I'm curious what kind of fiction everyone here writes. For me, it is primarily...
HORROR FANTASY CRIME FICTION
I have some SF story ideas brewing, but nothing definite.
Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
I'm an attempted writer of: SF&F
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Fantasy is my main genre. I dabble in Sci-Fi Horror. Posted by Balthasar (Member # 5399) on :
InarticulateBabbler, why do you always write in bold?
Posted by NoTimeToThink (Member # 5174) on :
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Posted by Amciel (Member # 5142) on :
Fantasy Historical Fiction (and the occasional ghost story when camping)
Posted by Leigh (Member # 2901) on :
Fantasy for my own work and sci-fi for fan fiction
And Balthasar, maybe InarticulateBabbler likes writing in bold because he likes to be different?
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
Science Fiction---this despite not reading much of it of late. (Once in a blue moon I read one of the magazines cover to cover.)
I'm amenable to trying other things, and occasionally have done so. But my mind generally churns out SF ideas and that seems to be what I'm stuck with. (For now.)
Posted by arriki (Member # 3079) on :
SF and very rarely fantasy.
I buy an sf novel at least every two or three months to support the genre. I don't like most of them. I want real adventures with a bit of an upbeat to them. Not depressing near future scenarios or space war or stuff in cyberspace.
Posted by mommiller (Member # 3285) on :
I mainly write Fantasy, yeah some of it has science fiction elements, some has horror, historical, and even a bit of romance tied into it.
Two items that I write consistantly well are:
Grocery and to-do lists.
Oh, yeah, and the occasional crit...
[This message has been edited by mommiller (edited April 15, 2007).]
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
Near-term Science Fiction (upbeat, though, like arriki - not a fan of the depressing stuff that seems rampant in all of popular lit these days.)
I dabble a little in non-fiction too. Parenting topics.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
Christian chic lit, I think. Unless it turns out to be something different. J.K. Rowling never intended to write children's fantasy, after all. Sometimes I think of some interesting sci-fi stories. I used to read a lot about Greek mythology as a kid, but I've never really gotten much into the novels about mythological characters, or even historical fiction about Romans. I used to want to write about some horse-lord types of people. But I'm not much for magic.
Posted by Antinomy (Member # 5136) on :
All the above -- whatever plot idea comes to mind.
IMO this is the advantage short story writers have over novelists. We have more time to pursue so many different story options without letting the genre determine the topic.
Posted by puppysnot (Member # 5217) on :
Sci-fi I definitely wouldn’t call it hard sci-fi, but I sure spend a lot of time researching facts and verifying numbers. I’ve also started a Realistic Fiction screenplay, and there seem to be a couple Fantasy concepts lodged in the gray matter.
Posted by Balthasar (Member # 5399) on :
Puppysnot, if you're calling science fiction sci-fi then you're certainly not writing hard SF! Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :
Depressing might be funner to write, than read. Then again, unbridled optimistism can strike a nerve.
[This message has been edited by ChrisOwens (edited April 15, 2007).]
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I don't always write in bold. Do I? But, I always, ALWAYS edit. LoL - I think, if I just wrote my name, I'd still have to edit it.
[This message has been edited by InarticulateBabbler (edited April 15, 2007).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
I remember hearing OSC say one time, "I don't write science fiction. I write fantasy with science as the magic."
I suspect there are a lot of "science fiction" writers out there who do the same thing.
I write mostly fantasy, though I read both science fiction and fantasy.
I don't write much science fiction because the science fiction I like is more technical/technological than I know I'm capable of (I have a master's in mechanical engineering, so I know enough to know I don't know enough).
[This message has been edited by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (edited April 15, 2007).]
Posted by I am destiny on :
I write Science Fiction, mostly my "series" is SF, but I have one fantasy, and one??? it deals with witchcraft and polygamy don't ask, it just came out that way. I came across a futuristic romance and liked it but would not go as descriptive as she did in the "romance scenes". Good read but wouldnt want my friends and family going what did you write????
Destiny
Posted by Alye (Member # 5017) on :
Psychological drama with elements of SF&F.
I am intrigued by the amount of punishment the human psyche can take before it either snaps, or elevates beyond itself.
Posted by kings_falcon (Member # 3261) on :
Fantasy, including Urban fantasy, but not generally "high" (i.e. Tolken-ish with elves and dwarves and such) Fantasy
Erotica.
Terry Brooks labels his work as "adventure" stories and not "fantasy" per se.
Posted by darklight (Member # 5213) on :
Science fiction mixed with a little fantasy.
Very rarely fantasy but haven't completed more than a couple of short fantasy stories.
Did consider writing a contemporary novel, still hanging around somewhere.
Posted by pantros (Member # 3237) on :
I am primarily fantasy, though I have dabbled in every genre that I know of except western.
My specialties are fantasy, romance and erotica.
