Possibly stupid question...

[[deleted user]]

In a recent discussion with a reader, I found myself unable to clarify the distinct differences between certain genres, namely: sci-fi, paranormal, and fantasy. I know what these names mean to me, but my reader had a completely different take. When I looked up each word, there seemed to be a lot of general, common elements.

What would you say makes each genre unique? I'm genuinely curious to find a majority opinion...

[Laurel]

science fiction to me is set either in the future, in outer space, or some other part of the universe. Technology in advance of our own is typically part of the genre.

Science grounds science fiction; authors take care to keep the stories plausible with known science.


Fantasy: contains supernatural elements not rooted in science though telepathy seems to overlap between science fiction and fantasy. Authors do not take great care per se to synchronize the stories, characters, etc with known science. More metaphysics. Beings, races, etc. that may contradict known science. May be set in any time/place and combined as part of other genres (eg., historical fantasy).

paranormal: largely set in the present or very near future with supernatural themes. Tends towards vampires, werefolk, etc.

[Dimitrios]

I agree with Laurel,
Science fiction: you take everything from science and you streeeeeetch it. For example, people go to the moon, they plan to go to mars, these are the facts but as a sci-fi writer you have them doing more like living in mars and travelling from galaxy to galaxy etc. You take a common virus and you turn it into a super virus that wipes out half the earth's population.

Fantasy: Magic, witches, curses, other worlds, epic creatures (unicorns, dragons, fairies etc).

Paranormal: Ghosts, Vampires, werewolves, spirits, haunted hauses and these kind of stuff.

[G.G.]

ok. Since it seems Sci-fi is futurist, in space and/or on another planet, how would you classify a story with alien(s) on Earth nowadays?

[Dimitrios]

G.G. wrote: "ok. Since it seems Sci-fi is futurist, in space and/or on another planet, how would you classify a story with alien(s) on Earth nowadays?"

I would say it's sci fi too

[Bryan]

If it deals in any way with the modern world and modern technology, it would be considered science fiction.

The only way it would be classified fantasy or paranormal is if there were also things like ghosts and witches involved, or if it took place in an unknown, mystical realm.

Hope that helps, G.G.

[Bryan]

Oh, and there are never any stupid questions! : )

[[deleted user]]

Bryan wrote: "Oh, and there are never any stupid questions! : )"

I appreciate that!

[[deleted user]]

Okay, what about this:

If the X-men storyline contained no futuristic elements, how would you classify it?

[Ed]

Science fiction = possible
Fantasy = impossible
Paranormal = maybe :)

[Justin]

Sci-Fi- A genre that contains futuristic, alien, other world type elements.

Fantasy- Magic, spiritual, fictional worlds or plots to which a hero is the main focus.

Paranormal- the weird, strange, ghosts and the unknown.

[G.G.]

Ed wrote: "Science fiction = possible
Fantasy = impossible
Paranormal = maybe :)"

I kind of like your point of view Ed.

Thank you Dimitrios and Bryan. That helps.

[Reed]

X-men would qualify as sci fi or fantasy depending on how you look at it. The whole mutant theme is based around genetics so there's your science angle, but the over the top super powers screams fantasy. There is also the issue that there are lots of magical elements in the marvel universe as well.

[Judy]

I think super heroes/comic books are their own genre. They don't adhere to the expectations of science fiction but they don't really fit the fantasy conventions either. They have their own unique conventions including secret identities, super villains, and world wide threats.

I've read paranormal fiction where teens may have special powers, but then generally everything is on a smaller scale--smaller villains, smaller threats. Once you get super-sized, you have comic book/superhero.

[Laura]

Ed wrote: "Science fiction = possible
Fantasy = impossible
Paranormal = maybe :)"

"Like."

[[deleted user]]

Thanks, everybody, for your input! I guess it varies from person to person, though many ideas are the same. I've heard Stephen King's Carrie referred to as straight fiction, sci-fi, as well as paranormal. I'm not sure there's actually a wrong answer...

[Judy]

Stephen King's books belong to this genre that once existed called "Horror" (which I think still exists, btw but don't tell the publishers that.)

There's a lot of crossover between paranormal and horror, and they might even be the same thing--with one difference. The primary target of a horror book is to scare you. Paranormal just means having paranormal elements.

[Justin]

Excellent point Judy. While King mainly tends to be a horror author he tends to sometimes throw in sci-fi and paranormal type genres in as well. He is definitely a strong horror author although some of his novels clearly hint the other two such as The Tommyknockers(paranormal) and I think Dreamcatcher is in the sci-fi department somewhat. So while anyone such a King and whoever else can combine genres they are definitely different in their own right.

[Bryan]

I agree with Judy, that Comic Books, and characters/worlds with them are their own genre altogether, separate from both science fiction and fantasy.

And, personally, I think I would classify Stephen King, in general, as Supernatural Horror (including It, Carrie and Christine). The majority of his books deal with the supernatural, while at the same time trying to scare the bejesus out of you. Then, there's the other side of him, which is strictly character drama (i.e. Shawshank Redemption and Stand By Me (aka The Body)), but those are few and far between.

[Wayne]

Bryan wrote: "Oh, and there are never any stupid questions! : )"

Indeed.

The only foolish question is the one not asked.