Which would you rather read? A good sci-fi or fantasy novel. I'm in the middle of writing both, I'm equally excited about both, but I would like to know where I should focus my energy.
Please give me your ideas and justify it if possible.
2006-12-10 13:37:01 · 7 answers · asked by uncletoon2005 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
It all depends on the quality of the writing.
Buuut, in sci-fi the characters have to depend on their own resources. They have no magical aides, no healing potions, no entourage of elves. It's just human nature up against the frightening pace of technology, something that doesn't take much imagining in our world. In this, the problem would be explaining your tech without boring or overwhelming the reader.
On the other hand, fantasy provides escape. There's a thrill in the willing suspension of disbelief and a hope in the existence of other worlds. It keeps the mind open, the imagination flowing. You have to watch the stereotypes in fantasy, though; it's too easy to rely on the pop culture images of witches, wizards, dwarfs, etc.
And to thoroughly confuse you: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Arthur C. Clark, I think?
That being said, I prefer fantasy.
2006-12-10 14:16:51 · answer #1 · answered by Calliope 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh my, I wonder just the same thing! Sci-fi is more credible, and you need to know some facts to back up your speculations, but fantasy is imagination unfettered! I would try to combine the two, but unless you are Larry Nivin or Isaac Asimov or Arthur C. Clark, fantasy abounds. Then you have your Ursula K. Leguinns and Orson Scott Cards, Frank Herberts and Tad Williams' who do both sci fi and fantasy, and then you have your David Eddings and Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman's who are straight fantasy. I like the combination of both. Tad Williams' Otherworld series, for example, was based on virtual reality tecnologhy that sent people trapped in a vivid and vast chain of fantasy worlds, from a land of giant insects to a model of the Americas if Columbus had never landed. Scientific speculation with the genius of a mystic. Good stuff. The best stoies are like that, when one can successfully combine the two, like using the technology of video games and virtual reality to bring the fantasy to life. A plot witin a plot.
2006-12-10 21:48:01 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I love Sci-Fi, but fantasy books like King Fortis the Brave, Harry Potter and Eragon are my favorite
2006-12-11 20:48:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science Fiction used to be really popular some years back until the great strides in science and technical know-how took the mystery out of many things.
Fantasy, however, can still hold a mystery and wonder that can keep one enthralled. Anything can be possible if related in such a way as to make it believable.
2006-12-10 21:42:47 · answer #4 · answered by Ambassador Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both have nice, good, entertaining qualities. In fact, sci-fi is actually just high-tech fantasy.
2006-12-10 21:44:20 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love both, but I'm running out of GOOD fantasy novels so bring it on.
2006-12-10 21:40:20 · answer #6 · answered by Oh, I see 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I guess its just about preference. I prefer a good fantasy story, I find them very fascinating. Science fiction just bores the hell out of me.
2006-12-10 21:39:40 · answer #7 · answered by Oz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