[leviathan13]

I'm a huge fan of fantasy/fiction and sci-fi and currently have a number of projects on the go. These range from the beginnings of novels to a bunch of short stories and even a script.

This thread is about whether there is really any point in attempting to write in either genre as they have practically been done to death. I walk in Waterstone's and I'm met with a wall of books from these genres and it just makes me wonder if I shouldn't just give up.

The reason for me thinking this is that I'm bound to be ripping someone's work off, or covering ground that has already been trodden - politics, mirth, swords and sorcery, deception etc. Why should my ideas, world building and characters be given any more attention amongst the rest?

[FatDave]

I assume then you're writing for commercial success?
I immagine there's a website out there somewhere that'll tell you exactly how many songs have been released. They aren't making any new chords, and yet new songs are released every day. Granted, most of them are trash or covers of old songs... OK, that wasn't a good example.

There are many amazing new novels released every year; new AND original. I would suggest you write what you love and don't try to force yourself into a genre.

[KittiPaws]

Fantasy and sci-fi have been around for a long time. IMO, there will always be a market for it.

I agree with Dave. Write what you love. That's when your truly creative work will come out.

[leviathan13]

I'm not writing with my 'eyes on the prize', as it were. Obviously it'd be nice to get paid to do something I enjoy, as opposed to my current 9-5 job. But I also want my work to be read and I'm just a bit scared of spending time creating something, putting time and effort in to it, and it not being read or even noticed.

I guess I'm just scared of failure. I'm probably my own worst enemy.

[Hecate]

You could say that most genres have been done to death; Waterstone's shelves are groaning with serial killers and their dogged forensic pathologist/psychologist/anthropologist pursuers, and you can't move in the YA sector for fear of puncture wounds from the latest flock of vampires.

While there's a market, publishers will publish. Be aware of what others are doing, but don't be dominated by it; worry about your quality not others' quantity. Polish your craft until it's bright enough to demand publishers' and readers' attention.

[FACEBOOK]

You enjoy it, so write it.

[leviathan13]

Thanks for the response people!

I think I just need a bit of encouragement at times. I've put time and effort in to numerous other projects and had little or no feedback and it's a tad soul destroying at the time.

Like you say, I need to just concentrate on doing it because I like it and because I feel I've got something to say.

[sharper_fin]

Originally Posted by leviathan13

I'm a huge fan of fantasy/fiction and sci-fi and currently have a number of projects on the go. These range from the beginnings of novels to a bunch of short stories and even a script.

I would say that you should write what you love. If there's a market for it, you'll soon know.

But I would also suggest (and I'm not being nasty at all here) that you finish things - only then would you know how good your work is.

Good luck with it.

Shaun

[SarahD]

I read and write Sci fi/Fantasy and am getting a few short stories published here and there. I would say that there is absolutely a point to you writing and actually if you compare sci fi and fantasy to genres like romance, crime and literary you would find that sci fi and fantasy it the smaller genre. The young adult scene has exploded, as well as Vampires and Werewolves, but there is plenty of room for more work.

Sci Fi and Fantasy is also one of the easiest areas to get paid for short stories, I find. I think because the readers are so passionate about this area they will subscribe to lots of publications like Clarksworld and so on, which means the magazines actually have some cash to pay the writers.

But you should never write for money. You should always write what you love, rather than what there is a market for. You never know when the market will change and I always think that if your work is good enough it will be published anyway.

Good luck!

[general_head]

Try Black Library.. yes its warhammer but they'll really help you out with publishing and writing as well as providing a mentor to help with your work if needed. A good resource for budding sci fi writers

[Karis]

Originally Posted by general_head

Try Black Library.. yes its warhammer but they'll really help you out with publishing and writing as well as providing a mentor to help with your work if needed. A good resource for budding sci fi writers

The Black Library commissioning process is ghoulish at best, and the whole process can only be described as a nightmare.

I know many many professional authors who simply won't work with them.

Sure, it all sounds great on paper, but the reality is very different. Any author is just asking for pain working with Black Library.

If you have guts of steel and you're prepared to work for your work and do exactly what you're told, then by all means, go for it!

[sp1der]

Don't write to be read. Write to express your perceptions of reality and imagination. Everyone is unique. If it is fascinating reading, it will be read.