Squares and Rectangles

Genre mixing, anyone?

I had a conversation the other day about Science-Fiction and Fantasy genres.

The person I spoke with was convinced that the two are so different that they cannot compare and must be considered different genres.

I have a different way of looking at things, so that they make more sense. In my mind, they're both very similar. In fact, there are only a few differences. 

The definition of Science-Fiction is as follows:

Fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets. 

And now for Fantasy:

Fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary plot element, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic and magical creatures are common. 

Notice how similar those are?! Magic and its use is within the realm of "science" and therefore technically Science Fiction. Not to mention, both include imaginary planets.

With that in mind, I pose to you this organizational schema for these genres:

All squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.

*ahem*

I meant, all Fantasy is Science-Fiction, but not all Science-Fiction is Fantasy.

Fantasy, while dealing with the fantastic, is always within the realm of Science-Fiction, because that’s what Sci-Fi inherently is. But Science-Fiction is such a huge genre that only a small portion of it is actually considered Fantasy.

So when you go to label your book, and you’re not sure what genre it is, it might just be both.

Personally, I prefer calling all my work Science-Fiction, even though a fair bit of it is within the realm of Fantasy. I just can’t stand the word Fantasy, because it sounds like child’s play. Science-Fiction sounds more smarter. *wink*

What do you think? Are they so different in your mind?

{RA}