ASMSG Scifi Fantasy Paranormal Emagazine August 2014 | Page 11

SFP Indie Issue 3

M Joseph Murphy
Originally Posted Here: Guardians of the Galaxy: Science Fiction or Fantasy?

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
SCIENCE FICTION &
FANTASY

editors, the only people who care about the
distinction between science fiction and
fantasy are science fiction fanboys. So why
do they care? Superiority. They want you to
believe that science fiction is inherently
better than fantasy. Any fantasy author or
reader knows this is ridiculous. In fact,
fantasy, as a genre, may be the older genre
of storytelling. (source: The Difference
Between Fantasy & Science Fiction)

“While science fiction draws on and
extrapolates from what we know about reality
and science, fantasy invents what does not
(and likely could not) exist in our reality.”
Source: What’s the difference between
science fiction and fantasy?

Although many become fanatical discussing
the difference, I tend to agree with Guy
Gavriel Kay (see side bar).

In science fiction, the science or technology
needs to be integral to the plot of the story.
As Asimov “If you can take the Science out
of the Fiction and still have a viable story in
another genre, you did it WRONG.”

1. Is it Possible and Plausible?

For some, this is a touchy subject. Some get
downright fanatical about the difference. For
example, Star Wars, they say, is pure fantasy
while Star Trek is pure science fiction. The
distinction between the two depends on
whom you ask. Here’s one definition:

WHY THE DISTINCTION?
If we’re honest, aside from submission

SCIENCE FICTION VS.
FANTASY QUIZ
Well, it’s as plausible as anything in Star
Trek or Asimov’s Foundation series.There is
no magic in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Starlord has various technical toys but is
essentially Indiana Jones with better tools.
Rocket is the result of genetic manipulation
and cybernetics.

“I doubt there’s anything heroic in the
category fetish. We need them, as consumers
(and by extension, publishers – and agents and
authors – need them as suppliers) and I’ve
never agreed with those who suggest that a
straight alphabetical shelving system for all
fiction in bookstores in the way to go. Having
said that, it seems only common sense to note
that many books will blur borders, many
authors will shift categories, sometimes with
reckless abandon (to the chagrin of marketing
departments everywhere), and many readers
will endlessly debate definitions of categories.”

- Guy Gavriel Kay

(Guy Gavriel Kay – Official Website )

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