Writing and submitting your stories -- Questions for K. D. Wentworth

[kdwentworth]

In imagining and writing about an alien race/culture what do you think are the most important things an inexperienced SFF writer should keep in mind?

The most important thing to remember is to not make them like humans, which seems to be very hard for some writers. I suspect the Star Trek universe of Humans with Funny Noses is responsible for this. As far as I'm concerned, aliens will not smile, laugh, frown, tell jokes, or raise their children the same as humans. They won't have the same kin-relationships. In Black/on/black, the main character is startled to realize that hrinn don't recognize the concept of father, brother, uncle, or son. When he's seeking his family, they don't even understand what he wants. Females who favor their own offspring over others in their Line are thought perverted.

Aliens shouldn't just be people in scales or people in fur. They shouldn't be giant wolves who walk on two legs, or bears, or cats. They should be themselves. They may have some of those characteristics, but the thing that makes them the most alien should be their way of thinking. How do they believe the universe works? Are they superstitious? What kind of arrangements do they have for habitation? Pair-bonding? Raising of progeny? Do they conduct commerce? How do they acquire and distribute food? What do they consider a fulfulled life?

You have to figure out what you take for granted in human culture and then throw it out the window so you can start fresh.