Comments on: Defining the Genre: Science Fiction Romance

By: Louise Wise

Louise Wise — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:18:34 +0000

I have wrote a sci-fi romance called Eden. I thought I was the first and only person to like this mixed genre! My book is like marmite – love it or hate it. I’m certainly going to follow and read more of Heather!

By: Linnea Sinclair

Linnea Sinclair — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:36:33 +0000

I love this:
**Simply put, science fiction describes stories set in an alternative reality that are technology driven, (as opposed to fantasy, which is magic-driven).**

Wish I’d thought of it. I intend to use it. Ka-ching to Heather!

The only minor nit I’d pick is:
**Otherwise, why bother setting the story in the future?**

My books are not anyone’s future (except for THE DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES but I needed an exception to prove the rule). They’re my characters’ present day. A LOT of SFR/RSF isn’t “future Earth.” It’s a technologically advanced society with star travel. That has nothing to do with “future” other than the fact we may (or may not) wish that to be out future society.

If you think about it, a reader in 1820 reading a contemporary romance by Carly Phillips or Suzanne Brockman or Nora Roberts (if that was possible) would consider those books “futuristic.” Just a thought… ~Linnea with deadline brain

By: Things I should know…and don’t. « Redneck Romance Writer

Things I should know…and don’t. « Redneck Romance Writer — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:41:17 +0000

[...] should know…and don’t. Jump to Comments I was clicking around the web and found THIS POST about Science Fiction Romance. Now, right on the heels of Dear Author’s DEFINITION OF EROTIC [...]

By: Susan S.

Susan S. — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 06:38:27 +0000

Bestiary for example cat-people or humans who turn into bears.

By: Ella Drake

Ella Drake — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 01:35:30 +0000

Fantastic! Concise and right on with everything I’ve learned about the terms, the nuances, etc.
I love them all, futuristic all the way to romantic sci-fi (though I have to admit, I still prefer the happy not just “satisfying” ending)

By: Keira

Keira — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:23:58 +0000

I had fun selecting the images. They’re done in the star-trail style! I thought that would fit in perfectly with SFR.

By: Heather Massey

Heather Massey — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:51:00 +0000

Thanks again for having me, Keira! Those images are cool–I feel like I received such a red carpet treatment!

Nat, I love the idea of “romantic discovery.” I’ve always thought romance among the stars was some of the most exciting kind to discover.

Susan S., thanks for reading. You’re right–ESP/psi concepts can fall under SF or paranormal. The setting plays a huge factor in determining category.

Thanks, Kimber An!

Susan, best of luck with your contests!

Bestiary:

1. A medieval collection of stories providing physical and allegorical descriptions of real or imaginary animals along with an interpretation of the moral significance each animal was thought to embody. A number of common misconceptions relating to natural history were preserved in these popular accounts.
2. A modern version of such a collection.

Keira, I believe it’s a term also applied to paranormal romances, or the collection thereof. I could be wrong, but that’s the only context I know of.

By: Jennifer Leeland

Jennifer Leeland — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:50:49 +0000

Yep. Science Fiction Romance? Confusing. Try EROTIC science fiction romance.
I love writing it however. And reading it.
I think you’ve summed up the different nuances to the genre. Thank you, Heather!

By: Keira

Keira — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:07:01 +0000

Bestiary, Susan?

By: Susan Macatee

Susan Macatee — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:21:18 +0000

Thanks, Heather, for spelling it all out! It does get confusing at times. I just entered the opening of my SFR in two contests and had to figure out which label mine best fell into, because it was different for each one.

But it was a breath of relief to find my entry wouldn’t be lumped in with the paranormals.