Posted by Dubshack (Member # 5262) on :
I'm probably the opposite of OSC... Or the same, depending on how you look at it. I lean towards modern or future myth scifi, that is science fiction with a splash of fantasy. But I'd love to write scifi mysteries one day.
And I just finished Speaker for the Dead this weekend. And frankly, I don't know why Ender's Game gets all the attention. Of the two I've read so far, Speaker is by far his best.
He's literally forced me to go out and pick up Xenocide and Children of the Mind. I only read Ender's Game to get an idea of OSC's style. I read Speaker because I was bored. Now I actually dig the guy.
Posted by lehollis (Member # 2883) on :
I write mostly low/urban fantasy and I dabble in science fiction. Doing so, I feel I am writing fantasy with science as the magic, as OSC said. I would write anything if the right idea came to mind, though.
Posted by dee_boncci (Member # 2733) on :
Oh gosh, let's see. I guess I'd fit somewhere in the speculative fiction bucket, maybe more on the fantasy/supernatural side than on the hard SciFi side. But, I'm hoping to try many things over time.
Right now, I have no intention to ever write romance, but that's about the only thing I've ruled out (but who knows, maybe I'll rule it back in someday, especially if it involves a hatchet-wielding troll or something fun like that.
Posted by jenniferhb (Member # 5409) on :
I'm wondering---is Science Fantasy a thing? I don't have a strong inclination to label my work, but it is important to be able to find a way to explain it to people. I'm not quite sure how to describe what I am writing to people who ordinarily don't read speculative fiction--whenever I describe it as science fiction, which I think it technically is, people seem to infer that it is about space or the future, which it is not. Calling it fantasy seems to imply that it contains magic or magical creatures, which it also does not. The piece is set in an alternative world that operates similarly to our own but with subtle differences in how the physics work. I feel like this might be sort of a newbie question, but honestly, I don't know anyone who writes speculative fiction, so I am trying to figure out how to talk about it . . .
Posted by Fuzzylogic (Member # 5384) on :
Most of the ideas I have for novels tend to be Fantasy. My short stories almost always end up as Science Fiction. Huh...what's that about?
I have ideas for contemporary fiction and romance; however, to date they remain only ideas. I also worked on a couple of screen plays with my sister that would fall under the three word title teenie bopper genre.
Posted by Balthasar (Member # 5399) on :
People who don't read speculative fiction -- who only experience it through TV or the movies -- have no clue what it is. You're writing speculative fiction; that's all you need to know.
For what it's worth, the way you describe your story, I'd say it's science fiction.
Posted by JOHN (Member # 1343) on :
I actually dabble in a little of everything. I have a completed crime fiction novel, I guess is the best genre it would fit into. I also have a sword and sorcery fantasy novel that needs some serious editing. I’ve started an historical fiction novel set in late 18th century America. A religious themed short story, again incomplete. Just started working on a literary/drinking fiction novel. Got some vague ideas for a few sci-fi novels. Really whatever floats my boat or where the muse leads me. I have tendency to read a certain genre and than say, “I could never write a _________ book.” Which means I end up giving it a try.
I also write what I want to see published. Like I wanted to write a fantasy starter novel, if you will. A stand-alone book with a minimum of characters. My sci-fi ideas tend to be space opera instead of NASA tech manuals.
JOHN!
[This message has been edited by JOHN (edited April 16, 2007).]
Posted by RMatthewWare (Member # 4831) on :
My likes in most things are very eclectic. Music, reading, movies, whatever; I dabble in a lot of different elements.
My writing is the same way. The book I'm writing now is fantasy. The short story I'm shopping is a ghost story. I've written urban fantasy, which is fun. I have ideas stored for a ghost series and a scifi novel.
Matt
Posted by JamieFord (Member # 3112) on :
Historical fiction. Yeah, I like research.
Posted by AstroStewart (Member # 2597) on :
I write fantasy here, mostly epic/high fantasy, though I refuse to use elves/dwarves as races.
To jenniferhb: generally speaking, I think alternate universe/world type stories are considered Fantasy. The general idea is that Science Fiction is a story that could theoretically take place some time in the future (ie no "magic" or different laws of nature) while alternate history / alternate rules of nature is considered "fantasy."
Posted by Lynda (Member # 3574) on :
I write fantasy with a bit of romance thrown in at times, but they're not "high fantasy" or "sword and sorcery" fantasy (at least, I don't think they are!) They take place in our time, but they involve magical people and there are some magical races involved too.
Lynda
Posted by Sara Genge (Member # 3468) on :
I don't know. I write SF in distant planets with primitive societies that get bounced by SF editors who think it feels too much like fantasy. I write about ghosts in the future. I write about fairies with access to technology. I really don't know. I guess most of my stuff would be a blend of SF and Fantasy
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
Fantasy usually, but I slip into Sci-Fi now and then. The longest thing I've ever written was normal (I dare not call it literary) more of a crime thriller (which wasn't too exiting). I also quite enjoy writing essays. (not for class, just for me)
Of course I'll work hard at anything that presents itself.
