Social Commentary Opportunity

It's almost the Fourth of July, and that means it's time to write about a dystopian future or alternative timeline in which fireworks are banned. Could you imagine such a thing?

The Dire Warning of Highguard

The newest sensation seems not to be doing so hot. Since it has elements of both science fiction and fantasy, we'd better all switch over to alt history or romantic comedy for the next fifteen years or so. Keep your detailed settings under the pillow and await the changed wind.

More Ideas for Alt History Divergence Points

Justinian is discovered to be a demon who came to depopulate the Earth and defeated.
The French offer the Normans land on the Mediterranean instead of Normandy to separate them from reinforcements.
Hawaii? Sinks.
Scotland's dumb colony flourishes, allowing Scotland to purchase England.
Tron is released; is a good movie.
Japan? Sinks.
Moon landing is never attempted; U.S. uses that money to purchase England.
Aquitaine conquers Italy.
Korea is unified when its three major kingdoms agree to elevate one above the others based on whose prayers are answered first.
Australia? Sinks.
Mansa Musa travels northwest and purchases England.
Rome? Sinks. The Alba Longa empire is remembered to this day.

Addendum

As for alternate history, I'm not sure that actually exists in our timeline, probably because the Battle of Stamford Bridge turned out the way it did. I don't need to tell you the outcome, same-timeline buddies. Obviously someone whose name begins with "Har" won.

How to Integrate Mechs Into Your Setting

Do it on page one.

Illustrating the Different Branches of Speculative Fiction

In science fiction, the AI supercar is smarter than its driver.
In fantasy, the intelligent demon sword is more powerful than its wielder.
In alt history, the Nazis won World War 2.

Don't Be Afraid of Good Ideas

Coming up with a damage formula may be a litRPG kind of thing, but that doesn't mean it won't do wonders for your space opera, alt history where the Nazis won, or cookbook. It's just a little writing aid. Plan out your battle sequences and ingredient proportions.

Trend Mend

Done: A language people understand without having learned it.
Fun: Atmospheric reentry.

Addendum

For even more realism, carry it over to the sequel.

How to Increase the Realism of Your Story

An eight-page sequence of somebody trying to get a pebble out of his shoe. He isn't sure it's a pebble exactly, but it's annoying, whatever it is.

Genre Conference

All right, speculative fiction was a bust, but we all know fantasy, science fiction, and alternative history are the same thing. What do we call it?

fakies
falsedy
simuldy
imago
imaginique
mindplay
fantasy

An Alternate Earth

What if the land were sea and the sea land? Not enough water, for one thing. The Panama Bridge would still be pretty good.

Addendum

Actually those all lead to mechs. Pranked!

Turning Points in History to Consider for Alt History

Stamford Bridge
Jugurthine War
Ferdinand and Isabella (make both women)
Alexander the Great (dies earlier)
Alexander the Great (dies later)
Alexander the Great (still alive)
Isaac Newton (discovers anti-gravity; leads to mechs)
Christopher Marlowe (wins bar fight, becomes emperor)
Pyramids (much bigger; aliens show up)

Addender

Submarines are an area of divergence between fantasy and science fiction. Submarine fantasy is fresh, exciting, and full of possibilities. Submarine scifi is full of boring technical details and horrible underwater creatures that the author alone thinks are wondrous elements of nature's beauty. As for submarine alt history, U-boats perform very well in it.

Addendum

World War III? Ha ha, what a joker you've always been.

The Qualifications for Alternative History

The Nazis won or will win World War II, although it can be World War I or IV if you want.

Physique Reminder

Unless you have a good reason to against this, your story's villain should be absolutely shredded, just an unbelievable specimen of musculature. This is true in all speculative fiction genres including alternative history.