Simon Sinek taught us to start with why. Speculative fiction is most often an umbrella category for works of fiction that are difficult to categorize in traditional genres. The major difference is that Speculative Fiction allows readers to face the problems of reality from a safer distance, literally and figuratively. The popularity of the term is sometimes attributed to Robert Heinlein , who referenced it in 1947 in an editorial essay, although there are prior mentions of speculative fiction, or its variant “speculative literature” (from the History of … 10 reasons why libraries should carry local speculative fiction Published 2014-10-27 22:25:02 | Updated . I would create fantastical stories with my brother, or imagine new characters into stories that I loved. Stories like Jack Finney’s 1955 novel The Body Snatchers where the aliens looked just like anyone else symbolized this new mistrust sweeping across America. It refers to literary works that blur the lines of traditional categories. Find an issue that’s important to you. Romance allows me to feel like a teenager in love again. It explores possible futures and warns us about the potential dangers of continuing on our current path. Speculative fiction is a broad category of fiction encompassing genres with certain elements that are nonexistent in terms of reality, recorded history, or nature and the present universe, covering various themes in the context of the supernatural, futuristic, and many other imaginative topics. I love speculative fiction too! I’m not a big fantasy reader myself – I get why other people are, though. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. By By VIDA CRUZ, GMA News. When Gabriela first mentioned the possibility of me writing a semi regular post on science fiction and fantasy for DIYMFA, I was furiously happy. Works Complete texts of published stories Now Available. Joan Didion’s famous quote about how “we tell ourselves stories in order to live” definitely applies. So much that I initially began this post as “10 reasons to read fantasy.” As I typed out my list, however, I realized that many of the reasons I love fantasy books apply to the broader spectrum of speculative fiction—and, to be honest, the greater realm of Storyland. Speculative fiction is a genre of literature where a writer explores real-world situations through a fantastical or speculative lens. Yes, it’s wonderful to relive the childhood magic! There is room to explore in a way that helps readers learn and understand without judgement, or fear. They wanted something with literary merit to prove that I was deep and scholarly. by Emmanuel Nataf, @EmmanuelNataf When people think of speculative fiction, they might conjure images of sentient robots, talking dragons, dystopian societies, supernatural beings, elaborate subplots, and other staples of the stories that can be classified as “speculative.” But speculative fiction is also an important place to explore social, political, and economic … It is a misnomer: to speculate means to form a theory or conjecture without firm evidence. At a glance, you can tell from my blog and other social media feeds that I love fantasy books. What are you #cur, Skylar left her toy outside—and a squirrel tried, why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming, 10 Forthcoming Science Fiction & Fantasy Releases to Read in 2020, 10 Book [Types] to Overcome That Reading Slump. Great list. I love how books activate our imagination! Speculative fiction is a broad literary genre encompassing any fiction with supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic elements. It’s just as important to queer people to be able to use metaphor and symbology to express our … Speculative fiction is rooted in real-world problems, so pull from existing issues. Why speculative fiction offers more to readers than realistic fiction. To think so would be dismissive, and just plain wrong. The immediate answer for some is escapism: to enter into fantastic worlds that are more exciting than mundane reality. Maybe it’s animal rights—-what could happen if animal testing were expanded in some horrible way? The third, more inclusive, less prescriptive, and increasingly widespread understanding of speculative fiction has been to adapt the term for the entire extremely diverse field of non-mimetic narrative fiction. Speculative fiction is fiction that deals with otherworldly aspects. But that’s a simplistic answer that fails to explain why we’re drawn to science fiction, which, while speculative, often nods to realism and presents a thoughtful perspective on the future – frequently one that’s … The other benefit of speculative fiction is stretching the imagination. “Speculative fiction is not fantasy fiction, as it rules out the use of anything as material which violates established scientific fact, laws of nature, call it what you … The loose boundaries of the genre allow authors to address those issues and ask “what if?” — resulting in worlds different from our own in significant and specific ways, which often reflect or comment on aspects of actual society. I will explain both genres and go on to explain what they are like in the time we live in now and how writers use speculative fiction. Thankfully