Young Writers Society

Nate wrote:

bear wrote:I have trouble classifying certain things. Like now, for instance.

I have a story that takes place in the future, after humans no longer just live on Earth (and America and parts of Europe self destructed), and there is space travel involved, but it's also a romance. It seems to be a sci-fi romance. And so I got to wondering, which category do I put it under?

It should go under Mystery.

Actually... sci-fi I guess.

Nate...


Okay, so I'm assuming steampunk goes under sci-fi, right? I've been on a real steampunk kick lately. I guess the only other place for it would be "other fiction" - what's the verdict?

Sci fi, I think...

Well, I had posted a story in fantasy fiction and it concerns an alien girl.It does not have anything futuristic in it. But are aliens a fantasy? or Scientific things?

It depends solely on your alien and your earth's life. If your story is based off of science (such as astronomers are gonna speak big scary science words and explanations, aliens are using big solar-powered laser guns, humans are using G24 pistol rifle sniper thingies, etc. ), then it's science-fiction.

Dictionary.com:

science fiction
n. A literary or cinematic genre in which fantasy, typically based on speculative scientific discoveries or developments, environmental changes, space travel, or life on other planets, forms part of the plot or background.

Fantasy is not real. If there's a certain magical aspect to it, it's fantasy. Telepathy, magic powers, spells, magic items out of the ordinary, etc.

Dictionary.com:

fantasy
–noun
1. imagination, esp. when extravagant and unrestrained.
2. the forming of mental images, esp. wondrous or strange fancies; imaginative conceptualizing.
3. a mental image, esp. when unreal or fantastic; vision: a nightmare fantasy.

Good chance your story lands in sci-fi, but best check your story and make sure.

Jabber, the One and Only!

Here's a basic guide to figuring out where your story goes:

If it could have happened in the past, it's historical fiction.
If it could happen now, see the next list
If it could happen in the future, it's sci-fi
If it flat out can't happen, it's fantasy

For present times:

If romance is the central theme and the focus of the story is the relationship, it's romance
If it involves an adventure of some sort with action involved, go with action/adventure
If it doesn't fit either of the above - e.g. teen fiction(unless that teen fiction is romance) - put it in other.

Okay...My story is rough, I mean ROUGH. I think...hehe...it envolves ghosts, wicca, body theives, romance, and mystery. After i clean it up, where should it go? Oh, and I suggest that a horror section be added. It seems like a major genre to be so neglected.

Okay.

I've got a story here that is set in a futuristic world but has people with powers like teleportation, reading minds, or anything along those lines you can come up with. The thing is that these powers come form medicine they recieved when they were little. That is si-fi, isn't it?
I wasn't sure until I read though this thread.

Okay...My story is rough, I mean ROUGH. I think...hehe...it envolves ghosts, wicca, body theives, romance, and mystery. After i clean it up, where should it go? Oh, and I suggest that a horror section be added. It seems like a major genre to be so neglected.

Possibly action/adventure or other.

Okay.

I've got a story here that is set in a futuristic world but has people with powers like teleportation, reading minds, or anything along those lines you can come up with. The thing is that these powers come form medicine they recieved when they were little. That is si-fi, isn't it?
I wasn't sure until I read though this thread.

Yup, sci fi sounds right to me.

Aina wrote:Okay.

I've got a story here that is set in a futuristic world but has people with powers like teleportation, reading minds, or anything along those lines you can come up with. The thing is that these powers come form medicine they recieved when they were little. That is si-fi, isn't it?
I wasn't sure until I read though this thread.

Yep, most likely sci-fi.

What about a musical? I'm thinking plays, but just to be safe...

MJ

I've got this short thing (working it up into novella) going, but... well... I dunno.

Its not really romance, since its not really about the MC's falling in love or anything.
However, its not really an Other, since a lot of what happens is motivated by love/hate, such as her designated-driving for her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend (because she still has feelings).
Neither is it an action/thriller, because, although there are fist-fights, running away from something, and basically action, there's not much to define it as Action/Thriller.

What is it?
So far, I'm working Other, but... I dunno...

Most likely Other Fiction!

When there's a blend of genres you aren't sure what to use, stick the story in Other Fiction.

I just wanted to make sure I would put my mystery story in the correct place before posting it.

It's got a lot of action in it, but it's somewhat fantasy (elf-like person) and somewhat sci-fi (futuristic, in a way). So I should just post in Other Fiction, right? As Rosey said.

Yup. ^^ When in doubt, go with Other Fiction.