Map of the Land of Oz, the fictional realm that is the setting for L. Frank Baum's Oz series
A fictional universe may be an alternative version of the real world, differing only in the particulars of the story. All fiction, in this sense, is set in a fictional universe, since at least some of its characters, events, and places are not real; the term "fictional universe", however, is usually not applied to worlds that do not contain speculative elements.
When the setting of a fictional universe is not presented as our own world but as its own distinct world, it is often instead called a fictional world or "fantasy world".[4] In science fiction such a fictional world may be a remote alien planet or galaxy with little apparent relationship to the real world (as in Star Wars); in fantasy it may be a greatly fictionalized or invented version of earth's distant past or future (as in The Lord of the Rings).[2] When such a world is meant to have no connection to our own world (in effect, our world does not exist in that world's reality) or is presented as a reality that can only be accessed from our own by a portal, it is sometimes called a secondary world; such settings are common in high fantasy (as in The Chronicles of Narnia, Earthsea, and Discworld). A fictional world that is meant to exist inside the real world (as in the Land of Oz or the Neverland) may be termed a fictional realm.
When a franchise of related works has two or more alternative fictional universes that are each internally consistent but which are not fully consistent with one another (as by having distinct plotlines and characters, for example between a comic and its film adaptation), each such alternative universe may be referred to as a (fictional) continuity.
A famous example of a detailed fictional universe is Arda (more popularly known as Middle-earth), of J. R. R. Tolkien's books The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. He created first its languages and then the world itself, which he states was "primarily linguistic in inspiration and was begun in order to provide the necessary 'history' for the Elvish tongues."[5]
A modern example of a fictional universe is that of the Avatar film series, as James Cameron invented an entire ecosystem, with a team of scientists to test whether it was viable. Additionally, he commissioned a linguistics expert to invent the Na'vi language.[6][7]
Virtually every successful fictional TV series or comic book develops its own "universe" to keep track of the various episodes or issues. Writers for that series must follow its story bible.[8]
Fictional continuityEdit
In a 1970 article in CAPA-alpha, comics historian Don Markstein provided a definition of fictional universe meant to clarify the concept of fictional continuities.[9] According to the criteria he imagined:
If characters A and B have met, then they are in the same universe; if characters B and C have met, then, transitively, A and C are in the same universe.
Characters cannot be connected by real people—otherwise, it could be argued that Superman and the Fantastic Four were in the same universe, as Superman met John F. Kennedy, Kennedy met Neil Armstrong, and Armstrong met the Fantastic Four.
Characters cannot be connected by characters "that do not originate with the publisher"—otherwise it could be argued that Superman and the Fantastic Four were in the same universe, as both met Hercules.
Specific fictionalized versions of real people—for instance, the version of Jerry Lewis from DC Comics' The Adventures of Jerry Lewis, who was distinct from the real Jerry Lewis in that he had a housekeeper with magical powers—can be used as connections; this also applies to specific versions of public-domain fictional characters, such as Marvel Comics' version of Hercules or DC Comics' version of Robin Hood.
Characters are only considered to have met if they appeared together in a story; therefore, characters who simply appeared on the same front cover are not necessarily in the same universe.
Fictional universes are sometimes shared by multiple prose authors, with each author's works in that universe being granted approximately equal canonical status. For example, Larry Niven's fictional universe Known Space has an approximately 135-year period in which Niven allows other authors to write stories about the Man-Kzin Wars. Other fictional universes, like the Ring of Fire series, actively court canonical stimulus from fans, but gate and control the changes through a formalized process and the final say of the editor and universe creator.[10]
^Also called an "imagined universe" or a "constructed universe".
^ abSchult, Stefanie; Tolkien, J. R. R.; Pratchett, Terry; Williams, Tad (2017). Subcreation: fictional-world construction from J.R.R. Tolkien to Terry Pratchett and Tad Williams. Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität Greifswald. Berlin: Logos Verlag Berlin GmbH. ISBN978-3-8325-4419-5.
