Part One
In honor of Halloween, it’s
seems only right to write on the subject of speculative lit. Why do readers
consistently want to read fantasy, science fiction and horror and their various
paranormal subdivisions? Why does speculative fiction remain as popular as it
is with all ages of readers?
Let’s begin by talking about
fantasy. There has always been a fascination with magical worlds. Many of the
readers and writers of fantasy are escaping the negativity of the real world
through fantasy worlds which are often more satisfying. Reality is readjusted.
Lev Grossman in his excellent Time Magazine essay observed: “Fantasy holds out
the possibility that there’s another way to live.” Certainly there are many
fans of C.S. Lewis, T.H. White, J.RR. Tolkien, George R.R. Martin—just to name
a few of the popular fantasy writers.
One of my own sword and
sorcery short stories appears in the recent anthology
TALES OF THE BLACK ARTS:
Much fantasy world has a
sense of times past. Several of my own novels with a paranormal edge are set in
the past. TEA LEAVES AND TAROT CARDS, a paranormal Regency romance endorsed by
bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick, was initially published in
hardcover by Five Star/Gale/Cengage and then as a hardcover large print by
Thorndike Press. Now it has an e-book edition: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JFHMXWW
THE DEVIL AND DANNA WEBSTER,
a fantasy romance published by Astraea Press, is a clean read that’s not just
for teens. It’s set in 1985, theoretically a less complicated time. http://www.amazon.com/Devil-Danna-Webster-Jacqueline-Seewald-ebook/dp/B00JZYXW7K/
THE BAD WIFE, 4th
and final mystery novel in the Kim Reynolds series, also has a paranormal edge.
Kim, an academic librarian, is a reluctant clairvoyant who has visions which
cause her to both solve and prevent crime.
Fantasy as part of our
poetry literature is not at all new. Remember ”Kubla Khan” a poem written by Samuel Taylor Coleridge? How about
his “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner “?
Recently, Eldrich Press published
three of my speculative poems which include fantasy, horror and science fiction.
They are a free read online: http://www.eldritchpress.com/jacqueline-seewald.html
Science fiction continues to
have a strong appeal. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines this type of
literature as: “dealing principally
with the impact of actual or imagined science on society or individuals or
having a scientific factor as an essential orienting component.”
Fantasy
deals with imagination, unreal worlds, and magical realms. Some of these bear
similarities to past societies such as medieval times. Science fiction, on the
other hand, looks to developments in science or imaginative notions of future
worlds. However, all embrace aspects of the speculative or paranormal.
For
one of my science fiction poems that can be read for free on the internet, you
can go to Kansas University
Are there any authors of
fantasy or science fiction that you particularly admire or enjoy reading? Ray
Bradbury remains one of my favorites. Are you a fan of the Harry Potter series?
Have you read Ursula K. Le Guin or
Octavia E. Butler? What about fantasy/paranormal romances such as those written
by Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle? Are
there new writers of fantasy or sci-fi that excite your interest? Please share
with us.
I don't enjoy that kind of fiction. Sorry! Great post, as always.
ReplyDeleteOh, well, thanks for dropping by and commenting. Many romance writers are into paranormal fantasy though.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading (and writing) speculative fiction. I'm not a "hard-core" fan, but like skipping around in the genres reading some of the contemporary work--especially short stories. I grew up reading Bradbury and Asimov so got a good foundation in the classics. Now, I write in several areas. My favorite, I think, is fantasy because of the magical aspects of it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Bobbi,
ReplyDeleteI think we agree. Like you, I write mystery, speculative and romance as well. I enjoy variety.
Yes, it's the variety thing. I wish I could write nothing but mystery, or fantasy or horror. But my mind doesn't work that way. :-)
ReplyDeleteBTW, love the photo, too. I'm assuming that's your garden? Gorgeous colors!
ReplyDeleteThank you. We live in a co-op. Each year the gardeners create something special for autumn. I'm just getting the hang of taking digital pictures.
DeleteVery nice post, Jacquie, and a good lure for anyone who hasn't yet read fantasy or science fiction, et al. I'll admit to being a realist, but I do love magical realism (Marquez) and I adore Ursula Le Quin, especially her Left Hand of Darkness. My spouse has been working his way through 5 volumes of Game of Thrones. And I've had fun with psychics in my mysteries. I like the way you use bits of paranormal in your work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Nancy. Game of Thrones has been on the bestseller list and remains popular on TV. Ursula Le Guin still has a large following as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of speculative fiction. Like both reading and writing it. As I've pointed out occasionally on panels, fantasy may well be the oldest known genre in literature. After all, much of the ancient classical lit, like the Odyssey, Gilgamesh, Jason and the Argonauts, etc. all have strong fantasy elements
ReplyDeleteHi, Karen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for mentioning this. The earliest religions were mythological in nature, paranormal oral literature. Speculative lit has always been with us in one form or another. Mankind has a need for it.
I'm an fan of Asimov from way back and always enjoyed the TV shows, Twilight Zone, and the Star Trek shows. I think the value is in looking at the same problems that we have in our own time and space in different ways. I've enjoyed writing some spec fiction in short form, but haven't attempted any novels. I was discussing horror with a book shop owner in TX and he said it's not called horror any more, but dark fantasy. Whatever we call it, it's fun to get that chill up your spine reading and writing it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing me your work--enjoyed it very much!
Hi, Kaye,
ReplyDeleteLooks like I'll have to modernize. I'm still call it horror rather than dark fiction. But thanks for sharing the info with us. I'm making a note of it.
Third try at commenting: Love your blog as usual--thought-provoking. Why is so much current YA fantasy dystopian in nature? Definitely not seeking a BETTER world. Congrats on being a poet as well as a novelist--in awe of your creativity!
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan,
DeleteI've asked the same question regarding dystopian fantasy. I won't write it because I refuse to take a negative view of the future, but it does have a strong appeal.
Enjoyed the post, Jacqueline. I am a fan of the Harry Potter books, as well as The Hunger Games. I also enjoy fantasy novels by Jacqueline Carey and the science fiction of Catherine Asaro.
ReplyDeleteHi, Linda,
ReplyDeleteI never got into the Harry Potter books, although they are very well-written. However, I did appreciate The Hunger Games.
Excellent post! Spec fic is all I read (for fun) these days. It frees my mind. I'll put in a little plug for Ben Aaronovich's "Peter Grant" series, which have a wonderful fantasy element ("what would have happened if Harry Potter grew up and joined the fuzz" as the cover blurb says).
ReplyDelete