A while back I wrote a blog post referencing a video by the Nostalgia Critic asking the question, is weird the new good?
https://authorwasimpsonblog.wordpress.com/2017/08/28/musing-082817-weird-is-the-new-brilliant/
The question recently came to my mind again by way of an article on the Barnes and Noble site, Science-Fiction/Fantasy Blog of 7 Impossible Fantasy Cities Worth the Visit by Sam Reader. Some of the cities described actually got me interested in the books. But one thing I noticed many books of this kind have a setting that seems to consist of a hodgepodge of different – how can I say this? Well really I can’t find the right words but usually these places are held as astounding or intriguing but when I see them, I can only think, “OK, I’m confused. What is this all about?”
Maybe it’s that logical part of me. I’ve been told I can be too logical in certain situations. I’d make Mr. Spock jealous — yes you heard right, jealous! And I’m a ginourmous Trek fan. But how does one make weird and have it make sense at the same time? I guess it takes an eyes and talent for the weird.
So does that mean fictional worlds that have some semblance of a known world or era obsolete. Do I have to now go against my logical instincts and write not only outside the box but the entire galaxy as well?
Ponder this question fellow authors.
Author WA Simpson 