Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Why the Space Opera Genre Isn't Just for Science Fiction Fans

Guest Post by Alex J. Cavanaugh

Science fiction is a unique genre. It doesn’t appeal to everyone. Usually it’s the detailed and hard-core science that turns people away. But if you enjoy fantasies, action-adventure, or westerns, then there is a genre of science fiction you might like – space opera.

When you really think about it, science fiction is a blend of genres or another genre masquerading as science fiction. It can be part thriller, horror, romance, or western. Star Wars is a western set in space. (Outland is literally High Noon in space.) The Thing is horror. Galaxy Quest is humor. Starman is romance. Science fiction is very diverse when you examine it closely.

Space opera is often epic in scope, so it will appeal to those who like big, sweeping stories. It has more of an adventurous feel, even though the story may be set in our future or in a galaxy far away. The technology is still there, but it’s not about how something works – it just works. Overall, space opera is less about the science and more about the story and characters.

Despite the fact that this is my genre, I never considered an audience beyond science fiction fans when writing my stories. But when my first book gained a wide readership outside of genre enthusiasts, I began to understand the elements that attracted them. Each of my books featured something unique that appeals to human nature and emotion.

CassaStar focused on the bond of friendship. That facet attracted a lot of women readers even though there are no female characters in the book. It’s a character-driven story of growth and change.

CassaFire is a lighter story that not only followed two growing friendships, but featured a romance as well. Two very different people came together in a relationship of mutual admiration and trust. Most of us are suckers when it comes to a love story!

CassaStorm is the story of a family and all the dynamics involved. Since one of the main characters is ten years old, young people as well as adults can relate to it. The themes of devotion and a need for approval resonate with most people.

All of those elements are contained in stories that just happen to boast a science fiction/space opera setting. And they are all a critical part of a good story – the human equation.

So the next time you see a science fiction book, look past the spaceships, the aliens, and the unusual settings. Look to the storyline and characters. You just might find a book that ignites your sense of adventure and touches your heart with its human element.

CassaStorm
by Alex J Cavanaugh

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

"Cavanaugh makes world building on the galactic scale look easy. The stakes affect the entire known universe and yet Cavanaugh makes it intensely personal for our hero. The final installment of this series will break your heart and put it back together."
- Charity Bradford, science fantasy author of The Magic Wakes

$16.95 USA, 6x9 Trade paperback, 268 pages, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.
Science fiction/adventure and science fiction/space opera
Print ISBN 9781939844002. eBook ISBN 9781939844019
$4.99. EBook available in all formats

Find CassaStorm:

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of Amazon bestsellers CassaStar, CassaFire, and CassaStorm, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.


59 comments:

  1. You've covered all of the bases with friendship, romance, family, and lots of adventure! It's incredible that you're already working on your next book, Alex! Now that's Swagger!

    Julie

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  2. I may have to bite the bullet and get you books Alex!!

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  3. I think that's why I enjoy your books so much, Alex--the fact that the stories could have been set anywhere at any time...and the world you've created complements the stories and adds to the appeal.

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  4. Great guestie, Alex. You work so hard, and are inspirational. :)

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  5. So agree that sci-fi is similar to fantasy. And it's one of the reasons I enjoy it. Thanks for explaining what a space opera is. I wasn't sure. And I loved Galaxy Quest and have watched it a number of times. Such a great movie.

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  6. Thank you, Kim!

    Thanks, Julie.

    Ray, if you do, thanks!

    Elizabeth, that's a huge compliment coming from you.

    Natalie, it's like science fiction light.

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  7. I agree, Alex: science fiction does encompass many genres, and that's probably why it is so popular.
    You deserve to have done well.

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  8. Well, I'm sold. A good story is a good story, no matter what genre it's in. That you chose SF just means there's even more for me to enjoy.

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  9. Hi Alex,
    Good to hear more about your favorite genre.
    and ha the wonderful information about your amazing books.
    Thanks for sending me a copy of it along with the IWSG International Prize Package. I enjoyed it Alex It's An Amazing experience. Keep writing.
    Thanks Kim for allowing Alex to be here with his wonderful piece LOL
    Thanks to all
    Keep informed
    Best
    Philip Ariel

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  10. Well said and I agree absolutely. SF can be so many different things and Space Opera, to me, is just one of the most enjoyable adventure kinds of fiction out there.

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  11. I'm a recent convert to science fiction for the reasons you state. I used to think it was just about the robots or aliens, etc, but that was silly because I never even tried it! I hadn't even heard of Space Opera until I learned about it through bloggers like you and M.Pax so I've had a lot of catching up to do. :)

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  12. Space Opera is defintely my favorite genre, which is why it's so sad we have none on TV! Maybe next year. Great guest post.

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  13. Phil, congratulations again on winning!

    Charles, amen!

    Julie, glad we could convert you. I'd never heard the term until my first book was accepted.

    Maurice, we need some space opera!

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  14. Wonderful guest post. I do think many stories cross genres. And yours are awesome! :)

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  15. Very cool post, Alex. I admit I don't know a lot about space opera (beyond your books), but you've convinced me to be open to it now! And you're so right about scifi - it really can be many different genres up in space :)

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  16. How the heck do i get autographed copies of the three? Space is an open source for many directions, Alex if you could head anywhere in space where would you like to go?

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  17. Space Opera is definitely a favorite genre. I love its wide appeal. I do love me the hardcore science though. Always helps to know how the Millennium Falcon is moving through space.

    Congrats on all your success!

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  18. Love the combination of genres found in science fiction, esp. space opera. That's why I read & write it. :) Best wishes on your career, Alex. - from a fellow IWSG'er.

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  19. Christine, thank you!

    Liz, there are some great books and movies out there.

