After Wednesday's post about my/our focus as writers, I wanted to talk a little bit more about issues that, while they may not be part of our 'main thing', are still important.
I blog for my readers as much if not more than I blog for myself. So it's important to me to know what issues and topics matter to you as 'writers of the speculative' (Sounds dramatic, doesn't it?). Are you concerned with the more technical side of writing (character development, plot and scene structure, world-building, dialogue, etc) or with the more... well--speculative side of writing? For instance, exploring new sub-genres and mixed genres, discovering new creative ideas and concepts, basically: exploring the speculative fiction world through imagination?
What is important to you? What do you enjoy reading and joining in discussions about, when it comes to speculative fiction? Can't wait to hear your thoughts!
I am fantasy all the way through :) I don't really care for Sci-Fi; it has to sound really good for me to read it. At the moment, the only 'Sci-Fi' I can think of that I've read is C. S. Lewis' Space Trilogy, and it's technically not science fiction. I like to discuss fantasy (it's kind of hard when there aren't any fantasy nerds in your family!). I'm also more into the technical side of the writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, Laura Elizabeth. I can really sympathize with being the only fantasy nerd in the family. Occasionally I get so wound up about some new idea that I just have to tell someone, fantasy nerd or not, and needless to say I get some pretty strange looks from my all-military-men brothers. (Proof positive God has a sense of humor: the personality contrasts He put in my family!) Fortunately it looks like my little sister may be picking up of my fantasy-nerdiness : )
ReplyDeleteWhile the technical side of writing is extremely important, I find there are a number of resources (books, blogs, courses) that address matters pertaining to the craft. By contrast, there are relatively few delving into the creativity/speculative side of writing, so I enjoy it when people take the time to explore that aspect. I value both, but I'd like to see you continue to explore the speculative side here. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your feedback, Sarah. I think you're very right: technical 'how-to' advice and instruction is available just about everywhere, and while anyone can certainly discuss it, they're not likely to say anything that hasn't already been said a hundred times by a hundred different people. I do enjoy writing posts and having discussions about exploring the truly speculative side of spec. fic. Unfortunately, I have serious doubts that I'll ever be able to do it as well as you do on your blog! : )
ReplyDelete(Anyone interested or curious, you really should visit sarahsawyer.com)