1. Introduction
2. Understanding the Genre Fusion
   1. Science and Fantasy Elements: Characteristics and Differences
3. The Art of Balancing Science and Fantasy Elements
4. Writing Exercise: Crafting a Science Fiction/Fantasy Fusion World
5. Conclusion

Introduction

Considering the dual focus on two genres that can seamlessly merge with multiple others, I felt it was essential to address the subject of writing fusion genres, or mixed genres, within the realm of SFF or Sci-Fi/Fantasy as a whole. A fusion genre is anytime you combine two genres in the same story. As a Sci-Fi or fantasy writer/reader, you probably know about this because we often infuse many genres with the ones we love. Sci-Fi Thriller, Romantic Fantasy, and Sci-Fi/Fantasy are some of the major ones you can pick out the most often. Earlier this year, we talked about the difference between hard and soft Sci-Fi and hard and soft fantasy. Like those, fusion genres are a distinct branch of the sub-genre family tree. So, if it’s just another branch, why is it important to talk about Genre Fusion separately?

It’s important to know what type of genre fusion you’re writing because it dictates how you craft, revise, and edit your story. Knowing your genre’s tropes, archetypes, and cliches is only part of the battle in writing genre fusion. The other part is balancing your story between three points. In the case for this year it would be Sci-Fi—Fantasy—Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Each genre/sub-genre has its own expectations that if you don’t respect the balance, your readers will find discomfort in the weaker sections of your story.

Understanding the Genre Fusion

Genre fusion refers to the blending of different literary genres to create a unique style of storytelling. This creative approach combines elements from multiple traditional genres, such as mystery, romance, science fiction, fantasy, and more, to produce stories that transcend the confines of a single genre. By intertwining diverse thematic and stylistic attributes, authors can create an engaging and unpredictable reading experience, often appealing to a broader range of readers who enjoy diverse storytelling techniques. Fusion genres challenge literary boundaries and promotes experimentation and storytelling evolution.

Science and Fantasy Elements: Characteristics and Differences

There are certain elements that define each genre, why we identify it as we do. Romance has the happy ending, Action/Adventure promises an exciting journey. What elements are expected in Science Fiction and Fantasy? And why do they align so often? We’ve had a few posts on Science Fiction and Fantasy genres this year. Let’s compare them in one post to see what they have in common and how they differ.

A reader recognizes fantasy by its magic systems, world-building, adventure, and complex characters. We’ve talked a little about magic systems already this year, so don’t forget to go back and review that. But the magic systems are a key component to the type of fantasy you’re writing. Magic systems can change how the readers and the characters interact with the world. Science fiction also shares what some may call a magic system, as science is about as foreign to some readers as it is to those searching to be spellcasters. I like what B.A. Simmons said in a LTUE 41 (2023) panel about Twisted Science.

“Science Fiction is what we understand could happen. Fantasy, according to science, couldn’t happen.”

B.A. Simmons

How many “magic systems” in old books became science fiction in modern reader’s eyes? When you create Science-Fiction/Fantasy stories, you’re exploring the possible future technologies. Some parts may be clear magic, but others will get your readers thinking about what is really possible. A comparable term for science fiction writers to use is Advanced Science or Technologies. These are items that seem possible but have yet to be created in our current time. Advanced Science or technologies may encompass energy sources, devices, weapons, or anything else that falls under the definition of technology. Keep in mind that even a stone wheel alone is a technology. Technology is defined as, applying scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. So, go wild with your technology’s simplicity or complexity.

By bringing the element of magic or science into your fictional world, you build an asset that readers expect and hope to see.

Speaking of worlds, the world-building aspect is key in both science fiction and fantasy. So often we’re brought to new worlds in fantasy, and scientifically advanced worlds that look strange compared to ours in science fiction. The layers you add as a writer will play into the experiences your readers garner from each page. A part of that world-building is magical creatures or beings in fantasy, and creating new alien species in Science Fiction. Each of these requires a special focus on the world you’ve built and how they affect the story. Creating a cool alien or new fantasy race is awesome, and quite the achievement, but don’t forget that a part of your world-building is to ask why it’s important to the story.

Keep in mind that the story in these genres often follows great adventures. Those adventures can be across magical lands or the vastness of space. Either way, your characters, and readers are in for the long haul, and keeping your adventures interesting will be key to continued engagement. Keeping things interesting for the reader is such a subjective situation. The best advice I can prescribe is to write what’s interesting to you, as it will draw in the readers that want to go on the same adventures as you. As hard as we try, not everyone wants to journey through space in a large or small spaceship. Many people would rather just stay at home than climb the heights to the forbidden mountains to get the magical crystal of doom. Whatever your adventure is, write it to the extent you would love to see, and then refine it down to its best parts.

We discussed the topic of characters in our previous conversation, but it’s important to delve deeper into the intriguing realm of complex characters in both Science Fiction and Fantasy. It’s fascinating to note that these genres share multifaceted characters who possess depth and intricacy. These characters often serve as the focal point of the stories we immerse ourselves in, leaving a lasting imprint on our imagination and memory.

Whether it’s the enigmatic protagonist exploring the uncharted territories of science fiction or the mythical hero embarking on a quest in a fantastical realm, it’s the complexity and depth of these characters that captivate and engage us as readers and viewers. Their struggles, triumphs, and inner conflicts resonate with us, enriching the fabric of the narratives they inhabit and bringing a sense of authenticity to the worlds they populate. Characters in Science Fiction and Fantasy serve as a gateway to explore the boundless possibilities of the human experience, transcending the constraints of reality and inviting us to ponder the profound questions that lie at the heart of our existence.

