It’s the third day of the month and you know what that means. It’s IWSG day again! And on this illustrious day us writers share our woes and triumphs. As well as encourage our fellow writers on our writing endeavors. As always, thank you Alex Cavanaugh for creating this writing community haven!
To find out more about the group and/or maybe even sign-up, click on the badge above. And don’t forget to check out the co-hosts for September: C. Lee McKenzie,Rachel Pattison, Elizabeth Seckman, Stephanie Faris, Lori L MacLaughlin, and Elsie Amata!
Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG.
So, what’s going on with me in this month? Well, something’s been on my mind since August and the Wattys. And it’s about genre, specifically what is the right genre to write in.
Now, I’m not talking about the best, popular or money making genre for writers. My question is how do you know you’re writing in the right genre for you?
Is it based on the genres you like to read? If so, as an eclectic and voracious reader, the number of genres I can write in are limitless. I have a folder where I’ve saved all my story ideas. Portal fantasy, contemporary/supernatural fantasy and epic fantasy. Romantic suspense and contemporary/kimani romance. Thriller, paranormal/psychic detective mystery, poetry, etc.
Some of these will probably stay as ideas but there are a few I still add notes to. And am anticipating to working on one day. I’ve been told by others that they prefer my poetry and should stick with that instead. But no can do. There’s no way I can leave my stories to rot. But if that’s the case, I’ll just continue to hone my craft so that they’ll have the same esteem as my poems.
Now getting back to my question. How do you know you’re writing in the right genre for you? While writing my serial Dreaming of You for the Wattys, I came to realize something. I had an easier time writing romance than my other works in progress. Which is funny really. Because I was sure I’d have a hard time since it was my first romance. And then the slight embarrassment in writing my first adult scene (got over that real quick).
Don’t get me wrong, writing romance has been anything but easy. She has issues, he has issues. They have external and internal issues. They have issues with each other. Hell, with so much issues how can they possibly find the time to fall in love. And how to write it so convincingly? To the romance authors out there, I salute you.
Plus as it is a modern romance, it has a different adventure/action aspect I’m not used to. No flight or fight scenes with swords. No gods, magic and fantastic creatures and places found in fantasy central to the story line. Or to move it forward.
So, although it’s been some slow writing, how is it that I’ve had an easier time writing in this genre. Is it because that writing romance allows a deeper intimacy compared to other genres? That the emotions, actions and reactions, and traumas of its characters are more relatable?
Could it be because I was writing (tried my best to) in deep point of view and stream of consciousness? Hhhhmmmm…
How did you know what genre was right for you? Or do you just write what you want to write, genre schmgenre?
PS September 25- October 1 is Banned Books Week! How do you plan to celebrate? Last year I read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and the Hunger Games Trilogy. I also did a blog post and countered the reasons the Hunger Games was banned/challenged:
Six Reasons Why You Should Read The Hunger Games- A Banned Book Review.
Don’t know what Banned Books Weeks is about or how to celebrate? Then come read their purpose for this annual event. And find ideas and resources to planning a Banned Books Event in your community.
September 7 Question: How do you find the time to write in your busy day?
Don’t even get me started. There are times when I’m surprised to find the time to write. I pretty much sneak it in whenever I can. I’d write on my phone (have the Google Drive app). During lunch break, while I’m doing laundry and after the kids go to bed. And when I don’t have the time I’m usually writing inside my head anyways.
Paving My Author's Road 
Great question. For me, I love reading too. So it’s about idea first then exploring the character and figuring out who could best tell the story and how old they are. 🙂
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So its the characters and who they are that dictates the story and the genre. Guess it’s the same with me too. Its what they go through in the story that shapes the kind of genre it’ll soon be categorized into.
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For me, I’ve always known I wanted to write science fiction. When I was a kid, I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to write anything else. But of course even within a genre there are subgenera, and I eventually found that I enjoy writing more than just space opera. I guess the key is to be willing to experiment, and to be willing to admit when something you didn’t think would work is actually working.
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Ah, the beauty from knowing right away. Kind of like love at first sight. Even so, like you said it still takes work and commitment to find out what’s best for you.
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I write fantasy adventure because it’s what I love the most. That genre has always spoken to me and filled my head with ideas. I do read other genres, but I invariably come back to fantasy. As they say, write what you love.
Good luck with your new romance story and all your other ideas! I hope they all get to see the light of day!
