Post History
My assumption here is that a novel set in the current time and world seems more realistic to a reader than a novel with a fictional setting. The reader has the ability to say, "that could be true."...
#4: Attribution notice removed
by
System
·
2019-12-12T17:48:56Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/15870 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added
by
System
·
2019-12-08T03:58:01Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/15870 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision
My assumption here is that a novel set in the current time and world seems more realistic to a reader than a novel with a fictional setting. The reader has the ability to say, "that could be true." In a fictional novel, it's understood that what is written could never happen. My assumption is that this _detracts_ from the novel. **My question is this: Will a plot be able to convey the same amount of realism in a fictional setting as in a current time/place setting?** To be clear: I know details add realism. My question is if a real-world setting has a sense of realism that no amount of detailing can give a fictional one. **No matter how well you describe a fictional setting, the reader can never think, 'that could be real.' I want to know if that will detract from the novel.** Examples: Fictional Setting: _Lord of the Rings_. The setting is pure fiction, the reader knows the place never existed. Real-Life Setting: _Harry Potter_. Though the reader is fairly certain magic does not exist, there is a slight doubt because it is set in the real world. It could be true - wizards could be really good at hiding.
#1: Imported from external source
by
System
·
2015-01-13T22:43:33Z (over 9 years ago)
Original score: 1