Sometimes I run across an older book that’s usually out-of-print, but has exceptional wisdom locked up in its pages. I found this one at my local Half Priced Books.1

See all of my WSF&F chapter reviews.

This chapter is by Robert A. Heinlein. I have fond memories of Heinlein. He was the first author whose writing so resonated with me that I set out to find more of his books. That first book was The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, which remains one of my favorites. Several of the details of the Loonies’ lives still color my outlook. The way Heinlein showed how marriage could evolve to suit the needs of the people was a revelation. This was more interesting2 to me than the moon-colony revolt.

This chapter starts out,

From there he touches on selling science fiction to high paying magazines (quaintly called “the slicks”3), “Any story—science fiction, or otherwise—if it is well written, can be sold to the slicks.” He goes on to say that 5000 words seemed to be the sweet spot for length and to keep the focus on the people.

He lists the three types of plots that he recognizes:

The third is the one that Heinlein uses the most to great affect. This is also at the heart of most current genre fiction writing advice. If the character learns and grows, the first two plots can be woven in for a richer texture. Also, this growth is usually prompted by external pressure. Which can lead to adventure, and a story.

One interesting comment is his view that stories about people dealing with contemporary technology are science fiction. He points our that they get categorized a “speculative fiction” as if it were a more palatable genre.

Heinlein’s definition of the elements of the science fiction story are:

Simply put, at some point in the future, our science has created created a condition that causes a problem for people. The people then reach a new understanding as they overcome the problem. Don’t write about the condition. Write about the people.

He ends the chapter with another list. Bob is nothing if not practical. In laying out the rules to success as a science fiction writer, he goes as far to guarantee results if they are followed!

He ends by saying these simple rules are the hardest to follow, but they are what truly separates the professional from the amateur.