Reality is strange enough without writers trying to make it weirder. If most people knew even a little about relativity, quantum mechanics, or genetics, they would find the universe more bizarre than any science fiction writer’s imagination. As authors we can both educate and entertain readers without misleading them.

“Not only is the universe stranger than we think, it is stranger that we can think.”

Werner Heisenberg

Around the turn of the 20th century, physicists arrogantly, and prematurely, claimed that there was nothing new to discover in physics, all that was left was more precise measurements. A century later, we realize how utterly wrong they were. We are discovering that we know far less than we thought we knew. The universe has been extremely reluctant to give up its mysteries.

Integrating science into your writing has to start with having a strong understanding of the universe, which is no easy feat. For me, I studied science at university, used it as a professional, and taught it in the classroom. Admittedly, I have acquired a good working knowledge of the natural world over several decades.

If you have the advantage of being formally trained in science, then keeping up with current events is relatively simple. If you do not, then thanks to the internet you can teach yourself anything. I still vet most of my ideas through research and colleagues before I commit them to the page. I would feel awful if someone called me on a rudimentary error on some science principle in my writing.

When you delve deep into the world of physics, either relativity or quantum mechanics, the universe starts to become a very strange place. At the snails pace we can travel currently, Einstein’s universe behaves fairly straight forward. At velocities approaching light speed, however, things start to get a little crazy scientist have discovered. If you’re not familiar with the effects of high-speeds, then do some research. You don’t need to fry your brain to try to imagine some bizarre phenomenon. The universe will do it for you.

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What are some of the strangest science principles that science fiction writers could focus on for good storytelling? Which would you like to see more of in the genre:

1. Plausible faster than light travel
2. Practical spaceship designs
3. Intelligent non-humanoid aliens
4. Probable genetic technology and use
5. Realistic weapons