who also probably talk during movies, the ship will take damage. Therefore, engineers would locate navigation and the rest of the command center away from the outer surface and bury it deep in the ship. As it takes damage in a fight, the critical functions can still operate.

Windows in spacecraft are often used to target other craft with lasers or projectiles. SF is correct in that missiles, or better yet torpedos, would use tracking software instead of being guided by hand. However, the equivalent of guns are often left up to the pilot or a gunner to shoot using simply their eyes. Combat between space fighters would not be like dog fights between aircraft. Smart militaries would keep their attack craft black to match the background of space, making it difficult to find. When fighting in the depths of space, black ships would be difficult to spot. Even fighting in a solar system with a star, the light, the tactics would be to get the ship against the background of black space.

Targeting software would be needed for all weapons. With screens being relatively cheap technology, it makes more sense to have a solid structure outside with a screen and targeting computers inside.

Source: IMDB (fair use)

Starships, especially battle craft, would bury their command and control centers in the heart of the ship, where damage is unlikely. The fact that navigation and battle don’t need visual cues to operate means that these stations can be located anywhere on the ship. Battlestar Galactica does this well. Instead of operating like an aircraft, the Galactica bridge looks like a submarine command deck. This reflects the lessons that the Twelve Colonies learned from space combat.

Unfortunately every ship in the Star Wars universe fails this one. The Millennium Falcon is cool but hangs the pilots out there to be targeted 2 . Despite the prevalence of droids and AI, the vehicles in Star Wars rely on visual ship-to-ship combat. This is inefficient but much more exciting.

Original Image Credit: Wikipedia

Manned Fighters

When the X-wing fighters first appeared on screen during Rogue One , an actual cheer went up in the theater where this author saw the movie. The silhouette of that spacecraft evokes the feeling of the entire franchise. It represents hope. The X-wing is also an unnecessary risk of life. At the time of the franchise’s creation, drones were not thought of as war machines. Star Wars extrapolates its space battles from air combat, which is fine. But as modern armies are finding out, the weakest part of a fighter is the human inside it.

This is a truth that will carry into the future, and a spacefaring civilization would advance drone technology to be its main fighter force in space. Instead of a carrier ship loaded with fighters, the practical starship would be a command and control center with unmanned craft. The pilots can be located safely within the depths of the command ship 3 , each controlling a single drone or a squadron of craft.

As has already been established, visual flying and warfare are unnecessary; so, why put a being in a craft separate from the big ship? If saving a life for the sake of life itself isn’t enough, then think about the time and money needed to train a pilot. The skills necessary for flight take a long time to develop, and by putting a pilot in a fighter, a significant investment is risked when the pilot is outside the main ship. Advanced civilizations would not accept these risks, and unmanned attack craft would be easily in reach of a society with AI.

By removing the pilot, the drones lose unnecessary weight and become more maneuverable. There’s no life support system necessary, and the structure can be designed to fly in a manner that would harm a being contained within. Earlier this article established that structure undergoes significant forces, and this is also true for anything inside it. Biological bodies are weak, and despite mitigating factors such as crash couches, exercises, and drugs, the body is still the critical weakness. This limits the forces that can be placed on the structure. By removing the body, the engineers can design a craft that is smaller, more maneuverable, and more effective.

Cyclon Raider. Credit: Wikipedia

Unmanned craft are the fighters of the future. The Cylon Raider is the closest to demonstrating these facets of design, but those craft were autonomous cyborgs themselves.

B5 Fury. Credit: Wikipedia

In the new version of the show, they also contain biological circuits. This is a potential limiting factor but not a fatal flaw. The fighters from Babylon 5 are beautiful but limited fighters.

In Summary: Practical Ship Design

Spacecraft are one of the best parts of SF. Whether civilian transports, smuggler’s freighters, heroic fighters, or evil battleships, nothing says possibilities like spacecraft. As SF has changed over the years, the ships have changed as well. The golden age of rockets gave way to Star Wars on to Babylon 5 to the excellent ships of the Expanse. As the knowledge of physics increases, SF incorporates that knowledge for better stories. The same is true of the vehicles of SF. The course of the genre has always moved from what is possible to what is plausible, and starship design has moved from possible to practical.

[ 1] Even assuming post-scarcity societies, engineers would still strive for efficient designs and drive out wasteful extravagances.

[ 2] I feel like I should turn in my nerd card now. As much as I love the iconic Star Wars designs, the ships in that universe reflect that instead of science fiction, Star Wars is science fantasy.

[ 3] Warfare already includes significant signal jamming efforts, known as electronic warfare. Modern militaries are very good at dealing with this, and it is easy to assume that advanced civilizations would understand and be able to conduct electronic warfare much better. Battlestar Galactica demonstrates this by the communication between the colonial Vipers and the crew on the main ship.

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February 9, 2017 at 1:52 pm

Really great, useful article! I’m thinking that spaceship hulls will be super thick and strong enough to take a battering from fast dust and radiation. That futuristic material might also be used to build fortressed cities that can withstand nuclear warheads and whatnot.

February 24, 2017 at 6:12 pm

Another beautiful to look at, yet highly impractical spaceship design is the city/spaceship of Atlantis, from the show Stargate: Atlantis. Atlantis is a sprawling snowflake shape that’s nothing but towers and windows. At least the end results of this design are sort of realistic in that there is always massive damage and heavy casualties whenever Atlantis gets stuck in a space battle.

Great article!

October 14, 2017 at 8:15 am

Great article. One point of contention though; there’s no good reason to paint ships black. One of the major issues in space is heat regulation. Without any air to cool your ship, your only option is radiating excess heat away (and with those massive engines, you have a lot of excess heat to get rid of). Your black coated ship might be hard to detect with human eyes, but on an infra-red camera it lights up like a candle in the night from anywhere in the solar system.

