This week: Using Spec-Fic to Reflect Real Problems Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
Taking a look into the use of fantasy, science fiction and other stories in general to see how they could bring a light to the problems of our world. A brief glance into the topic at the most. |
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One of the great things about fantasy, and speculative fiction in general, is that we can use these crazy worlds and different creations to reflect on problems that we face in our own world. It's a way to discuss serious topics while also providing entertainment. Comedy does it too at times. There have been some sitcoms over the years that have tackled personal topics, such as, surrogacy and miscarriages. Even with the frame of being funny, there are times of sad and struggle that showcase the human experiences.
Fantasy does well in looking at issues from multiple angles. Some writers showcase problems of the past through their tales. Others have a more current approach. Then there are the ones who tackle the what if questions of the future. Whether they predict what will really happen or not, these fictional tales can bring to light issues in different ways. Let's discuss a few examples.
Since I've been doing a lot of reading with omegaverse and shifters, the first example is from that realm. One thing about the primal urges used within the shifters that have the dominant characters and the ones viewed as having to submit, is the question of consent and who is to blame when things go wrong. What this can reflect on is the problem in some places where it starts to become a standard to blame the victim. The idea that they caused the other person to lose control so should take responsibility, is problematic and showcased in stories where the hormones have a strong influence. There is also one I read recently that had a problem with restraining orders and the struggle police had to protect victims because there was very little they could do to stop someone from not following those legal requests. This is something those who face domestic violence issues or other problems of a violent or threatening nature have faced in our world.
Then there is what some may see as more obvious. Race and identity differences are a prevalent topic throughout speculative fiction. While some characters might have pink, purple or green skin, instead of our human shades, there is still a pecking order or sets of beings that don't trust others. It might be the elves against the dwarves. Healer creatures might not trust fae due to a genocide attempt in the past. Some may not trust those who can do magic and are taught to fear them. Race and ethnicity are something we've seen showcased with all of the problems we have faced altered to be mirrored within the strange worlds created in these stories.
There also can be some use of medical conditions, mental disabilities or even behavioral ones within fantasy to showcase the difficulties people face with these differences. Granted, some skip over those things with more ideal settings, like how some have werewolves or other shifters unable to catch diseases. Others, find ways to showcase difficulties within a fantasy world with a disorder. I know there is at least one, if not more, example of a witch (or magic user) who struggles with dyslexia, for example. Some creatures still need help with their eyesight or might even be handicapped by their abilities. One character I've read so far had the esteemed privilege of being connected to a rare space dragon but that meant they could only see what the dragon saw, which was in space and not on the land where the character resided. Whether it's a detective with a light sensitivity issue or a half-wolf who needs personal crutches to walk, there are ways to showcase these difficulties within a fantasy type story.
Finally, there are the big guns in the literal sense. Dystopia is known in particular for the use of government control and big plots to showcase problems of war and control. Not to say what happens in the story would happen or are true, but they can shed light on issues we face. People who don't understand what their government is doing. Places where there is no way to control those in charge. The use of wars for personal vendettas or revenge of entire nations that leads to further pain and anger. It's also something that can be used to reflect on serious aspects of life in a fictional, entertaining method of discussion.
Whether intentional or not, it's common to have something reflected within these worlds that we create. How you showcase any of the elements is up to you and the way you write. Good luck. |
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Do you used fiction in order to look at problems we face in our own world?
Comment by CowandCalf  :
Thank you for this interesting Newsletter. I write fanfiction and the A/B/O verse is a huge part of that writing world. I'm dedicated to this supernatural world. I wrote a lot of omegaverse stories. I'm extremely familiar with all the different takes on Alpha, Beta, and omegas and how they interact. and I plan to write more. It's a fantastic playfield in the supernatural world. I love the Shapeshifter universe. I'm writing my first original story, which takes place in the amazing world of the merpeople. I only write gay male romance/erotica embedded in the magical world of creatures of different worlds. And the 'male can get pregnant part' is so fascinating. The A/B/O universe has a raw passion and this feral part in the characters I love deeply. Thank you again for the Newsletter. I'm not often on this website, mostly I write and upload my stories on AO3 (Archieve of our Own - THE place for fanfiction writer to hang out).
- Why thank you for the kind comment over the topic. It's good to know that some are familiar with the setting as I've merely dappled. And thanks for sharing the place others can put fan fiction stories, for those that write them.
Comment by Athos Benning  :
I believe I have what you define as an omega character. The protagonist is chosen by the captain of the guard who moderates and influences the protagonist through the whole story. I would not call them two sides of coin because, as the saying goes, the two characters are not opposites but have contributing attributes more than differing qualities. Thanks for telling me about the omegaverse! Good NL!
- Thank you for the comment on the newsletter. You have an interesting concept and it is good to know that we can see different things in our writing even if they weren't done with intention. Honestly, some of the good stories buck against the stereotypes that put them as the opposite sides of the coins because there are elements each character may share and the fun ones don't always fit the mold.
Comment by Beholden  :
To be honest, I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about. Is it really necessary to pick things apart and give them labels like this? I dare say that, if I studied hard and eventually came to an understanding of all this alpha/omega stuff, I could look through my stories and identify such creatures all over the place. But it wouldn't change a thing in how I write. I could just as easilty decide on a completely different name for things and it would be as valid.
All of this modern stuff about shapeshifters and manga, I dunno. I guess I'm just an old dinosaur and should stick to my old fashioned nonsense. Ah well, there we go.
- I appreciate your comment even if it's an unfamiliar topic for you. It is true that one doesn't have to pick apart and put labels if they don't feel necessary. I discuss things because there are some who use these particular terms. There are readers who seek out these stories, which they now do in Facebook groups and that makes me feel old too, lol. The writing world is a big one with so many things that we end up not knowing some elements. And that is okay.
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Fantasy: March 20, 2024 Issue [#12469]
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