tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34865567.post4237256845859225874..comments2023-07-18T07:42:30.287-04:00Comments on The Rambles of my Headspace: thexmedichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12279109110022879825noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34865567.post-1162789217160902862007-01-29T16:48:00.000-05:002007-01-29T16:48:00.000-05:00[oversimplification]I like to think of two forces ...[oversimplification]I like to think of two forces working within speculative fiction: the traditional and the progressive. The traditional may consist of conventions of character (elves, dwarves, farmboys, etc.) setting, (vaguely medieval, feudal societies), plot (good vs. evil, heroic quest, etc.) or even style and structure. The progressive consists of, well, stuff that is new or different, whether made up entirely or borrowed from other genres. These forces are complimentary and competitive at the same time.** I believe that speculative fiction <b>needs</b> a healthy distribution of works all along the spectrum from the conservative to the radical, but that the best stuff achieves a balance of these forces.[/oversimplification]<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><i>**The analogy of the Ox and the Plow. An ox without a plow is merely taking a walk; a plow without an ox is going nowhere.</i>Brian Malonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01300156920792453047noreply@blogger.com