I'm trying to choose between writing science fiction or fantasy?

Question

I'm a beginning writer and I can't choose which genre to write in; I like both. Any advice? Know like an online test or anything?

Answer 1

Take a look at the books you've read in both these genres, which ones did you enjoy the most? As a writer starting out you will be most influenced by the writers you read when you were young.

I personally think Sci-Fi is the simpler thing to do. Every man and his dog these days thinks they cansit down and put together a Lord of the Rings, since the success of the films and the books in recent years has caused people to be disillusioned about fantasy fiction - people think it is easy, but it certainly isn't, it is very easy to get it very wrong I think!

Just try writing a very short story in both genres, basic characters, a story, and read both a couple of times after. Ask others to read both too, whichever one you and them prefer after reading it on paper, is the genre you would be best to go with.

All the best!

Answer 2

There are such things as "pen names" for writers.

My grandfather wrote under at least 4 different names and he wrote a different genre for each name he used.

He wrote Western - Murder Mystery, Sea Mystery, Racing Mystery. He was fairly successful in all these areas.

What I'm trying to say is - if you like both - write both, use a pen name for each and then use the same pen name for that genre of writing.

I don't know of any on-line tests for this, it is all up to you.

Just write write write.

Good luck

Answer 3

hello. my name is chris. I would like to answer your question this way. Just write it and name it later. whats the diff between fantacy and science FICTION. you know just write it and name it later. have fun with it. If you get board with it. Change it thats why your the auther of it. you make it what ever you want. Science is cool. If you do choose the science fiction. Do us all a favor and make it as believable as possible. But don't try too, hard. It is a just a story. think about the story,. then write it down. its hard to sit down and say. " ok its time to write a (fantacy story). what you have to do is be dreaming up a fantacy. catch your self. and say "hey I should write this down" Then you have a good story. because will flow from you. IF you have to stop and think hmm what comes next. then it won't feel natural. same with science fiction. sit and think about what would happen,. not about writing. just dream up the story., don't even write it down the first time through. it will slow you down too much. just make up the story.
pretend your watching a movie in your head. Thats what a 5 year old told me once. when he was explaining a dream. Just watch the movie, in your head. see what happens. then go back write it down . Name it last.
chris k

Answer 4

i think u shouldn't worry about what genre it is and just write. after it is finished u can decide where it fits better