How far in the future

[Timber Wolf]

can I place a story, without it getting into the realm of science fiction?

Got a story that is going to be in the future, but I don't want it to be looked at as science ficiton. I may have a few advances in science based on what is beig developed now, but it is not intended to be SF, so just thinking.

Thanks.

TW

[rljfl]

I don't think there is a definate time-stance for what is or isn't Sci-fi. What makes it sci-fi is what is your story focused on? If the time and technology are mere background, and the story focuses more on the love relationship of Joanne and Tom, then it's a romance, not sci-fi.

[Timber Wolf]

I agree, I was wondering if there was anybody else that might have a different idea.

Thanks.

[Lookin^Up]

The boundaries between genres are often blurred, I've noticed. Sci-fi and horror are often lumped together, but I see them as separate genres, depending on the focus. The Wild Wild West is usually considered a Western, but it has lots of sci-fi elements in it. Star Wars looks like sci-fi, but most people called it a "space opera". Labels are fleeting and not very reliable, nor predictable.

All of which to say, write what's in your heart. Is there some reason you don't want this to be labeled sci-fi? Generally I would agree with Timber Wolf; what you focus on will probably determine its genre. But that's not a given.

[righter1]

I've struggled with this since I've begun to dapple in what could loosely be termed 'sci-fi'. (And I had a really great answer for you last night, and my wireless network fizzled on me! :mad:)

To me, sci-fi is anything that is not based in current technology or knowledge of previous technology. Lookin^Up's example of 'The Wild Wild West' is a great example. So, the book series I read that is in the Mystery section of the bookstore that would by all other accounts be termed a police procedural, I would classify as a sci-fi mystery because it takes place in 2058-2060. The mystery I'm writing that takes place in 2117 that is primarily a mystery/romance has sci-fi elements because I don't know that people in 2117 will actually be driving/flying hover cars or will be able to travel to Jupiter's moons for a vacation. To me, that could be enough to push it into the sci-fi genre, but to others, perhaps not.

Me personally, I'm not that interested in reading a two page description about how some engine works to make you travel faster than the speed of light. Not my thing. For some people, they probably get a kick out of the physics end of it. I did good to pass my college astronomy class and never looked back--and will never, ever take a physics course unless I develop this sudden interest in it.

Anyway, there's my thoughts, for what they're worth. Take 'em or leave 'em. :D

[DraperJC]

If it's in the future, the sales team at whatever publishing house finally accepts it will push it as sci-fi. Your only real hope is to get it classified as a thriller; they can often be a few years ahead of today.

[Boomer]

Yeah, the labeling does not matter at this stage. Write what is in your heart, or head if you write from there, and label it after it is expressed.

[Timber Wolf]

If it's in the future, the sales team at whatever publishing house finally accepts it will push it as sci-fi. Your only real hope is to get it classified as a thriller; they can often be a few years ahead of today.

Techno-thriller is what I'm shooting for.





....

I did good to pass my college astronomy class and never looked back--and will never, ever take a physics course unless I develop this sudden interest in it.



Righter your're breaking my heart. :D



All of which to say, write what's in your heart. Is there some reason you don't want this to be labeled sci-fi? Generally I would agree with Timber Wolf; what you focus on will probably determine its genre. But that's not a given.

It may have science-fictional elements, I don't want it being sold out of the science fiction section in the bookstores. Certainly not because I don't like the genre - just that this is not what I'm aiming at for this book.

As far as writing what's in my heart - I am certainly trying to do that.

[righter1]

Righter your're breaking my heart. :D

Sorry about that... :rolleyes: I can't help it!!! Rest assured that I love sci-fi stories (especially Star Wars) and science-based stories (like Apollo 13 & the book it's based on, Lost Moon)

It may have science-fictional elements, I don't want it being sold out of the science fiction section in the bookstores. Certainly not because I don't like the genre - just that this is not what I'm aiming at for this book.

As far as writing what's in my heart - I am certainly trying to do that.

As for where it'll be sold, it'll depend on how heavily into one genre or another it is where the publisher will place it. So many books nowadays are crossing genres to the point that it could be 1/3 sci-fi, 1/3 mystery, and 1/3 romance... It'll depend moreso on the publisher and their needs and where they feel the audience is....

[Tarin]

Yeah, the labeling does not matter at this stage. Write what is in your heart, or head if you write from there, and label it after it is expressed.

I'll second this. Just write your story. Who knows, maybe you'll end up being one of those enviable genre-benders?:cool: