1. What do you like best about science fiction? What attracts you to the genre and what keeps you coming back to it?

I'm a big fan of the 'just over the horizon' or the 'terminal' type of sci-fi. A reason I loved Arthur C Clarke is because he wasn't afraid to dream BIG about his sci-fi. Moving stars? child's play! On the other hand, there are more tame examples of sci-fi where it's sort of just beyond humanity's technology to dream or imagine. Most of that sci-fi is more humanity with a twist, but still, it feels nice to look at certain writing and plot devices through the lens of a subtle shift.

2. How much explanation of technology do you prefer? Is it enough to understand what's happening, or do you tend to want a scientific explanation for how things work?

I prefer more explanation, but the thing I like most is an idea that I haven't encountered before. This might be because at heart, I'm really interested in how things work, but still. one of the more major differences between sci-fi and fantasy (in my humble opinion) is that sci-fi has more explanation as to how things got done. Those big ships? they need yuuuuuge shipyards. it always helped in my mind to establish just how huge or transcendent or incredible the technologies of the day are, and make comparisons to those feeble men who could barely split the atom and such. At least for me in high sci-fi.

3. Is there anything you dislike about science fiction, or any pitfalls to the genre you think a writer should avoid?

Eh, I have encountered pieces of writing where the explanation is shallow, and it just seems like magic with some set dressing, but that's a minor concern I think.