Fiction Quote by Dave Robinson
““Science fiction, as a genre is fundamentally about ideas. It's about asking an impossible question, "What if...?" and building a story out of the answer. Romance on the other hand, is fundamentally about relationships. The hypothetical romance transposed to the past could be rewritten without the futuristic elements and still work as a story, which is something that can't happen with SF. It works in romance, because the story is the relationship and that depends on character, not setting. Lots of books take elements from multiple genres, and there are elements that put them into one genre or another, but setting isn't a key determinant.””
About This Quote
Source Article: Genre theory, 2019
Science fiction explores speculative ideas, while romance centers on relationships; genre is defined by core focus, not setting.
In simple terms: SF is about ideas, romance about relationships.
Key Takeaway
Identify the core element that defines a story’s genre.
Themes
genre
storytelling
ideas
relationships
setting
Mood
analytical
creative
Type
explanatory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- writing
- editing
- story development
- cross-genre projects
Key Concepts
literary theory
narrative structure
genre hybridity
Questions to Reflect On
- What core element drives your story?
- Can you blend ideas and relationships without losing genre identity?
A Different Perspective
Setting can still influence tone and audience expectations.
