Comments | meaganspooner: What is Dystopian Fiction?

meaganspooner

What is Dystopian Fiction?

Dec 02, 2010 00:13

Just tonight, a brand new twitterfriend asked me, “What is a dystopian novel?” I’m guessing that she read my bio on Twitter, which says I’m working on a dystopian novel, and was curious about the term. I answered her as best I could within 140 characters, but as I lay wide awake in bed trying to sleep, I kept thinking of everything I wanted to ( Read more... )

genre, tips, writing

Comments 35

What is a Dystopian Fiction ext_343056 December 2 2010, 11:29:20 UTC

Thanks for your wonderful explanation. Dystopian fiction seems to be a product of our times for sure. Brenda

Re: What is a Dystopian Fiction ctrichmond December 2 2010, 20:21:29 UTC

What a great post, Meg! I especially like the point you make about dystopian novels should comment on our current society. Very important!

Re: What is a Dystopian Fiction meaganspooner December 2 2010, 20:43:48 UTC

Thanks, Caroline! Can't wait to hear more about your own dystopian novel. :D

Re: What is a Dystopian Fiction meaganspooner December 2 2010, 20:42:23 UTC

I'm so glad you stopped by to read! I'm also really glad you asked the question... it's sparked a really great discussion.

eye opener outfortea December 3 2010, 00:16:08 UTC

This was such an interesting post! I've never really thought deeply about the dystopian genre, and I guess whenever I did I had a pretty ridiculous definition of it in my head which was something along the lines of "in the future, things are bad." And is it silly that I never equated 1984 with dystopian? Haha, yes so silly I think. Thanks for delving into it more, and you've definitely inspired me to give it a crack one of these days. And can I ask, what is it about today's society that scares you into writing dystopian?

Re: eye opener outfortea December 3 2010, 00:21:52 UTC

Oops, I just read through the comments and see that you've already answered the question in relation to TIW. Is there any other fear, more generally that drives you to write dystopian? Also how is that some of my favourite books mentioned along here The Giver, The Handmaid's Tale, are dystopian and I never knew? D'oh. Haha.

Re: eye opener meaganspooner December 3 2010, 00:41:43 UTC

I'm so glad you liked the post! It's totally not silly at all not to associate older books with the genre. I think the tendency to think of it as new is very widespread, given its popularity in the YA market. I love the look on people's faces when I tell them that The Time Machine is dystopian fiction. Just as vampire fiction isn't new, neither is dystopian ( ... )

Re: eye opener outfortea December 3 2010, 01:13:30 UTC

Gosh, I hope so. Guess we'll just have to wait and see ( ... )

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