This week: The Adventure of a Space Opera Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
Space opera is an epic tale with emotion based characters and adventures that will draw readers attention. Today we look at that type of story as a bridge between the fantasy and science fiction worlds. |
Today's look into the world of science fiction, instead of staying on the fantasy only side, is sparked by a contest that is available here on the site that I have never entered but want to try getting a story written this week. BlackAdder's Cantina Space Opera Contest ("BlackAdder's Cantina Space Opera Contest" [13+]) not only has a fun title with the Cantina element but if you can interpret the wording through the introduction and such, there is an interesting prompt provided. And the big part of what the contest requires that had me stalled was simply the overall genre: space opera. I have never written one before but I am a big believer in trying out different genres and subgeneras at least once to help develop one's writing ability. So, let's look at what it takes to write an epic short/flash fiction story that qualifies as a space opera.
The big question that I put into Google was: How to write a space opera...
This is one of the areas where I'm okay with AI because it was able to give me a good summary and aspects to consider for writing this story. My advice comes from that search.
Summary: It is helpful to focus on a combination of interstellar sci-fi style worlds while have characters driven by emotions. Story wise, it helps to have a high stakes style of conflict. This is an epic genre, but can also be put into the shorter word count approaches like short stories or even flash fiction. Has also been described as epic fantasy but with lasers.
There are some big components that are considered important elements to focus on and that doesn't mean just adding lasers to stories with elves, though I would probably read that story. The important aspects are ones found in most fiction with a little more specific elements to make them stand out in the vast atmosphere of the almost science fiction realm. These are: Setting, Conflict, characters and a sense of wonder.
Sound familiar? Okay, that list could be almost any story. Now, let's take it further and I'll explain what Google AI claims is important in Space Opera.
Setting: This is an important element for all stories but speculative fiction has more of a reputation with using the setting and spending a long time developing it for a story. People can spend a long time with real world research too, however the building of worlds in the epic portions makes science fiction and fantasy more known for having that element be key to the story. Like how the different planets and space battles of Star Wars are big elements, for example, in telling the story. As one can imagine from the name, there tends to be some elements of space for a setting when creating a space opera tale.
Character: According to the AI programming, it's important to have characters who are dynamic and driven by emotions. Even if the setting can be expansive with the large scale element found in tales about space, the core aspect is going to be the characters. This is good news for writers who focus on the characters when writing. The main character will be someone that has a personal stake when it comes to the interstellar world and the final important element, which is the conflict.
Conflict: As one might imagine, with such a big setting that goes through space and various planets, the conflict is probably going to be something bigger than something like spilled milk. Well, it might work but let's just say it will take a little more to create a space opera story. Think bigger like having entires worlds in peril or a galaxy with problems that have resolution with the help of the actions taken by certain characters. Space opera stories tend to be driven by stories with major threats such as galactic wars, ancient threats or some type of battle. Something big is going on and the characters are wrapped up in the problems, whether they want to be involved or not.
The sense of wonder, that will come along as the story unravels, whether it's done in 2,000 words or 200,000. Between the world and the characters, I'm sure you'll find something fantastical to write. If you have never tried the space opera type of story, I suggest giving it a go. I know that I'm going to try to write something. I'm thinking middle grade level space pirates. Though that means thinking of more names for characters and planets... Still, should be fun. What will you write?
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Have you ever tried to write a space opera? What was the conflict in the story?
Last month, I wrote a ramble about the concept of magic. It is sort of another sense of wonder element because magic could be found in a science fiction type story like that found in a space opera tale, or it could be within the typical fantasy element. Here is a comment sent that mentions how they are using magic for a story:
Comment by Quick-Quill  :
I am working on an old MS with magic in it. Lots of conflict and redemption.
Another comment sent to the fantasy newsletter team also felt relevant.
This comment was sent by Maddie Stone <2026 Edition>  :d
I am a practical, literal person. If you asked my husband or children, they would immediately chuckle and agree. So, it is both ironic and meant to be, in my opinion, that my favorite and chosen genre to read and write is fantasy.
One of my favorite lines from a movie as a child was in The Neverending Story. When the girl is calling out, 'Say my name!' and the little boy cries out, 'I have to keep my feet on the GROUND!' That was me as a child. Feet on the ground, heart and mind in the clouds.
Yet, I could not - as hard as I tried - have an imaginary friend. It always felt like lying.
For our kids, we went through the motions for the Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa. We also instilled the 'reason for the season', as well. When they were young, I was faced with another mom who told me flat out they do not do the fake Santa thing and to know that her kids would tell my kids. She did not believe in lying to her children and that it was dangerous.
I wasn't worried about our kids hearing it from her kids. They were and are well-rounded and even at a young age, respected the opinions of others. It did lead me to discussing the subject with my husband. Was it ok for us to perpetuate the idea of Santa, etc?
We both came to the conclusion that yes, it was ok. Not all kids get the chance to believe in magic. Many have destructive home lives or may be going through health problems, some even threatening their own lives. As we grow up, the magic of childhood tends to fade and it takes more work to see it - at least for most, it seems.
Though it was distressing for our kids when we did finally reveal that we were Santa, they did agree that the years spent with that magical presence were special and they wouldn't change it.
I do truly believe that there are more things in our lives than can be explained. Maybe we don't have the knowledge yet or maybe it is something we are never meant to understand and is... magic.
What makes something magical? I think it can be something unexpected that perhaps you needed or wished for and couldn't achieve it on your own. The stuff that can't readily be explained. Also, the wonder of how/why something is like it is.
Are there times when it's okay to just believe in the magic? Absolutely. While I support finding out why and how, it is also healthy to just cherish the moments that feel like magic. To add that special something to our lives and others lives.
Thank you for a wonderful newsletter!
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Fantasy: January 21, 2026 Issue [#13560]
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