I started this post with a foundation – an approach to what brought me to the question: Science Fiction vs. Fantasy – what makes me pick one? But then I thought; ‘fuck it, I can’t be bothered to waffle on indulgently about why I asked myself this deep, almost existential question’ (sarcasm), and so lets just get on with it shall we..?

So, some love the dragon, love the knight, love the wizard and every goblin, orc and magical crystal in-between. Why? I’m not denying they are cool little inventions for the fantastical story, but what makes them more approachable – or rather, pliable – than their futuristic/alternative sci-fi brethren?

On that note, what makes science fiction so engaging? Where one could indulge and explain the heroic deeds of their protagonist; be it a Sir, a rascal… a farm boy with a mysterious heritage (here’s looking at you, Cir), another could opt for the mercenary, the space soldier or the mutated super-human farm boy with a mysterious heritage.

Indeed, for every heavy-weight in either corner there is an equal and opportune basis in the other: The space ship vs. the dragon, the laser vs. the sword and shield, the buxom, vulnerable princess vs. the buxom, strong female soldier with something to prove… well don’t the clichés just go on and on.

So what makes me pick one over the other? I’ve tried both, and to be honest the one I had the most success with in the past was a fantasy novel. I managed to reach a good few chapters before I felt it becoming a tired cliché. The language, the style of the personalities, the names of locations, the very charge my hero was conducting. It all became a little too familiar, and by that I don’t mean I had read it somewhere specific – it was original – but it didn’t feel like me, it didn’t feel… true. It was like wearing a glove that, although fitting, had someone else’s name on the tag.

Science Fiction though, I thoroughly enjoy playing with. I enjoy space battles – though not as much as one would expect, I enjoy the… alien aspect, if that’s the way to put it. Not the green scaly kind, or the Fox Mulder, ‘Greys’, but the idea of turning humankind into something else, something altogether more, yes… ‘alien’. Another way I imagine I can explain what I mean is the general fact that we are who we are, we know our neighbour, we know what’s down the street etc. With science fiction, I enjoy the idea of ripping all of that familiarity away and projecting what could happen to us – good, or bad.

Another thing that works for me is humour. I like to rack out a line that delivers some light, comic relief (no clowns, please) whilst also maintaining a semblance of maturity. I find that, within a science fiction orientated context, I can do that easier and still feel comfortable. When I try it with fantasy, I feel like I’m making an old-hat joke that’s been done; something about what a wizard keeps under his robes… there’s no answer to that. What, his ‘magic staff’? I told you I can’t do it.

I touched on character and I touched on reasoning, or rather the projection of what I’m attempting to investigate, but what about setting? That’s another one isn’t it..? The idea of a post-apocalyptic world, or a high-tech civilisation, or something in-between is much more approachable for me. Those hold intricate foundations for my imaginative machinations (tongue twister anyone?). Even on one of the most basic of levels; the sexual one, I find science fiction more enticing. The addition of a femme-fatale clad in a silver spacesuit, or running around with bright red hair and a sleazy demeanour is much more intoxicating to my vision than one wrapped up in a dead animal carcass or wearing a fancy, magical tiara atop a bed of cascading blonde curls.

Personally, I’m not sure what pushes me more towards one than the other. Sure I have my reasons, but they are based of of examples and trials and errors. Before that though, who knows? Maybe I just happened to watch more space operas in lands far, far away than I did middle-earth dilemmas.