Writing with Style: Lessons from Iconic Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors

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You know those books that have stuck with you after you’ve read that final sentence? Those books that elicit a caress from you when you close it at the end. What do you think is that thing that makes a story stick in your head for days on end? Maybe it’s the cool plot-twists out-of-this-world worldbuilding… Maybe it’s the characters who remind you a little too much of yourself. 

But let’s not forget the writing style. That magical element that makes some authors feel like they’re an old friend, enjoying a relaxing cup of tea with you by the hearth. 

Style is such an important element when it comes to writing engaging fiction—especially engaging science fiction, fantasy, or horror. You’ve likely read some pretty boring and drab speculative fiction in your life that just didn’t speak to you, or that you forgot about the instant you shut the book or powered down your e-reader. 

What makes some authors really stand out from the rest is how they don’t just write the story… they craft an experience for you. Think about Ray Bradbury’s prose or J.R.R. Tolkien’s insane worldbuilding. So what can we as writers learn from some of these legendary authors? What can we learn from their writing styles so we can sprinkle a little bit of that into our own writing? 

So What Exactly Is Writing Style?  

Writing style is that element of writing that tells a reader “Me—I’m writing this and no one else.” It’s your distinctive fingerprint. Your writing style is a very unique combination of tone, voice, word choice, sentence structure, and your approach to storytelling… so yeah… it’s kind of a lot, isn’t it? So how the heck are you supposed to master something as intense as writing style? 

Let’s take a look at an example from The Return of the King. Hmm… who should we pick? Ah, yes. Our Lord and Savior, Mr. J.R.R. Tolkien. His style is meticulous, indulgent, and full of subtle flavor. 

“He loved mountains, or he had loved the thought of them marching on the edge of stories brought from far away; but now he was borne down by the insupportable weight of Middle-earth. He longed to shut out the immensity in a quiet room by a fire.”

Now let’s take a look at Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, where his writing style is intense, poetic, and deeply emotional. 

“The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us.”

Where Tolkien takes his time to describe something (and he does it beautifully), Bradbury punches fast yet still somehow adds beauty. 

Your writing style doesn’t have to be fancy. You just need to create a vibe that your readers will immediately recognize. I want to spend some time dissecting writing style today, but we’ll do so by cracking into some sci-fi and fantasy legends. And hopefully you can take away some useful tricks. 

Lessons from the Masters  

Ursula K. Le Guin: The Power of Language 

Let’s start out with our other Lord and Savior, Ursula K. Le Guin. If you don’t recognize the name (which seems crazy… she’s fantasy and sci-fi’s reigning Queen of the Wordsmiths), Le Guin’s most popular works include Tales from Earthsea and The Dispossed. Let’s see what she has to say about the art of storytelling. “Words are my matter. I have chipped one stone from another to build the walls and towers of a story.” And oh, did she build. Let’s look at an example from The Left Hand of Darkness.

“A profound love between two people involves, after all, the power and chance of doing profound hurt.”

Daaaamn, that’s punchy. We know exactly what she’s about, but she does it by using such unique language.  The language here is precise, emotional, and explores some intense themes.

The Lesson: 

I think our takeaway from Le Guin is that our words matter. We can see in such a simple line what one of the major themes of the book are. So don’t worry about using big words and long sentences. They’re not necessary to pack a punch, build tension (or wonder) for your readers, or show your theme. If you use your words deliberately, you can do all these things and more. 

J.R.R. Tolkien: World-Building Through Detail

I know not all of us are creating whole freaking languages like our boy Tolkien. But we can learn a lot from his writing style. Not only did he create full, functioning languages, but he also created deep histories and detailed maps. 

Fun Katrina fact: I got to see an exhibit about his worldbuilding process that had actual freaking manuscripts and braindump notes from Tolkien as he wrote LotR. That man went hard when it came to worldbuilding for Middle-earth. It was honestly the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. 

What I’m trying to say is that Mr. Tolkien practically invented epic world-building. Let’s look at another example from The Lord of the Rings. 

“Pippin glanced in some wonder at the face now close beside his own, for the sound of that laugh had been gay and merry. Yet in the wizard's face he saw at first only lines of care and sorrow; though as he looked more intently he perceived that under all there was a great joy: a fountain of mirth enough to set a kingdom laughing, were it to gush forth.” 

Now, I know this probably doesn’t come off as worldbuildy… but let’s take a deeper look at the lesson here. 

