What Is Speculative Fiction- 5 Characteristics With Examples

Speculative fiction is a popular genre of the literary world that contains a number of other subgenres under it all with speculative elements. This genre is based on topics that do not exist in this world and are typically called the what-if books that are about topics readers generally think about speculatively.

There are multiple books in history that are created in this genre which has remained best sellers of all time. Stories that date back to European nations, ancient Greece, and older popular poets like William Shakespeare. The term itself was first used in the year 1947 and since has taken a large number of books under its roof.

Exploring The Essential Characteristics To Create Impactful Speculative Fiction

The important characteristics that rea needed to create a strong and impactful speculative fiction genre need to be known by all writers. These characteristics are implemented by professional ghostwriting services to create multiple best-sellers in this field. These are:

Bold Themes

Speculative fiction often explores the most bold and strong themes and ideas that are related to real-world problems and speculations.

These themes are often used along with other elements like supernatural or magic to make these bold topics more interesting and engaging for readers. Some of the topics include aliens, old myths, the legacy of American slavery, and the loss of human autonomy.

World Building

The most important element in the world of speculative fiction is imaginative world-building. The story worlds created in this genre are significantly and vastly different from our own through multiple extra elements.

Speculative fiction requires writers to create a world that is so vivid and immersive that the readers are easily able to lose themselves in it that they feel like a character of that story.

Diverse Characters

The best speculative fiction is the one that clearly showcases a wide variety of diverse characters in their story. These characters need to reflect the feelings of every type of person in the world.

Many books are based on ancient or small towns or places like utopian societies. In these books, writers explore the lifestyle, mindset, and feelings of such people and their speculative thinking.

Unique Premise

Speculative fictions are often based on unique premises that make readers learn about a new myth or story that leaves them captivated and engaged. This premise is usually a rare one so it can provide to be thought-provoking and intriguing for readers.

Topics that are published with unique premises are black magic stories, space stories, or osmeti8mnes explore planets and supernatural elements.

Social Commentary

Another main characteristic of speculative fiction is the involvement of social commentary. This genre is used to tackle and involve topics that are based on complex social issues that are both thought-provoking and engaging for readers.

There are many books that talk about dystopian futures, social breakdown, or lack of empathy in society in a way that is both subtle and impactful for the readers.

5 Best Speculative Fiction Novels Of All Time To Explore For Writers

Writers who are entering this world of speculative fiction need to read some great novels in this genre to easily navigate their journey. Some of the best novels of all time that you should read are:

Game Changer

Game Changer is an amazing speculative fiction that was written by Neal Shusterman. In this story, the main character Ash bounces between different dimensions and explores a society that is stuck in the past. Through this, he finds different perspectives to look at life and the universe.

Milo And Marcos At The End Of The World

Milo and Marcos at the End of the World is another amazing novel of this genre that was written by the author Kevin Christopher Snipes. This story unfolds as the character Milo confronts the deep-buried feelings inside his heart after Marcos comes back.

The First To Die At The End

The First To Die At The End is another great speculative fiction that was written by Adam Silvera. This is basically a prequel to the novel They Both Die At The End. It explores the magical concept of death-cast which can predict who can predict when someone will die.

Early Departures

Early Departures is another speculative fiction that is a must to read by the author Justin A. Reynolds. This story explores the concept of life revival where Jamal a character struggles to save his best friend Q from a tragic death.

Cemetery Boys

Cemetery Boys is the last speculative fiction on our list that was written by Auden Thomas. This is the story where a character named Yadriel becomes determined to prove his identity as a real brujo. This is done through multiple struggles and quests to find a ghost to prove this.

Conclusion

These are all the characteristics that will be required to craft a perfect speculative fiction. Moreover, these books are great examples of this genre that can help you in easily navigating your writing journey.