If you want your ship to visit the inner planets of your solar system, white or silver is probably the best colour. Stealth in space is impossible anyway, so at least you can make sure you don’t overheat from absorbing too much sunlight. It even helps defend against lasers at long range

October 2, 2018 at 5:28 am

I’ve worked with a lot of coating’s in the aerospace and hyperf, auto industry, and most Syfy doesn’t take into account radiation shielding seriously. Or small high-speed meteorites, besides the force shields of starters. For long distance space travel I was wondering if spraying lead to the walls of the ship would be a viable option.

November 2, 2018 at 4:59 pm

A lot of spacecraft design in SF is oriented towards military usage. I’m looking more towards civilian usage, mainly passenger & freight (early on I would also expect to see both in the same ships). Granted, as an early ship without a Federation and Starfleet, the ships pretty much have to fend for themselves, so some level of armament is needed.

But yes, I’d see “windows” to be just as impractical on a spaceship it is on your computer (sorry, Linux joke). Even when my timeline was still at the stage of moonbases, I had them using “porthole screens” (and at the time I thought of them, flat-panel tech was still crude).

March 6, 2019 at 10:22 pm

The one issue with unmanned drones being controlled from a command ship might be a light speed limit of communications. David Weber’s Honor Harrington series uses FTL communication as a major plot point – and as you say, space is enormous. If it takes 8 minutes for sunlight to reach Earth – how fast can you communicate with a long range drone?

May 18, 2019 at 7:00 am

This suggests what is almost certainly a major fallacy in the use of drones (influenced by today’s technology and politics) — that the drones would need constant, fast communication with the mothership. By the time space combat is at all common, the drones would be (at least) as autonomous as human pilots, so they’d be no more dependent on communications than human pilots (or fleets of ships) would be. For all its (many) flaws, the dumbest thing about Star Wars Phantom Menace was when Anakin destroyed the mother ship and the entire droid army ‘died.’ That would be an epically stupid design decisions — spend billions/trillions on a droid force and have it die the second it loses comms. It could instead go autonomous, continue with previous orders, or go into a ‘defensive crouch.’

August 21, 2019 at 11:35 am

Well, manned fighters are always much more exciting, but not practical… however, in-universe explanations could be that a) ships aren’t able to house a fully autonomous system (size/power/etc) b) when controlled from a mothership, they are just not as fast at reacting as manned craft (lightspeed communication limits)

October 23, 2020 at 11:34 pm

that or you could use jamming technology or other countermeasures which make drones inconvenient to use in some situations

March 19, 2019 at 6:22 pm

Great article. The only thing I would point out is the reason for windows. While you’re correct that there would be no flying by sight, windows would be included for psychological reasons. Studies have found that when people are in enclosed spaces, being able to look out, past the walls, improves mental stability. Submarine crews don’t have windows to look out, but they aren’t under the water for years at a time. So, I think any space craft meant for long term operations would have some sort of windows. Large craft could have a seperate room for viewing outside that could seal itself in emergency, or something along those lines. At least that’s how I view the issue.

September 19, 2019 at 9:40 am

“windows would be included for psychological reasons. Studies have found that when people are in enclosed spaces, being able to look out, past the walls, improves mental stability.”

I agree, rooms in a space ship should logical and reasonably at least have a tiny “porthole” or a small round windows.

Just wait for a time that you have an electricity break in your city and see how many stars you can suddenly see outsider without light pollution.

In a spaceship you might see a bit more. Although I do wonder about being sick if the ship keeps spinning, I wonder how that would effect some people

December 17, 2019 at 10:16 am

I would add another point… in SF, the crew often lives on the ship, even when it is parked on a planet. That is when windows sure become nice.

March 21, 2019 at 5:56 am

“…While you’re correct that there would be no flying by sight, windows would be included for psychological reasons….”

Which was my idea of the “porthole screens”. And for the potential other problems of windows on a ship, I still think you’d want some on a ship’s bridge, in the event of system failures, in order for the bridge crew to have an alternative way of seeing outside for manoeuvring. And yes, the bridge would be to the outside of the hull for the same reason.

And if you consider the psychological reasoning, if you are having a spacecraft taking on a functional equivalent to an earth-locked vehicle, there would be a tendency to configure it in a similar fashion. Especially in the early days of space travel. Yeah, I’ve been thinking these points over for a long long time.

November 11, 2019 at 9:58 am

Using actual pilots rather than drones or AI to operate your fighters/strike craft could be explained by something like BSG where the society in question is rather paranoid about allowing machines to be so completely in control of such a vital component of their armed forces.

That or the group in question follows a religion that considers artificial intelligence to be a crime against their God(s).

Just a few random ideas I wanted to throw out there.

June 19, 2022 at 2:28 am

[2] – Please keep your nerd card.

Star Wars has an unwritten presumption. Not only did Star Trek come before it…?

Transparent Aluminum is still an option. And also possibly includes “Durasteel” now.

[…] have a guest post essay up on Dan Koboldt’s blog. The essay is part of his Science in SF series, and my contribution pulls in skills from my day job […]

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Five Tips for Creating an Engaging Space Battle

Image by Bill Lile used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Space battles are an important aspect of science fiction, especially space opera , and we want them to be engaging. At first blush, that might sound easy. Space battles have hyperdrives and torpedoes and lasers, oh my. How could that not be engaging? But it’s harder than you might think. Spacecrafts are complex and alien. It’s easy to drown your audience in endless technical details, fill page upon page with ships firing ineffectually at each other, or leave the audience wondering why the battle was set in space at all.

Fortunately, we storytellers are clever folk, and we have methods at our disposal for ensuring our space battles keep the audience on the edge of their seats. So strap in to your favorite spaceship and spool up the FTL drive. It’s time to explore some tips on keeping your space battle engaging.

1. Plan For Distance

I say this a lot, but space is big . Really big. So big that it’s difficult for our puny meat brains to comprehend. It’s also really empty, meaning that hostile ships will probably see each other from a long way off. This means that combatants will be engaging across millions of miles or more.