The Lesson: 

Understand that your details matter. But there’s a caveat! Those details need to serve the story. In this example, Tolkien gives us a very rich description that just immerses you into the story and the world. It’s not there for decoration, although it feels like it. He’s reflecting a character’s inner journey (and two here, honestly) with his language alone. “But Katrina,” you ask, “how do I know if my details serve my story?” Great question, my friend. I will answer your question with a question of my own. How do your details enrich your story instead of overwhelm it? Ask yourself this question when you’re working through revisions.

Octavia E. Butler: Character-Driven Storytelling  

If you haven’t read Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, then add it to the top of your TBR. This woman wrote such deep characters. When you think sci-fi, you don’t always think about character-driven stories. But Butler was a master at this. Her characters feel so real and relatable. Let’s take a look at this moment from Kindred. 

“Better to stay alive," I said. "At least while there's a chance to get free." I thought of the sleeping pills in my bag and wondered just how great a hypocrite I was. It was so easy to advise other people to live with their pain.”

Wow, that’s intense. This book is about a character’s journey through time, but she uses that plot itself as a way to explore resilience and humanity. 

The Lesson:

So what can we learn from Octavia E. Butler? Ground your characters in your story. Make your characters feel human. One of the many reasons we read books is to see ourselves in the protagonist. And to do that, we need to not only know the character’s relatable faults, but we need to see and feel how that character changes because of their journey. Your readers need to care about what happens to your character.

Isaac Asimov: Clarity in Complexity  

Isaac Asimov’s Foundation is crazy full of some really big ideas, like psychohistory—an approach to understanding human behavior through history and psychology. That just makes you so excited to read that book, huh? I mean, yeah, it’s interesting, but it sounds a little heavy and thick in the prose. 
Let’s find out: 

“To succeed, planning alone is insufficient. One must improvise as well.”

Well, that was short and sweet. Not heavy and thick at all. What’s great about Asimov’s prose is that he’s thought-provoking while being accessible. 

The Lesson: 

So what’s his trick? Clarity is key. This is extra important if your story deals with complex themes or  especially when your story deals with complex themes or tangling plots. Wrap your big ideas in concise language—which means that you need to watch out for passive phrasing!  Remember, KISS. Keep It Simple, Stupid! 

Ray Bradbury: Emotion in Prose  

We talked a bit about Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 above, but let’s spend a little more time. He uses emotion to make his stories unforgettable. 

“And when he died, I suddenly realized I wasn’t crying for him at all, but for the things he did... He was part of us and when he died, all the actions stopped dead and there was no one to do them the way he did. He was individual.”

Doesn’t that just put a big ol’ lump in your throat? Bradbury is poetic and unforgettable. He taps into your emotions and hangs on.  

The Lesson:

Emotion is everything. I always say how writing is such a vulnerable thing to do and share. You’re sharing a little piece of yourself every time you put words to paper. Allow that to happen. Don’t hold back just because you feel weird or nervous. The only way to make your readers feel something is for you to feel something. 

How to Apply These Lessons to Your Writing  

Now that we’ve studied the greats, how can you bring these lessons to life in your own writing?  

Our Words Matter

Use deliberate language to convey your themes, build tension, and engage your readers effectively.

Focus on Details That Matter 

If you’re world-building, make sure every detail contributes to the story. Create a backstory for your magical artifact, but only share what enhances the plot.  

Put Characters First

Before diving into epic battles or political intrigue, ask: What does my protagonist want, and why should readers care?  

Simplify When Needed 

Got a complex idea? Break it down. Think Asimov: clear, sharp, and to the point.  

Write with Emotion 

Whether it’s heartbreak, joy, or suspense, make sure your readers *feel* something with every chapter.  

An Exercise for You 

Try imitating a favorite author’s style for a short scene. Write a poetic Bradbury-esque description of a sunrise or a Le Guin-style exploration of an alien culture. Then, tweak it until it feels like you.  

Final Thoughts  

As you probably know, after trying your hand at writing, we’re not born with a unique writing style… like we are those finger prints. But rather, writing style is something you grow into and practice. One of my favorite lessons to teach is to READ, READ, READ. The more you read, the more you can learn from the masters of writing. Then, experiment and practice. With hard work and a little elbow grease, you’ll eventually discover your distinct writing style.

I’d love to hear about your favorite author’s writing style and how they’ve influenced your own writing. Share in the comments below! I love geeking out about books and storytelling, so maybe we can learn together. 

Wishing you ink-stained fingers and carpal tunnel,

Katrina