Comments on: More than Magic & Gadgets–Taking Science Fiction and Fantasy to Another Level

By: teleprechaun

teleprechaun — Tue, 07 Jun 2016 08:05:33 +0000

Agree with your points about DS9. One of the best-written sci-fi shows out there. Every episode is completely character-driven.
Captain Sisko, Gul Dukat, Garak, Kira, Quark, Dax, Worf. Every character grew so many dimensions. They were always adding new layers of contradictions, but that complexity was intrinsic right out of the gate.
They really made the federation into a character, added the tension of them acting as somewhat unwanted “protectors.” Perhaps they didn’t do all that they might have there, but they did more than any other Star Trek series I’ve seen.

Evidently in the first two Star Treks, Roddenberry had dampened character development by insisting that ‘people of the federation had evolved past conflict.’ So all tension had to come from the worlds they visited. I empathize with his intentions, but it does demonstrate how lack of internal character conflict makes for fiction without much spark.

By: pandu ari

pandu ari — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 11:18:22 +0000

In reply to averyfrost93. All great stories are about people. Fiction is a window into our souls. Stories are a safe place to watch conflict and learn how heroes resolve that conflict. Heroes are not normal people. If our heroes are normal people then that is called “bad fiction.” Heroes are normal people who (eventually) do extraordinary things. They keep going even after (it seems) that all is lost.

By: KZ Riman

KZ Riman — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 10:21:16 +0000

This is something I really, really need at the moment! I am so happy you always have the time to help us who dream on becoming writers. I am so going to read this once in a while so I would not forget. Thank you so much!

By: Laura Ritchie

Laura Ritchie — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:50:20 +0000

What a wealth of important thoughts to keep in mind. Thank you for all the time and effort you put out for writers!

By: Writing Blog Treasures 8~25 | Gene Lempp ~ Writer

Writing Blog Treasures 8~25 | Gene Lempp ~ Writer — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:09:40 +0000

[…] Setting – Adding Dimension to your Fiction by Kristen Lamb. Also from Kristen: More than Magic & Gadgets: Taking Science Fiction & Fantasy to Another Level. […]

By: pewterbreath

pewterbreath — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 21:47:27 +0000

Don’t put my name in the hat, but I just watched Torchwood, Children of Earth, and I think it exemplifies your thoughts exactly. My biggest gripe against bad science fiction is that it tends to not allow for significant loss or even a chance of losing anything. The stakes don’t count if you can cheat them. In Children of Earth the main characters suffer great personal losses in order to win, bringing about the fundamental questions, how much sacrifice is tolerable to save the world? To what degree is it ok to harm the few for the sake of the many? Is saving the world still a good thing if that means ruining it in the process? The characters suffer greatly in answering these questions, and nobody comes out unscathed.
Robert Jordan, a fantastic writer, is a very bad influence in this respect. Too many characters get resurrected, too many battles where the main characters emerge untouched, too many incidents where the protagonists return to pretty much the same state from where they started, too many lucky breaks that save the day. Resisting change in such a manner kills the story.

By: Friday Features #18 | Yesenia VargasYesenia Vargas

Friday Features #18 | Yesenia VargasYesenia Vargas — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:59:13 +0000

[…] More Than Magic & Gadgets – Taking Science Fiction and Fantasy to Another Level by Kristen Lamb at Kristen Lamb’s Blog […]

By: Daphne Shadows

Daphne Shadows — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 06:16:19 +0000

I am so bookmarking this. I love stories with characters that have depth and plots that reflect some deeper meaning, needing for knowledge of some sort. Its the whole point to me.

By: coachdaddyblogger

coachdaddyblogger — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 19:04:33 +0000

You’re so right about heroes. This is why a guy like Curt Schilling can be such an instant hit with Boston Red Sox fans – you can admire his excellent traits, but still find something to relate within him. For Schilling, it was that he was a star player, but also a fan. So long as there’s that link back – for fans, or for someone reading a book – you want to know what the next move is at all times, don’t you?

By: Willa Blair

Willa Blair — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:11:14 +0000

Terrific post, Kristen. I started reading SciFi at a young age and still enjoy it, but my tastes have evolved over the years and are completely in line with what you’ve described. I’ve gone from a fascination with the science and gadget elements to a demand for a story with elements of humanity, growth and change in the protagonist(s). That might have started when I found McCaffrey’s Pern stories, but lately, my favorite book (SFR) is Gabriel’s Ghost by Linnea Sinclair. She deftly weaves the political, religious and technical elements of the story together with the central characters’ goals, motivations and conflicts. I recommend it.