Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

Hi there!

Being a scribbler and a huge fiction fan, I would like to challenge you to share your thoughts on:

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What do you want from Science Fiction?
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What do you want from Science Fiction? Do you love spaceships, or astronauts? Are you a fan of alien races, or faster then light travel? Or do you think that space is the final frontier?

Other questions to get you started:

Why do you read it?

What draws you to it?

What story elements are you looking for?

What themes do you like?

Do you ready only YA books, or more adult stuff?

Do you look for action and adventure, or enjoy a slow paced intellectual conversation; or both?

Do you care more about the plot or the characters; or both?

Does science fascinate you and what it can achieve?

Do you love or hate info-dumps? If so, what is a good vs. bad approach in your opinion?

and the list goes on and on...

Feel free to creatively answer my super vague question(s). Every contribution counts; have fun!

Take care,
Marcell

I like time travel, especially when it's fast paced and exciting. Also books like Dark Matter interest me. What a fascinating, exciting book!

I first want what I want from all fiction: well drawn characters, interesting story, and compelling conflict. On top of that I want an idea that makes me stop to consider the possible or daydream about how the impossible will be accomplished.

Thank you Lenita and Andrew for your answers! Keep the train going! :)

Marcell wrote: "Hi there!

Being a scribbler and a huge fiction fan, I would like to challenge you to share your thoughts on:

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What do you want from..."

As editor of Abyss & Apex Magazine, I have some pretty definite opinions on the subject of what I want in Science Fiction. First, does it grip me right away, make feel I need to keep reading to find out what happens next? (The "hook" can also be gorgeous language, but that's rare.) Next, can I identify seamlessly with the POV character? (Again, there are exceptions, like when something is written well in a cinematic or omni POV.)

Next--and this is SPECIFIC to Science Fiction--is the author so in love with his or her tech/machines/weapons/etc that they lose me through huge infodumps? I don't mind knowing how something works, in theory. I don't need the author to provide me with verbal schematics that run on forever. Just give me enough to see how it impact the story, please.

BUT, that tech needs to be at least theoretically possible. Otherwise you're writing Science Fantasy. Which is fine, but it's not Science Fiction. (See Red Matter, Star Trek reboot.)

Last, but certainly not least, it's not Science Fiction if its main purpose it to push a political point. People read speculative fiction to get away from it all, as entertainment, as an escape. Escapist is only a dirty word if you're a jailer. I refuse to spend my entertainment time being preached to.

As editor of Abyss & Apex Magazine, I have some pretty definite opinions on the subject of what I want in Science Fiction. First, does it grip me right away, make feel I need to keep reading to find out what happens next? (The "hook" can also be gorgeous language, but that's rare.) Next, can I identify seamlessly with the POV character? (Again, there are exceptions, like when something is written well in a cinematic or omni POV.) ..."

On openings: The 'write a good opening and a good ending' are one the most difficult things to pull off. I mean, I've struggled so much with my last project, to vaguely create something presentable; that will immediately hook the reader... And not to mention the finish line; which supposed to make you crave for more!

On the topic of explanations: I love the work and heritage of Gene Roddenberry (and Star Trek), but sometimes it really becomes heavy and unnecessary; just as Terry Farrell (DS9, Jadzia Dax) brilliantly said many years ago. However, there was a time, when I though to create a some sort of manual for the technology I use; but than I shied away from it, as it destroys the need for imagination.

And, last but not least;

Thank you Wendy for your reply!

I am a fan of military SF. I also write SF.

The most important thing to me is that the story is based on an SF concept, e.g. the effect of space travel, genetic manipulation, and so on. Stories that are basically some other genre, especially romance, with only a SF background do not interest me.

One of my early favourites was The Wailing Asteroid: A Science Fiction Story by Keith Laumer. Although quite short, it featured alien (sort of) tech, alien culture, space travel, as well as elements of a love story.

Another favourite was All Judgement Fled by James White. Astronauts search an alien space ship in which alien zoo creatures have escaped and attacked the crew. But how do they tell the crew from the animals?

I've always loved SF because it lets my mind explore the question of "what if ... " with a freedom that no other genre allows. I don't think I've read much YA, unless you count the Battletech novels as YA.

Lately I been reading less SF (mostly books from BAEN writers) because the sense of wonder and interest in the relationship between technology and mankind has been mostly lost in recently published books.

V.W. wrote: "I am a fan of military SF. I also write SF.

The most important thing to me is that the story is based on an SF concept, e.g. the effect of space travel, genetic manipulation, and so on. Stories th..."

I completely agree with your points; SF got a tad too light these days!

Thank you V.W. for your reply!

Marcell wrote: "As editor of Abyss & Apex Magazine, I have some pretty definite opinions on the subject of what I want in Science Fiction. First, does it grip me right away, make feel I need to keep reading to fin..."

You might like "Death's Own Daughter" by Jessie Wolf. There are 8 books in the series. They can be found on Amazon.com

Commercial science fiction is suffering from the ball-and-chain of space. The void between the stars is now the romantic equivalent of the 19th century English countryside. It's the operatic stage where the Jungian archetypes act out their predictable tragedies. Readers and publishers think Earth is boring, without understanding that it's becoming a different universe. Name one sci-fi blockbuster of the past year that didn't have at least a little pew-pew-pew in it. (KSR excluded.) People of Earth, you need to write more and read more about what's happening to the life forms on your own planet.

