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November 18, 2008
Dr. BDO's Problem Page : Writing
I want to write!
Dear Dr. BDO,
I'd really like to start writing Science Fiction but I don't know how to start. Any advice?
Writerly in Wrexham.
This may sound a little flippant, but the best way to start writing SF is to sit down and actually start writing. Don't worry too much, don't edit too much, just write and finish something.
If you want some support and encouragement in book form, I really like The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Science Fiction and Fantasy by Cory Doctorow and Karl Schoeder, it's a few years old now but still contains some great advice.
There's also plenty of author's who blog, why don't you start following your favourite author to track down some advice? A few authors who in the past have dispensed some wonderful writing advice are Neil Gaiman, Jay Lake and Jim Van Pelt.
Also read lots of stories, whether they are shorts or novels or Flash.
But most of all, write! Write! Write!
Good luck.