tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post4525132206087267745..comments2024-03-20T13:50:31.484+11:00Comments on DarkSide DownUnder: Magic Thursday - the difference between science fiction and fantasyEleni Konstantinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12410262752761104440noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-7038721921066395682012-05-21T20:27:00.464+10:002012-05-21T20:27:00.464+10:00I wonder if it's easier to read descriptions o...I wonder if it's easier to read descriptions of magic because you don't expect to know how it actually works, whereas with science fiction you feel like you should be able to follow the description and work it out and feel dumb if you can't...<br /><br />A theory anyway :)Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-78189842544587709032012-05-19T10:01:22.610+10:002012-05-19T10:01:22.610+10:00I have the weirdest relationship with scifi. I lov...I have the weirdest relationship with scifi. I love the old stuff, Verne, Wells, and I love scifi TV, but I can't get into the modern books so much. Some have denser technology explanations which I don't get. Of the ones I do like, Robert J Saywer, Ian Irvine and John Birmingham. <br /><br />I'm trying to branch out, as I've been a single-genre reader for so long (with fantasy. For some reason complicated magic explanations are fine with me). <br /><br />The best thing about sci fi (and recently, about fantasy too) is that it inspires people to actually recreate the technology (Harry Potter's Invisibility Cloak, the medical Tricorder from Star Trek) and that's just pure awesome!Nyssahttp://undeadstudies.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-17699589077767287412012-05-19T09:00:40.503+10:002012-05-19T09:00:40.503+10:00Agree - I love the sense of history and longevity ...Agree - I love the sense of history and longevity that strong mythology brings to a story. That was one of the cool things about Dune, the awareness that this was all just one moment in the long history of this place.Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-25542053666698887672012-05-19T08:59:30.027+10:002012-05-19T08:59:30.027+10:00Thanks Marie. Yes, it's unfortunate that at th...Thanks Marie. Yes, it's unfortunate that at the moment, we authors have to label to find the right path to the shelves.<br /><br />Who knows, with the revolution currently happening in publishing, maybe one upshot will be that genres don't matter as much anymore?Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-45936121985553115052012-05-19T08:58:21.023+10:002012-05-19T08:58:21.023+10:00Isn't an 'awesome' shelf the best idea...Isn't an 'awesome' shelf the best idea. Wish I had a bookstore again just so I could do it :)Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-8288719099701666802012-05-18T08:00:41.057+10:002012-05-18T08:00:41.057+10:00I like both sci-fi and fantasy, and I like them mi...I like both sci-fi and fantasy, and I like them mixed a little too. But what I really like is when a strong mythology is wound into the mix as well (think Dune). Pure sci-fi (to my way of thinking) but the mythological elements add a real "fantasy" feel to it.Icyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15214166536463894805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-34579945035016438472012-05-17T17:43:02.422+10:002012-05-17T17:43:02.422+10:00Great post, I was thinking about this recently whe...Great post, I was thinking about this recently when looking for agents for my book, when they say no sci-fi or no fantasy. And yes I agree with some of the other comments about YA, you find younger teenagers through to adults reading it. THanks for the post and good luck with your book.mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14444341977882040090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-66108598044423877762012-05-17T17:08:38.474+10:002012-05-17T17:08:38.474+10:00Fascinating post, Nicole.
I love the term, 's...Fascinating post, Nicole.<br /><br />I love the term, 'science fantasy', though I am equally comfy with 'spec fic'. The blend and balance of the two genres often makes a great read, too. <br /><br />If I had a bookshop, I'd make an 'awesome!' shelf, for sure. :)Emmeline Lockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10398543962808655906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-73523683735025318622012-05-17T16:43:05.873+10:002012-05-17T16:43:05.873+10:00Whereas there are people out there who will go ...Whereas there are people out there who will go 'space travel? Must be science fiction' and that's the end of the conversation.<br /><br />Just goes to show how limiting labels can be.Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-55931053701987454472012-05-17T16:41:56.647+10:002012-05-17T16:41:56.647+10:00It starts to really do your head in, though, when ...It starts to really do your head in, though, when you have one description in your mind and then marketing start throwing another in... :)<br /><br />Our poor stories will end up dreadfully confused.Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-25084801545884897312012-05-17T16:40:44.071+10:002012-05-17T16:40:44.071+10:00Oh yes, can you imagine some of the fans being tol...Oh yes, can you imagine some of the fans being told that their science fiction is fantasy and vice versa? :)<br /><br />No Continuum for me I'm afraid. Will try not to mope too much at the thought of all the fun you'll be having.Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-60042685122653721622012-05-17T16:39:35.994+10:002012-05-17T16:39:35.994+10:00Yes, I guess 'horror' is another thing to ...Yes, I guess 'horror' is another thing to consider in all this and maybe what we've got isn't a one-line continuum but something like a triangle, and stories can fit all over the space between :)Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-43670136629759105832012-05-17T16:38:19.478+10:002012-05-17T16:38:19.478+10:00It's a bit of a reminder about life in general...It's a bit of a reminder about life in general really - nothing is ever just black or white. :)Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-87742361377565822092012-05-17T12:11:14.992+10:002012-05-17T12:11:14.992+10:00My writing is certainly fantasy but it starts to c...My writing is certainly fantasy but it starts to cross into science fiction with the introduction of space travel and the use of high-tech weapons. While I still use the term 'fantasy' to describe my works, I understand it could be called spec-fic because of the merging of fantasy and sci-fi.