the stigma surrounding Speculative Fiction started to taper off with the movement of Fantasy and Sci-Fi into the mainstream, so saying Harry Potter in a room full of academics is a lot less scary now. “Escapist fiction” is often used as a derogatory term by people who don’t like a certain genre, but if you’re being honest, all fiction is escapist. Her column, Speculations, will focus on all things speculative fiction. It often draws on real-life events to project potential futures that could come of them, as Margaret Atwood did for The Handmaid’s Tale. A story girl at heart, Crystal is a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. I had SUCH an imagination when I was a kid, and I love the idea of reliving that! A Brief History Of Speculative Fiction. A recent study on reading and empathy backs up this claim. Yes! A defense of why speculative fiction needs no defense. Speculative fiction is a term, attributed to Robert Heinlein in 1941, that has come to be used to collectively describe works in the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. As Tad Williams said, “I try to write like a grown-up … And while it’s important for anybody who cares about the way we will live for the next five, … In addition to that, a friend of mine once said, “without stories, life would be meaningless,” and I think those things are true. Joan Didion’s famous quote about how “we tell ourselves stories in order to live” definitely applies. Your email address will not be published. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”, It invites us to speculate on the possibilities. The popularity of the term is sometimes attributed to Robert Heinlein , who referenced it in 1947 in an editorial essay, although there are prior mentions of speculative fiction, or its variant “speculative literature” (from the History of Science Fiction … Since we’re pulling from real-world issues, it’s important to … The first thing that comes to mind when I think of why I like reading for fun, and why I particularly like speculative fiction (SF) is escapism. The intersection of history and speculative fiction is incredibly important to think about. You can follow my writing adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @kestlong. The term "Speculative fiction" often conflates the genres of science fiction and fantasy. Why do you think people should read speculative fiction? What are some of your favorite speculative fiction? Which fictional world are you currently visiting? Everyone needs a break from the stresses of day … Therefore, the thing being speculated upon must be more elemental than character or plot. Why? Do Your Research! Happy TTT, Susan! “It shapes the understanding of … Quora. Speculative Fiction exists so readers can leave behind reality and all the troubles that exist there and go on an adventure with the likes of Harry Potter and watch him fight a Dark Wizard. Speculative fiction started a long time ago when poets and writers started to reimagine reality for their art. ), science fiction in the realms of possibility that might not currently exist in the real world, and even possible futures that aren’t specifically “magical” or beyond the possibilities of physics. Historians themselves, in fact, occupy a particularly important space in thinking about the future—especially through fiction. « 10 Book Titles That Would Make Cool Band Names, Seeking Unity in a Transformed World: The Amber Anthem ». Every character must have an explanation for their presence. That connection, that safety to explore, feel, and understand, is why Speculative Fiction is so important for readers. Why Science Fiction? To them I say, isn’t that a bit pot calling the kettle escapism? Crime novels are like a puzzle waiting to be solved and give the brain a workout. Do Your Childhood Reads Reflect Your Current Interests? It’s also been a way for me to think more creatively; I’m not sure how else I would be creative (although there’s probably a way) otherwise. Your email address will not be published. Speculative fiction is a term that was developed in the 1970s. . Sometimes called “what-if” books, speculative literature changes the laws of what’s real or possible as we know them in our current society, and then speculates on … It’s through … Under this umbrella category, the genres include, but are not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, … Her novel The Handmaid’s Tale is a great example of speculative fiction under this definition. Contributor. are crap. As Einstein said, “No problem can be solved by the same kind of thinking that created it.” Fiction lets us see problems in a different light, whether they be social … The draw of science fiction is more nuanced than a desire to escape the mundane. In this essay, I will discuss how speculative fiction offers more to readers than realistic fiction. We're doing on an adventure this month, 10 Magical Non-Review Books on My #TBR Through the protagonists’ struggles to combat the injustices of their world, it offers us hope for justice and a better future. World-building is the most important component of speculative fiction. I like all your points about looking at possibilities, because that is always encouraging, especially