Personally I'm only interested in reading/writing fantasy. Sci-fi doesn't appeal to me in the slightest, and it's always amazed me that sci-fi and fantasy are lumped together, when I am so passionate about one while utterly avoiding the other.
Sci-fi or Fantasy?
- Thread starter Rhys Cordelle
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I can't say that I'm anti-sci fi, because I do enjoy it. But I'm so heavily weighted toward fantasy that I voted the same way you did.
Liosse de Velishaf
Banned
Read some Planetary Romance, Sword and Planet, Steampunk, or Space Opera, and then asky yourself that question again. Also Clock-punk and some Cyberpunk and some Alt History.
I voted both. I love both and it makes a great deal of sense to me that they would be put in the same section.
I voted both. I love both and it makes a great deal of sense to me that they would be put in the same section.
Interesting. How do you feel about books that appear to be fantasy but are secretly SF underneath? Silverberg's Lord Valentine's Castle etc series and Zelazny's Lord of Light spring to mind. Or books that are SF/fantasy mashups, like Perdido Street Station and other books set in that universe? Both of these types of books seem to me to be written in a fantasy genre mode even if they are technically SF.
Back in the 50's and 60's when I thought there were still canals on mars and interplanetary space travel was only 50 or so years away, I devoured Sci Fi. But then I went to HS and College and my science understanding became an impediment to most of my sci fi reading...
By the seventies, I was into fantasy more than sci fi because with fantasy, I could suspend my science beliefs and still enjoy the genre...
Today, both have to be really good, but I will always choose a good fantasy read over a sci fi read...
By the seventies, I was into fantasy more than sci fi because with fantasy, I could suspend my science beliefs and still enjoy the genre...
Today, both have to be really good, but I will always choose a good fantasy read over a sci fi read...
I restrict myself to writing fantasy. Writing believable techno babble terrifies me.
I read mostly fantasy. Though I do like Orson Scott Card's work. In the middle of reading Perdido Street Station right now. I have to put it down every other chapter, but not because it's not interesting. Mieville just has a way of describing things so well that I lose my appetite. If you've read the book you know what I'm talking about.
I read mostly fantasy. Though I do like Orson Scott Card's work. In the middle of reading Perdido Street Station right now. I have to put it down every other chapter, but not because it's not interesting. Mieville just has a way of describing things so well that I lose my appetite. If you've read the book you know what I'm talking about.
Liosse de Velishaf
Banned
That doesn't make any sense. It's fantasy on the surface and blatantly fantasy underneath with a thick fantasy gravy and a side order of fantasy.
On topic, I'm a "prefers fantasy" writer. Have written science fiction but don't generally think in terms of sf stories. Which is odd, since I'm so deep into science and whatnot.
But the reason Sam is running around on the planet is that a spaceship landed there and the passengers used science to make themselves be like Hindu gods and get reincarnation. So, it looks like fantasy, but it's caused by SCIENCE! He gets reincarnated by a satellite capturing his essence from where it's been floating around in space. Obviously it's improbable science, but still science and so SF underneath.
I thought I did. Until they were pulling eyeless bodies out of the river, and, I can't quite remember how he described the way the blood congealed in the sockets, but eaurgh. That and the slaughterhouse scene are the two big ones so far. I've butchered cattle and hogs before, and it was messy. Not that messy, but it wasn't too difficult to imagine based on what I've seen. You never forget the smell of the insides of an animal. It sears into your brain.
His characters are awesome though, and the reason I'm sticking with it to the end.
They beamed his essence into space, where it persisted for who knows how long. Not just improbable but implausible.
What about the Attributes and the Aspects that inexplicably transfer between bodies? Magic.
And the demons, beings of some mysterious mystical energy? I don't know. Sure seems like magic to me.
Science! They are having consciousness transfered into souped-up new bodies that are grown for them. The demons in the Hellwell are aliens. Science!
Liosse de Velishaf
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I write fantasy, because I have a non-science background that intimidates me in the direction away from sci-fi. When I do write it, it's more social sci-fi, soft space opera, that sort of thing.
I read both, and I've even enjoyed a few harder sci-fi books. I think they've both got their good points and their weaknesses.
So yes, I'll sit firmly in the middle of that fence.
I read both, and I've even enjoyed a few harder sci-fi books. I think they've both got their good points and their weaknesses.
So yes, I'll sit firmly in the middle of that fence.
Ha ha, I spent 9 years in college studying genetics and botany. If anything it scared me farther away from writing sci fi, because I know just how much I don't know. On the other hand, that background was pretty handy for world building fantasy.
Liosse de Velishaf
Banned
Not all science fiction must be "hard" science fiction. Although I do try to get as many facts possible when I write it, the same goes for fantasy.
I enjoy either/or. I do usually find myself picking up a fantasy before I pick up a sci-fi... but, that being said, few writers write plausible and GOOD sci-fi. I think the techno-babble scares most writers, and those that aren't scared off from it think that EVERY science type idea is plausible. Some things I read...I just shake my head and put down the book.
As far as writing for me, well, I'm not quite sure what to classify my books sometimes. Example: Writing a modern-day urban setting story about people with metaphysical gifts...No elves or magical system, so technically not an urban fantasy, but not a strong sci-fi from the terms of science. Huuuuuum?
Oh well.
B
As far as writing for me, well, I'm not quite sure what to classify my books sometimes. Example: Writing a modern-day urban setting story about people with metaphysical gifts...No elves or magical system, so technically not an urban fantasy, but not a strong sci-fi from the terms of science. Huuuuuum?
Oh well.B
Before I grew up I wanted to be a scientist, and that fed my desire for reading SF, especially hard SF. Decades later I still like it a lot, though I've expanded my reading to fantasy, mystery, and of course mainstream thrillers (okay, Crichton).
I think I've written mostly SF and some stuff I'd call horror (even though I've read very little horror), but not any fantasy that I can think of.
I voted Prefer SF, though it was close, I might have easily voted SF only.
I think I've written mostly SF and some stuff I'd call horror (even though I've read very little horror), but not any fantasy that I can think of.
I voted Prefer SF, though it was close, I might have easily voted SF only.
I think that's the core of the issue for me. It's harder for me to suspend disbelief with sci-fi. Nothing makes me cringe quite like a poorly researched sci-fi ("Oh no, they're hacking our webs!" "Which ones?" "ALL of them!")
Thanks for the linky Liosse. I'll get right on that.
EDIT: I am actually quite interested to get into Steampunk. Any suggestions on where to start?
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I love science fiction, but will (begrudgingly) read Fantasy novels, though I do like Fantasy shorts, probably more than SF shorts. I write both, probably close to an even split for shorts, mostly SF for novels. Curious.
Nicole
Nicole
Liosse de Velishaf
Banned
Oho! Have we some genre prejudice here? I can't remember the last time I saw such a glaring error. I know you were hyperbolizing, Rhys, but still... 
Anyway, The Difference Engine is a terrific book, although it's more on the sci-fi side of the sub-genre.
Anyway, The Difference Engine is a terrific book, although it's more on the sci-fi side of the sub-genre.
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