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07230320332945162560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-56474119298865473892012-05-17T11:58:20.072+10:002012-05-17T11:58:20.072+10:00I'm with Pamela. I call a lot of my writing sp...I'm with Pamela. I call a lot of my writing speculative fiction because I don't want to waste good writing time thinking about where it sits on the spectrum. I just want to write a good story that entertains, massages the grey matter a little maybe, but mostly just enables readers to connect with my characters, each other... and me.<br /><br />That said, I like the term science fantasy – and it's made me want to read "The Right Connection" to find out more!!Zena Shapterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05478199990704805994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-80421237281699917382012-05-17T11:43:29.157+10:002012-05-17T11:43:29.157+10:00I agree with you Nicole, the line is increasingly ...I agree with you Nicole, the line is increasingly blurred, especially as people from 21st Century persecptives try to come up with definitive definitions. I mean just consider some of the greatest SF writers 'of their time' like PK Dick and Bradbury, and how much of their stuff that is still referred to as SF but under modern diefinitions falls into the fantasy or science fantasy categories. Never a good topid for a convention panel that's for sure!<br />PS. You going to be at Continuum?<br />AlisonAlison Bartonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-69327948142842856292012-05-17T11:32:51.948+10:002012-05-17T11:32:51.948+10:00Great post Nicole. I was thinking about this the o...Great post Nicole. I was thinking about this the other day while watching that show on SBS, "Prophets of Science Fiction". I would never have classified Bram Stoker or Mary Shelley as science fiction writers but if you look at when they wrote, in a way they were. I guess that is why the term "speculative fiction" has become popular as it can cover a wider spectrum.Petanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-40086868660874124282012-05-17T10:49:30.627+10:002012-05-17T10:49:30.627+10:00I must admit I'm one who usually thinks it'...I must admit I'm one who usually thinks it's an easy line to distingush but have to now think seriously about that middle line.emmadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00816727169612453909noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-72872156985350321962012-05-17T10:15:21.727+10:002012-05-17T10:15:21.727+10:00Thanks, Nicole - I hope you enjoy it!Thanks, Nicole - I hope you enjoy it!Pamela Freemanhttp://www.pamelafreeman.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-33075241609088801362012-05-17T10:10:41.037+10:002012-05-17T10:10:41.037+10:00I am ashamed to admit that I haven't read Jo&#...I am ashamed to admit that I haven't read Jo's book - bad friend :) <br /><br />Agree that these categories are probably restricting people's reading and having them miss out on some great books.<br /><br />And speaking of great books - Congrats on the Aurealis for Best Fantasy! I have Ember and Ash on the shelf as my next to read and I'm excited. I remember when you read some of it at the Freecon a couple of years ago and loved it.Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-86474364693698984762012-05-17T10:08:45.161+10:002012-05-17T10:08:45.161+10:00Ah yes, the whole 'it must be categorised, it ...Ah yes, the whole 'it must be categorised, it should be categorised, where should it be shelved' thing. I think that's been one of the problems that's plagued my books - no one know whether to put them in fantasy or paranormal romance.Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-41439066587128060852012-05-17T10:07:44.230+10:002012-05-17T10:07:44.230+10:00I wonder how many YA editors/authors are aware of ...I wonder how many YA editors/authors are aware of how many adults read and love YA? Ain't just for the kids :)<br /><br />That definition of YA is an interesting one, because I'm reading Mary Victoria's trilogy at the moment and while the protagonists are all teenagers, I wouldn't call it YA. And then you see Margo Lanagan being marketed YA, whereas there's no WAY I'd call Tender Morsels a YA book.Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-11186913521453704612012-05-17T10:06:19.202+10:002012-05-17T10:06:19.202+10:00Nicole, have you read Jo Anderton's Debris? T...Nicole, have you read Jo Anderton's Debris? This is a great example of a book which sits clearly in the middle. When my husband and I read it, we both thought it was science fiction. But it was shortlisted for the Aurealis Award for Best Fantasy Novel, and when I saw Jo at the Awards night I asked her - she thinks it's fantasy, but her editors think it's science fiction!<br /><br />Let's get rid of the division and call it all speculative fiction - then maybe we'll read more widely and enjoy ourselves more as a result!Pamela Freemanhttp://pamelafreeman.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-73346459121947734282012-05-17T10:05:15.605+10:002012-05-17T10:05:15.605+10:00Yes, it's a shame there isn't a shelf in t...Yes, it's a shame there isn't a shelf in the bookstore for 'awesome' and books that deserve it can shelved there, regardless of 'genre' :)Nicole Murphyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653091430551896614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8871421659562888277.post-34151301411631177162012-05-17T09:27:09.230+10:002012-05-17T09:27:09.230+10:00I think there is a reason that the shelves in the ...I think there is a reason that the shelves in the bookshops say Science Fiction & Fantasy without a distinction between the two. It's a continuum and the decision where to put a book is one I think is made mainly by marketers. If it has a space ship, it must be science fiction. If the world feels primitive, it must be fantasy. It's a little short-sighted, really. Star Wars is a good example of a science fiction that, according to many people, isn't.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com