At those distances, the speed of light is no longer effectively instantaneous. It takes light one second to travel 186,282 miles, so by the time you see something happen that far away, it actually happened one second ago. At space distances, it’s impossible to know exactly where your enemy is. By the time the light * bounces off them and reaches your sensors, they’ve already moved.

This makes shooting difficult and calls for unique solutions. Ships in your setting might fire volleys of long-range missiles that can track the enemy once they close the distance. Or your ships might employ powerful prediction algorithms to guess at where the enemy is going to be and then fire at that spot. They might even sweep arcs of laser fire through the void like swords , trying to score a hit.

You have a lot of freedom in what options your space combatants use, as long as it has some plausibility. You can even use far more outlandish possibilities if you set them up properly. Your ships might battle by creating small gravitational singularities next to the enemy or broadcast mind-control memes via radio waves. What’s important is that your weapons feel like they’re designed for use in space. The vacuum is starkly different from any other battlefield, and unique weapons will help bring that home.

If you want a battle to take place at close range, you’ll need to set up a good reason for it. If it only needs to happen once, you could craft a scene in which two ships open fire as they depart from the same station. If you want close-range battles to be the norm, you’ll need a more robust explanation. Perhaps your setting’s FTL drives teleport ships directly to their destination, Battlestar Galactica style, which allows combatants to get really close to each other before attacking.

2. Determine Your Character’s Level of Control

A space battle probably won’t be your hero floating alone through the void. * They’ll be on a spaceship and fighting enemies who are also in spaceships . This adds a layer of distance between the combatants, and it affects how you portray the battle.

First, decide how much control your character has over the ship. This can be broken down into three broad categories.

• The Character Is the Ship: This is for battles where the character is an artificial intelligence or a human with their nervous system wired directly into their vessel. They control the ship as if it were their own body and feel damage as if they were being hurt. The battle will be immediate, with no delay between the character’s thought and action.
• The Character Pilots the Ship: In this scenario, the character isn’t part of the ship, but they control most or all of its functions. They decide where it goes, when to fire the weapons, etc. The ship is like an all-encompassing piece of equipment . The battle is still fairly immediate, but there’s a slight delay between thought and action because the character must operate the ship’s controls.
• The Character Commands the Ship: Your character doesn’t operate any controls themselves. Instead they give orders to a team of subordinates. The character makes plans, but they must depend on others to carry those plans out. There is a longer delay between thought and action, because every order must travel down the chain of command .

Your character’s level of control will have a huge impact on how the battle is perceived. When a character is one with their ship, they perceive space as if through their own eyes. They “see” anything the ship’s sensors can detect. A pilot depends on display readouts, whereas a commander must often have data interpreted for them by subordinates, because there’s simply too much information for one person to handle.

Different control levels also influence a battle’s pacing. At the greatest degree of control, the battle will be fast and frantic, much like a sword fight , because the character is effectively fighting via their physical body. A pilot will have a little more time to think, but not much. They must plan each maneuver with only seconds to act, staying one step ahead of their enemy.  A commander must endure delays as their orders are carried out. Use this time to build tension while the character speculates what the enemy will do next and reflects on the cost of failure.

3. Use the Environment to Add Novelty and Realism

Space is an environment unlike any other. It is cold, and yet things stay hot for a long time because there is no air to transfer heat. It is dark but also filled with the light of many stars. Emphasizing the alien nature of space is a great way to make your story more engaging, because the coolness factor and the added realism will ground your audience in the setting. To emphasize the environment, use some of these elements.

• Microgravity:  This is also known as zero gravity or weightlessness, but in absolute terms, there’s always some gravity around. * Thanks to novels like The Expanse , microgravity is becoming more common in scifi stories, but it still has a lot of novelty value. People move differently in microgravity, and things just float around unless something pushes them. Describing how a character launches themself across a room, or how their hair billows around them, will just sound cool. Meanwhile, describing all the handholds, straps, and special drinking vessels needed in a weightless environment will make your setting more immersive.
• Acceleration: In space, the only limit on how fast something can go is the speed of light. That means for most spacecraft, it all comes down to acceleration. The ship that maintains greater acceleration for longer will have a major edge, but it comes with a cost. Acceleration produces a gravity-like effect inside the ship, and the faster a ship accelerates, the stronger the gravity. If the g-forces get too strong , they can injure or kill a ship’s crew. This is a great way to build tension: the ship accelerates to avoid incoming fire, but if it goes too fast, the crew won’t survive.
• Inertia:   In an atmosphere , any moving object will stop eventually, either because it hits something or simply from air resistance. In space, this is not the case. A moving object will keep going practically forever, unless there’s a powerful gravity well nearby to pull it in. In your story, this quirk of physics is most likely to come up after a ship has been damaged so badly its engine no longer functions. At that point, the ship is adrift, unable to halt its progress, drifting into who knows what.
• Radiation: Space is full of radiation. So much radiation that it’s one of the biggest obstacles to putting a human on Mars . A space-battle setting probably has some kind of reliable radiation shielding, but that can disappear once the hull is breached. Even more dangerous than natural radiation is the radiation humans bring with them. A nuclear torpedo or breached fusion drive can put the crew in serious danger if they don’t find shelter quickly.

Those are just four of the many options at your disposal. You can also have characters overwhelmed by the vastness of space  or create a powerful dissonance between the vacuum’s peaceful silence and the many people dying with each flash of a breached reactor. The important thing is to bring in space itself as part of the story, so your battle doesn’t seem like it could have taken place on land, sea, or sky.

4. Design Battle Tactics

One of the toughest parts of narrating a space battle is deciding what the ships do. Sure, you can write that they fire at each other, but without understandable tactics, that won’t mean a lot to the audience. A fight between humans is relatively easy to understand, but when space-faring vessels get involved, it’s harder to comprehend what’s happening. If your audience doesn’t understand the fight, they won’t be invested in the actions your characters take.

