Writing science fiction is not always straightforward. There are many traps to be avoided and expectations to meet.
(1) As a reader of sci-fi, what do you think is the biggest mistake authors in the genre make?
- Not having a point. Now this is not specifically a SF problem, it crops up in lots of genres, but to me it is more to be expected in other genres. To me SF has an advantage over simple fiction in that it comes with more opportunities to explore ideas, concepts, and themes in ways that would be difficult to pull of in many other genres. To NOT do so feels like a missed opportunity to me.
SF can transcend simple stories, plots, and characters. SF can open doors. - Focusing so hard on the science that they forget about the fiction.
(2) As an author of sci-fi, what ‘golden rules’ do you strive to keep in mind when writing?
Rule 1: Each scene must advance the plot and the characters, but more importantly, the plot and characters must advance the theme.
Rule 2: Do not be obvious about rule 1.
(3) What defines a work as being science fiction in your opinion?
Must be plausible, but not currently entirely feasible.
(4) How much do you rely on tropes and reader pre-assumptions in your own science fiction?
Tropes are required in order to lay a foundation of assumptions. World building can play very negatively against plot and theme, so tropes can leverage pre-built worlds. For example, I only need to hint that we are on a mining outpost in the asteroid belt. I don’t need to explain it at all because I assume the reader knows enough about he asteroid belt and the mineral (or whatever, irrelevant) content of asteroids to suspend their disbelief.
Likewise, we can assume that spaceships are possible without having to go into detail about how their engines work. Who cares? Unless of course, one of your themes is “X new technology could be a thing”, then yes, you will need to explore that explicitly.
Of course, there are also tropes that are meant to be novel but are just played out. I try to avoid those ones.