What is fiction?

[Currentgen]

So, while talking to my friend I got to talking about Superheroes and how reality was so boring compared to fiction. Using the word fiction made me think about what makes it fiction and I came to the conclusion, that it isn't the stunts and the superpowers and adventure, but it's the people that make fiction fake.

Let me give an example, Spider-Man of course is a superhero. But beyond the powers lies a naturally good hearted and selfless man. Somebody who goes out of his way to help others, somebody who just naturally does the right thing. Those kind of people are rare, if they even exist at all.

I just feel like superheroes are fictional because of the type of people they are, and that the powers are just a bonus for the fictional world. Does anyone else feel me on this, or am I alone? What makes fiction, fiction?

 

[thiosk]

Fiction...

http://tinyurl.com/yckx9og

Look, even if its 'based on a true story,' its fiction.

 

[Julianking93]

Fiction...

http://tinyurl.com/yckx9og

Ah, damn it. Ninja'd

 

[Azure-Supernova]

I just feel like superheroes are fictional because of the type of people they are, and that the powers are just a bonus for the fictional world. Does anyone else feel me on this, or am I alone? What makes fiction, fiction?

I see where you're coming from here. I mean in today's world, a majority of people are chip shop owners. I mean even myself personally, am not a goodhearted person, I'm not a twisted evil fuck either though.

 

[Kiefer13]

fiction
n.
1. a. An imaginative creation or a pretense that does not represent actuality but has been invented.
b. The act of inventing such a creation or pretense.

2. A lie.

3. a. A literary work whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.
b. The category of literature comprising works of this kind, including novels and short stories.

 

[LavosPrime]

The fact that it isn't real.

EDIT: I should probably expand on that to prevent moderator wrath. I think you're reading too much into things. Fiction is fiction because it isn't true, regardless of thematic elements. There is fiction where everything is perfect, fiction where everything is corrupt, and everything in between. There are few, if any, generalizations to be made about ALL fiction, so it's probably best to avoid tying yourself in knots to make them.

 

[Urgh76]

i just look around the escapist and i find a lot of people that are good in the heart as you described in your so called "fiction defintion"

 

[Hybrid Sight]

I think I get what your saying. The powers that the superheroes have is just a "bonus" just to add to the excitement and entertainment of the book. The real "power" that the superheroes have is their personalty, and their sense of right and wrong. I think such a strong sense of right and wrong is rare in today's world, and it is that sense that makes heroes the heroes that they are.

 

[ElTigreSantiago]

i just look around the escapist and i find a lot of people that are good in the heart as you described in your so called "fiction defintion"

Anyone can be a good person on the internet. Things change when you're in a real situation. And how can you know so much about a person simply based on posts on the Escapist?

 

[FalloutJack]

Fiction is anything that never happened. And by 'never happened', I don't mean 'nothing close to this ever happened'. I mean 'This event, word for word, never happened and that any resemblance to something that DID happen is not on purpose. Or even if it WAS on purpose, we did it for entertainment. But the point is, it was never LIKE THIS.' when I say it like that. So, fiction is every event that did not happen the way it actually went down, straight to the letter. (This would probably include some parts of history, as even historians admit that most people writing history are biased towards a certain line of view.)

 

[Currentgen]

i just look around the escapist and i find a lot of people that are good in the heart as you described in your so called "fiction defintion"

Anyone can be a good person on the internet. Things change when you're in a real situation. And how can you know so much about a person simply based on posts on the Escapist?

Thank you for beating me to that point.

 

[Dramatic Flare]

So, while talking to my friend I got to talking about Superheroes and how reality was so boring compared to fiction. Using the word fiction made me think about what makes it fiction and I came to the conclusion, that it isn't the stunts and the superpowers and adventure, but it's the people that make fiction fake.

Let me give an example, Spider-Man of course is a superhero. But beyond the powers lies a naturally good hearted and selfless man. Somebody who goes out of his way to help others, somebody who just naturally does the right thing. Those kind of people are rare, if they even exist at all.

While I see your point, I must point out that at one point in his comic career, Batman threatened to blow up a world just to win a fight.
While he was still on it.

As far as fiction goes, I must refer to many writers who have, in one form or another, pointed out that, "writers are liars," that, "a writer's business is lying," and, "[writers] inform you that events that never happened, words that were never spoken, and people that never existed, did."
And that, is essence, is fiction.

 

[_zuul]

WHAT IS FICTION?

oh author, don't bore me
don't bore me, no more

 

[MR T3D]

fiction is words about stuff that didn't happen.
Better question: What is love? [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaYLdFE7s9Y]

 

[Joe Matsuda]

tim o'brian says fiction is everything

EVERYTHING!!!!!!!

(except for God's word)

 

[kannibus]

Whatever spews out the mouth of the nearest politician or lawyer. Anything my accountant tells me is also fiction, but at least it's a "based on a true story" type of fiction.

 

[Thaius]

Fiction is a story that did not actually happen. It's not nearly as complex as you're making it.

 

[mrpenguinismyhomeboy]

Fiction is things that people can't agree on the true-ness of. Non-fiction is things people can agree on the true-ness of, but it's all on an "until further notice basis", so who knows whether or not it actually happened.

 

[Spiner909]

I suppose you have a point. There are people like that in the world however, but they're exceedingly rare... Fiction is also fiction by the events that happen, like the day after tomorrow.

 

[Shru1kan]

Some of you guys are missing the point. He doesn't mean the LITERAL definition of fiction, but rather is saying that almost all fictional protagonists are selfless, which would be fiction without any powers or adventures.

Basically a bleak outlook on people saying that nobody is truly as selfless as a fictional hero, with or without superpowers or adventure.

I like to think of myself as truly selfless. I would lay my life down for any of my friends, without hesitation. I love the people I love, unconditionally and without thinking of anything in return. I live my life to make the ones I care about be happy, above all else. It's hard to explain, but it makes your friends fiercely loyal back to you. Make the ones that you love, love you with all of their hearts in return as well. Show compassion and kindness, and your life WILL be better. its the truth, but nobody sees it or wants to believe it. That's why the world is such a cold place, everyone is out for themselves, not anyone else.