Fic Talk > General Discussion

The Sci-fi and Fantasy debate

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RokofAges75:
I'm not usually a huge fan of sci-fi or fantasy, especially in BSB fanfic.  I don't read much of these genres outside of fanfic, either, but I do love Harry Potter and children's fantasy and sci-fi that's more along the lines of Micheal Crichton/Jurassic Park, rather than the really "out there" stuff.  I just prefer realistic fiction, especially when I'm reading fanfic.  It's the same reason I prefer canon stories to AU.  It's a realism thing.

I think the reason people tend to lump sci-fi and fantasy together is because they're the two that aren't realistic fiction; they're the genres with situations that CAN'T happen.  But there definitely is a difference.  In simplest terms, fantasy is more magical-based, whereas sci-fi is science-based.  Both include elements that can't occur in real life, but sci-fi uses science as a way of explaining them, even if they still aren't really possible.

I have certainly read sci-fi and fantasy fanfics that I've enjoyed.  For me, it takes a heavy dose of realism at the beginning to suck me in.  I tend not to like stories that start out in a different world or some fantastical situation right off the bat.  I like it best when the characters are introduced to the sci-fi or fantasy part right along with me as I'm reading; it helps with my suspension of disbelief to be gradually drawn in, rather than thrown in from the get-go.  If it doesn't feel like a sci-fi/fantasy in the first chapter, I'm more likely to continue reading, and once I get sucked in, I can accept the unbelievable stuff.

RokofAges75:
I have limited experience writing in either of these genres, but both Song for the Undead and 00Carter contain elements of sci-fi, and just from writing those, I can totally agree with Mare and Lore that sci-fi requires a lot of research.  You can't just "make it up" because you want to make whatever you ARE making up still sound believable, so you have to base it on real facts and then stretch the truth from there.

Fantasy requires a lot of creativity and imagination, because you usually end up having to create characters/creatures and settings that don't really exist.  To do it right, there are so many details you have to work out that will make sense and not leave any holes or inconsistencie s.  I'm in awe of people like JK Rowling, who do this so brilliantly.  I don't have the imagination for it!

Carter-Orange:
I like sci-fi and fantasy, but not the really way out stuff which gets far too technical.  It's good to see some great sci-fi's being posted at the moment by really good writers :)

I don't know why it's overlooked, but suppose it's a matter of taste.  Same way there are people who won't read romance or slash or whatever else. 

I wish I had the imagination to be able to write it and make it seem convincing!

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