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Thursday, June 28, 2018

Kerry Says ~ What is Spec Fic?

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Speculative Fiction (Spec Fic) is an umbrella genre encompassing narrative fiction with supernatural or futuristic elements. This includes, but not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, superhero fiction, science fantasy, horror, utopian and dystopian fiction, supernatural fiction as well as their combinations... What is now called speculative fiction has previously been termed "historical invention", "historical fiction", and similar names.

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It is extensively noted in literary criticism of the works of William Shakespeare as when he co-locates Athenian Duke, Theseus and Amazonian Queen, Hippolyta; English fairy, Puck, and Roman god, Cupid across time and space in the Fairyland of its Merovingian Germanic sovereign, Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Read more HERE (Source: Wikipedia).

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In researching this genre, I came across an interesting article with tips from authors of Spec Fic, which might be of use when we adapt the method to the writing of poetry. You may click on this LINK to take a look.

Further more, 10 Songs That Are Basically SF/F Novels in Music Form may also be of help.

OUR CHALLENGE: Write a poem which incorporates elements of Spec Fic in a narrative, descriptive or ideological way. (In other words, any way that suits you.) No limits or parameters.




13 comments:

  1. PLEASE READ the TOAD CHAT held by Marian and Paul. It offers amazing insight into two of our beloved members. This prompt has pushed the interview down the page but it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to read.

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  2. Loved the challenge, Kerry! Part of writing fiction is what makes others believe that a poet must be speaking from personal experience. I went dark.. and hope I did justice to the prompt.

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  3. Great subject, Kerry, and i liked the list of songs. To those i would add "Space Dog" (Tori Amos), "Rocket Man" (Elton John. How'd they miss THAT one???), "21st Century Schizoid Man" (King Crimson), "In the Year 2525 (Zager and Evans) and "The Future" (Leonard Cohen).

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  4. An ace challenge Kerry, got the mind whirring and wrote of real fears of what this earth might become if we don't sort ourselves out (pretty damn soon!)...
    Anna :o]

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  5. Great prompt. I added another poem to my Dorian Gray series

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  6. A great prompt. We seem to be LIVING in speculative fiction these days, predicted by Orwell........only worse than we ever dreamed.

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  7. I like that this genre allows for so many different responses. And I do agree, Sherry, we are living in the times predicted in works of 20th century literature.. Can't sat we weren't warned.

    Mine ended up more as prose than a poem, and I decided to leave it that way rather than to work it into more rhythmic lines.

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  8. I just noticed that the comment I left last night went... poof. So, I shall say it again: this is a wonderful prompt, perfect for the time we are dancing in (or jumping madly) at the moment. I was very curious to see what everyone would write, how each of us would approach speculative fiction. I am loving the results... They are as unique as the writers.

    Thank you for an awesome prompt, Kerry.

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  9. Love this... I'm a fan of speculative fiction, and lately I have been reading a lot of Borges which probably seeps into my poems... at least in the form of my library fantasies...

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  10. Bedtime here... will read the stories later. I really look forward to hear what you all come up with.

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  11. I enjoyed all the amazing posts here - I tried but I am not creative enough - perhaps it has something to do with this annoying cold I've developed.

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  12. One of my favorite poem written in speculative fiction is written by Harry Martinsson and it's called Aniara... about a space ship being lost on it's way from the earth to the tundra of Mars... the poem is a complete book that can be read as a novel... I think it has been translated to English but it's very hard to find.

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  13. can't even begin how difficult writing a poem like this was for me! :)

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