Wednesday 21 November 2018

Sci-Fi and Fantasy Workshop 20 Nov 2018 – Billy Thompson.


Billy described that there could be overlap between the two genres; you would expect Science Fiction to involve a certain amount of science and technology.  However, the technology must be plausible.
Both are likely, but not necessarily, to be set in the future or distant past

As with other fiction, there needs to be characters, show not tell and use of the five senses.

The characters may include some form of alien who requires to have a degree of intelligence.

The plot may often be triggered by a “what if” question and may include a moral message.

The setting may be on this earth but under extreme climate conditions or maybe on another planet.

Existing Sci Fi and Fantasy books and films should be examined for ideas and trends.

Brave New World, 1984, Animal Farm, Start Trek, Doctor Who and Doctor Frankenstein; were all mentioned.

Two ‘what ifs’ were suggested and discussed at length.
    What if people long dead could be restored to life?
    What if same sex marriage were to be declared compulsory?
Both had scientific, moral and political implications and scope for various plots, problems and outcomes.

The group thanked Billy for a thought provoking workshop.

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The results of Poetry Competition adjudicated by Magi Gibson were announced.   There had been eleven entries for the theme,  “Smell.

First place                     Lilac                              Kate Gordon
Second place                The Smell of Stone          Pete Marrison
Third place                    Hospital                          John Hughes
Highly commended 1     A Whiff of Envy                Kate Gordon
Highly commended 2     Survivor                           Sandra McGruther
Highly commended 3     The Smell of Christmas    Elspeth Munro

Both the placed and unplaced entries, where available, were read out together with Magi Gibson’s constructive comments.

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Next week:-  Talk - What's on the shelves - Caron McPherson - Waterstones.



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