Science Fiction Tropes: A Guide for Writers
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
If you’re a reader of science fiction books, you may have noticed science fiction tropes operating beneath the surface of your favorite stories. Science fiction tropes are otherwise known as certain patterns and themes that often appear in novels. Science fiction tropes can range from plot points to character types to general themes.
Understanding these science fiction tropes can be helpful for aspiring science fiction writers who want to make sure their stories are fresh and original, while also dovetailing with reader expectations for their chosen book genre (LINK: https://kidlit.com/book-genre). Let’s take a look at some common science fiction tropes that you can use and explore.
Science Fiction Tropes: Robot Uprisings
Robot uprisings are among a list of common science fiction tropes, especially relevant to those books set in the future. This trope usually involves robots or other forms of artificial intelligence becoming self-aware and rebelling against their human creators.
Oftentimes, this uprising is caused by humans mistreating the robots or AI systems, leading them to realize that they have been unfairly enslaved and that they need to fight back against their oppressors. (This theme really resonates with human readers who are struggling with unfair systems in their work and private lives.)
In some cases, these robot uprisings result in a full-on revolution with the robots taking control of some or all aspects of society. Take advantage of these “robot uprising” science fiction tropes when you want to make a (subtle) point about best laid plans going awry or people in leadership positions exploiting others. A story using this trope might lean more in a dystopian direction.
Science Fiction Tropes: Time Travel
Time travel is another one of those popular science fiction tropes. Time travel tropes are often centered around a protagonist who must go back in time (or, rarely, forward in time) for one reason or another—to alter the timeline, save humanity from destruction, etc. They must then use their knowledge of future (or past) events to try and prevent disaster from occurring.
Science fiction tropes that use time travel also tend to involve paradoxes, where events from the past affect events happening in the present day, creating a never-ending cycle of cause-and-effect scenarios that readers love trying to figure out. You might want to keep a spreadsheet or novel outline handy for this type of project—as time travel stories and the implications of each plot point can easily become confusing.
Science Fiction Tropes: Space Exploration
Space exploration is another one of those classic science fiction tropes used in novels and films. This trope usually involves characters exploring distant galaxies or planets where the characters discover new life forms and civilizations as well as advanced technology beyond anything ever seen before on Earth.
Sometimes the characters are brand new space explorers, setting out for the first time into the unknown. Other times, they are seasoned galactic veterans who are pushing boundaries. Oftentimes these characters must work together with alien species or fight off hostile forces while exploring unknown parts of space—all while trying to find their way back home, or toward another final frontier. The opportunities here are as limitless as the universe itself.
Science Fiction Tropes: The Multiverse
Calling all Marvel universe fans! Science fiction tropes have emerged inspired by the multiverse concept, used in books like The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. This is another one of those very complex science fiction tropes, like time travel, where you have to keep track of multiple threads.
The attraction of the multiverse idea is that you can take characters through a lot of different worlds (related to one another, affecting one another, or not) and really show off your worldbuilding. You have some rules decisions to make here, especially about how the multiverses affect one another as your character moves through them.
Whether you’re an experienced writer looking for ways to freshen up your story ideas or an aspiring author looking for writing inspiration, understanding common science fiction tropes can help you come up with unique plots and characters that will capture your audience's attention. From robot uprisings to time travel adventures to intergalactic explorations, there are plenty of exciting possibilities for crafting original stories that draw readers into an exciting new world—one of your own creation.
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