Fortunately, you don’t have to drown your audience in technical details. Instead, define what kind of advantage the combatants are trying to get over each other. For a low-tech example, consider naval tactics in the Age of Sail . In those battles, the main advantage was in keeping the enemy within your broadside, while staying out of theirs. This was simple in theory and incredibly complex in practice. It took a masterful knowledge of both the ship and the wind to maneuver properly, but a story about that period doesn’t need to explain everything. It just needs to show how the sail adjustment and weather reading allows a ship to get the advantage needed.

A story of space battles can use the same principle with different specifics. If your ships fight primarily with long-range missiles, then their tactics might revolve mostly around defense. Your characters would have to decide how to allocate their electronic countermeasures and point-defense fire. Do they try to stop every missile, or are they willing to let certain sections of the ship be hit in order to protect others ?

On the other hand, if your ships fight by sweeping space with laser fire, their tactics could focus on herding the enemy into a smaller and smaller volume of space, until there’s not enough room to maneuver properly. No matter the specifics, the important part is that you have a general method and goal that’s easy to communicate . That way, when the characters order a specific maneuver or firing pattern, the audience understands why they’re doing it.

5. Make Damage Matter

Finally, once you’ve figured out foundational details like distance and tactics, you’ve got to make this feel like a battle. One of the greatest weaknesses of space combat in fiction is that it can feel like two computer-generated objects are just flashing lights at each other until one of them disappears. In a battle, people are trying to kill each other, so it should feel like the characters are in danger . To do that, you must make the battle damage matter.

One of the more popular techniques in this area is to show how damage degrades the ship’s capabilities, making it harder for the characters to win the battle. This can work, but it requires that the audience have a thorough understanding of the battle mechanics in your story. Saying the main deflector dish has been disabled won’t matter much if the audience doesn’t understand what the main deflector dish did in the first place. Some storytellers try to fix this by having a character explain in the moment why losing the deflector dish is bad, but even that’s not great, since it can seem arbitrary or contrived.

Instead, you’ll get the best result if you first set up how the various components of your spacecraft work and then start taking them away. If your ships fight by lobbing missiles at each other, it’ll be easy to explain how the ship’s three radar dishes guide the missiles to their targets. From there, it’ll be intuitive that losing a dish makes the ship’s missiles less accurate.

A second option for making damage matter is to make it affect the characters directly. This is what Star Trek tries to do whenever consoles on the bridge explode, but you’ll want a method that makes a little more sense. * My personal favorite is to craft a setting where everyone wears spacesuits during a battle, so you can breach the hull without instant death by asphyxiation. Nothing makes the action impactful like a shot passing straight through the bridge, nearly taking off the protagonist’s head.

If it’s not feasible for battle damage to reach your characters’ location, you can still make the damage matter by endangering their friends. If you establish important relationships between your protagonist and some of their crewmates, you can ratchet up the tension by having some of those crewmates send a frantic call to the bridge saying how that last hit fractured the hull in their section and they can’t take much more.

And of course, if you picked a character who is one with their ship back in step two, you have even more options at your disposal. A character who inhabits their vessel can feel battle damage as a physical injury and react accordingly.

Like any other conflict, space battles follow the basic rules of storytelling. They need proper stakes, a strong motivation, a clear turning point, and so on. But space battles also have their own specific requirements. A poorly built one will seem distant and boring, but with the right techniques, the space battle can be a truly compelling piece of fiction.

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Comments on Five Tips for Creating an Engaging Space Battle

The Lost Fleet series, Star Wars: X-Wing series, and the Thrawn books all have pretty involving space battles, and they do their best to get the science of it right (or as close as possible in the case of the Star Wars ones, which have to conform to the established onscreen material).

I would think it’d be pretty impossible to write a realistic space battle scene in a universe where space can conduct sound and ships close to within feet of each other before firing their weapons.

I have reached at least a couple of headcanon conclusions about the physics in the Star Wars universe. For example I think that time is Newtonian (thus avoiding a lot of problems with time dilation and FTL travel), and that empty space has drag, at least for small (non-planetary) objects, which explains things like the need for constant propulsion to keep constant speed, the way space fighters maneuver, and a few aspects of the WWII-style naval battles. And maybe the sound in space.

In one of the X-Wing novels, a starship is mentione to have a rudder for a “luminous ether”, which caused drag.

In EVE online the official explanation is that the ship’s warp core causes an effect similar to drag and due to its inner workings cannot be shut down entirely or else it would explode (which also neatly explains the ship’s critical existence failure upon reaching 0 hp – the warp core is breached, stops and everything explodes).

Too much of fiction, especially TV & film, ignores the realities.

“Buck Rogers” & the original “BSG” used to really bug me. Buck had a Thing that drove me crazy: aileron rolls that looked flashy, but didn’t actually change direction at all. That’s a great way to get killed.

“BSG” treated the Vipers like fighter aircraft. I know some of it was lack of money for miniatures & SPFX shots, but it would have paid to spend some for stock footage of the Vipers moving directly sideways, or vertically, or radically diagonally, or just rotating on their axis & shooting back.

The idea of predictors is pretty accurate. Space battles limited by STL are very like antiaircraft: the target is much faster than the gunfire, & predictors were around even before modern supercomputers. Now, calculating a target’s likely future position would take account of every bit of environmental data & dead-accurate estimates of the possible delta-vee (up _and_ down) from point of contact: human limits are fixed, but a given ship will vary. So intelligence on hostile ship types & capabilities will be worth more than platinum.

Probably laser (or EM) main battery would be secondary to guided missiles capable of enormous delta-vee & extremely high velocities, plus a variety of terminal guidance options, & high innate “intelligence”.

There’s also an issue of heat rejection. It might be combat is less an issue of hitting your enemy than making him generate heat beyond his ability to reject it. How robust are the radiators? How vulnerable to large delta-vee are they?