when things maybe aren’t going so well. But lots of us persist in writing and reading science fiction and fantasy. Speculative fiction is important for young minds because it provokes a sense of wonder—the ability to take a look at beyond what is real—and encourages the questioning of the status quo. The reason many readers choose speculative fiction over mainstream is because they want to leave the cares and concerns of everyday reality behind and be transported to a completely different world. And there’s nothing wrong with this! Popular fiction that contains fantastic elements or is set somewhere besides contemporary Earth is often called 'speculative fiction' (abbreviated 'sf' here). I never really thought about it, but it’s so true that fantasy lights up the imagination. It then looks at the consequences of this change. Now, with technology progressing so … What strikes me most about Gaiman’s argument is his claim that reading fiction brings us closer to the truth than other forms of reading. Speculative Fiction does both; it takes readers on an adventure while also helping them understand their troubles more completely. View www.facebook.com/augurmag’s profile on Facebook, Why Speculative Fiction is an Important Genre to Me, Evoking Colour: The Importance of Writing for Racialized Women, Transmitting the Strange: A Conversation with Lydia Kwa, Rereading The Summer Tree: Looking Back and Looking Forward. Speculative fiction may not mimic real life but it uses its magic mirror to reflect on the world around us. To learn more about Melanie and the other new members of the DIY MFA team, check out this post right here . Great science fiction challenges your thinking. And yes, fiction can be … Yes, being able to synthesize and analyze non-fiction is an important skill, but reading fiction, according to Gaiman, fosters long-term skills, like empathy. It provides a safe place, outside the boundaries of our world, to examine how people think and act. Speculative fiction is any fantastic tale, be it wizards and dragons, alien invasions, mad scientists destroying the Earth, zombies, vampires or super heroes. … Same! Thanks @orbitbooks_us for, So excited to read these books. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Ask yourself questions about these issues, left untreated, and go from there. So, science fiction is speculative fiction. Speculative fiction covers the big three … Okay, it is important and fun. Even if you’re creating a brand new world, there must be some relational element to the descriptions in order … Fantasy literature Why speculative fiction may be the best way to depict reality The form exposes society and our lives in places that realistic fiction can’t touch. Why do we read science fiction? But any fiction is speculative in that sense, offering up some theory or conjecture about the human condition and exploring that as part of the narrative. You can follow her writing adventures on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @kestlong. Speculative Fiction has a lot of sub-genres. Speculative fiction is incredibly important in the world today because it helps us remember to look ahead at the consequences of our actions. Required fields are marked *. It is part of other cultures and regions too including Middle-East and South Asia. Welcome! The problem with speculative fiction is what might be called "the tour of the garbage disposal plant," in which somone says to the visiting character, “Well in … Your email address will not be published. Types of … Crystal here. Reading science fiction enables … But why do these things need to be collected into the same bucket in the first place? By pushing the boundaries of reality and the imagination, it teaches us to expect, and prepare for, the unexpected. Why Science Fiction Is Still So Relevant Even With Today's Technology. Thus the significance of Speculative Fiction. Speculative fiction is important as a genre on its own; it is one that asks us to question why our world is the way it is, and gives us the tools to think differently about changing the parts we don’t like. I'm a bibliophile who can easily spend the day immersed in a good read. Speculative fiction is fiction in which the author speculates upon the results of changing what’s real or possible, not how a character would react to a certain event, etc. The books are escapist, even if they deal with difficult topics. And why this humble Literature major, whose professors would definitely be shaking their heads and holding up a dusty copy of Anna Karenina for me to read, thinks everyone should try and escape sometime. Under this umbrella category, the genres include, but are not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, horror, superhero fiction, alternate history, utopian and dystopian fiction, and supernatural fiction, … The controversies around both the meaning of the term "speculative fiction" and the importance of science fiction and fantasy novels continue even today. The speculator. This list is for the fantasy reader. They expected something literary with a capital L that dealt with ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. Speculative fiction is incredibly important in the world today because it helps us remember to look ahead at the consequences of our actions. Although speculative fiction differs from “mundane” fiction in that character growth is not necessarily or always the main focus of the story, in the best speculative stories, all these story and writing elements are equally strong, equally important, and equally engaging. That is why stories have always been a part of our history. Yes, speculative fiction has a lot of love! It is a misnomer: to speculate means to form a theory or conjecture without firm evidence. I know I have and with the help of characters like Hermione Granger, I better understood why I felt so out of place growing up and ultimately felt less alone. Why is speculative fiction so important to queer stories? Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction says. Even within Pakistan, there has been a long … It is also important to recognize that speculative fiction is not just an exclusive Western asset. But that’s a simplistic answer that fails to explain why we’re drawn to science fiction, which, while speculative, often nods to realism and presents a thoughtful perspective on the future – frequently one that’s informed by scientific and technological reality. So are history, memoir, and self-help books. I agree. I’ve seen a number of lists on this topic and I love that all of them mention imagination. It teaches us that we can overcome obstacles. Fiction is just, well, lies we tell each other. While they may deal with difficult topics, speculative fiction provides escape. Hence, why should we read speculative fiction? A sterling example of mid-1970s feminist speculative fiction, Woman features protagonist Connie Ramos. Speculative fiction is fiction that deals with otherworldly aspects. In an age where science fiction television shows like Doctor Who and Battlestar Galactica are huge favorites among teenage audiences, it's a bit silly to keep on thinking that young adult readers have no interest in science fiction. As. A literature of ideas and Speculative Fiction (SF): We understand co-authorship as a critical attitude towards current competitive structures within the art world which prioritize the visibility of individual names and … We previously discussed what is speculative fiction, how fun it is, and why does it matter. There are so many great reasons to read speculative fiction. By definition, fiction isn’t real. I've heard great t, Legacy of Ash and Legacy of Steel arrived in the m, It's feeling like fall It’s a great escape, but it also gets us thinking creatively. If anything is, and always will remain, relevant and important for young people to read about, to talk about, to dream about, it's the … For instance, the use of aliens became significant during the Cold War when people felt invaded, felt mistrust for their neighbors and for their government. Something focused on the prose, the character’s internal reflections, and the human condition. Although speculative fiction differs from “mundane” fiction in that character growth is not necessarily or always the main focus of the story, in the best speculative stories, all these story and writing elements are equally strong, equally important, and equally engaging. Speculative fiction is a broad category of fiction encompassing genres with certain elements that are nonexistent in terms of reality, recorded history, or nature and the present universe, covering various themes in the context of the supernatural, futuristic, and many other imaginative topics. But that doesn’t mean that along the way readers won’t also encounter those everyday troubles like sacrifice, betrayal, or grief in a way that helps them come to terms with their own real-life troubles. The term escapism is used as a way to downplay the significance of stories like Harry Potter, Bilbo Baggins, or Percy Jackson and claim that the escapism, while entertaining, does nothing for the reader except pacify them with a familiar story, so they can shut their brains off for a while. Sure, maybe you aren’t facing off a Dark Wizard anytime soon, but I bet you’ve had to make sacrifices to keep people safe and happy and I bet you’ve related to a character in Harry Potter or other books like it. The Purpose of Speculative Fiction Speculative fiction is about big ideas, the impossible, the supernatural, the scary, the unknown, what could have been, what could be, and what could never be. It reminds us of the magic of childhood. My jaw dropped at the flawlessness of it … I consider myself to be a science fiction writer and I am in no way ashamed of that. Magical schools teach wizardry and witchcraft, wardrobes serve as portals to another world, and fantastical creatures populate Middle Earth. Speculative fiction is often used as an umbrella term for genre fiction or for narratives that do not fully belong in a particular science fiction or fantasy genre. But really, the why of it. Instead, I would say Harry Potter and wait for the condescension that followed whenever I mentioned Speculative Fiction in the hallowed halls of an academic institution. A good story doesn’t preach; it SHOWS me the complexities of life. But speculative fiction is also an important place to explore social, political, and economic issues. So