J.G. wrote: "Commercial science fiction is suffering from the ball-and-chain of space. The void between the stars is now the romantic equivalent of the 19th century English countryside. It's the operatic stage ..."

I might go out on a limb, but that's probably what the majority demands. People love those things these days; simple and conventional characters/plots. If its not in the pop-culture, than why bother with it. Only a few big names could have the luxury to develop something more complex; and original. And this is immensely difficult; I mean I've spent my last year or so with research and I'm just scratching the surface. There's so much to learn and so little time. I don't think anyone has the time/resources to do it; not commercially anyway.

On why Earth could be boring: again could be traced back to lack of imagination/time/etc.; or it doesn't have that "wow" factor to it. Like when you're not saving the entire universe from complete destruction; it becomes flat. On the other side, it's really hard to come up with new material; especially after the golden age of japan anime, for example. They worked with AI, poverty, destruction, utopia, apocalypse, etc. Their influence (and other big names from literature) still can be traced back to them.

I remember, a famous person once said, that 'All the types of stories have been told; there's nothing new to tell.'

Thank you J.G. for your contribution!

In Dan Brown's Newest - Origin, you have a true battle between science and religion that shines a light on the real world’s constantly growing and evolving technology and how it’s connected to those that use it.

The fifth book in the series, Origin, came out at the beginning of October and once again featured Robert Langdon being pulled into a life-and-death situation alongside a beautiful, exotic woman where only his knowledge and ability can save the day and possibly condemn the church — So Robert goes Sci fi :-)...

Another one - Avengers #673 . The end result is a fundamental change for Viv, and how fans will likely perceive her in the future. As the High Evolutionary explains, “I have transmogrified your synthezoid body into flesh and blood. You are fully human now.” -Wow. I loved this sentence.. :-)

Viv is now a living, breathing human.

Viv will face once “Worlds Collides” ends, especially since she’s apparently lost the “immortality” that comes with being a synthezoid. Gone is the yellow pendant on her forehead, so that could be the first clue that she is now a completely powerless mortal.

More characters that reflect its expanded readership are being constantly done by Marvel.. I expect sumthing like this.. sumthing new from out of the box but in the same box.. may be just a different perspective but a fresh one....I feel the world is done with alien and reptilian concepts already!

Science fiction can be terrestrial or extra-terrestrial. SF should include at least some completely original thought or speculation. If it recycles a theme or idea that's already been covered elsewhere, that's only fan fiction. I also like it when SF indirectly mirrors something in our own world and asks the reader to see it from a different perspective, questioning our here and now. The science explanations are essential - never use magical explanations in SF because that's fantasy, a different genre. The best SF is what we should do (or avoid doing) next.

The sci-fi series Counterpart which is set to premiere in the coming months featuring another Oscar winner in J.K. Simmons - I am looking forward to this!!!

RimWorld's newest build, known as A World of Story, is the 18th major update for the game. After five years in development, superb Wild-West-flavoured Sci- Fi colony sim RimWorld has launched its first beta update - Beta 18.

May be such a variety if its incorporated in books, Sci- Fi will evolve to the fullest - exploring with new wings instead of adding feathers to its cap..

Faith wrote: "Science fiction can be terrestrial or extra-terrestrial. SF should include at least some completely original thought or speculation. If it recycles a theme or idea that's already been covered elsew..."

Thumbs up for originality!

'The science explanations are essential'
Would you care to elaborate on how much you think is adequate? I'm genuinely interested to find out!

Thank you Faith, for your reply!

Sarah wrote: "Another one - Avengers #673 . The end result is a fundamental change for Viv, and how fans will likely perceive her in the future. As the High Evolutionary explains, “I have transmogrified your syn..."

Well it seems, there's still some hope left there!

Thank you Sarah!

J.G. wrote: "Commercial science fiction is suffering from the ball-and-chain of space. The void between the stars is now the romantic equivalent of the 19th century English countryside. It's the operatic stage ..."

PS.:

I just came across this article on twitter; it pretty much says the same things I've mentioned; above.

https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

Of course, you need to take it with a pinch of salt; as life's not just black and white!

Its fifty shades of gray!

Marcell wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Another one - Avengers #673 . The end result is a fundamental change for Viv, and how fans will likely perceive her in the future. As the High Evolutionary explains, “I have transmogr..."

Yes Marcell..

Marcell wrote: "Faith wrote: "Explanations - elaborate on how much..."
Personally, I like the information dump (which one respondent earlier in the trail doesn't like). I learn quite a lot from info dumps and can hold conversations later with specialists where they mistakenly assume I'm qualified in their field. It's a superpower.

Sarah wrote: "Marcell wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Another one - Avengers #673 . The end result is a fundamental change for Viv, and how fans will likely perceive her in the future. As the High Evolutionary explains, “..."

I'm sorry if I sounded rude; it wasn't intentional. I'm really behind on contemporary science fiction, so I've no idea what is going on these days!