What is Fantasy?

[Shaun]

(Note, I did one for SF already)

This will probably be easier than a question about SF, but maybe it will get a little complex.

What is fantasy to you? What would be a definition you would use to define fantasy? What is included or excluded from fantasy? What does fantasy have to have to be considered fantasy (in all forms)?

[Andy]

Here's the thing: my story has magic, and fantasy races, but there's a scientific explanation for all of them (evolution and classification like elements).

So my definition is: A story that takes place in a world/universe with different natural laws than our own, or a story that takes place on our own world, but where the natural laws are either different or extended beyond their known capabilities.

So this would include:
Harry Potter
LOTR
Era(shudder)
The Legend of Zelda
Final Fantasy....

Does anyone have a problem with that definition? Because I'll change it if necessary. :)

[Shaun]

That's not really scientific though. Classifications of magic don't make it science based and neither does evolution :P. So your story just uses magic and your world just tries to explain it in terms that the characters would understand :P.

Though I guess I would agree with that definition.

[Rafael Domination]

What about far-fetched science? Ever read one of those Marvel comics where the characters concoct a machine to control the fabric of reality? Does that count as Fantasy (since it revolves around a scientific impossibility) or is it just high-level sci-fi?

[Shaun]

It depends how they do it Raf. There are some sides of science that we consider impossible, but they are allowed within the rules of physics (i.e. we can't do certain things like going faster than the speed of light, but there are methods allowed in Einstein's theories that allow us to sidestep this stuff)

[Rafael Domination]

So, as long as we stick to an original law of Physics, and revolve it around something that is currently real and scientifically explainable, we're not crossing into the realm of Fantasy, right?

[Shaun]

Technically. You can also come up with your own theories too, based on science you already understand. I think SF become fantasy when you start getting ridiculous (unless for intentionally comical reasons). If Douglas Adams had made his books serious works, rather than humorous works, then it would have become fantasy. Granted, I had no idea how you'd make his works unfunny, but still.
It all really depends. If we're talking about scientific explanations for magic, then it either ceases to be magic and goes into the realm of psionics, or we're talking complete fantasy. Urban fantasy is a huge gray area though. Peeps by Scott Westerfeld takes on the idea of vampires/zombies, but uses a scientific reason for it. We might call it fantasy if the science element wasn't there, but since it is there it's SF, or maybe even Urban SpecFic. It ceases to be fantasy once science legitimately comes into play to explain things.

[Rafael Domination]

Got it! :D

Is there a middle path for the two then? A genre when it becomes BOTH Fantasy AND Sci-fi, or a genre where the line becomes so blurred that people can't tell what it is?

[Shaun]

The blurred line is probably right where you can't tell one way or another...it could be either. But that barely exists...I've never seen it.

[Andy]

It would probably be a world with spaceships and wormholes, plus magic and some elves. :) Not an easy thing to do well...

[Rafael Domination]

Well, in GuN DrU1d, three universes kinda exist. One housing nothing by the aspects of Technology, other housing Nature, and the other housing Magic. When the three meet, war kinda erupts between them. Now, I got scientific explanations for magic and such, but it still involved a lot of heavy fantasy and tech. So...does it stray into the Urban Sci-fi sect?

[Andy]

Well, in GuN DrU1d, three universes kinda exist. One housing nothing by the aspects of Technology, other housing Nature, and the other housing Magic. When the three meet, war kinda erupts between them. Now, I got scientific explanations for magic and such, but it still involved a lot of heavy fantasy and tech. So...does it stray into the Urban Sci-fi sect?
Ooh, I'd say that sounds like a mix. Interesting. I'll have to watch that next time I see a :link: to it somewhere.

[Shaun]

I think it depends how it is presented. It might just be urban fantasy.