Are there any articles on gun fights specifically? I recall gun tactics getting mentioned briefly, but I don’t recall any articles going into details on that subject specifically.

I do have a worldbuilding article about guns, but nothing specifically about gunfight scenes. https://mythcreants.com/blog/six-ways-guns-change-a-fantasy-setting/

Thanks. I’d like to see that subject covered in an article or podcast episode if at all possible for you guys.

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Corgz New Member

How to describe a spaceship.

Discussion in ' Science Fiction ' started by Corgz , Jan 22, 2012 .

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); I've been worrying about this part of my story for a while. My story is set in 5000AD, and i am having trouble decribing an inter-galatic spaceship.. i know the space ship isn't huge, just enough room for a multi purpose room (kitchen, sitting area, computers and stuff) and enough room for sleeping quarters... I just cant see to describe the outside.. i am finding it difficult to get a mental inmage in my head... Help?  

Kallithrix Banned

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Any way you damn well like, hon. You can research futuristic technology, watch a lot of sci fi, or simply go 'it looked like a giant robotic meercat on a unicycle' for all I care. The point is that it's science fiction, more to the point it takes place in 3000 years time, so no one can tell you it's wrong  

minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Look around the net for a bunch of old sci-fi magazine covers and book covers. A lot of the artists who painted them did really beautiful, imaginative spaceship work. You'll get a lot of inspiration from those pictures, I'm sure.  

Mark_Archibald Active Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); minstrel said: ↑ Look around the net for a bunch of old sci-fi magazine covers and book covers. A lot of the artists who painted them did really beautiful, imaginative spaceship work. You'll get a lot of inspiration from those pictures, I'm sure. Click to expand...

Jhunter Mmm, bacon. Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Start doodling and or Googling.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); I can come up with describing words fine. But i can not describe the shape of them...  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); He looked around. The spaceship, which was no more then fifteen to twenty meters long, had dug itself deep into a hillside. The one silver-chrome like skin was a burnt and charred waste. Zack stood back and looked at the craft. Click to expand...

TheIllustratedMan Active Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Try an exercise, outside of your narrative, where you just describe the ship. Pick one end, start there, and describe the whole thing through to the other end. It might not be great, and you definitely won't use all of it, but it will give you an idea of how to describe the parts that you need within your narrative. There's a very good chance that it's unnecessary and unwanted to describe the entire thing.  

AmsterdamAssassin Active Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Corgz said: ↑ He looked around. The spaceship, which was no more then fifteen to twenty meters long, had dug itself deep into a hillside. The one silver-chrome like skin was a burnt and charred waste. Zack stood back and looked at the craft. Click to expand...

madhoca Contributor Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); For the internal design, look at ocean-going yachts or cruisers. They are compact and full of space age technology.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Thankyou guys, i wil lattempt this now and post what i came up with!  

Cacian Banned

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); I think what I usually do is draw one of my own then describe it. it is a good exercise and it makes it original to you.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); I attempted that. I ended up breakign a pen in frustration.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Corgz said: ↑ I attempted that. I ended up breakign a pen in frustration. Click to expand...

ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); "Looks like a fish, moves like a fish, steers like a cow." Remembering this description of a spaceship in Hitchiker's Guide makes me think that you might want to consider going very, very simplistic with your description. The sentence above gives me a mental image that's perfectly satisfactory. It's probably not the same as the mental image that forms in anyone else's head, but is it essential that your reader see exactly what you see, or just that they see something that satisfies them?  

RusticOnion New Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Well Corgz you really need to pick up some shape/scape ship/ship terms, which would really help you, the problem is you lack the words to describe it, so obviously you need to find them. Perhaps using metaphors would also help? The cockpit was shaped like a... Then move onto the spine which is slightly narrower which has what appear to be hatch doors? Then say it became slightly wider to allow room for the wings and thrusters? ^ this is or course only a guideline. Also, when you take away the wings and the boosters you end up with a sort of hourglass shape, perhaps that might help?  

mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); The one silver-chrome like skin was a burnt and charred waste. Click to expand...

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); mammamaia said: ↑ 'one' makes no sense, unless it had more than one skin and you then go on to describe the other one/s... so what do you mean by 'the one'? Click to expand...

Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); You don't HAVE to describe it, you know.  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Cogito said: ↑ You don't HAVE to describe it, you know. Click to expand...

Enzo03 New Member

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Many Sci-Fi novels I have read do not directly describe a spaceship's appearance. The ones that do so generally use metaphors to describe it. The ship in the book A Fire Upon The Deep describes the ship as looking a bit like a moth, though I believe the wings were not a physical part of the ship. It also described large spines hundreds of meters long coming out of the hull. There's also mention of traditional ramscoop ships (slowships) as well. Strangely, the cover art for the book depicts the ship as looking like a gigantic manta ray. David Brin's Uplift novels have some physical descriptions as well. The Sunships in Sundiver are simply perfect spheres on the outside, though there are also detailed interior descriptions. An alien ship in the second novel, Startide Rising is merely described as a large wedge shape in the distance. Larry Niven's Ringworld novels may or may not have physical descriptions of starships used in them. I don't wanna put it this way, but I think the picture you posted is one of those many spaceships that have a bad tendency to look like a... a... well, just check this link out . Perhaps a good way to start is by simply saying it has a bit of a utilitarian design, as this ship does seem to be one which falls into that category as opposed to a sleek, shiny space ship as would probably have been imagined in the 50s or so. Think about how long and wide (and possibly tall) it is. Now ask yourself "What makes it as utilitarian as it appears?" Does it have removable panels lining the hull? Is it modular in design? etc. If it is really important that you describe the physical appearance of the ship but you're still having trouble, I think it might be a good idea to see your absolute best effort so far here, but as has been said before, you probably do not need to worry so much about how the ship looks. It is generally better not to worry about whether or not the reader will get the correct image of the ship in your head because you would have to actually draw the ship yourself in order to do this. And the funny thing is that even then there's still a chance the reader can get it wrong!  

