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The future depicted in a good SF story ought to be in fact…

“The future depicted in a good SF story ought to be in fact possible, or at least plausible. That means that the writer should be able to convince the reader (and himself) that the wonders he is describing really can come true... and that gets tricky when you take a good, hard look at the world…” quote by Frederik Pohl
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“The future depicted in a good SF story ought to be in fact possible, or at least plausible. That means that the writer should be able to convince the reader (and himself) that the wonders he is describing really can come true... and that gets tricky when you take a good, hard look at the world around you.”

Frederik Pohl

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

SF should imagine plausible futures, requiring writers to ground wonder in reality, which is challenging.

In simple terms: Science fiction must be believable.

Key Takeaway

Write imaginative yet plausible futures.

Themes

imagination plausibility creativity

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

creative philosophical

When to use this quote

  • writing workshops
  • creative brainstorming
  • education

Key Concepts

worldbuilding speculative realism

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can writers balance realism with innovation?
  • What real-world trends inspire your stories?
A Different Perspective

Plausibility may limit radical ideas.

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