1 | First published in ''Magazine/TheMagazineOfFantasyAndScienceFiction'' (October 1954 issue), this [[{{Poetry}} poem]] by Creator/IsaacAsimov is a [[SelfParody humorous take]] on his success in ScienceFiction. |
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3 | Presented in AABB rhyming structure, the poem is also a {{Homage}} to [[Creator/GilbertAndSullivan Sir William Schwenck Gilbert]]'s poetic style. It borrows heavily from "If you're anxious for to shine", written for ''{{Theatre/Patience}}''. In this work, Dr Asimov presents [[SoYouWantTo/WriteAScienceFictionStory advice on writing Science Fiction]]. The advice reflects on his success with the ''Literature/FoundationSeries'', claiming it comes mostly from [[{{Technobabble}} using nonsense scientific terms]], [[SincerestFormOfFlattery stealing ideas from other places]], and [[GuileHero clever male characters]]. |
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5 | Another poem written by Creator/IsaacAsimov with a similar theme was "Literature/HowToSucceedAtScienceFictionWithoutReallyTrying". |
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7 | This poem has been reprinted several times; ''Literature/TheBestFromFantasyAndScienceFiction: Fourth Series'' (1955), ''Literature/EarthIsRoomEnough'' (1957), ''Literature/TheFarEndsOfTimeAndEarth'' (1979), ''Literature/TheEurekaYears'' (1982), ''Literature/TheBestScienceFictionOfIsaacAsimov'' (1986), ''Literature/TheCompleteStoriesVolume1'' (1990), and ''Literature/AsimovLaughsAgain'' (1992). |
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9 | !!Examples of tropes within this work: |
10 | * AlwaysMale: (ConversationalTroping) While the poem [[MostWritersAreMale assumes the potential new author is male]], it also recommends that the author focus on a male cast, and the main protagonist should both [[GuileHero be clever]] and [[ChasteHero avoid romance]]. |
11 | * ArtisticLicensePhysics: (ConversationalTroping) Despite being known for his Hard Science Fiction, this work specifically advises potential authors to use "tesseractic fallacies in slick and mystic style", meaning it's okay to misuse scientific jargon [[PanderingToTheBase to attract fans]]. |
12 | * BooksOnTrope: Gives advice on tropes/tricks of popular ScienceFiction for potential new writers. ([[PlayedForLaughs Take it with a grain of salt.]]) |
13 | * ChasteHero: (ConversationalTroping) This poem advises that aspiring authors should avoid romantic subplots, making their [[AlwaysMale male heroes]] avoid getting entangled with distracting women. |
14 | * {{Dedication}}: Dr Asimov prefaces this poem with an apology to [[Creator/GilbertAndSullivan W. S. Gilbert]]. |
15 | * GuileHero: (ConversationalTroping) This poem advises that the main character ([[AlwaysMale male, of course]]) be thinking about politics and dirty tricks, as well as scheming with [[BatmanGambit psychohistory]]. |
16 | * {{Homage}}: This [[{{Poetry}} poem]] takes [[Creator/GilbertAndSullivan Sir William Schwenck Gilbert]]'s humorous rhyming, drawing upon "If you're anxious for to shine", a PatterSong from ''{{Theatre/Patience}}''. The poem advises aspiring ScienceFiction authors on what to imitate, based on Dr Asimov's own success. |
17 | * LyricSwap: A recurring rhyme in this [[{{Poetry}} poem]] is "And all the fans will say, as you walk your [changes] way". The second-to-last word is either spatial, thoughtful, or narrow. The rhyme that follows is also clearly related, but changes even more dramatically each time it's used. |
18 | ** "If that young man indulges in flights through all the Galaxy, Why, what a most imaginative type of man that type of man must be." |
19 | ** "If that young man involves himself in authentic history, Why, what a very learned kind of high IQ, his high IQ must be." |
20 | ** "If all his yarns restrict themselves to masculinity, Why, what a most particularly pure young man that pure young man must be." |
21 | * PanderingToTheBase: (ConversationalTroping) This poem gives various bits of advice on how to write the sort of ScienceFiction that sells well. While written in 1954, [[PlayedForLaughs the advice is still as good as it ever was]]. |
22 | * PatterSong: This song acts as an {{Homage}} to [[Creator/GilbertAndSullivan Sir William Schwenck Gilbert]]'s "If you're anxious for to shine" from ''{{Theatre/Patience}}''. The poem has a number of phrases that evoke a TongueTwister sense by including rhymes within the lines. |
23 | * SelfParody: Creator/IsaacAsimov's poem is mocking his ''Literature/FoundationSeries'' (it's even in the name). It points out his [[SincerestFormOfFlattery borrowing from Roman history]], as well as his {{Technobabble}}, such as [[SubspaceOrHyperspace hyperspace drives]] and [[FictionalFieldOfScience psychohistory]]. The advice isn't actively bad, since he obviously gained considerable success with the series, but it does emphasize some of the negative traits that not everyone enjoys, such as his [[ChasteHero avoidance of any romantic subplots]] and [[AlwaysMale male-dominated cast of characters]]. |
24 | * SincerestFormOfFlattery: |
25 | ** The [[{{Dedication}} apology at at start of the poem]] admits that Dr Asimov was imitating [[Creator/GilbertAndSullivan W. S. Gilbert]] when he was composing this poem. |
26 | ** This work subtly admits that Dr Asimov's success comes from imitating historical society (such as UsefulNotes/TheRomanEmpire). |
27 | ** This work subtly admits that Dr Asimov's success comes from imitating Creator/EdwardGibbon (for his ''Literature/TheHistoryOfTheDeclineAndFallOfTheRomanEmpire''). |
28 | ** This work subtly admits that Dr Asimov's success comes from imitating {{Creator/Thucydides}} (for his ''Literature/TheHistoryOfThePeloponnesianWar''). |
29 | * TechnoBabble: (ConversationalTroping) Dr Asimov advises the reader to use scientific jargon [[ArtisticLicensePhysics (even if it's wrong)]] in their own works, because [[PanderingToTheBase that's what the fans enjoy]]. |
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FollowingContext Literature / TheFoundationOfSFSuccess
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