I’ve always loved fantasy, so it’s a natural fit for me to writing it for children.
But what exactly is fantasy, and how does it differ from science fiction?
FANTASY
The simplest way to explain fantasy is that it doesn’t exist in the real world. Your imagination is the only limit when writing fantasy. This may be why I gravitate toward it.
If a story has supernatural or magical elements, it’s fantasy.
Fantasy allows you to delve into all sorts of topics, even difficult ones, and it comes across in a more digestible way than realistic fiction.
For example, in my chapter book Walking Through Walls, the main character, Wang, joins the Mystical Eternals and learns how to walk through walls.
In the sequel (still in progress), Wang can choose to morph into a dragon at will or get another incredible ability.
Another example of fantasy is talking animals. This type of fantasy can have the protagonist going off on a journey alone or with friends. A children’s writer couldn’t have a child do this in realistic fiction, as it could give the child dangerous ideas. Talking animals can introduce lots of topics.
In my picture book series, The Adventures of Planetman, the protagonist has supernatural vision and can fly. One of his friends has super speed, and the other is super strong.
These scenarios couldn’t possibly exist within the natural laws of our universe, because they involve supernatural elements.
With fantasy, the writer can create new worlds and new beings. It can rain meatballs. There can be magical fairies and wizards. Science and realism are not factors.
Think of Superman, The Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter.
SCIENCE FICTION
Science fiction is also out of the ordinary but is based on scientific principles. The elements of the story can exist within the natural laws of our universe. The scientific basis helps explain the extraordinary things that go on in the story.
These stories usually involve future scientific elements, such as space travel, aliens, time travel, and environmental catastrophes.
An example of science fiction is Batman. All his abilities come from science-based gadgets. While some may be a bit far-fetched, they're still within the realm of possibility.
Just think of all the gadgets and inventions created that are based on movies, books, and even articles. It’s astounding.
Driverless cars.
Holographic images.
The submarine.
The rocket.
The cellphone.
The taser.
The smartwatch.
Science fiction movies include:
World of Worlds
Contact
Altered States
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
The Matrix
Sci-fi books:
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson
Contact by Carl Sagan
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
The Children of Men by PD James
A MIX
A mix of fantasy and science fiction is just that, a mix.
These stories include elements of sci-fi and fantasy. An example of this genre is Star Wars.
While Star Wars easily falls within the sci-fi genre, it also includes fantasy elements, such as a force field (the Force). It was first described by Obi-Wan and used in the first Star Wars (1977). Interestingly, Boeing patented the first-ever force field to protect against shockwaves in 2015.
But even with the force field coming into existence, Star Wars also has lightning bolts from fingertips and levitation. These elements are pure fantasy.
So, if you’re writing sci-fi or fantasy for children, are you sure which it is?
Sources:
-https://hellogiggles.com/8-technological-advancements-inspired-by-books-movies-and-television/
-https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ten-inventions-inspired-by-science-fiction-128080674/
-https://historydaily.org/was-dick-tracey-the-character-who-invented-the-smart-watch/2
I’m a working children’s ghostwriter, book doctor, editor, and self-publishing consultant. I help turn your idea, outline, or manuscript into a book you’ll be proud to call your own—and provide hands-on guidance through every step of the self-publishing process.
OTHER HELP I OFFER:
HOW TO WRITE A CHILDREN’S FICTION BOOK
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You can contact me at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com.
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