Mundane Science Fiction -- Things To Remember When Writing It
Well, it's February and I've just had a snowfall here in North Carolina. Pretty, but now gone, and all in one day, which is just the way I like my snow, one day at a time! Tomorrow, the temperature is going to be in the 60's, which is just fine by me.
Actually, with regard to my article on the mundane science fiction genre, now out in the current issue of AlienSkin Magazine, I thought I'd add a little more info about it all. Where my article focused on the genre as a whole, and my feelings about it, this is a little bit more of a practical guide, a how-to on writing in this genre. So, here's some things to remember when dealing with the mundane science fiction genre:
1. It is becoming a common genre, more so now than ever. So get used to it. It's probably here to stay. Why this is, I'm not certain, but it seems to be so. Yes, I said this much in the article, but I wanted to emphasize the point here, as well. If you are a sci-fi author, you ought to consider turning your hand to writing at least some mundane science fiction. Otherwise, you are missing a new and growing area of the market. It could be lucrative for you. Yes, money may not really make the world go round, but it doesn't slow it down any, either!
2. This genre stresses that science fiction must be "mundane," that is based on what we now have, and projected (usually), into the near future. Again, as I've said in the article, if we don't have something, for example, like nanobots crawling around in our bloodstream now, you probably shouldn't have it that way in your mundane story. An important point to remember here is that it is quite often, in fact almost always, set in a near-term future. The reason? If one extrapolates too far forward in time, trends may become so extreme as no longer to be considered "mundane" ones. So an important point about mundane science fiction; it is self-limiting how far forward in time you can set your story. Near futures are best.
3. This is a point that was brought home to me by one of our readers, and that is that the viewpoint of mundane sci-fi stories is often the personal viewpoint of the editor of each particular magazine. It is their personal vision of the near future they seem to be looking for, and that's why the limitations. Their guidelines will say it all. Of course, some editors' visions are broader than others, and therefore may allow more leeway for the author to stretch the limits.
4. With regard to editors' viewpoints; these are almost always clearly defined in their magazines guidelines for submissions. Again, they will tell you what they are looking for. Some want stories about space exploration (but only in our own solar system, because again, that's what we're doing now), others want more planet-bound, earth-oriented stories. The thing is, with these last, what the editors seem to want most are the effects of current trends, what they will become or cause in near-term futures.
5. Mundane science fiction is meant to be strictly that, of the mundane variety. As much as you'd like to showcase your talent more, as much as you might like to slip something extra-exotic in; don't. Do follow those editors guidelines closely. Don't deviate. Remember, even the broader-minded editors have written their guidelines for a reason. Follow them, or like some authors who submit to AlienSkin Magazine, you could end up in a hall of shame. An important point here is to remember that because of these limitations, it would appear the editors' are looking for more social-oriented stories, what the impact of certain trends may have on humanity, politics, daily life, etc.
6. Write your best story and then submit it! I just threw this last step in because I didn't want to have the usual five steps. KIDDING! Truly, if you are going to write any story, give it your best shot, your all. If the mundane sub-genre isn't your favorite, that doesn't matter -- never write less than your best, no matter what the genre, or don't write. And of course, the final step for being successful as a writer is to submit your work, and keep on submitting to others, if it's rejected. Start with the better paying magazines and then work your way down the list. Even if paid very little, it never hurts to have another published story under your belt, to add to your resume. And think of all those extra hits on the Internet it will generate!
And finally, I'm not a major advocate of mundane science fiction myself. I freely admit that. For me, such tales are often just a little too "mundane," to pedestrian in subject matter. I find "mundane" sci-fi stories are often more suspense stories, like Blade Runner, with a lot of heavy social commentary. Is this bad? Certainly not! It's a very necessary part of science fiction as a whole. But for me, personally, I'm tired of the whole Blade Runner thingy. When that came out, I thought it was a great piece of science fiction, which it was, but there have been just so many look-alike movies and so many copy-cat stories since then. I mean, doesn't anyone ever gaze up at the stars at night anymore, and wonder? Well, I still do! And I can still see the stars, thank the heavens.
I'm personally terribly tired of futures that are dark, drippy, rainy futures, with everyone wearing black or gray, and walking about with grim faces in an even grimmer world. I like to explore, soar to the stars, step into parallel worlds, have first contact with aliens, and deal with such things as the end or very beginning of the universe(s), and/or even time itself. But hey, that's just me. And whether it's the end of a universe as a whole, or just humanity due to it's own over-pollution of the earth, the differences aren't so very great, really. After all, if we kill ourselves off now, we don't need to worry about the end of the universe. For us, it won't matter any longer.
To write mundane science fiction is a real challenge. Any sci-fi writer worth his/her salt, should at least make the attempt. Otherwise, don't sit in judgment on something you have no experience with, because that's just not right or fair. Give mundane science fiction a shot -- who knows -- you may like writing it. And if you don't, then join me on a trip to the stars. For me, that's where my writing future lies. Where is your future in science fiction -- somewhere in the near term, or "in a galaxy far, far away?" Only you, as a writer, can answer that one, and maybe even then -- not!