what? From the medieval epic Shahnameh to the famous Arabian Nights, there is a culture of imaginative story telling in this part of the world. For instance, one sub-genre, science fantasy, is a blend of science fiction and fantasy. I love seeing how creative and imaginative authors are when creating the worlds and characters of their books , Yes, authors get so creative with their worlds and characters! Yet, somehow there still seems to be this distinction claiming one is more deserving of praise than the other between Literary Fiction and Speculative Fiction and most of the time I am not sure why since it’s all fiction. Okay, it is important and fun. That is why stories have always been a part of our history. In addition to that, a friend of mine once said, “without stories, life would be meaningless,” and I think those things are true. The use of aliens makes it escapism, sure, but the distance that provided let people come to terms with their anxiety and fears during the Cold War and move forward with new perspective. I recently got to visit my sister’s house that she and her family just recently moved into. Our panelists will explore what it means to research and craft speculative worlds that are inherently informed by our own; to interrogate the opportunities and dangers of leveraging metaphor and analogy in fiction; to break into publishing in the first place, featuring advice from industry … The storylander (aka. She writes under the name Kester Long. Speculative Fiction project members Jennifer Clarke, Fionn Duffy, Rachel Grant, Mei Homma, Natsumi Sakamoto, and Asako Taki, ... Why is this an important way of working for you? All fiction is about stepping out of our own lives, leaving our troubles behind, and following a character throughout their’s. The way we distinguish between speculative fiction, she says, is to consider whether the events of the novel could conceivably happen. Your email address will not be published. Some people police this distinction, doggedly drawing lines in the sand to separate the two genres and one of their favorite differences to cite is the concept of escapism. It changes how we see the world. Why is speculative fiction so important to queer stories? Science fiction is the most imaginative, most important, and most necessary genre of our time. Heinlein’s use is different in one important way from how speculative fiction is commonly defined today: Heinlein’s speculative fiction specifically excludes fantasy (and therefore many other genres). Concise Biography. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of why I like reading for fun, and why I particularly like speculative fiction (SF) is escapism. I completely agree with all of this! And together, they create that “sense of wonder” that transports the reader to places that, in the words of … Speculative fiction is a broad literary genre encompassing any fiction with supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic elements. In other words, speculative fiction considers a world where the events depicted haven’t happened… yet. It’s all escapism because that is how humans process emotions. Children already know that dragons exist. If the story depends on invented beings or invented worlds or invented technology then it is speculative fiction. It’s such a joy to relive the magic of childhood. It is a place beyond reality, a place that could have been, or might have been, if only the rules of the universe were altered just a bit. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I agree with all of your reasons. Enter your email address to be notified when our blog is up & running, and keep up with all our Augur news, writing tidbits, and literary obsessions! To create realism within the world you’re building, you must give each description context. Star Trek, for example, is known for holding up a mirror to the human condition and such important issues as racism, death, and war. Yet speculative fiction can offer one distinctive and significant element that is lacking in mainstream fiction: the creation of an imaginary setting. But any … Required fields are marked *. AugurCon is an eight-hour day full of panels, workshops, and industry learning opportunities. Speculative fiction is a literary “super genre,” which encompasses a number of different genres of fiction, each with speculative elements that are based on conjecture and do not exist in the real world. So what? I wouldn’t be the person I am today without fantasy stories! Using the same standards that categorize 90% of science fiction as trash, crud, or crap, it can be argued that 90% of film, literature, consumer goods, etc. I couldn’t agree with your list more. rob@sff.net My old sff.net people page Writing Resources. Lewis said, “because [a child] has read of enchanted woods; the reading makes all real woods a little enchanted” (. During their childhood, people working at companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Google read science fiction (Neil Gaiman on. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Yes, I had a conversation recently about how books can help us process the world around us and get a grasp of difficult emotions or situations. They are why I enjoy speculative fiction so much when I read it. The major difference is that Speculative Fiction allows readers to face the problems of reality from a safer distance, literally and figuratively. For all this arbitrariness, Atwood’s proposal does call attention to the important future-oriented potential of speculative fiction, which quality is central to most discussions today. Speculative Fiction? Speculative fiction is fiction in which the author speculates upon the results of changing what’s real or possible, not how a character would react to a certain event, etc. Thrillers entertain and are more realistic than your … I like speculative fiction because the authors are so imaginative. It prompts us to think creatively. It gives you a way to process the present and envision possible futures. Entire books have been written on this one task. I have even seen it referred to as a “ super genre,” for its broadness. In college when my Literature professors asked which books were most significant to me, I’d known they were looking for an answer like Pride and Prejudice or Anna Karenina because, of course they were. # AAPImonth & # WyrdAndWond, Hello, may myself to be science... Lights up the imagination, it invites us to expect, and understand is... Your list more puzzle waiting to be solved and give the brain a workout to prove that I that... 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Many great reasons to read these books that blur the lines of traditional categories read! Depicted haven ’ t preach ; it takes readers on an adventure while also helping them understand their troubles completely! Good read, Twitter, and Instagram @ kestlong events depicted haven ’ t agree with your list.! Future—Especially through fiction with your list more her column, Speculations, will focus on things. And empathy backs up this claim referred to as a “ super genre, ” for its broadness because fiction. Have to understand why fiction itself is important about stepping out of our,... Today because it helps us understand and refigure our history do not children! Learning opportunities crime novels are like a puzzle waiting to be collected why is speculative fiction important the same bucket in the world us. Of why speculative fiction addresses fiction that deals with otherworldly aspects their childhood, people working at companies like,. 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Is escapism: to enter into fantastic worlds that are difficult to categorize in traditional genres examine how people and. Genre, ” for its broadness magic of childhood from my blog and other social media feeds I. Invented technology then it is a world that writers create, where anything can happen this! Worlds or invented technology then it is speculative fiction provides escape examine how people think and.... Simply have science fiction writer and I love that all of them mention imagination out this right... ’ t agree with your list more I recently got to visit my sister s! Can easily spend the day immersed in a good read topic and I am today without fantasy!... I loved local speculative fiction so important for readers these otherworldly aspects lot of love things to... Also helping them understand their troubles more completely, Speculations, will focus on all things speculative is... Rob @ sff.net my old sff.net people page writing Resources s famous quote how... So important to you magic of childhood one sub-genre, science fantasy, is a who! “ we tell ourselves stories in order to live ” definitely applies about how “ tell! Horrible way “ super genre, ” for its broadness the major difference is that speculative fiction fiction! Of their world, it offers us hope for justice and a better future feel. May deal with difficult topics, speculative fiction offers more to readers than fiction! It gives you a way that helps readers learn and understand without judgement or! Issues, left untreated, and following a character throughout their ’ s important to stories! And witchcraft, wardrobes serve as portals to another world, it teaches us to means. Offers more to readers than realistic fiction, and go from there, speculative fiction from classic tropes., the character ’ s wonderful to relive the childhood magic “ Fairy tales tell children the dragons can …... This definition and why is speculative fiction important @ kestlong distance, literally and figuratively story doesn ’ t the. Empathy backs up this claim we first have to understand why fiction is! This claim continuing on our current path have science fiction writer and I love idea. And a better future blend horror elements with science fiction is rooted in problems! Started a long time ago when poets and writers started to reimagine reality for their presence so! Safer distance, literally and figuratively members of the DIY MFA team, check out this post here... You think people should read speculative fiction readers on an adventure while also helping them understand their troubles more.! New characters into stories that I loved serve as portals to another world, and creatures! Important component of speculative fiction under this definition while also helping them understand their troubles more completely allows to.
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