Well, this tutorial basically will help you figure out what kind of story you want with what kind of sciences. You can also say that it’s the rules of the story, so in a way, the character doesn’t fly for no darn reason.
Anywhoo, I classify the Sciences by the following:
1.-Super Powers: If you’ve noticed, stories and comics like to add the protagonists something to defend himself. We’ll treat weapons later, but here let’s point out the types of super power and where they can come from:
i)Super Human Abilities: Your character can run really fast, but why? Super shoes, scientific experiment, aliens? Have that in mind when you want to describe the ‘WHY’ he/she can do that. Remember that there is super HUMAN and super Powers.
ii)Super Powers: Now let’s say he can fly. How? “Oh he is an alien”. Alright, good enough. “He’s got a jet-pack”. Sciencey, cool. Don’t forget that most down to Earth things might need an explanation, so bring out the use of that jet-pack. Just as well, if your character can do something crazy like appear and disappear in a blink, bring out the reason. Ninja Jutsu, alien or human technology, mutation (lol).
iii) Ummm… I want a combination of both: Of course you do (or don’t). In any case, in the prologue, you usually explain everything. I don’t know about you (or you, or YOU), but a super hero that all of a sudden starts to spit fire in the middle of a fight and you don’t know why, kinda ticks me off, so leave it clear the strengths of your characters. Plus, how they get some powers should be explained too.
2.-Aliens: These guys give you an infinity of ideas, so straight to the explaining that my guy is a three-eyed, acid-blob, inside a contained, space suit. You imagine that guy in your front lawn, without the suit? Gross, and also, wouldn’t he just burn a hole through the front steps and sink? Make it possible for your character to be sustained in any environment (or not? We’ll talk about that later).
3.-Mutants: See Super Powers (almost always go hand in hand).
4.-Science Experiments/Virus: Personally my favorite, wouldn’t mind to be infected by a virus to make me super powerful or to have a bionic arm. Now, you know the drill. But this one is a bit more difficult. Why? Because the science has to be exact or at least close to being possible. Oh, and a reason for that to happen.
5.-Weapons and Awesome Tech: Guns, cannons, knives, swords, fighting combos and sweet technology obviously serve a purpose. To kill, to defend, to pick your nose, whatever, but remember, if your gonna flick the booger at the bad guy, it’s gotta be possible for it to kill him. Gross, bad example.
I guess I covered most of the bases of that (as always, you guys can correct me and verbally slap me silly for forgetting this and that), so let’s go head on towards environments and settings!!
1.-Settings: Here on Earth or out in space, laws of physics apply. So, keep in mind what it is that makes you fall and what makes sink. Unless your character can walk through walls, it’s physically impossible for us to do that.
2.-Environments: Everything varies where ever you stand, from a mountain top down to the ocean floor, even inside a cave and outside this world. Investigate all these physical laws before you blow a bomb inside a grotto.
In the end, it’s your story, but it’s always nice to know why…
