So, just what is speculative fiction, and how can you depict imaginative realms in your own stories? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nSpeculative fiction is an umbrella term, or \u2018super-genre\u2019, for genre fiction about things that don\u2019t exist in our world. It asks questions, and often the question is, \u2018what if?\u2019. Contemporary speculative fiction has subgenres like science fiction<\/a> (sci-fi), fantasy, dystopian fiction and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHistorically, speculative fiction has been a nebulous literary term. We\u2019ll look at why in \u2018The History Of Speculative Fiction\u2019 below, but for now, it\u2019s a term that\u2019s evolved since its inception, progressing alongside the novels it aims to describe. Even today, there\u2019s still debate about what is considered speculative fiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, Margaret Atwood states that \u2018speculative fiction is a way of dealing with possibilities that are inherent in our society now, but which have not yet been fully enacted\u2019. Atwood, with speculative fiction successes like The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em>, is certainly an authority; and yet at the same time, we must acknowledge that such definitions limit speculative fiction to ideas overtly grounded in real-world context. As a result, this omits secondary-world stories like Tolkien\u2019s The Lord of the Rings<\/em> (despite its setting being \u2018Middle-earth\u2019), which fantasy fans might argue firmly belongs in the realm of the speculative. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is where definitions of speculative fiction diverge, and it comes down to a question of emphasis. Revisiting our definition above, if your focus is on \u2018things that don\u2019t exist in our world<\/em><\/strong>\u2019, then like Atwood, you may prefer the challenges of a narrower definition. If, however, your focus is \u2018things that don\u2019t exist<\/em><\/strong> in our world\u2019, then it\u2019s likely your interests sit at the broader end of the speculative spectrum. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhen it comes to a term that\u2019s as fluid and eclectic as speculative fiction is, perhaps a better question to ask is: what isn\u2019t<\/em> speculative fiction? <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"what-is-speculative-fiction\"](\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/what-is-speculative-fiction.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Not<\/em> Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSpeculative fiction represents concepts that err outside the bounds of our real world in some way, whether great or small. So, what doesn\u2019t speculative fiction cover? Here are three examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Historical fiction<\/strong> where the only speculative element is a fictional character that doesn\u2019t affect chronicled events. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Horror fiction<\/strong> with fictional antagonists that aren\u2019t paranormal in nature \u2014 think serial killers as opposed to vampires, werewolves, zombies etc. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u2018Mundane science fiction<\/strong>\u2019, a sci-fi subgenre founded by Geoff Ryman and the Clarion West Class of 2004, which limits its scope to Earth-based worlds, no aliens or interstellar travel, and only pre-existing or plausible technology. This is akin to hard science fiction, which focuses on technical accuracy. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re into sci-fi, Ryman and co.\u2019s \u2018Mundane Manifesto\u2019 is brilliant (case in point: calling the genre\u2019s tropes<\/a> a \u201cbonfire of the stupidities\u201d). Definitely recommended reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe topic of sci-fi is an excellent segue back into the history of speculative fiction, so let\u2019s take a brief look at that now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The History Of Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe idea behind speculative fiction \u2014 to ask \u2018what if?\u2019, and remark on a world that may have been, that is or that could be \u2014 is one that goes back to the classics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A well-cited example is Medea<\/em>, a tragedy by ancient Greek playwright Euripides, who explored the sorceress Medea murdering her own children for revenge \u2014 whereas in versions of the legend, she was not directly responsible. Euripides used speculation to write an alternate history. <\/p>\n\n\n\nA less famous example is the cleverly-titled novella A True Story<\/em>, a fiction work by Lucian of Samosata in the second century. Similar to Euripides, Lucian was an ancient Greek writer, but one who speculated on fantastical space travel and war, not to mention aliens. Lucian became the first writer of his time to openly pen fiction (and satirical fiction at that, given the title vs. topics). <\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother example is Shakespeare\u2019s A Midsummer Night’s Dream<\/em>, which unites the Greek hero Theseus of Athens, the Amazonian Queen Hippolyta, and King Oberon and Queen Titania of the Fairies alongside other characters. Nowadays, the play is known as speculative fiction, despite the phrase not existing then. <\/p>\n\n\n\nBonus example: I\u2019m going to add one more here, simply because it\u2019s amazing. Margaret Cavendish\u2019s The Blazing World<\/em> is a speculative work from 1666 about a utopian society, accessible through a portal in the North Pole. Utter genius. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe term \u2018speculative fiction\u2019 was eventually coined by author Robert Heinlein in 1941 and publicised in his 1947 essay, On the Writing of Speculative Fiction<\/em>. Heinlein, a science fiction<\/a> writer, argued that unlike the pulp sci-fi of his time, speculative fiction focused on human-centred reactions to posed scientific or technological problems, and deserved the artistic merit of literary fiction. Sci-fi\u2019s close association with speculative fiction is largely thanks to Heinlein. <\/p>\n\n\n\nAs successful authors like Margaret Atwood and Ursula Le Guin weighed in on such delineations (Le Guin has argued for abandoning genres altogether), speculative fiction expanded into particular genres like fantasy, dystopian fiction and more. Today, speculative fiction\u2019s family of subgenres make it a broad literary term in keeping with the evolution of its stories. It\u2019s to these subgenres that we\u2019ll turn next. