Science fiction and post-apocalyptic fiction play nicely together. Both genres fall under the umbrella of speculative fiction and therefore have a lot in common.
These stories look at what is … and speculate about what could be.
In this guide, I’ll offer some ideas for combining sci-fi and post-apocalyptic elements within the same story or novel.
Combining Post-Apocalyptic and Science Fiction
The science fiction and post-apocalyptic genres go together like peanut butter and jelly. This compatibility gives you, as an author, limitless possibilities for crafting a thrilling story.
Consider the following similarities between sci-fi and post-apocalyptic stories.
- What-if scenarios: Sci-fi stories often focus on scientific advancements, while post-apocalyptic fiction can explore the consequences of those achievements.
- Ethical Dilemmas: Both of these genres show how humans grapple with ethical questions ranging from artificial intelligence to climate change.
- World Building: Science fiction envisions a new world that is somehow different from our own. Post-apocalyptic stories wipe the slate clean and start over again, with a new version of the world order. Both genres offer exciting world-building opportunities.
- Sense of Scale: Science fiction operates on a grand scale by exploring the furthest reaches of time, space and technology. Post-apocalyptic stories can ground these “big ideas” by showing how they affect societies and individuals alike.
- Political and Social: Science fiction frequently provides commentary on current social, political, and environmental issues, often projecting those issues into the future. Post-apocalyptic fiction shows the potential outcomes of ignoring these issues and highlights the consequences of societal choices.
We’re generalizing here. Sci-fi and apocalyptic stories often deviate from the standard conventions and themes mentioned above.
The point is, these two genres can merge in a logical and meaningful way, by showing how science can have catastrophic outcomes that affect all of us.
Idea Matrix: Over 1,000 Story Possibilities
Below, you’ll find a table that lists dozens of concepts commonly found in science fiction, with an equal number of post-apocalyptic scenarios. If you’re looking for ways to combine these two genres for a short story, novel, or graphic novel, this table will give you plenty of inspiration.
How to use this table to generate story ideas:
- Find a concept in the sci-fi column that interests you.
- Choose a post-apocalyptic scenario from the second column.
- Think about how the two ideas might merge to create a story.
Some combinations are more logical than others. It’s hard to imagine how a worm hole would lead to a global ice age, or how mind uploading would cause a viral outbreak. (Or is it?)
| Science Fiction Concept | Post-Apocalyptic Scenario |
| Artificial Intelligence | Nuclear holocaust |
| Genetic Engineering | Global tide surge |
| Nanotechnology | Alien invasion |
| Space Travel | Worldwide famine |
| Quantum Physics | Mass extinction event |
| Wormholes | Global blackout |
| Cybernetics | Supervolcano eruption |
| Bioweapons | Zombie apocalypse |
| Alien Contact | Planetary collision |
| Terraforming | Global pandemic |
| Virtual Reality | Environmental collapse |
| Robotics | Resource wars |
| Time Travel | Ice age |
| Climate Engineering | Worldwide drought |
| Advanced Weaponry | Economic collapse |
| Extraterrestrial Artifacts | EMP (electromagnetic pulse) disaster |
| Mind Uploading | Rogue AI takeover |
| Space Mining | Biological warfare |
| Synthetic Biology | Civilizational collapse |
| Superhuman Abilities | Ocean acidification |
| Cloning | Mutant uprising |
| Fusion Power | Asteroid impact |
| Telepathy | Resource depletion |
| Alien Technology Integration | Virus outbreak |
| Asteroid Mining | Alien terraforming of Earth |
| Cryonics | Megastorms |
| Space Colonization | Global uprising |
| Self-Replicating Machines | Cybernetic revolt |
| Neural Implants | Continent-wide wildfires |
| Anti-Matter Power | Genetic mutations |
| Bio-Digital Convergence | Toxic waste disaster |
| Extraterrestrial Viruses | Water scarcity |
| Global Surveillance System | Destruction of the atmosphere |
| Astrobiology Discovery | Pandemic of rage-inducing virus |
| Solar Power Satellites | Extreme climate change |
Example of a Sci-Fi Post-Apocalyptic Mashup
This table would make a great conversation starter as well, if you know someone else who is interested in these genres. It opens some thought-provoking questions, like these:
- How could terraforming on another planet lead to a viral outbreak?
- How could human cloning lead to economic collapse or resource wars?
- How could nanotechnology result in widespread genetic mutations?
- How could neural implant technology lead to a worldwide revolt?
Artificial intelligence is a hot topic right now—and downright scary for some folks. A clever fiction writer could create a near-future version of AI (sci-fi component) and connect it to many of the apocalyptic scenarios in column two.
Some Tips for Tying It All Together
You now have a wealth of ideas for merging the science fiction and post-apocalyptic genres in your writing. Now, let’s wrap up with a few writing tips. The following strategies will help you create a gripping story that thrills, delights, and immerses your readers.
1. Focus on the human component.
Sci-fi and post-apocalyptic scenarios can intrigue and fascinate writers. They dazzle us with their sheer immensity and thought-provoking what-if questions.
But they can also distract us from what matters most—the human element.
When writing a story that combines these genres, be sure to develop your characters as well. The best science fiction and apocalyptic stories show how humans grapple with big ideas and devastating scenarios.
2. Create a believable world.
At times, speculative fiction can require the reader to suspend disbelief. You can help them do this by creating a detailed world for your story, using consistency and logic as your guides.
This will require some research on your part. Maybe a lot of research. But your story will be better for it. Through research, detail and description, you can create a believable world that immerses the reader and keeps them engaged.
3. Explore the psychological effects.
Consider how the post-apocalyptic world affects the mental and emotional health of your characters. Consider their trauma, fears and concerns, their sense of loss.
More importantly, find ways to reveal these emotional states to your readers. You can do this through dialogue, action, and introspection, among other techniques.
4. Identify the springboard moment in your story.
The science fiction and post-apocalyptic genres can often be connected using what I refer to as the “springboard” moment or incident.
Let’s say your story begins with some kind of scientific research taking place. Maybe it’s a weaponized virus. Maybe it’s a powerful new AI technology. But something goes wrong—horribly wrong—and the world is plunged into chaos.
- A virus escapes from a lab and starts a deadly pandemic.
- An effort to deflect an earthbound comet makes matters much worse.
- A sentient AI entity goes rogue and launches a nuclear first strike.
You get the idea. In these scenarios, the story begins with a science fiction premise (something plausible but not yet possible) and then springboards into an apocalyptic event.
You don’t have to structure your story this way. It’s your world. You can shape it as you see fit.
But you might find this to be a helpful and logical way to blend these two genres.