The differences between science and fantasy elements can be quite distinct. In science fiction, the focus is usually on technology, space exploration, futuristic concepts, and scientific principles. These elements are often based on existing or conceivable scientific theories, although they may be extrapolated into the realms of imagination.

On the other hand, fantasy elements often involve magic, mythical creatures, supernatural powers, and otherworldly settings. These elements are typically beyond the scope of scientific explanation and are rooted in folklore, mythology, and the imagination.

While both genres allow for creative storytelling and world-building, the foundation of the elements they employ sets them apart in terms of plausibility and the boundaries of the known universe.

The Art of Balancing Science and Fantasy Elements

Now, with all of that out of the way, it’s time to focus on balancing the worlds you create. Earlier I talked about a triangular balance, Sci-Fi—Fantasy—Sci-Fi/Fantasy. But know that those genres are completely interchangeable. You may be a horror writer that loves Sci-Fi settings, so your triangular balance would look like Sci-Fi—Horror—Sci-Fi/Horror. Or you could be a Romance writer who wants to use magic as a factor in your story, so yours will look like Romance—Fantasy—Romantasy. (The last is a more commonly known name for Romantic-Fantasy books. If the others have similar names, please feel free to share.) But knowing your genres, their tropes, and readers’ expectations is only a start. You’ll also need to balance the elements to create a sense of a whole story. For this post, we’ll only focus on balancing Science Fiction and Fantasy elements.

Begin with establishing a coherent and believable world when writing in the Science Fiction/Fantasy fusion genre. It’s crucial to show respect for all the elements you intend to use. While this genre allows for extravagant worlds, it should still make enough sense for the reader. The leeway granted by this fusion genre means that readers are more receptive to strange creatures, living situations, religions, and other world aspects.

If you’ve played No Man’s Sky, you’ll understand the vast array of creatures that can be created for a world, making sense within the context of the narrative. To make it all coherent, start with something identifiable for your readers, whether it’s a character, an object, or a place. This initial connection assures the reader that the journey ahead is trustworthy and not a convoluted story lacking educational or entertainment value.

Consider the military concept that each communication should be understandable at the most basic level: the Zero Reader. Similarly, for writers, it’s crucial to ensure clarity and coherence, particularly for those with the most raw information about your stories. If the most informed person, your “Zero Reader,” is confused, then the right information isn’t being conveyed. Often, those who cannot explain why they dislike a story are missing essential details.

Ensure you maintain consistency in the application of scientific and magical rules throughout your world. You would think there would be no rules in a science-fiction/fantasy world where everything that didn’t make sense could be explained away by magic. This is far from the truth. Genre fusion requires a much stronger hold to the reality of each part of the world you create. If you say a certain mutant ability is able to bend all metals, then you need to be ready to back up why it can’t bend a certain metal when it comes up. This can’t be because of fluky magic, but because of something that makes it not a true metal, or it doesn’t carry enough of the ores reactive to magnetic manipulation to be touched by the magic, ability, or whatever it is called in your world.

The consistency required will heavily depend on the level of sci-fi/fantasy you’re writing. You can get away with a little more in the soft Sci-Fi/soft Fantasy fusion than you can with a harder range of the genres. Even with that knowledge, the consistency between what and how it happens related to the science and magical elements of your story is more important in the soft genres. A reader can only accept so many chance happenings that either the science or the magic conveniently worked out each time for the characters. So follow your own rules, and if you’re using the harder side of the genres, then be sure to follow the rules of the universe and scientific field you’re pulling from. This will lead us to the next part. How do you use technology and magic in a fusion genre?

The fusion genre involves weaving technology and magic into a cohesive narrative, creating conflict, exploration, and innovation. The writer must balance the rules and limitations of both, ensuring they don’t overshadow each other. This fusion offers commentary on progress, power, and human ambition, posing thought-provoking questions. Ultimately, it demands creativity, world-building, and narrative dexterity to craft captivating universes where science and sorcery blur.

Writing Exercise: Crafting a Science Fiction/Fantasy Fusion World

To put the concepts from this post into practice, take some time to craft a short scene or snippet that fuses science fiction and fantasy elements:

1. First, establish a basic setting and character. Decide on a few key details to ground your scene, like a name and occupation for your character. Choose a location that fits within a blended sci-fi/fantasy world.
2. Add some science fiction elements. These could include advanced technology, space travel, alien races, or futuristic concepts grounded in scientific possibility. Make sure to establish some “rules” around these elements.
3. Incorporate some fantasy aspects. Magic systems, mythical creatures, supernatural abilities, and imaginary settings are great options. Define how the mystical parts of your world operate.
4. Allow your character to interact meaningfully with both the sci-fi and fantasy parts of the environment. Show how they utilize or respond to the blended elements.
5. Focus on striking the right balance between science and magic. Make sure both are integral parts of the scene and world-building.

After completing this exercise, you’ll have a short vignette that fuses science fiction and fantasy cohesively. Analyze how well you integrated the elements and use it as a model for balancing genres moving forward.

Conclusion

Bringing together the key points explored, writing fusion genres requires thoughtful creativity and narrative dexterity. By comparing the defining traits of science fiction and fantasy, like advanced technologies, magic systems, world-building, adventures, and complex characters, we gain insight into balancing these genres. It’s essential to establish a coherent world, maintain consistent rules, and integrate technology and magic respectfully. Genre fusion allows for expansive imaginative storytelling while challenging conventions. To craft compelling universes where science and magic blend, authors must have respect for readers, creativity, and skill in fusing genres. Ultimately, the fusion of science fiction and fantasy offers engaging new styles of storytelling when executed with care.

Previous Post: Beginner’s Guide to Character Development in Spec Fic

Next Post: Myers Fiction March Newsletter

Next Writing Post: Speculative Fiction Story Structures-Planning Your Novel