Comment SF writers vs writers that write SF (Score 1) 1190
I wonder if there is a substantive different in quality and \ or type between authors that are solely or primarily SF and those that happen to write SF.
In the debate Ian M Banks has been referenced. He also writes literary novels under the name Ian Banks. Then there is J G Ballard who writes all types of fiction including SF and D Lessing who is a celebrated 'feminist' author and has also written a fantastic DF series.
On the whole I think find novels by authors that 'also do SF' to be better as works of fiction e.g. better more subtle characterization, better plot structures etc; thought I cannot decide if they are better novels of ideas - if one looks at the writers I have referenced above they certainly do not seem to lack in originally or depth of imagination when it comes to the fiction of possible futures.
In the debate Ian M Banks has been referenced. He also writes literary novels under the name Ian Banks. Then there is J G Ballard who writes all types of fiction including SF and D Lessing who is a celebrated 'feminist' author and has also written a fantastic DF series.
On the whole I think find novels by authors that 'also do SF' to be better as works of fiction e.g. better more subtle characterization, better plot structures etc; thought I cannot decide if they are better novels of ideas - if one looks at the writers I have referenced above they certainly do not seem to lack in originally or depth of imagination when it comes to the fiction of possible futures.