^Pavel, Thomas G. (1986). Fictional Worlds. Harvard University Press. ISBN9780674299665.
^ForgeFiction (2021-12-21). "8 Do-s and Don't-s of Building a Fictional Universe". Medium. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
^"The Science of Language (Na'vi, That Is)". News and Events. 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
^"Paul Frommer On Creating the Na'vi Language for Avatar". www.campfirewriting.com. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
^Espenson, Jane (April 2008). "How to Give Maris Hives, Alphabetized". JaneEspenson.com. from the original on 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2009-08-01. This is a blog entry on the subject by a professional scriptwriter.
^"THE MERCHANT OF VENICE meets THE SHIEK OF ARABI", by Don Markstein (as "Om Markstein Sklom Stu"), in CAPA-alpha #71 (September 1970); archived at Toonopedia
Diana Wynne Jones: The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, New York : Firebird, 2006. ISBN0-14-240722-4, Explains and parodies the common features of a standard fantasy world
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In universe and Imaginary world redirect here For fictional dream worlds see Dream world plot device This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations June 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article s tone or style may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia See Wikipedia s guide to writing better articles for suggestions August 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message This article possibly contains original research Please improve it by verifying the claims made and adding inline citations Statements consisting only of original research should be removed August 2015 Learn how and when to remove this template message Learn how and when to remove this template message A fictional universe 1 is the internally consistent fictional setting used in a narrative work or work of art most commonly associated with works of fantasy and science fiction Fictional universes appear in novels comics films television shows video games art and other creative works 2 3 Map of the Land of Oz the fictional realm that is the setting for L Frank Baum s Oz seriesA fictional universe may be an alternative version of the real world differing only in the particulars of the story All fiction in this sense is set in a fictional universe since at least some of its characters events and places are not real the term fictional universe however is usually not applied to worlds that do not contain speculative elements When the setting of a fictional universe is not presented as our own world but as its own distinct world it is often instead called a fictional world or fantasy world 4 In science fiction such a fictional world may be a remote alien planet or galaxy with little apparent relationship to the real world as in Star Wars in fantasy it may be a greatly fictionalized or invented version of earth s distant past or future as in The Lord of the Rings 2 When such a world is meant to have no connection to our own world in effect our world does not exist in that world s reality or is presented as a reality that can only be accessed from our own by a portal it is sometimes called a secondary world such settings are common in high fantasy as in The Chronicles of Narnia Earthsea and Discworld A fictional world that is meant to exist inside the real world as in the Land of Oz or the Neverland may be termed a fictional realm When a franchise of related works has two or more alternative fictional universes that are each internally consistent but which are not fully consistent with one another as by having distinct plotlines and characters for example between a comic and its film adaptation each such alternative universe may be referred to as a fictional continuity Contents 1 Universe vs setting 2 Fictional continuity 3 Collaboration 4 See also 5 ReferencesUniverse vs setting EditA famous example of a detailed fictional universe is Arda more popularly known as Middle earth of J R R Tolkien s books The Lord of the Rings The Hobbit and The Silmarillion He created first its languages and then the world itself which he states was primarily linguistic in inspiration and was begun in order to provide the necessary history for the Elvish tongues 5 A modern example of a fictional universe is that of the Avatar film series as James Cameron invented an entire ecosystem with a team of scientists to test whether it was viable Additionally he commissioned a linguistics expert to invent the Na vi language 6 7 Virtually every successful fictional TV series or comic book develops its own universe