Genre fiction always seems to generate strong debate and, at time, strong words, between its fans and detractors alike and science fiction is no different. Just a few days ago, I was taking a break from writing ‘Neon Lights’ with a bit of, well, writing – but this time on-line in one of the many forums I’m a member of. An old debate had risen its head above the parapet and had immediately signalled the firing of a barrage of impassioned pleas, desperate cries and many a strong personality. So I’ve decided to mark the occasion, its barbed words and heated exchanges still ringing in my ears, with an entry on my blog and give my two (or three…) cents on the topic which is never seems to go away – Is Science Fiction a dying genre?
One thing is certain, as much as many of us writers hate to admit it, writing is a business and by all accounts SF sales are falling. It you talk to most agents today they will tell you – ‘We’re not taking in any Science Fiction’, a quick look at the Amazon best sellers list and we find books such as ‘Girl on a Train’ by Paula Hawkins or Diane Chamberlain’s ‘The Silent Sister’ – not a SF title in sight! So does this prove that all is lost? Should writers of SF throw their hands up in the air and move onto other forms of fiction?
There are a number of reasons for this possible decline. Perhaps it originates from when and how the genre was created – it emerged during the late Nineteenth Century making it a relative baby in English Languages literary heritage – possibly growing from the industrial revolution in tales such as that of Robert Louis Stevenson – before putting roots down in the Twentieth Century. Critics have said that because it does not have the pedigree of romance, thrillers, historical fiction or crime, it is just a flash in the pan genre – products of a time when science exploded onto the scene providing a sudden ‘age of wonder’ for readers eager to immerse themselves in. The moon landings are a prime example of a time when SF peaked. Is our modern society now de-sensitised to this ‘wonder’, are we numb to thinking ‘what if?’ Or now so used to technological and scientific advancement that we don’t care? The very thought scares me and the fact that some suggest this makes me want to scream from the rooftops…
NO! WE JUST NEED GOOD WRITERS TO INSPIRE US!
Excuse my use of caps and exclamation marks (shudder…) but I did warn you about the emotion such a debate generates…
Anyway, where was I…..oh yes – It is obvious that times have changed since the era when the genre peaked – both socially and culturally – from the late 50s, 60s and 70s when SF was used as a tool to get the youth interested in science – today teaching has evolved and uses other methods to motivate.
However – back to my rant – I personally disagree fundamentally with this outlook. As a reader, writer, having been an English Literature teacher for a number of years, as a human being – I believe that language and literature are a fluid force constantly evolving over time to incorporate new ideas and new methods. Yes, I understand that SF is a relatively new genre but it has incorporated classic techniques and story elements – especially in off shoots such as SF romance, SF noir, dystopian fiction – not all SF has to be the stereotyped high tech of ‘pure SF’ or space opera – it is not a genre shackled to technology or science where ‘fringe groups’ (nerds we are commonly called) obsess about the cold hard use of ‘tech talk’ and its relevance to reality which are understandably a turn off for the mainstream who see high tech stories lacking humanity and empathy. So I’ll go back to my solid belief that all SF needs is good writers producing great stories that are well written. If this happens the genre will always shine – it will not need other roles like furthering science or a reliance on ‘a moment of wonder’ in human history – all it needs are beautifully crafted words to sell it to the public.
“Good literature?” I hear the masses shout out with a fair amount of disbelief. Yes, OK, I understand that SF is packed full of authors of varying ability and it can be tough to look beyond the old guard of Gibson, Dick, Priest and Hamilton but look beyond them we must. We as aspiring writer’s need to step up to the mantle and continue their great work, all be it in a constant state of change and evolution. If would-be authors need a carrot to chase all we need to do is look at cinema where Andy Wier’s ‘The Martian’ is making the journey from book to screen. Ridley Scott is also producing Prometheus 2 next year proving the genre remains a fan favourite.
I accept that without doubt SF as a genre can be its own worst enemy. It is male dominated in a time when the mainstream readers are 70% female and frustratingly still predominately projects a white world – it needs to diversify and reflect our cosmopolitan society, for sure.
To finish – I need to take a breath and correct the many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes my hammering of the keys has no doubt created – I just want to emphasise that over two thousand titles are still being published each year so this does not tell me that the genre is in decline. I believe that Science Fiction is very much alive in the future – like I have already said – all we need are good writers and the books will sell themselves!
A quick update on my second novel – Neon Lights – the second in the Kessler series – now 70,000 words complete.
Check out the 4 and 5 star reviews of City of Darkness at www.amazon.co.uk
You can catch me on my website – www.dpwrightauthor.co.uk
Or on twitter – @DPWright79