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Subgenres Of Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nScience Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGiven sci-fi\u2019s relationship to speculative fiction, it\u2019s a good subgenre to start with. Science fiction with speculative elements uses advanced technology like interstellar travel, which can lead to encounters with extraterrestrials. It employs tropes<\/a> like teleportation, parallel worlds or alternate universes, time travel and even magic; space operas, as a subset of sci-fi stories, are particularly grand in scale. Such speculative leaps are precisely what mundane sci-fi opposes, as they\u2019re deemed too unlikely to ever happen in the real world. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFantasy Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFantasy is a purely speculative genre of fiction, where concepts are fantastical because of the inclusion of magical powers, mythical creatures etc. Like sci-fi, fantasy exists on a spectrum from low fantasy based in the real world, to high or epic fantasy (eg. \u2018sword and sorcery\u2019 fantasy) set in alternate or secondary worlds. Fantasy fiction also includes many subgenres like dark fantasy, fables, fairy tales<\/a>, urban fantasy<\/a> and magical realism. <\/p>\n\n\n\nScience Fiction Fantasy <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs you might guess, sci-fi fantasy is a blend of science fiction and fantasy <\/a>stories, wherein the sci-fi also has fantasy elements such as magic and myth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"speculative-fiction\"](\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/speculative-fiction.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSuperhero Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWhile we\u2019re still thinking about sci-fi, consider superhero fiction like DC\u2019s alien superhero Superman, or Marvel\u2019s many superheroes eg. the Avengers. While tales about beings with superhuman powers fighting evil supervillains could easily be categorised as fantasy or paranormal, superhero stories have become a behemoth in their own right \u2014 just look at the world\u2019s devoted comic-based fandoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paranormal Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSimilar to superhero fiction, paranormal <\/a>fiction could also be classed as fantasy, but the sheer volume of topics and titles has culminated in its own recognised genre. Paranormal fiction tells of secret phenomena that generally defy science and the natural world, involving creatures<\/a> from fables, folklore, fairy tales and pop culture eg. vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches. It can also include psychic abilities like levitation and telepathy. This particular genre has many subgenres, such as paranormal romance<\/a>, which has produced multiple international bestsellers, particularly in the young adult (YA) category. <\/p>\n\n\n\nSupernatural Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLike the paranormal genre, supernatural fiction also eludes scientific explanation, focusing on death and the afterlife \u2014 with heavenly deities like gods\/goddesses and angels, as well as resurrection, reincarnation and the soul. Subgenres include supernatural horror and thrillers; ghost, gothic and weird fiction; and anything else of a spiritual nature that morphs into the macabre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Utopian Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nUtopian fiction<\/a> centres on the concept of an ideal world, and the potential impact of human beings on these seemingly perfect civilisations. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDystopian Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nConversely, dystopian novels<\/a> depict governments and societies, often totalitarian, where people\u2019s suffering is as rampant as the injustice at its core. Such speculative literature often sets stories in places not normally equated with bleak future states. <\/p>\n\n\n\nApocalyptic Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nApocalyptic fiction involves disasters that end in large-scale population death and destruction. Stories involve catastrophic events like meteorological disasters, nuclear wars or pandemic diseases, centring on characters fighting to survive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Post-Apocalyptic Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf the apocalyptic genre is \u2018before\u2019, then post-apocalyptic fiction is the \u2018after\u2019 of these monumentally devastating events. Any characters that survived must now learn to endure the consequences of the apocalypse, which can range from a nuclear holocaust to societal breakdown, and may include paranormal aspects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternate History Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs we saw in Euripides\u2019 Medea<\/em>, alternate history fiction provides a fork in the road to explore historical events and their potential for lives unled. <\/p>\n\n\n\nExamples Of Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Expanse<\/em> Series By James S. A. Corey <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nThis hard sci-fi modern classic, starting with the first novel Leviathan Wakes<\/em>, speculates about humans colonising the solar system without interstellar travel eg. Mars and the Asteroid Belt beyond it \u2014 but with Earth and Mars in conflict. <\/p>\n\n\n\nA Song Of Ice And Fire<\/em> Series By George R. R. Martin <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWe\u2019ve already mentioned Tolkien, so let\u2019s look at Martin\u2019s epic fantasy<\/a> works, also known as the TV adaptation Game of Thrones<\/em>. You can\u2019t get more speculative than situating this fictional \u2018War of the Roses\u2019 alongside dragons, sorcery and ice zombies. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDune<\/em> Series By Frank Herbert <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nAn older classic and fantastical space opera, the titular first novel and its series are a sci-fi fantasy of grandeur. Unlike The Expanse<\/em>, Dune<\/em> does have interstellar travel, as well as magic, alien sandworms, a prophecy and the mystical Spice Melange. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"writing-speculative-fiction\"](\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/writing-speculative-fiction.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWarbringer<\/em> By Leigh Bardugo <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYA fantasy bestseller Bardugo picks up the mantle of depicting Wonder Woman in a comic novelisation of Diana\u2019s origin story. Prior to becoming the superheroine we all know and love, the novel sees her befriend a descendant of Helen of Troy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Vampire Chronicles<\/em> Series By Anne Rice <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBefore the TV series hits our screens, revisit Rice\u2019s fully-realised paranormal world of vampire mythology in the series\u2019 first novel Interview With The Vampire<\/em>, which is not only a cultural phenomenon but also a masterwork of the genre. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Call Of Cthulhu And Other Weird Stories<\/em> By H. P. Lovecraft <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nLovecraft\u2019s supernatural The Call of Cthulhu<\/em> is one of his best-known stories, and features a kraken-like creature with wings \u2014 complete with a cult of worshippers \u2014 and the power to drive people insane through subconscious control. <\/p>\n\n\n\nGulliver’s Travels<\/em> By Jonathan Swift <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nA stinging satire of adventure travel that helped birth the novel format, Swift\u2019s protagonist journeys to far-flung locales where he meets philosophers, scientists, mages, immortals, and intellectually superior horses ruling over humans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1984<\/em> By George Orwell <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nYou could well argue there\u2019s no more relevant dystopian tale than Orwell\u2019s 1984<\/em> \u2014 and we\u2019re 38 years on from that fateful year. Yet here we are, still grappling with the same totalitarian fears; the unfortunate hallmark of a truly well-crafted tale. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWorld War Z<\/em> By Max Brooks <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nGiven the last example, it\u2019s not surprising we\u2019ve made it to the zombie apocalypse; though Brooks\u2019 novel is simultaneously post-apocalyptic, with its 10-year span that begins with rumours of a new pandemic from China (sound familiar?). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Stand<\/em> By Stephen King <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFollowing on from a zombie pandemic, let\u2019s get a little more real with fiction master King\u2019s actual pandemic novel, a post-apocalyptic tale of an influenza-based plague that (wait for it) kills 99.4% of the population. Cue civilisation imploding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Man In The High Castle<\/em> By Philip K. Dick <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nFinally, we end on an alternate history classic, with Dick speculating, \u2018what if Germany had won World War II?\u2019. The answer to this question sets the novel in an America where New York is Nazi territory and Japan rules over California. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How To Write Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nNow that we\u2019re clear on what speculative fiction is (and what it isn\u2019t), how do you go about creating these world-bending stories for yourself? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are our 5 steps to writing speculative fiction: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Form Your Idea <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nYour first step is to identify an idea for a story. Speculative fiction deals in \u2018what if\u2019s, so let\u2019s start there. Here\u2019s an example you may already be familiar with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Margaret Atwood\u2019s idea for The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em> came from a conversation with a friend in the 1980s about feminism and women being outside the home, and those who wanted to reverse the trend. Atwood wondered what it would take to do that, and in answering her question, the world of Gilead and its handmaids was born. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhether you subscribe to Atwood\u2019s definition of speculative fiction or not, mining current events, society, culture, and the latest research for good ideas to build a concept from will grant you many an interesting \u2018what if\u2019 to ponder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Do Your Research <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nDespite the fantastical nature of speculative fiction, if your story is in any way based on the real world, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll need to do some research, such as when writing sci-fi stories inspired by science or technology. Not all science fiction will need this as a prerequisite, but grounding such stories with real things tends to strengthen them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s also a point to be made here about sensitivity. If you\u2019re broaching topics that involve those in a minority, potentially triggering subjects or cultural taboos, it\u2019s important to do your due diligence as a professional in the writing community. And that means doing your research and crafting authentic portrayals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"speculative-fiction-writing\"](\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/speculative-fiction-writing.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Build Your World <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf you\u2019re like me, this is the fun part. World-building, particularly in fantasy, looks top-down at the world you\u2019re creating \u2014 from the realm\u2019s geography, to its people and civilisations. This also includes society, politics, the economy and technology; which in turn means defining warfare, and what magic or myths to include. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, your world-building doesn\u2019t need to be complex. The key is consistency, and rules with discernable stakes (which also aid your central conflict<\/a>). Within the realm of the speculative, as in fantasy or dystopias, defining your magical systems or the rules your society is based on will help readers navigate your story. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFor more on world-building, see our \u2018Top Tips For Speculative Fiction Writing\u2019 below in the section following this one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Outline Your Story <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSo, you\u2019ve got an idea, and you\u2019ve done your research and world-building. Great! Now comes your story outline. This can be as simple or as granular as you like, depending on whether you\u2019re a \u2018pantser\u2019 or a \u2018plotter\u2019 when it comes to planning. Either way, the reason for outlining in speculative fiction is to clarify your world and its consequences for your characters<\/a>, and then build your arc. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThink about the idea you\u2019ve come up with and how it impacts your main character. Are they high or low on the food chain of the world you\u2019ve developed? Where do you want them to end up, and how? What are the main problems that they\u2019ll face? Asking yourself these questions will help you plan your story\u2019s outline. Need help? Check out our article on plot points<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Write! <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFor the plotters amongst us, your research, world-building and outline should equip you with more than enough to get started. For the pantsers, this will be where you finally dispense with all the planning and just write<\/em>. So, what are you waiting for? <\/p>\n\n\n\nPro tip: Some people recommend writing first thing in the morning or late at night \u2014 essentially, when our thoughts are more free-flowing \u2014 for creative effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top Tips For Speculative Fiction Writing <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat if you really want to try your hand at speculative fiction- but you just can\u2019t seem to make the words happen? We\u2019ve got you covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 3 more tips and tricks for writing speculative fiction stories: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Brainstorm <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis is where you try and think of as many ideas as possible without judging them, then tease out the golden thread of a story. You don\u2019t need to do it all in one sitting, but your goal is to look for new and unexpected combinations and connections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One way to do this is by thinking about conversations eg. like Margaret Atwood, or eavesdropping on new ones in cafes, on public transport, at the park, anywhere; all for the sake of potential inspiration, and to get you asking questions that can lead to intriguing tangents, and eventually stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s my own method: handwrite your brain dump of ideas, if you can, as there\u2019s something about physically jotting them down; it probably facilitates the next step. Then, go do something else- ideally, something manual like cleaning, exercising, showering, or driving (Spielberg gets his best ideas on the road). And finally\u2026 wait. When your mind is quiet, like when meditating or on the verge of falling asleep, that\u2019s when your best ideas will strike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or, why not use one of our sci-fi writing prompts<\/a> or our fantasy prompts<\/a> as a jumping-off point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Research Building Your World <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIf going directly from researching to world-building is too much of a jump, don\u2019t worry. The internet has a plethora of resources to help you build your world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Brandon Sanderson, author of bestselling fantasy and sci-fi stories like the Mistborn<\/em> series, has entire YouTube playlists devoted to his writing process. As part of his 2020 creative writing lectures at US Brigham Young University, check out his world-building part one<\/a> and part two<\/a> videos. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Another writer of bestselling speculative fiction eg. the Broken Earth<\/em> trilogy, N.K. Jemisin is a fantasy and sci-fi author with superb educational content; her website hosts a great presentation<\/a> from one of her webinars. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- World Anvil<\/a> is a resource I\u2019ve been recommended on Twitter more times than I can count for world-building, whether for writing fiction or D&D-style RPGs (that\u2019s \u2018Dungeons and Dragons\u2019 and role-playing games, for you non-nerds). A word of warning: get ready for more links than you can poke a sword at. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Why not check out our articles<\/a> on world-building<\/a> or have a look at our upcoming events<\/a> or courses<\/a> that will help you get started?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