to keep track of the various episodes or issues Writers for that series must follow its story bible 8 Fictional continuity EditIn a 1970 article in CAPA alpha comics historian Don Markstein provided a definition of fictional universe meant to clarify the concept of fictional continuities 9 According to the criteria he imagined If characters A and B have met then they are in the same universe if characters B and C have met then transitively A and C are in the same universe Characters cannot be connected by real people otherwise it could be argued that Superman and the Fantastic Four were in the same universe as Superman met John F Kennedy Kennedy met Neil Armstrong and Armstrong met the Fantastic Four Characters cannot be connected by characters that do not originate with the publisher otherwise it could be argued that Superman and the Fantastic Four were in the same universe as both met Hercules Specific fictionalized versions of real people for instance the version of Jerry Lewis from DC Comics The Adventures of Jerry Lewis who was distinct from the real Jerry Lewis in that he had a housekeeper with magical powers can be used as connections this also applies to specific versions of public domain fictional characters such as Marvel Comics version of Hercules or DC Comics version of Robin Hood Characters are only considered to have met if they appeared together in a story therefore characters who simply appeared on the same front cover are not necessarily in the same universe Collaboration EditSee also Shared universe Fictional universes are sometimes shared by multiple prose authors with each author s works in that universe being granted approximately equal canonical status For example Larry Niven s fictional universe Known Space has an approximately 135 year period in which Niven allows other authors to write stories about the Man Kzin Wars Other fictional universes like the Ring of Fire series actively court canonical stimulus from fans but gate and control the changes through a formalized process and the final say of the editor and universe creator 10 See also EditAlternate history Alternate universe Constructed world Continuity Diegesis Expanded universe Shared universe Fantasy world Fictional country Fictional location Future history Index of fictional places List of fantasy worlds Mythical place Paracosm Parallel universe Planets in science fiction Setting Simulated reality Virtual reality MultiverseReferences Edit Also called an imagined universe or a constructed universe a b Schult Stefanie Tolkien J R R Pratchett Terry Williams Tad 2017 Subcreation fictional world construction from J R R Tolkien to Terry Pratchett and Tad Williams Ernst Moritz Arndt Universitat Greifswald Berlin Logos Verlag Berlin GmbH ISBN 978 3 8325 4419 5 Pavel Thomas G 1986 Fictional Worlds Harvard University Press ISBN 9780674299665 ForgeFiction 2021 12 21 8 Do s and Don t s of Building a Fictional Universe Medium Retrieved 2023 07 16 Tolkien J R R Foreword The Fellowship of the Ring The Science of Language Na vi That Is News and Events 2010 04 26 Retrieved 2023 07 16 Paul Frommer On Creating the Na vi Language for Avatar www campfirewriting com Retrieved 2023 07 16 Espenson Jane April 2008 How to Give Maris Hives Alphabetized JaneEspenson com Archived from the original on 2017 02 23 Retrieved 2009 08 01 This is a blog entry on the subject by a professional scriptwriter THE MERCHANT OF VENICE meets THE SHIEK OF ARABI by Don Markstein as Om Markstein Sklom Stu in CAPA alpha 71 September 1970 archived at Toonopedia Flint Eric and various others 26 December 2006 Grantville Gazette III Thomas Kidd cover art Baen Books pp 311 313 ISBN 978 1 4165 0941 7 The print published and e published Grantville Gazettes all contain a post book afterword detailing where and how to submit a manuscript to the fictional canon oversight process for the 1632 series Alberto Manguel and Gianni Guadalupi The Dictionary of Imaginary Places New York Harcourt Brace c2000 ISBN 0 15 100541 9 Brian Stableford The Dictionary of Science Fiction Places New York Wonderland Press c1999 ISBN 0 684 84958 5 Diana Wynne Jones The Tough Guide to Fantasyland New York Firebird 2006 ISBN 0 14 240722 4 Explains and parodies the common features of a standard fantasy world George Ochoa and Jeffery Osier Writer s Guide to Creating A Science Fiction Universe Cincinnati Ohio Writer s Digest Books 1993 ISBN 0 89879 536 2 Michael Page and Robert Ingpen Encyclopedia of Things That Never Were Creatures Places and People 1987 ISBN 0 14 010008 3 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fictional universe amp oldid 1174963102, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
