Exactly what is speculative element?

[Joycecwilliams]

I probably should know this, but I don't. I want to enter a contest and it requires a speculative element... HELP...

[slcboston]

Hasn't this become the catch-all for saying sci-fi without actually *saying* sci-fi?

[brokenfingers]

It means an element of "unreality".

It can be sci-fi, fantasy, horror, magical realism, alternate history, etc.

As long as there's an element that would not be possible in the real world as we know it.

[Joycecwilliams]

Thanks SL and BF....

I think I got a handle on it now...

I ususally don't write in those genres which is probably why it was unfamilar to me..

I really appreciate it...

[Aggy B.]

Yeah. I think speculative is sci-fi and fantasy. But the term speculative is used because a lot of people think rather narrowly when they think science fiction or fantasy.

So, speculative. A story that has a somewhat imaginative or what-if element that looks either to possible scientific advance or supernatural sources. (What if people could fly? What if time wasn't linear?)

At least, this is my understanding of it.

a.g.c.

[astonwest]

It means an element of "unreality".Like the computer geek dating the head cheerleader...speculative romance... :)

[maestrowork]

Anything that is not based on reality/real life... I think BF covered them rather nicely.