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('funpub_8e56a5fb7f831ea227b7af3b9129b5cc'); }); Enzo, no. haha I was extremely ambiguous about the spaceship... I realised it didn't matter too much when it came to description because it was the last time you ever really heard of the spacecraft. oops.. spoiler... anyway, check my signature, i updated the story and its got the description  

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25 of the Best Words to Describe the Outer Space

By: Author Hiuyan Lam

Posted on Last updated: October 20, 2023

Categories Vocabulary Boosters

If you want to be a good or even great storyteller, you need to equip yourself with words to describe everything imaginable to paint vivid pictures for your readers.

In this post, we’re going to take a look at some words to describe space. Space can be a tricky thing to describe since most humans have never been there, and we can only base it on what we’ve seen in movies or read in books.

The good thing about being a writer is that even if you can’t draw on your memory to describe something such as outer space, you can use your imagination. If you want to create different settings for your readers in your description of what outer space feels like, you need to tap deep into your creativity.

Here are 25 of our favorite words to describe space and how you can use them to improve your writing:

10 words to describe space in a mystical way

  Outer space isn’t just about what you can see. Sure, there are planets, stars and moons, but what about the way that it makes you feel, or in other words, the vibe?   When writing, it’s important to set that tone for your readers to make your storytelling more effective. Here are 10 words to describe space in a mystical sense:  

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35 Words to Describe a Forest Well in a Novel

8 words to describe space when it is vast and infinite

  Space is really big. It is so vast that it can be hard to describe to your readers just how huge it really is.   Here are some words to describe space based on its size:  

7 words to describe the starry Milky Way

  Now, let’s talk about words to describe space that we live in, meaning the Milky Way galaxy:  

20+ of the Best Words to Describe Night in a Story

  Finding the right words to describe space can improve your writing significantly and help you connect with your readers. You can even come up with other words to describe space once you start to think outside of the box.  

What is Creative Writing? A Key Piece of the Writer’s Toolbox

Not all writing is the same and there’s a type of writing that has the ability to transport, teach, and inspire others like no other.

Creative writing stands out due to its unique approach and focus on imagination. Here’s how to get started and grow as you explore the broad and beautiful world of creative writing!

What is Creative Writing?

Creative writing is a form of writing that extends beyond the bounds of regular professional, journalistic, academic, or technical forms of literature. It is characterized by its emphasis on narrative craft, character development, and the use of literary tropes or poetic techniques to express ideas in an original and imaginative way.

Creative writing can take on various forms such as:

• short stories
• screenplays

It’s a way for writers to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a creative, often symbolic, way . It’s about using the power of words to transport readers into a world created by the writer.

5 Key Characteristics of Creative Writing

Creative writing is marked by several defining characteristics, each working to create a distinct form of expression:

1. Imagination and Creativity: Creative writing is all about harnessing your creativity and imagination to create an engaging and compelling piece of work. It allows writers to explore different scenarios, characters, and worlds that may not exist in reality.

2. Emotional Engagement: Creative writing often evokes strong emotions in the reader. It aims to make the reader feel something — whether it’s happiness, sorrow, excitement, or fear.

3. Originality: Creative writing values originality. It’s about presenting familiar things in new ways or exploring ideas that are less conventional.

4. Use of Literary Devices: Creative writing frequently employs literary devices such as metaphors, similes, personification, and others to enrich the text and convey meanings in a more subtle, layered manner.

5. Focus on Aesthetics: The beauty of language and the way words flow together is important in creative writing. The aim is to create a piece that’s not just interesting to read, but also beautiful to hear when read aloud.

Remember, creative writing is not just about producing a work of art. It’s also a means of self-expression and a way to share your perspective with the world. Whether you’re considering it as a hobby or contemplating a career in it, understanding the nature and characteristics of creative writing can help you hone your skills and create more engaging pieces .

For more insights into creative writing, check out our articles on creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree and is a degree in creative writing worth it .

Styles of Creative Writing

To fully understand creative writing , you must be aware of the various styles involved. Creative writing explores a multitude of genres, each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.

Poetry is a form of creative writing that uses expressive language to evoke emotions and ideas. Poets often employ rhythm, rhyme, and other poetic devices to create pieces that are deeply personal and impactful. Poems can vary greatly in length, style, and subject matter, making this a versatile and dynamic form of creative writing.

Short Stories

Short stories are another common style of creative writing. These are brief narratives that typically revolve around a single event or idea. Despite their length, short stories can provide a powerful punch, using precise language and tight narrative structures to convey a complete story in a limited space.

Novels represent a longer form of narrative creative writing. They usually involve complex plots, multiple characters, and various themes. Writing a novel requires a significant investment of time and effort; however, the result can be a rich and immersive reading experience.

Screenplays

Screenplays are written works intended for the screen, be it television, film, or online platforms. They require a specific format, incorporating dialogue and visual descriptions to guide the production process. Screenwriters must also consider the practical aspects of filmmaking, making this an intricate and specialized form of creative writing.

If you’re interested in this style, understanding creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree can provide useful insights.

Writing for the theater is another specialized form of creative writing. Plays, like screenplays, combine dialogue and action, but they also require an understanding of the unique dynamics of the theatrical stage. Playwrights must think about the live audience and the physical space of the theater when crafting their works.

Each of these styles offers unique opportunities for creativity and expression. Whether you’re drawn to the concise power of poetry, the detailed storytelling of novels, or the visual language of screenplays and plays, there’s a form of creative writing that will suit your artistic voice. The key is to explore, experiment, and find the style that resonates with you.

For those looking to spark their creativity, our article on creative writing prompts offers a wealth of ideas to get you started.

Importance of Creative Writing

Understanding what is creative writing involves recognizing its value and significance. Engaging in creative writing can provide numerous benefits – let’s take a closer look.

