Use Trek sciency technobabble to either spark or move the story forward and don't get too hung up on it, what is more important are the characters, their interactions, relationships and dynamics should always be what really drives the story.
Several FanFic Questions
- Thread starter Bynar0110
- Start date
Late joiner to this but I remember asking my chemistry teacher in high school all kinds of scientific questions, much to the chagrin and horror of my classmates. He had a piece of advice that has stuck with me for 20+ years now; whatever you write be consistent. Those who know won't mind if you craft a coherent story with engaging characters that draw them in to the world. Those who mind those details are going to mind no matter what. The rest are just jumping in for the ride.
My other piece of advice comes from another author (can't remember the name; no doubt someone will): the secret to writing is to write. Write often, write a lot, and write about different topics.
In Star Trek Hunter, I cast Julian Bashir as the Director of Section 31, Wesley Crusher as an ersatz time lord and The Doctor (Voyager) as....
So... yeah....
I used a non-Species 8472 version of Commander Valerie Archer in Star Trek: Fortitude. I also used Doctor Katherine Pulaski. In the final story, I used the USS Enterprise, Captain Picard, Geordi LaForge, Tom Paris, and Admiral Kathryn Janeway.
Personally, I'm staying far, far away from canon characters. The exception being in my story TIMELINES (link below), most of the characters are canon. While I didn't specifically call them out by name, it should be obvious who that are.
I would say no. Memory Alpha has Ro Laren joining Starfleet in 2358.
I like Bible and poetry quotes, myself. Puns and idioms (Trekified) work, too.
My two TOS episode fics, "The Best Robe" and "Image Of The Invisible", get their titles from Bible quotes. The former is a retelling of the parable of the prodigal son (therefore a reference to the robe the father wished to dress his returning son in), while the latter is about
When using Bible quotes, use the King James version. It sounds more sci-fi-y.
My two TOS episode fics, "The Best Robe" and "Image Of The Invisible", get their titles from Bible quotes. The former is a retelling of the parable of the prodigal son (therefore a reference to the robe the father wished to dress his returning son in), while the latter is about
the previously invisible characters and world of a writer's mind coming to life.
When using Bible quotes, use the King James version. It sounds more sci-fi-y.
Several episodes of STH started with the episode title - and then I figured out what it would be about and started writing it.
In some cases, I had only the episode title for several months with no clue what the episode would be about.
Thanks!! rbs
In some cases, I had only the episode title for several months with no clue what the episode would be about.
Thanks!! rbs
Easiest answer: write the story and use a line of dialogue or narrative for the title. That's how Tom Clancy named most of his books. (Example: in his final showdown with Ramius, Captain Tupolev is said to be "fully caught up in the hunt for Red October.)
What I personally like to do is emulate the way episodes of TOS are titled. Most (but not all) of the episodes seem only marginally related - or completely unrelated - to the story until you've seen the episode and can think about it. Example: "Tomorrow is Yesterday" - one day Enterprise is on routine patrol, the next she's hurled back in time, so... "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" - the story is about the nature and potential of self-aware robots, so the question the title's asking is really about all sentient life, not just little girls. "The Naked Time" - not about bodies but the crew's innermost desires and torments bared "naked" by an alien infection. I find that method strangely compelling, one that canon creators pretty much gave up on by season two of TNG, so I try to incorporate it in my own writing to varying degrees of success. Mind you, if you decide to go that route it would be best if you at least have an idea how your story is going to go, and even better if you write it first.
What I personally like to do is emulate the way episodes of TOS are titled. Most (but not all) of the episodes seem only marginally related - or completely unrelated - to the story until you've seen the episode and can think about it. Example: "Tomorrow is Yesterday" - one day Enterprise is on routine patrol, the next she's hurled back in time, so... "What Are Little Girls Made Of?" - the story is about the nature and potential of self-aware robots, so the question the title's asking is really about all sentient life, not just little girls. "The Naked Time" - not about bodies but the crew's innermost desires and torments bared "naked" by an alien infection. I find that method strangely compelling, one that canon creators pretty much gave up on by season two of TNG, so I try to incorporate it in my own writing to varying degrees of success. Mind you, if you decide to go that route it would be best if you at least have an idea how your story is going to go, and even better if you write it first.
Last edited:
When it comes to Trek you can never go wrong going with Shakespeare. Preferably in the original Klingon.
All the time. I've been using Star Charts to keep track of the journey my story is taking, and help me select the planets I want to use.
I chose one of the many maps available from Memory Beta and stuck with it. There are lots and lots of Trek star-maps, many of which don't agree with one another and a stunning number of which are strictly 2 dimensional. Considering that the galactic disc, where we are located, is, on average, 1,000 lightyears deep, 2 dimensional thinking is a serious oversight.
Given that my writings are "influenced" by the Star Fleet Battles universe, I use their map, which is based on the map in the Franz Joseph Tech Manual.
EDIT (28-DEC-2022): See image here: http://www.starfleetgames.com/images/New Folder/SFU_Map_Gorn_NZ.jpg
EDIT (28-DEC-2022): See image here: http://www.starfleetgames.com/images/New Folder/SFU_Map_Gorn_NZ.jpg
Last edited:
I use the map that Legendary Universe redid from the Star Trek: Frontiers series.
I just make up planets, mostly. No worries about what's how far away that way.
