: Re: How to distinguish if a novel is science fiction or fantasy? Through the process of writing my novel, I've found that I really don't know where it fits in the written realm. I believe I should

@Hamaas631

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To come from the other side, I think fantasy will usually have characters with some form of "mystical" power - however it is described or explained - which is core to the story. The power is not something created - which would imply that everyone could have it - but something which is indigenous to the character or characters.

In SF there is often no sense of the mystical. Where there is, it is not something that empowers people beyond an inner strength that they may get from their mysticism. In the end, the story is driven by scientific progress or regress, and by application of science.

However, classification is always difficult, and not always helpful. Blurring boundaries often makes for a fun story, and one that challenges the reader. Some of the best stories fail to fit into a clear category - Audrey Niffeneggers "The Time Travellers Wife" is probably romantic fiction, but there is a definite SF element in it.

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