The Many Worlds of Sci-fi and Fantasy

In what world does your story live?

Sounds like a strange question, doesn’t it? After all, most bookstores are stocked with tales where the action takes place somewhere on Earth, either in present day, or in a historical setting. Most fiction is based on real-life, so it makes sense that we have no other world in which to experience life, right?

Not for sci-fi and fantasy authors! We are the blessed lot that can choose in which world we want our story to come alive. Chances are, this is one of the main reasons we were drawn to the genre in the first place.

What “worlds” are available to such authors? The most obvious would be the one in which we live. However, just because it’s Earth, doesn’t mean it needs to remain ordinary. Futuristic sci-fi takes place right here on Earth, but much further in the future. Yes, the author is confined to the laws of science regarding our planet, but the world would be greatly different than what we know today. The tale may also take place in the past or present. This kind of story can be found in the “Harry Potter” series, written by J.K. Rowling.

Other “worlds” available to fantasy authors are the ones on planets similar to Earth. The physical characteristics of the land, and many of the setting descriptions may sound analogous to that of a country with which we are familiar, but the location is definitely not Earth itself. An example of this would be “The Lord of the Rings” series that encompasses Middle Earth, written by J.R.R. Tolkien. This kind of fiction would also include stories that may begin in our true “real-world” experience, but where the character travels through a passageway leading them to an imagined world of impossible things. Lucy Pevensie experienced this when she walked through the door of her wardrobe in C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” series and ended up in the land of Narnia.

Finally, there are the places that are very much unlike our planet Earth—those that are inter-galactic or clearly defy all matters of nature to which we are accustomed. This would cover a good portion of the sci-fi genre and space opera. In these worlds, “the sky is the limit” when it comes to imagination. Not only can the magic or force behind these worlds be varied, but the creatures and abilities of humans can take a far greater leap than the average story. These would include novels such as the “Star Wars” Expanded Universe books, written by various authors.

What worlds have your characters visited recently? Whether you like to keep them close to home, or send them to galaxies “far far away”, within the genre of sci-fi and fantasy, the possibilities of where you can take them, are endless.

Laura L. Zimmerman is a homeschooling mom to three daughters, and a doting wife to one husband. Besides writing, she is passionate about loving Jesus, singing, drinking coffee and anything Star Wars. You can connect with her through Facebook and Twitter and at her website, www.lauralzimmerman.com