    Jeremy, I certainly wouldn't head to Uranus! (Sorry, easy shot.)

    Melissa, how does it move through space?

    Diane, exactly!

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  20. It does allow for much to be used, good reason why when one sees it they shouldn't just assume science fiction is all about probing aliens lol

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  21. I didn't even know what the term "Space Opera" meant until now. Thanks, Alex and the Swaggers.

    xoRobyn

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  23. Interesting. I've never been quite sure what Space Opera was, though I love Science Fiction. Thanks for the breakdown :)

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  24. let's call that a pacific rim shot... drums, i mean drums!

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  25. Pat, no probing aliens here!

    Robyn and Juliana, now you know.

    Jeremy, it was too easy...

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  26. Alex, great post! And you're right about that too. Sci Fi and Fantasy is fun as a genre, but what makes some stories stand out is actually the human interest element in them. :)

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  27. All the great sci-fi books I've read have been very human and about very real things, under the surface of aliens and robots.

    mood
    Moody Writing

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  28. Space Opera isn't just for sci-fi fans... fact!
    Alex, through you and M. Pax I've come to learn a lot about space opera, and quite enjoy it!

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  29. I think it's wonderful that sci fi fans can now find new books, especially ones that kids can enjoy and thus be introduced to the genre, when it had seemed to disappear for awhile during the fantasy phase.

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  30. Hi Kim, excellent guest post! (:

    I think it's the setting that first draws me into the story, but it's the human element that keeps me reading. Great post Alex. (:

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    1. Hi Elise!
      The human element is key for me too. It can be the most amazing premise ever, but if I'm not drawn to the characters and their relationships, it won't ever rise above an okay read in my book.

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  31. Robert A. Heinlein once said, "I think that science fiction, even the corniest of it, even the most outlandish of it, no matter how badly it's written, has a distinct therapeutic value because all of it has as its primary postulate that the world does change. I cannot overemphasize the importance of that idea."

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  32. I've read and enjoyed some science based, or hardcore sci-fi, but there has to be a good story in all the science. I like the feeling of continuance and a future for earth and it's people. These days I prefer what you call space operas. And again, Star Trek was great because it showed earth's people went beyond the petty divisions and showed a good basically united future. I think any story, regardless of genre, has to have the human equation and touch your emotions.

    But yes, the adventure of it all is a big draw for me. :-)

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  33. I need to read the next two books of yours. I have so many friends with so many books...it's such a wonderful problem to have! But you're right. I am not a fan of hard core science fiction...sorry Ender, you bore me to tears!

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  34. Both sci-fi and fantasy are all about humanity. Looking forward to your new one, Alex.

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  35. Michelle, that's good to know!

    Karen, that's probably when they were saying science fiction was dead. Glad I wrote my first one anyway.

    Sia, Star Trek was one of the first to do that!

    Elizabeth, that book was all right, but really, really cold. And hope you enjoy the next two of mine!

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  36. Yep. I actually think Space Opera is as much a subgenre of fantasy as it is science fiction, so it has that going for it. Some of my favorite flash pieces that I've written are Space Opera, starring Zento the Mercenary.

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  37. Hello Kim! Great guest post! Happy to have found your blog! Alex, what a wonderful Space Opera primer. As a life long Star Wars fan, you'd think I would have picked up more Space Opera, but alas, I have fallen prey to the "there's too much technical stuff I won't get it" mind set. I'll definitely change that! Cheers!

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    1. Hi Jen! Thanks for stopping by to chat. I agree with you; I needed the tutorial as well.

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  38. Patrick, it does have elements of both.

    Jen, no technical in my books - promise!

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  39. I've always been a big fan of Science Fiction or Sci-Fi Movies. And withing the past couple of years have begun to read the genre. I have read CassaFire and loved it.

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  40. It's always interesting to see the many different directions that people take sci-fi and fantasy in, and the ways that they can expand and contract to allow different elements to work.

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  41. Many great stories include a love story. I love that you've also focused on other strong bonds like friendship too.

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  42. So true. I think space operas are a great way to ease into Sci Fi, because the hardcore stuff can be quite alienating at the beginning.

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  43. Cate, friendship is a strong theme in all three.

    Misha, I agree!

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  44. Thanks for hosting Alex! He's a great guest, isn't he? I've never thought about the science fiction versus opera thing. I love how genres can take different paths and still offer great stories and characters.

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    1. Alex is a wonderful guest! He's a great conversationalist, and unerringly polite and respectful. He's a wealth of knowledge, and a wise promoter (of himself and others.) He never goes anywhere empty-handed, and has the knack for making all of his friends feel special. There's a reason he's called Captain Alex.

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  45. I like how these books are in a series and all have a different focus. I read the first two and look forward to book three.

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  46. Thanks, Karen.

    Medeia, hope you enjoy it!

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  47. Thanks for the guest post, Alex. Great job!

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  48. Great and fascinating explanation and I love those movies. As does my husband. Reading your book right now, Captain Alex. Thank you Kim for this cool guest visit to your great blog!

    jean

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  49. I love reading a wide variety of genres - including many of those in the science fiction realm. Alex is so right about the important part being that the story touches your heart - and his books totally do that!!

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  50. Jean, thank you!

    Jemi, appreciate that.

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  51. Great guest post. I love space opera shows/movies, but have to admit I have not read a lot of books set in space. I can't wait to start reading these. They are up next on my list, already waiting on my shelf.

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  52. What a great post and very helpful. I have always been a little unsure about what space opera is as a genre, and now I understand the difference between it and science fiction! Alex's explanation makes sense and I can see why the space opera genre appeals to such a wide audience. Thanks for sharing! :)
    ~Jess

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