Developing Creativity and Imagination

Creative writing serves as a fertile ground for nurturing creativity and imagination. It encourages you to think outside the box, explore different perspectives, and create unique and original content. This leads to improved problem-solving skills and a broader worldview , both of which can be beneficial in various aspects of life.

Through creative writing, one can build entire worlds, create characters, and weave complex narratives, all of which are products of a creative mind and vivid imagination. This can be especially beneficial for those seeking creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Enhancing Communication Skills

Creative writing can also play a crucial role in honing communication skills. It demands clarity, precision, and a strong command of language. This helps to improve your vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, making it easier to express thoughts and ideas effectively .

Moreover, creative writing encourages empathy as you often need to portray a variety of characters from different backgrounds and perspectives. This leads to a better understanding of people and improved interpersonal communication skills.

Exploring Emotions and Ideas

One of the most profound aspects of creative writing is its ability to provide a safe space for exploring emotions and ideas. It serves as an outlet for thoughts and feelings , allowing you to express yourself in ways that might not be possible in everyday conversation.

Writing can be therapeutic, helping you process complex emotions, navigate difficult life events, and gain insight into your own experiences and perceptions. It can also be a means of self-discovery , helping you to understand yourself and the world around you better.

So, whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, the benefits of creative writing are vast and varied. For those interested in developing their creative writing skills, check out our articles on creative writing prompts and how to teach creative writing . If you’re considering a career in this field, you might find our article on is a degree in creative writing worth it helpful.

4 Steps to Start Creative Writing

Creative writing can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, anyone can start their journey into this creative field. Here are some steps to help you start creative writing .

1. Finding Inspiration

The first step in creative writing is finding inspiration . Inspiration can come from anywhere and anything. Observe the world around you, listen to conversations, explore different cultures, and delve into various topics of interest.

Reading widely can also be a significant source of inspiration. Read different types of books, articles, and blogs. Discover what resonates with you and sparks your imagination.

For structured creative prompts, visit our list of creative writing prompts to get your creative juices flowing.

Editor’s Note : When something excites or interests you, stop and take note – it could be the inspiration for your next creative writing piece.

2. Planning Your Piece

Once you have an idea, the next step is to plan your piece . Start by outlining:

• the main points

Remember, this can serve as a roadmap to guide your writing process. A plan doesn’t have to be rigid. It’s a flexible guideline that can be adjusted as you delve deeper into your writing. The primary purpose is to provide direction and prevent writer’s block.

3. Writing Your First Draft

After planning your piece, you can start writing your first draft . This is where you give life to your ideas and breathe life into your characters.

Don’t worry about making it perfect in the first go. The first draft is about getting your ideas down on paper . You can always refine and polish your work later. And if you don’t have a great place to write that first draft, consider a journal for writing .

4. Editing and Revising Your Work

The final step in the creative writing process is editing and revising your work . This is where you fine-tune your piece, correct grammatical errors, and improve sentence structure and flow.

Editing is also an opportunity to enhance your storytelling . You can add more descriptive details, develop your characters further, and make sure your plot is engaging and coherent.

Remember, writing is a craft that improves with practice . Don’t be discouraged if your first few pieces don’t meet your expectations. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process.

For more insights on creative writing, check out our articles on how to teach creative writing or creative writing activities for kids.

Tips to Improve Creative Writing Skills

Understanding what is creative writing is the first step. But how can one improve their creative writing skills? Here are some tips that can help.

Read Widely

Reading is a vital part of becoming a better writer. By immersing oneself in a variety of genres, styles, and authors, one can gain a richer understanding of language and storytelling techniques . Different authors have unique voices and methods of telling stories, which can serve as inspiration for your own work. So, read widely and frequently!

Practice Regularly

Like any skill, creative writing improves with practice. Consistently writing — whether it be daily, weekly, or monthly — helps develop your writing style and voice . Using creative writing prompts can be a fun way to stimulate your imagination and get the words flowing.

Attend Writing Workshops and Courses

Formal education such as workshops and courses can offer structured learning and expert guidance. These can provide invaluable insights into the world of creative writing, from understanding plot development to character creation. If you’re wondering is a degree in creative writing worth it, these classes can also give you a taste of what studying creative writing at a higher level might look like .

Joining Writing Groups and Communities

Being part of a writing community can provide motivation, constructive feedback, and a sense of camaraderie. These groups often hold regular meetings where members share their work and give each other feedback. Plus, it’s a great way to connect with others who share your passion for writing.

Seeking Feedback on Your Work

Feedback is a crucial part of improving as a writer. It offers a fresh perspective on your work, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Whether it’s from a writing group, a mentor, or even friends and family, constructive criticism can help refine your writing .

Start Creative Writing Today!

Remember, becoming a proficient writer takes time and patience. So, don’t be discouraged by initial challenges. Keep writing, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process. Who knows, your passion for creative writing might even lead to creative writing jobs and what you can do with a creative writing degree .

Happy writing!

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

Inspiring Ink: Expert Tips on How to Teach Creative Writing

You may also like, how to start and keep a photography journal.

A Guide to Morning Journaling + 50 Prompts

Planner review: anecdote 2024 planner, leave a reply cancel reply.

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• Productivity
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Search for creative inspiration

19,890 quotes, descriptions and writing prompts, 4,964 themes

sailing ship - quotes and descriptions to inspire creative writing

• storm at sea
• waves in the sea

In a tin can of air, a bubble of souls, we set sail into a cradle of blues.

The sailing boat blossomed right there on the ocean, with sails as pretty as any petals, bluish in compliment to the sky and waves. The rest was all as solid as any oak of the land, warm browns that reminded me of home and hearth, of those quiet family evenings when jokes rise and swirl as eddies in water. Her bows met the water with a regal dignity, creating waves of her own, choosing her path with each passing moment.

