THE ICE PICK

Aliens and Alien Societies, by Stanley Schmidt. Cincinnati, Writer’s Digest Books, 1995. (Science Fiction Writing Series) ISBN 0-89879-706-3, 226 pages, $17.99.

Whether you begin by imagining a world and then figure out what kind of folks live there, or dream up creatures and then try to decide what sort of world they might live in, or even begin with a story "and merely need aliens who can fill a particular kind of role in it" you need to make your characters and the society they live in believable.

Because the kind of world your aliens live on will determine much about your aliens, Schmidt begins with a crash course in basic astronomy and biochemistry that is very helpful, especially for those whose science backgrounds are poor. Based on known scientific facts, he discusses the different kinds of aliens that might have developed in varying conditions and then proceeds into the more speculative realms. Along the way he includes a lot of story ideas.

The chapter on "Creating Alien Societies" may be as profitable to fantasy writers as to science fiction writers. In it, he discusses the elements of culture and their importance, as well as their implications for your story. Understanding how different human societies have handled group living, reproduction and childhood, language, conflict and cooperation, agriculture and settlements, domestic animals, technology, religion and science, arts, economics, government, and tradition can enrich the society you create and may also provide you with plot ideas.

The chapter on "Alien Language" is excellent for helping you if you need to provide information about how your aliens communicate with one another, with humans, or with other aliens. It also has guidelines for creating as much of a language as you may need for your story.

Schmidt then discusses how you can develop and show the background for your story: how contact might occur, or why it hasn’t, and the interaction with humans (or other aliens) once it does.

In the chapter on "Writing About Aliens" he explains the importance of showing motivation for alien action and how it grows out of their character, so that you avoid having "humans in funny suits." He also discusses the problems of stereotyping aliens, of explaining things to your reader which your characters already know, and of language barriers in dealing with aliens.

The book is liberally illustrated with examples from, and references to, well-known science fiction stories and novels.

There is a glossary and an excellent index, plus an outstanding bibliography of books and articles that cover everything from Poul Anderson’s "The Creation of Imaginary Worlds" and "How to Build a Planet" to J. W. Warren’s "Physiology of the Giraffe" and Robert M. Zabrin’s "Nuclear Rocketry Using Indigenous Propellants." The list of novels and short stories provides a treasury of aliens and alien societies to read about.

Since science fiction readers generally won’t go along with stories that feature the impossible or the implausible, you need to make your aliens and their societies believable. This excellent book is both readable and entertaining, and carries an amazing amount of information for writers trying to create aliens who are both credible and memorable. I recommend it highly.

{Published in SF and Fantasy Workshop Newsletter, May 2002.}