Mind control fiction explores the fear of losing free will, often through magical or technological means. Stories typically involve a character falling under mind control and being forced to act against their will, before ultimately breaking free. The methods of control vary, but often involve brain manipulation or subliminal messaging. The ethics of mind control […]
NPR hosts an annual three-minute fiction contest where listeners submit short stories to be read on air. Writing a good three-minute piece requires a clear theme, concise writing, and effective editing. Contests may have specific requirements, but writing within restrictions can improve skills. Three-minute fiction refers to a complete story that can be read aloud […]
Catholic books have a general theme of belief in God, human frailty, and redemption. They cover various genres from science fiction to romance. Catholic detective novels aim to instill hope through faith while horror novels revolve around the struggle between good and evil. The Church encourages exploring themes like apocalypse and mythology. Catholic romance novels […]
War fiction can be written in various formats, including novels, short stories, poems, and plays. It can be based on real or imaginary conflicts, and may include fantastical elements. The genre often uses battle as a backdrop for character-driven stories and can have a powerful impact in different formats. Different types of war fiction include […]
Adult fiction comes in various forms, including drama, comedy, romance, and action, each with subgenres. These genres often blend to appeal to a wider audience. Drama focuses on complex characters in moral dilemmas, while comedy uses exaggerated plot points for comedic effect. Romance involves matters of the heart, and action has fast-paced narratives with heroic […]
Western fiction is a genre of stories set in the American frontier during the 1800s, often featuring lawlessness, conflicts between settlers and Native Americans, and tales of adventure. The genre has been around since the events it depicts and has created cultural ideas about the Old West. While some stories focus on lawmen defeating outlaws, […]
Apocalyptic fiction deals with the end of civilization due to catastrophe, often falling under science fiction but can include fantastical elements. Themes include survival, prevention, and cautionary tales about human destruction. Natural disasters and supernatural occurrences are also common, often with political or social commentary. Apocalyptic fiction is a term used to describe stories dealing […]
Feminist fiction challenges social norms and male privilege, often featuring strong heroines. The genre dates back to the 15th century, with more female authors emerging in the 19th century. African-American writers contributed in the 20th century, while second-wave feminists used science fiction and fantasy to critique society. Early 21st-century trends include a divide between third-wave […]
The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest seeks the worst opening sentences to science fiction novels. Named after Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, it attracts thousands of entries each year and awards a cash prize to the winner. The contest rules require a single sentence that is original work. Winning entries feature run-on sentences with nonsensical premises and broken grammar […]
Serial fiction consists of books with similar themes, settings, or characters, often written by the same author. They can range from three to over 50 books per series and fall into categories for children, young adults, or genres such as fantasy, science fiction, or mystery. Some series maintain the same characters and settings, while others […]
Historical fiction is a genre that tells stories set in a specific historical era or time period, with accurate settings and characters that can be fictional or historical. It can be written or acted out in various formats, such as novels, short stories, films, and plays. Historical fiction is a type of fiction that tells […]
Victorian fiction refers to stories written during Queen Victoria’s reign, with the novel becoming the primary literary form. It featured hardworking protagonists and idealized portrayals of humanity. The era saw the rise of women writers and children’s fiction, as well as the detective and science fiction genres. Victorian fiction refers to fictional stories written during […]
Adventure fiction is a subgenre of literature featuring thrilling stories of daring journeys. They often pit protagonists against the environment and other humans, with strong action and chase sequences. Characters tend to be simple, with little evolution, and villains tend to get their comeuppance. Adventure fiction dates back to ancient times, with famous examples including […]
Science fiction, or speculative fiction, involves imagined advances in science and technology and their effects on human life and society. It became popular in the 20th century and has its own industry, including conventions and magazines. Some writers prefer the term speculative fiction to include fantasy and horror elements. The genre has been associated with […]
Detective fiction covers criminal activity, its motivations and methods, and its resolution. It includes sub-genres such as whodunit and locked room mysteries. The genre has extended to spy thrillers, crime-life dramas, and legal ramifications of criminal activity, mixing with other genres like high fantasy. The first crime novel is debated, but the genre solidified in […]
Christian fiction includes genres such as romance, historical, contemporary, thriller, and speculative fiction. The main difference is that Christian fiction incorporates elements of the Christian faith. Christian romance novels, for example, avoid sexual content and focus on relationships according to Christian principles. Christian fantasy and science fiction use fantastic elements to explore the Christian faith. […]
