The CSFF blog tour is featuring Karen Hancock's newest book, The Enclave. Though I have not read the book, I saw the topic, and it caught my interest. Near-future sci-fi. My definition: Any fictional story based on the present, or near present that revolves around a cutting edge science or technology.
The Enclave is near-future sci-fi, a genre that grabbed me when I was young and hasn't let go. In fifth grade, my favorite author became Michael Crichton after reading his Dino-rific thriller, Jurassic Park. After JP, I quickly read all his works, including his other near-future sci-fi: Congo, The Andromeda Strain, Terminal Man, and Sphere. Timeline and Prey came out later, and both are books I enjoyed thoroughly.
All this to say...near-future science fiction has the potential to be very powerful. Why? Because it's set in our present day world, not a distant time.
As a writer, I know how challenging it is to make the characters in a far-future sci-fi story interesting, and accessible. The writer has to jump through some hoops to make the story relate to the reader. With a near-future story, one doesn't have those same hoops. The only thing the author need do is make the "technology" plausible. For instance, cloning in Jurassic Park was on the brink of breaking wide open in the real world. All he had to do was make it believable to get dino DNA. An ancient mosquito caught in amber did the trick. And walla! You have dinosaurs in our present world.
That's the power of near-future sci-fi, it brings the future (or the past) to modern times. The reader can completely relate to the world/setting, because it's the present. There is no struggle to try and "get into" a foreign other worldly place. (this isn't to say that I don't love otherworldly sci-fi, because I do!!!! But near-future allows for fun of a different sort).
The supermarket isles are full of this type of science fiction (and fantasy). I believe the reason this fiction sells so well is because of the inbuilt desire we humans have to experience wonder; to be amazed; to glimpse something supernatural. We WANT to experience something other than a plain, ordinary natural world. Though some may disagree, I believe we live in a supernatural world created by a supernatural being...I guess that's why I write this sort of fiction.
If this has piqued your interest in near-future sci-fi, check out what some other bloggers are saying about Karen Hancock's, Enclave!
Dona Watson
Brandon Barr
Jennifer Bogart
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Canadianladybug
Melissa Carswell
Valerie Comer
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Janey DeMeo
Jeff Draper
Emmalyn Edwards
April Erwin
Karina Fabian
Beth Goddard
Todd Michael Greene
Heather R. Hunt
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Mike Lynch
Melissa Meeks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Mirtika
Eve Nielsen
Nissa
John W. Otte
Steve Rice
Crista Richey
James Somers
Speculative Faith
Stephanie
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Elizabeth Williams
8 comments:
BB~The cover and title pull me in. And you post too. I had not thought about a 'near future' catatgory, but I liked your explanation. Guess, Dollhouse would fit?
After reading your post, I want to write a 'near future' story. . .guess I'll have to finish my others first :)
I like this post, thankx.
Hey gzusfreek :)
Yeah, near-future's are fun to read, and hopefully in the "near-future" I'll be able to say, fun to write.
I always hated watching shows or movies with my dad, who spent more time commenting on why something was wrong or just not possible than he did simply enjoying the story. He never opened his mind to the wonder -- which makes his current interest in my s/f and fantasy stories so cool.
Near future stuff can be compelling because it's so "close" to us, and just might be possible. That's one of the reasons I enjoyed The Enclave so much.
I liked her Light of Eidon series - so much so I stopped reading the last book 'cause I didn't want it to end ... yeah, I know, stupid. I'll finish it one day :D
I like near future too and the main reason mirrors why sometimes I want to read urban fantasy over epic fantasy or sci-fi, which doesn't happen often - sometimes I want a touch of the fantastic but still be grounded in present time/place. It allows you to simplify things a bit because you don't have to COMPLETELY re-create the world ... just a few fun little tidbits
Hi Brandon. Sphere was the first novel I ever read, and I remember loving it and being confused at the same time. I have "Next" sitting on my bookshelf, but I've not read it yet.
Hi Keanan,
I like how you put that...near-future is so close to us. We can totally relate, and that helps make it powerful.
I'm glad your father likes your work :) You can ease him into the wonderment!
Hey Ban,
I think you're right on. You don't have to spend so much time creating new cultures and settings when writing a near-future story. It's easier to put the focus on the characters, and develop them quicker, because were familiar with that world.
Urban fantasy is definitely that way...the fantasy comes to OUR world :)
Hey Logan,
I heard "Next" wasn't that great, but I never read it. Jurassic Park, Congo, The Andromeda Strain, Prey, and Timeline are all excellent. JP is definitely my fav!
Great review, Brandon, especially of the genre.
I have a near future thriller in my head from when I first became inspired to write, but I don't know if or when I'll sit down to write the book.
I was going to write it first, but realized that I needed to learn the craft of writing. The Arthurian story seemed easier at the time.
For now, I'm sticking with fantasy, and admittedly its a harder sell to and for publishers.
We'll see!
Hi Robert,
We're in the same boat. I have a near-future sci-fi story in my head, but writing took me in a new direction for a little bit.
However, if God allows, I'll get that book out on paper!
Hey, you write what you love! Your passion for the Arthurian legends can't be denied.
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