IWSG Co-host at http://lorilmaclaughlin.com
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Yes, write what you love. Best thing is, there’s many types of love to experience too. Thanks Lori.
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That’s so true!
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I used to write science fiction / fantasy and still do in shorts, but I really, really love writing mysteries. Since I had to pick a genre to make my bones, I chose mysteries. Now all I can do is follow my nose. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
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So you just picked huh? Don’t think I’m there yet to choose, so only thing to do is keep writing. And maybe make my choice later.
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I think that some writers just feel a certain genre and others don’t. I haven’t quite figured out where my writing fits. Besides poetry, I’ve written contemporary, fantasy, magical realism, and others I can’t remember now. I think it’s good to experiment with different genres to find what feels best. Many writers write in various genres over a lifetime, although the most successful ones stick mostly to one.
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Yes, true, true. I lean more into fantasy writing and like writing poetry. But I also find myself liking writing romance too. And with experimentation I’d discover the genre right for me. Be it one specific one or more than one.
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I guess the genre in which you find yourself most motivated to write in and write the most of is the ideal genre for you. I think it is important to sometimes choose a more popular one – especially when it comes to trying to break out your debut novel and wanting to be successful. But after that, I strongly believe to just write what you like to write and what genre suits you most!
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So write in the genre popular in publishing yet still ideal for you first. Then write in whatever interests you for the following books. Interesting.
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I remember being told to write what you’d want to read so I started there. So I wrote a self-help book about what I went through a few years ago (Relational Trauma) to help others avoid making the same mistakes I did. I’m also working on a fictional book that I’d want to read. I figure if I’d want to read it, I’ll have more passion as I write it.
Elsie
co-host IWSG
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Very true. Toni Morrison said the same thing, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”
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I knew YA Fantasy was right for me (after playing around with other things) because for the first time, my writing started to sound like proper writing, and the more I worked at it, the better it got and the more enthused I became. I feel like finding the right genre started to bring out the voice in my work. Still a long way to go of course, but I know it’s the right foundation.
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It’s great how shopping around, so to speak, eventually led you to the genre that was right for you. Happy writing!
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Probably based on what I love reading the most. It’s funny though, I wrote a middle-grade adventure with some fantasy elements, but I don’t really enjoy reading thorough fantasies.
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It’s funny how that sometimes happen. But yeah, I can see how our reading preferences will guide the type of genres writers write.
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For me I feel like the genre I write in was just the only option. It’s my favorite genre to read and it gives me the most freedom. Fantasy allows me to focus on plot and characters without having to do a ton of research to make sure people and places are accurate(historical fiction or any genre that takes place in our world).
The hardest part was the age group to target. I love YA and I do think that’s my “style” but I really enjoy older characters and was excited to hear about NA(though usually it means romance).
I’m not sure I could ever write even a romantic sub-plot. My writing group likes to tease me about my err, romance issues. I’m very picky about the romance I read and writing it is something that’d be interesting to tackle. I’d have to write something that wouldn’t make me roll my eyes at my own romance.
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Yeah, that’s the good thing about fantasy. You can just make things up. The book’s facts doesn’t have to be based on actual facts. Although, I’ve done research on mythology, kingdoms, governments, paganism, parallel universes, etc for my fantasies.
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I’m interested in a lot of genres myself (and I LOVE your graphic for that). I’m sticking with superhero right now, because I’ve gotten a little traction and figure I might as well ride that cape as long as I can. But, yes, I also have a middle grades fantasy, a historical women’s fiction trilogy, and a women’s issues fiction literary novel on my backburners and hope to see them all published someday. We’ll see what life bring, I suppose.
@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
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Thanks Samantha. Me too though I’ve yet to get into the superhero genre. Here’s to us both getting our backburner multi-genre stories published one day!😄
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I write in multiple genres. It used to freak me out but I’ve learned that no matter the genre, there’s a common thread that unites my books, whether it be the humor or the southerness of it. so I say don’t worry about it. Focus on the book you think you can write the best and don’t look back.
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Great advice Quanie. Just focus on the book and write your best writing. Thanks. 😀
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Same here I also think lots of about in stories and writing or make completely story and write or narrate also in my head but didn’t write any other place that I know I should do May be I will slowly slowly. But I save my all the ideas and thoughts in rough way on my phone. So I like your perspective and the way you think.
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