SCIENCE FICTION VS. FANTASY Speculative Fiction

SPECULATIVE FICTION  Speculative fiction is science fiction, fantasy, horror, superhero, dystopian, utopian, etc.  This is the real category that fantasy and science fiction falls under – we don’t use it because bookstores (usually) separate the category into fantasy and science fiction.

SCIENCE FICTION  If the story is set in a universe that follows the same rules as ours, it’s science fiction.  In general, science fiction is about what could be but isn’t.

FANTASY  If it’s set in a universe that doesn’t follow our rules, it’s fantasy.  In general, fantasy is about what couldn’t be, but is.

DISCLAIMER  Science fiction and fantasy can mix together and get really confusing – vampires in space, techno-mages, etc.

IMPORTANT AS A WRITER  You need to establish as quickly as possible whether or not your story is fantasy or science fiction.  Imagine reading a classic, like Of Mice and Men, and Lenny suddenly turns into a wizard and uses magic to undo all he has done – the reader will not like it.

FANTASY RULES 1. Magic has to have limits. 2. You don’t have to have every known fantasy critter or characteristic. 3. Difficult names are annoying. 4. Don’t have people talk in other languages all the time. 5. Don’t have characters explain what things are or how they work – show it.

(BRANDON) SANDERSON’S FIRST LAW  An author's ability to solve conflict with magic is DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL to how well the reader understands said magic.  In other words, if you set up logical magic rules you can use magic more often – without upsetting the reader.

SCIENCE FICTION RULES 1. Explain how space travel works – in a logical manner (Sorry, warp-drive fans) 2. Watch using “techno” babble. 3. Difficult names are annoying. 4. Don’t have people talk in other languages all the time. 5. Don’t have characters explain what things are or how they work – show it.

SPACE TRAVEL IN DUNE

OTHER RANDOM THOUGHTS  Time travel will give you fits in a science fiction story – especially if you try to base it on real science.  Humanoid – all aliens have legs, arms, body, and face. Changing this makes it impossible for the reader to recognize the alien as a true character.  Carefully consider the Rules for the world you are creating.  Example: Rule: Water kills whipersnoodles. Yet, you write that Fred Whipersnoodle was playing in the rain – you lost a reader.

THINK ABOUT THE HERO’S JOURNEY  There is no formula to great writing, but if you are stumped the hero’s journey is a good way to start.

ONLY STEAL FROM THE BEST…  You can get ideas from classic texts.  Shakespeare  The Bible  The Iliad/The Odyssey  Characters from classic literature – a fantasy Sherlock Holmes or galaxy jumping Capt. Nemo.

CHARACTERIZATION Too often the #1 problem in a boring story is that the main character isn’t interesting – there are lots of ways to make a character interesting. 1. Murder, Mayhem, Marvel, Mystery 2. CONFLICT of any sort 3. Imagine yourself as the character 4. Have the character do something unexpected

SETTING  Focus on the strangeness of the world you are creating and force the hero/protagonist to travel.  Again – watch names – they are so important to any story.

EVENT  You can use a defining event – the death of a king/the arrival of a superior species/etc. – your story focuses on a character dealing with the event.  Ex. War of the Worlds or World War Z

IDEA  Use a unique idea that requires exploration by a hero/protagonist  Example: Fuel supplies for transportation are only found in one location, and the ownership of the location is being fought over.  This is currently playing out in the Middle East and is a major plot element of Dune.

MACGUFFIN  Alfred Hitchcock popularized the term in 1939, while talking about his films.

MACGUFFIN An object which drives characters to ridiculous extremes to acquire it – one of the most famous in literature is the Maltese Falcon. A more modern example is the unobtainium in Avatar.

TRYING TOO HARD  I often see students writing fantasy that is clearly ripping on a favorite author – fair enough, you are not an author so why not copy one’s style.  HOWEVER, you have to have your own ideas and spark that makes your writing different even if you write in the style of someone you admire.  We ARE NOT writing fan fiction.

READ, WATCH, LISTEN, AND WRITE  Read as many books as you can.  Watch as many different types of movies and TV shows as you can – if they are quality or different than the norm.  iTunes has a ton of science fiction and fantasy podcasts – Sword & Laser, The Escape Pod, Writing Excuses.Writing Excuses  The more you write the better you get.