Posted by Jammrock (Member # 3293) on :
Fantasy, SciFi, contemporary. Though I've dabbled in just about everything.
Posted by Wolfe_boy (Member # 5456) on :
I tend to write contemporary stories that have a bent of the fantastic to them. I have no idea why. I enjoy fantasy and sciience fiction (though I am a bit snobbish), but I have difficulties just writing them. The iideas I receive are all usually are either present day or near future/near past, not derivating much from reality, with the exception of some single fantastical element.
If that's not the most convoluted description ever, someone pinch me.
Posted by tigertinite (Member # 4803) on :
Hard to categorize my writing, but it mainly stays with Fantasy, Superheroes, Sci-Fi, and a little life humor. . . if you like that sort of thing.
Posted by Matt Lust (Member # 3031) on :
"I'm wondering---is Science Fantasy a thing?"
Its called Space Opera!!!
I do "medium" SF with dabbles into Space Opera.
Posted by Nemonus (Member # 5474) on :
SF (usually more space opera than "hard" SF) Fantasy Historical Fantasy Metafiction Angsty Poetry Posted by Rommel Fenrir Wolf II (Member # 4199) on :
it is ammazing what you come up with for writing when you are riding as the 50 gunner for an RG31 and you see how underdeveloped a 3rd world country is. it brings grnd ideas. most of what i write is scifi i tried some fanticy. befor the army i got my ideas from drinking and smoking the refer. no more do i do that. my PLT is curently writing a movie about ourselves staring a shi@ tun of famous actors. more as that develops
Rommel Fenrir Wolf II
Posted by Ezekiel (Member # 3264) on :
I write mostly Fantasy and "Sci-Fantasy".
Posted by ZellieBerraine (Member # 5492) on :
Glad to see a lot of writers in the genres I like looking around for boards, I was worried everyone would be writing traditional fiction, chick lit, etc....not my alley at all!
Up until high school, I was a sci-fi geek. In high school, I transitioned to fantasy and wrote Legend of Zelda fanfiction. Then I had an idea for a realistic type of superhero story (along the lines of the X-men movies :P although I finished my rough draft before those started coming out). That one turned into a 185,000 word novel that I'm now submitting.
I've got ideas for a reversed Twilight Princess x Anne Bishop fantasy story though if Judgment (the superhero one) takes off, I'd love to submit the fantasy story as a video game design.
Just finished outlining a graphic novel about the line between reality and hallucination / what defines a monster. It's done in a series of panels where the text flows into the image flows back into the text along with primary evidence (journal entries, photographs, police reports, etc).
Posted by wetwilly (Member # 1818) on :
Currently, a fantasy set in the future.
My next planned project, straight-up contemporary fiction.
Past projects have been sci-fi, horror, and contemporary fiction.
tigertinite, that is amazing. I have never read a conditional story before. What do you write if I don't like that kind of thing?
[This message has been edited by wetwilly (edited May 22, 2007).]
Posted by Nemonus (Member # 5474) on :
Ah, ZellieBerraine, another brought up from the ranks of fanfiction. I like those success stories. Your concept of a graphic novel sounds cool. Have you read 'The Raw Shark Texts'? It's a prose novel most of the time, but incorporates what sounds like what you're doing.
Posted by Marzo (Member # 5495) on :
I used to be able to reply with a firm claim of fantasy as my genre, but lately ideas outside of that sphere have presented themselves. I still believe that ultimately my main projects will be low fantasy, but soft science fiction, historical fiction, and normal fiction are also in my line of interest.
Posted by HuntGod (Member # 2259) on :
I'd say I write mainly sci-fi, I dabble with fantasy and am currently toying with some alternative period/historical fiction.
Posted by ArachneWeave (Member # 5469) on :
I stumbled into superhero stories last year and they are Way Too Much Fun. They came out of watching the Incredibles and Spiderman, pretty much, but now I'm trying to educate myself in the longer tradition of comics and such.
I've been writing primarily "high" fantasy for a long time. I'm branching out into urban fantasy, another thing I stumbled into when trying to write a sci-fi that turned Not on me.
I love YA fiction in many forms. I hope to contribute to the great pool of literature out there for young people, and have the cash to support other people writing it by actually buying the books rather than denuding the library.
Posted by ukebard (Member # 5501) on :
Is there such a thing as fantasy with a psycho-semantic edge? Or is that just contemporary fantasy?
Posted by walt.xeppuk (Member # 5489) on :
I too am like OSC. I write science fiction but in reality it's fantasy with science as the magic. I don't know why, but the ideas I had for the characters, and the plot seemed more out of a fantasy novel, but it didn't click and I wasn't that interested until I had thought up a way to fit it into a sci-fi world. walt