3. Read, Read, Read <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThis is a wonderful tip, particularly if speculative fiction is new to you (and if you\u2019re a bookworm, all the better): immerse yourself in the greats. Writing isn\u2019t just rewriting, as they say- it\u2019s reading, and reading speculative classics, modern or otherwise, can give you the hit of inspiration you need to think outside the box. So, jump back to the \u2018Examples Of Speculative Fiction\u2019 above, and add them to your to-be-read (TBR) list for a heady dose of speculation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"tips-for-writing-speculative-fiction\"](\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/tips-for-writing-speculative-fiction.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nSpeculative fiction refers to genre-based fiction with concepts grounded in things that don\u2019t exist in the world as we know it. An umbrella term, it includes genres like fantasy, dystopian and science fiction (which it was originally associated with), and covers imaginative stories of conjecture that ask questions, particularly \u2018what if?\u2019. Speculative fiction has evolved since its twentieth-century inception to become the creative \u2018super-genre\u2019 it\u2019s known as today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is The Main Purpose Of Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe purpose of speculative fiction is, unsurprisingly, to speculate: to think, to guess, and to ask questions (eg. \u2018what if?\u2019) of the world we live in, its history and its future. Speculative fiction then explores the answers to these questions through stories of varying imaginative degrees. Like reading more generally, speculative fiction can be a form of entertainment and escape. Where it differs from literary fiction is perhaps in its attempt to not only illuminate the human condition, but also challenge our own world views and understanding of them- with the goal of deeper personal insight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is The Difference Between Science Fiction And Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Historically, speculative fiction has been a nebulous literary term. We\u2019ll look at why in \u2018The History Of Speculative Fiction\u2019 below, but for now, it\u2019s a term that\u2019s evolved since its inception, progressing alongside the novels it aims to describe. Even today, there\u2019s still debate about what is considered speculative fiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, Margaret Atwood states that \u2018speculative fiction is a way of dealing with possibilities that are inherent in our society now, but which have not yet been fully enacted\u2019. Atwood, with speculative fiction successes like The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em>, is certainly an authority; and yet at the same time, we must acknowledge that such definitions limit speculative fiction to ideas overtly grounded in real-world context. As a result, this omits secondary-world stories like Tolkien\u2019s The Lord of the Rings<\/em> (despite its setting being \u2018Middle-earth\u2019), which fantasy fans might argue firmly belongs in the realm of the speculative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where definitions of speculative fiction diverge, and it comes down to a question of emphasis. Revisiting our definition above, if your focus is on \u2018things that don\u2019t exist in our world<\/em><\/strong>\u2019, then like Atwood, you may prefer the challenges of a narrower definition. If, however, your focus is \u2018things that don\u2019t exist<\/em><\/strong> in our world\u2019, then it\u2019s likely your interests sit at the broader end of the speculative spectrum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to a term that\u2019s as fluid and eclectic as speculative fiction is, perhaps a better question to ask is: what isn\u2019t<\/em> speculative fiction? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Speculative fiction represents concepts that err outside the bounds of our real world in some way, whether great or small. So, what doesn\u2019t speculative fiction cover? Here are three examples: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re into sci-fi, Ryman and co.\u2019s \u2018Mundane Manifesto\u2019 is brilliant (case in point: calling the genre\u2019s tropes<\/a> a \u201cbonfire of the stupidities\u201d). Definitely recommended reading. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The topic of sci-fi is an excellent segue back into the history of speculative fiction, so let\u2019s take a brief look at that now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea behind speculative fiction \u2014 to ask \u2018what if?\u2019, and remark on a world that may have been, that is or that could be \u2014 is one that goes back to the classics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A well-cited example is Medea<\/em>, a tragedy by ancient Greek playwright Euripides, who explored the sorceress Medea murdering her own children for revenge \u2014 whereas in versions of the legend, she was not directly responsible. Euripides used speculation to write an alternate history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A less famous example is the cleverly-titled novella A True Story<\/em>, a fiction work by Lucian of Samosata in the second century. Similar to Euripides, Lucian was an ancient Greek writer, but one who speculated on fantastical space travel and war, not to mention aliens. Lucian became the first writer of his time to openly pen fiction (and satirical fiction at that, given the title vs. topics). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another example is Shakespeare\u2019s A Midsummer Night’s Dream<\/em>, which unites the Greek hero Theseus of Athens, the Amazonian Queen Hippolyta, and King Oberon and Queen Titania of the Fairies alongside other characters. Nowadays, the play is known as speculative fiction, despite the phrase not existing then. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus example: I\u2019m going to add one more here, simply because it\u2019s amazing. Margaret Cavendish\u2019s The Blazing World<\/em> is a speculative work from 1666 about a utopian society, accessible through a portal in the North Pole. Utter genius. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u2018speculative fiction\u2019 was eventually coined by author Robert Heinlein in 1941 and publicised in his 1947 essay, On the Writing of Speculative Fiction<\/em>. Heinlein, a science fiction<\/a> writer, argued that unlike the pulp sci-fi of his time, speculative fiction focused on human-centred reactions to posed scientific or technological problems, and deserved the artistic merit of literary fiction. Sci-fi\u2019s close association with speculative fiction is largely thanks to Heinlein. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As successful authors like Margaret Atwood and Ursula Le Guin weighed in on such delineations (Le Guin has argued for abandoning genres altogether), speculative fiction expanded into particular genres like fantasy, dystopian fiction and more. Today, speculative fiction\u2019s family of subgenres make it a broad literary term in keeping with the evolution of its stories. It\u2019s to these subgenres that we\u2019ll turn next. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Given sci-fi\u2019s relationship to speculative fiction, it\u2019s a good subgenre to start with. Science fiction with speculative elements uses advanced technology like interstellar travel, which can lead to encounters with extraterrestrials. It employs tropes<\/a> like teleportation, parallel worlds or alternate universes, time travel and even magic; space operas, as a subset of sci-fi stories, are particularly grand in scale. Such speculative leaps are precisely what mundane sci-fi opposes, as they\u2019re deemed too unlikely to ever happen in the real world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fantasy is a purely speculative genre of fiction, where concepts are fantastical because of the inclusion of magical powers, mythical creatures etc. Like sci-fi, fantasy exists on a spectrum from low fantasy based in the real world, to high or epic fantasy (eg. \u2018sword and sorcery\u2019 fantasy) set in alternate or secondary worlds. Fantasy fiction also includes many subgenres like dark fantasy, fables, fairy tales<\/a>, urban fantasy<\/a> and magical realism. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As you might guess, sci-fi fantasy is a blend of science fiction and fantasy <\/a>stories, wherein the sci-fi also has fantasy elements such as magic and myth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While we\u2019re still thinking about sci-fi, consider superhero fiction like DC\u2019s alien superhero Superman, or Marvel\u2019s many superheroes eg. the Avengers. While tales about beings with superhuman powers fighting evil supervillains could easily be categorised as fantasy or paranormal, superhero stories have become a behemoth in their own right \u2014 just look at the world\u2019s devoted comic-based fandoms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to superhero fiction, paranormal <\/a>fiction could also be classed as fantasy, but the sheer volume of topics and titles has culminated in its own recognised genre. Paranormal fiction tells of secret phenomena that generally defy science and the natural world, involving creatures<\/a> from fables, folklore, fairy tales and pop culture eg. vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches. It can also include psychic abilities like levitation and telepathy. This particular genre has many subgenres, such as paranormal romance<\/a>, which has produced multiple international bestsellers, particularly in the young adult (YA) category. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like the paranormal genre, supernatural fiction also eludes scientific explanation, focusing on death and the afterlife \u2014 with heavenly deities like gods\/goddesses and angels, as well as resurrection, reincarnation and the soul. Subgenres include supernatural horror and thrillers; ghost, gothic and weird fiction; and anything else of a spiritual nature that morphs into the macabre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Utopian fiction<\/a> centres on the concept of an ideal world, and the potential impact of human beings on these seemingly perfect civilisations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conversely, dystopian novels<\/a> depict governments and societies, often totalitarian, where people\u2019s suffering is as rampant as the injustice at its core. Such speculative literature often sets stories in places not normally equated with bleak future states. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Apocalyptic fiction involves disasters that end in large-scale population death and destruction. Stories involve catastrophic events like meteorological disasters, nuclear wars or pandemic diseases, centring on characters fighting to survive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the apocalyptic genre is \u2018before\u2019, then post-apocalyptic fiction is the \u2018after\u2019 of these monumentally devastating events. Any characters that survived must now learn to endure the consequences of the apocalypse, which can range from a nuclear holocaust to societal breakdown, and may include paranormal aspects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As we saw in Euripides\u2019 Medea<\/em>, alternate history fiction provides a fork in the road to explore historical events and their potential for lives unled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Expanse<\/em> Series By James S. A. Corey <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This hard sci-fi modern classic, starting with the first novel Leviathan Wakes<\/em>, speculates about humans colonising the solar system without interstellar travel eg. Mars and the Asteroid Belt beyond it \u2014 but with Earth and Mars in conflict. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A Song Of Ice And Fire<\/em> Series By George R. R. Martin <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve already mentioned Tolkien, so let\u2019s look at Martin\u2019s epic fantasy<\/a> works, also known as the TV adaptation Game of Thrones<\/em>. You can\u2019t get more speculative than situating this fictional \u2018War of the Roses\u2019 alongside dragons, sorcery and ice zombies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dune<\/em> Series By Frank Herbert <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n An older classic and fantastical space opera, the titular first novel and its series are a sci-fi fantasy of grandeur. Unlike The Expanse<\/em>, Dune<\/em> does have interstellar travel, as well as magic, alien sandworms, a prophecy and the mystical Spice Melange. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Warbringer<\/em> By Leigh Bardugo <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n YA fantasy bestseller Bardugo picks up the mantle of depicting Wonder Woman in a comic novelisation of Diana\u2019s origin story. Prior to becoming the superheroine we all know and love, the novel sees her befriend a descendant of Helen of Troy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Vampire Chronicles<\/em> Series By Anne Rice <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the TV series hits our screens, revisit Rice\u2019s fully-realised paranormal world of vampire mythology in the series\u2019 first novel Interview With The Vampire<\/em>, which is not only a cultural phenomenon but also a masterwork of the genre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Call Of Cthulhu And Other Weird Stories<\/em> By H. P. Lovecraft <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lovecraft\u2019s supernatural The Call of Cthulhu<\/em> is one of his best-known stories, and features a kraken-like creature with wings \u2014 complete with a cult of worshippers \u2014 and the power to drive people insane through subconscious control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gulliver’s Travels<\/em> By Jonathan Swift <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A stinging satire of adventure travel that helped birth the novel format, Swift\u2019s protagonist journeys to far-flung locales where he meets philosophers, scientists, mages, immortals, and intellectually superior horses ruling over humans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1984<\/em> By George Orwell <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You could well argue there\u2019s no more relevant dystopian tale than Orwell\u2019s 1984<\/em> \u2014 and we\u2019re 38 years on from that fateful year. Yet here we are, still grappling with the same totalitarian fears; the unfortunate hallmark of a truly well-crafted tale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n World War Z<\/em> By Max Brooks <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Given the last example, it\u2019s not surprising we\u2019ve made it to the zombie apocalypse; though Brooks\u2019 novel is simultaneously post-apocalyptic, with its 10-year span that begins with rumours of a new pandemic from China (sound familiar?). <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Stand<\/em> By Stephen King <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Following on from a zombie pandemic, let\u2019s get a little more real with fiction master King\u2019s actual pandemic novel, a post-apocalyptic tale of an influenza-based plague that (wait for it) kills 99.4% of the population. Cue civilisation imploding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Man In The High Castle<\/em> By Philip K. Dick <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, we end on an alternate history classic, with Dick speculating, \u2018what if Germany had won World War II?\u2019. The answer to this question sets the novel in an America where New York is Nazi territory and Japan rules over California. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we\u2019re clear on what speculative fiction is (and what it isn\u2019t), how do you go about creating these world-bending stories for yourself? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are our 5 steps to writing speculative fiction: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your first step is to identify an idea for a story. Speculative fiction deals in \u2018what if\u2019s, so let\u2019s start there. Here\u2019s an example you may already be familiar with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Margaret Atwood\u2019s idea for The Handmaid\u2019s Tale<\/em> came from a conversation with a friend in the 1980s about feminism and women being outside the home, and those who wanted to reverse the trend. Atwood wondered what it would take to do that, and in answering her question, the world of Gilead and its handmaids was born. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you subscribe to Atwood\u2019s definition of speculative fiction or not, mining current events, society, culture, and the latest research for good ideas to build a concept from will grant you many an interesting \u2018what if\u2019 to ponder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the fantastical nature of speculative fiction, if your story is in any way based on the real world, it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll need to do some research, such as when writing sci-fi stories inspired by science or technology. Not all science fiction will need this as a prerequisite, but grounding such stories with real things tends to strengthen them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s also a point to be made here about sensitivity. If you\u2019re broaching topics that involve those in a minority, potentially triggering subjects or cultural taboos, it\u2019s important to do your due diligence as a professional in the writing community. And that means doing your research and crafting authentic portrayals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re like me, this is the fun part. World-building, particularly in fantasy, looks top-down at the world you\u2019re creating \u2014 from the realm\u2019s geography, to its people and civilisations. This also includes society, politics, the economy and technology; which in turn means defining warfare, and what magic or myths to include. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, your world-building doesn\u2019t need to be complex. The key is consistency, and rules with discernable stakes (which also aid your central conflict<\/a>). Within the realm of the speculative, as in fantasy or dystopias, defining your magical systems or the rules your society is based on will help readers navigate your story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For more on world-building, see our \u2018Top Tips For Speculative Fiction Writing\u2019 below in the section following this one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, you\u2019ve got an idea, and you\u2019ve done your research and world-building. Great! Now comes your story outline. This can be as simple or as granular as you like, depending on whether you\u2019re a \u2018pantser\u2019 or a \u2018plotter\u2019 when it comes to planning. Either way, the reason for outlining in speculative fiction is to clarify your world and its consequences for your characters<\/a>, and then build your arc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Think about the idea you\u2019ve come up with and how it impacts your main character. Are they high or low on the food chain of the world you\u2019ve developed? Where do you want them to end up, and how? What are the main problems that they\u2019ll face? Asking yourself these questions will help you plan your story\u2019s outline. Need help? Check out our article on plot points<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the plotters amongst us, your research, world-building and outline should equip you with more than enough to get started. For the pantsers, this will be where you finally dispense with all the planning and just write<\/em>. So, what are you waiting for? