Fantasy and Science Fiction Stories

Fantasy and science fiction stories use elements of the strange, fantastic, and impossible to create tales that let readers escape reality.  While both of these genres have things in common, they have several important differences as well.

Fantasy and science fiction both have elaborate, highly detailed worlds that are distinctive from our world.  Even if a story is taking place on Earth, elements of magic or a setting far in the future turns the world we know into a totally different place.  The other major similarity between the two is that both are only limited by your imagination.  In these genres, anything goes.

Fantasy is distinct from science fiction because it often uses magic or magical elements to create the unique characters, events, and surroundings of the story.  Castles and caves, wizards and witches, dragons and unicorns, fairies and elves – all of these pieces are found in classic and contemporary fantasy stories.  Fantasy stories often center on the struggles of a hero or the rise and fall of a fictional nation.  The fantastic elements of the story are typically tied to nature or a natural, magical realm.  In fantasy stories, the hero struggles and usually triumphs.

Science fiction focuses on technology and scientific advances rather than magic to create the fantastic alternate world in which the story takes place.  Instead of castles and wizards, science fiction often incorporates outer space, time travel, aliens, robots, and the conflict that can arise between humans and technology that has gotten out of control.  While many science fiction stories also focus on the struggles of a great hero, they can also be cautionary tales against the rapid development of technology.  In these cautionary science fiction stories, the hero doesn’t always win.

Writing Fantasy and Science Fiction Stories

Despite their differences, brainstorming ideas for fantasy and science fiction stories is similar.

1. Who and what is your main character?  Is it a powerful sorceress?  A homesick alien?  A girl who discovers her magical powers?  A young scientist? 
2. Where do they live?  If your story is set on another planet, what sorts of plants and animals live there?  What color is the sky?  How long are the days?  If your story is set in the future, what sorts of new inventions have changed the landscape?  If your story is set in a magical forest, what sorts of special creatures live there?  Are there castles?  Huts?  Normal apartments with doorways into magical worlds?
3. Who’s in charge?  Have androids taken over?  Is there a dictator ruling over all of Earth?  Are there good kings and bad kings ruling over certain areas?  Are there wars going on?
4. What is the magic/technology like in your story?  Are there different types of magic?  Is everyone magical, or is magic only available to a few people?  Is the technology based on things that are around today, or are you making up totally new types of science?  Is space travel an option?  Is time travel?  Is the technology limited to only those who can afford it, or does everyone have this technology? 

Once you’ve answered a few of these questions, you’ll start getting a clearer view of the world your characters live in what makes it unique and exciting.  Even though both of these genres have amazing settings and events, your fantasy or science fiction story will still need to have a strong main character to hold your readers’ interest.

Example of a Fantasy Story:

“Battle” by Tanith Lee

The knight rode for miles across the wasteland before he found the dragon he had come to slay. It was a huge beast, black as a burnt coal. The moment it saw him it breathed out a blast of flame, they ran together, roaring.

Due however to the dragon's impervious scales, the knight could do it no harm. Also, due to the knight's excellent and fire-resistant armour, (a magic potion had been smeared on it), neither could the dragon harm the man.

The sun sank. The red sky cooled to darkest blue and a moon rose like a blind white mirror.

Both fighters slunk apart and sat down on the ground. Though unhurt, each of them was exhausted.

Finally the knight spoke.. "If you understand me, I suggest this: I will go back and tell them that I slew you."

The dragon, which did indeed understand human speech, answered in the same language. "I too," it said, "will tell my kind I killed you, and ate you, lightly grilled."

Then they lay back and slept until sunrise.

At first light the dragon flew away. The knight strode away. They told their stories of victory with heavy hearts, but were believed. When, thereafter, mankind noticed plumes of smoke and fire in the wasteland, they put it down to volcanoes. In the world of dragon kind, the evidence of human cities and towns was explained as large rat warrens, or giant ant-hills. Fights still occasionally took place, the participants having met generally by accident. But the outcome was always the same. Each gave up, departed, lied.

For all we know, just such a battle between man and dragon may have happened again only yesterday - for who, now, believes in dragons? Or, among dragons, who now believes in men? [6]

Example of a Science Fiction Story:

“All Summer in a Day” by Ray Bradbury - [ Click HERE for link ]