Very cool piece on SF vs. Fantasy
by Lawrence Watt-Evans
(Those funky colored words are a link to it, in case you can't tell.)
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So, I got to wondering- am I writing a science fiction novel or a fantasy? I created a quasi-rational reason for the existence of Fir Na Gealai' and their extraordinary abilities. So, according to this article, I suppose it causes The Whimsicality of Perception to tend toward SF.
There are huge flaws in the science, though.
I've read SF books and seen SF movies with big holes in the science and/or the plot and it doesn't spoil the fun for me. But I happen to like both SF and Fantasy. My husband, on the other hand, doesn't like fantasy very much but enjoys SF and he doesn't like flawed science in his SF. It destroys the illusion for him.
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So, just a little something to think about.
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**Here's a random shot of my Douglas Adams collection. It's poor quality because it's just a still shot taken from my towel day video. I just thought perhaps it would spruce up today's post.**
7 comments:
SF because you give definition or reason?
I guess in my head one big difference is as the article says whether you think what you are writing is actually possible, plausible, or someday it will be because of new technology.
I have not read enough of your book to know what is going on with your mystery man...whether he is from the future, or simply has magical abilites. So you would be the one to classify it.
I also know, however, that agents aren't so picky when the author defines their own work, because the line is so thin sometimes the publisher (if the book gets to that stage) will classify the book however they deem fit, regardless of what you thought you were writing.
Grey, well,the article said that if your hero rides a dragon, it's fantasy, but if the dragon is a result of gene splitting, then it's SF. My hero has extraordinary strength and agility. He sees it as scientifically explainable, but some others of his kind hold a more magical/mythical rational for their abilities. So, I'm not sure.
Aubrey, Thanks, It's good to know that I don't have to classify it because I could argue either way and in the end, it may not matter except that if I say "fantasy," then some will be sad there are no wizards and elves and if I say "SF" some will be sad there are no aliens. LOL
I have a question-
I found a comment you wrote on Grey's blog. It had to do with Blended families. May I quote you on that and link to your blog? Or, do I quote you on that a link to Grey's blog. Your words, but his blog. I am not sure what to do, but is the most brilliant description of a blended family I have ever heard.
email and let me know, I won't do anything until I hear from you
sandibenson@gmail.com
Haven't read anything from you in over a month. Hope all is well & that you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.
Well, Star Wars is really a bluring of Sci-Fi and Fantasy as far as I'm concerned. Spaceships = Sci Fi. Magic and the "force" = Fantasy. So if it doesn't fit perfectly into one, you're in good company. Call it speculitive fiction and be done.
I think I may be able to top your Douglas Adams collection. Pretty sure I have everything he's written - some in more than one form. Yours is impressive though. It'd be a close call.
Thanks, Kara. I don't know if you've seen our geeky towel day videos. You might get a kick out of them. There both on my Youtube page. http://www.youtube.com/madelinemoody
Speculative Fiction- I like that
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