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro tip: Some people recommend writing first thing in the morning or late at night \u2014 essentially, when our thoughts are more free-flowing \u2014 for creative effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What if you really want to try your hand at speculative fiction- but you just can\u2019t seem to make the words happen? We\u2019ve got you covered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are 3 more tips and tricks for writing speculative fiction stories: <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is where you try and think of as many ideas as possible without judging them, then tease out the golden thread of a story. You don\u2019t need to do it all in one sitting, but your goal is to look for new and unexpected combinations and connections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n One way to do this is by thinking about conversations eg. like Margaret Atwood, or eavesdropping on new ones in cafes, on public transport, at the park, anywhere; all for the sake of potential inspiration, and to get you asking questions that can lead to intriguing tangents, and eventually stories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s my own method: handwrite your brain dump of ideas, if you can, as there\u2019s something about physically jotting them down; it probably facilitates the next step. Then, go do something else- ideally, something manual like cleaning, exercising, showering, or driving (Spielberg gets his best ideas on the road). And finally\u2026 wait. When your mind is quiet, like when meditating or on the verge of falling asleep, that\u2019s when your best ideas will strike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Or, why not use one of our sci-fi writing prompts<\/a> or our fantasy prompts<\/a> as a jumping-off point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If going directly from researching to world-building is too much of a jump, don\u2019t worry. The internet has a plethora of resources to help you build your world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a wonderful tip, particularly if speculative fiction is new to you (and if you\u2019re a bookworm, all the better): immerse yourself in the greats. Writing isn\u2019t just rewriting, as they say- it\u2019s reading, and reading speculative classics, modern or otherwise, can give you the hit of inspiration you need to think outside the box. So, jump back to the \u2018Examples Of Speculative Fiction\u2019 above, and add them to your to-be-read (TBR) list for a heady dose of speculation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speculative fiction refers to genre-based fiction with concepts grounded in things that don\u2019t exist in the world as we know it. An umbrella term, it includes genres like fantasy, dystopian and science fiction (which it was originally associated with), and covers imaginative stories of conjecture that ask questions, particularly \u2018what if?\u2019. Speculative fiction has evolved since its twentieth-century inception to become the creative \u2018super-genre\u2019 it\u2019s known as today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The purpose of speculative fiction is, unsurprisingly, to speculate: to think, to guess, and to ask questions (eg. \u2018what if?\u2019) of the world we live in, its history and its future. Speculative fiction then explores the answers to these questions through stories of varying imaginative degrees. Like reading more generally, speculative fiction can be a form of entertainment and escape. Where it differs from literary fiction is perhaps in its attempt to not only illuminate the human condition, but also challenge our own world views and understanding of them- with the goal of deeper personal insight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat Is Not<\/em> Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The History Of Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Subgenres Of Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Science Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fantasy Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Science Fiction Fantasy <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSuperhero Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Paranormal Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Supernatural Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Utopian Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dystopian Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Apocalyptic Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Post-Apocalyptic Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Alternate History Fiction <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Examples Of Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow To Write Speculative Fiction <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Form Your Idea <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Do Your Research <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n3. Build Your World <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Outline Your Story <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Write! <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Top Tips For Speculative Fiction Writing <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Brainstorm <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Research Building Your World <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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3. Read, Read, Read <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFrequently Asked Questions <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What Is Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Is The Main Purpose Of Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
What Is The Difference Between Science Fiction And Speculative Fiction? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n