The sailing ship was fashioned from ancient oak, with masts that stood as tall. Instead of its once green foliage it was adorned by sails of white to dove grey. To see the rich timbers, strong browns close to black, brought a peace inside, perhaps akin to that given by a meadow. Yet for the next few years the fragrance would not be of wildflowers but of the open sea, ever changing, ever constant, ever in motion beneath the clouds who sail above.

It's not that we expected plain sailing, or for winds to be kind, the waves to be gentle; it's that we trusted our ship to carry us to shore no matter the weather. It was a confidence born of faith, of feeling to our bones that with such tenacity we could achieve anything at all. They say it's only impossible until its done, that was our motto under all skies, upon all seas. We believed we could do anything at all... and so we did.

The deck was our land and the sky was our ever changing art, made so beautiful by the clouds. Many a day I let my dreams float up to them as kites, to be the colours that swirled within the white-puffed shapes drifting onward. I imagined my dreams to be playing with the birds, swooping and gliding as they did, reflecting the brilliant sunlight. Those planks, so weathered under the sun, took on the appearance of a wise elder, of one who gives advice, simple ideas that feel right because they are true. Between the given wind and the nudge of the rudder we sailed on as one company of souls.

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MMLA 2024: Creative Writing Poetry (EXTENDED DEADLINE)

2024 MMLA Annual Convention: November 14-16, 2024, Chicago, Illinois

Creative Writing II: Poetry Permanent Section CFP 

“Health in/of the Humanities”

The Creative Writing II: Poetry  permanent section of the Midwest Modern Language Association seeks creative, critical, and hybrid proposals that connect to this year’s convention theme of “Health in/of the Humanities.” We are particularly interested in presentations from poets and poet-scholars who engage with health, disability studies, and other medical humanities-oriented poetics and praxis. Questions to consider include: How does (your) poetry and poetic practice engage with the body? How does poetry complicate or redefine health, sickness, and/or recovery? What possibilities and interventions does poetry have to offer when it comes to medical ethics, technologies, etc.?

We welcome poetry, critical-creative papers, and digital poetics projects, and are especially interested in works that are socially conscious and politically engaged. Presentations should be approximately 15 minutes in length.  

To submit your work for consideration, please send a 200-300 word abstract and a brief bio to the section chair, Hannah Kroonblawd ( [email protected] ), by  April 26, 2024 . Proposals of creative projects should include a brief sample of creative work (3-5 pages of poetry) along with the abstract. Please include your name, professional affiliation, e-mail address, and paper title in your submission.

MMLA's 2024 convention will take place in Chicago, Illinois from November 14-16. More information about the convention can be found at:  https://www.midwest-mla.org/convention 

Ava Moreci ‘25 (CCS Writing & Literature) receives an inaugural 2023-2024 M. Garren Tinney Travel Award

Ucsb undergraduate writers are inspired to pursue writing-related travel opportunities thanks to m. garren tinney memorial fund.

The UCSB Writing Program in the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) recently announced the inaugural 2023-2024 M. Garren Tinney Travel Award Recipients : Ava Moreci ‘25 (CCS Writing & Literature) and Jackie Jauregui ‘25 (L&S Spanish).  Elora Shaw ’25 (L&S Psychological and Brain Sciences, Biological Anthropology) received an Honorable Mention. Thanks to the M. Garren Tinney Memorial Fund established in June 2023 in loving memory of M. Garren Tinney ‘01 (L&S English), talented students each year receive an award to support travel related to their writing.  

Ava will use her award to attend the Puget Sound Bird Festival in Edmonds, Washington that attracts scholars, writers, and communities of birdwatchers for writing and research development in the areas of birds, nature writing, and climate change. Jackie will participate in ieiMedia's Berlin Project, a three-week journalism intensive program in Berlin, Germany led by professionals with storied careers.  

The College of Creative Studies (CCS) congratulates both recipients!  

For more information:

“2023-2024 M. Garren Tinney Travel Award Recipients Announced,” UCSB Writing Program, Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, April 17, 2024

“ Writing Program names inaugural M. Garren Tinney Fellows ,” UCSB The Current, January 24, 2024 

“Inaugural 2023-2024 M. Garren Tinney Writing Fellows,” UCSB Writing Program, Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, January 19, 2024

For inquiries and to make a gift in loving memory of Garren to the M. Garren Tinney Memorial Fund, contact Venilde Jeronimo ([email protected]). Gifts to this Fund can also be made online.

Creative Aging: Memoir Writing at 58th Street Library

Continue where we left off at the end of our memoir writing workshops for adults 50 and older..

This program will be held in person at 58th Street Library and online.

Teaching artist Frank Ingrasciotta will continue to guide participants through the art of writing over 5 extra sessions.

Storytelling is our most ancient art form and everyone has a story in us that wants to be told. When powerful storytelling resonates, it creates shared experiences of commonality that bonds us as a community. In this eight-session memoir writing class, we will examine various aspects of storytelling. Through writing exercises, we will explore the tools of your personal expression that bring writing to life.

Materials will be provided for this program. 

Attendance at all sessions is recommended as this is a series of classes and those who miss the first few may be lost. Space is limited and priority will be given to those who attended the first 8 sessions last year.  

Registration is mandatory.  Register for April and May events above with your email address.  May registration:  https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2024/05/01/clone-memoir-writing-58th-street-library

About the Artist

Frank Ingrasciotta (Actor/Playwright/Director/Educator) is the writer/performer of the award winning Off-Broadway solo play Blood Type: RAGU, performing over 1,000 shows nationally and internationally. As an actor, Frank has appeared in numerous stage productions, daytime dramas, and episodic TV shows. He has also directed many theatrical productions for numerous theatre companies. As an arts educator, he conducts workshops in acting, and creative writing with diverse populations and students of all ages. He holds a Theatre Arts in Education degree from SUNY Empire State College.

• Class Format: Hands on
• Skill prerequisites: No prior experience required. This program is perfect for all skill levels.
• Audience: Adults, 50+