So I've been a little stuck with my writing. I really want to start something new, but I don't know what. I've tried sitting and typing whatever comes to mind, but that didn't tun out too well. I've got a bunch of ideas, but I'm not sure about them. They're okay, but I don't know if anyone else would enjoy them. I was talking to a few people recently and they said to keep my audience in mind. Then it hit me. I have to have a target audience. I don't stick to a specific genre. I go almost everywhere. Is there an everywhere section in the bookstore? I want to say I'm writing for people like me, but how many people like the same things I do? When I put it that way, it sounds like a stupid question...
Anyway, a couple of ideas I've been toying with have to do with traveling to different worlds. but when I think of that, I think of the science fiction section. And I don't think it fits there. A bunch of the stuff there is kind of dark and creepy and its hard to find the actualy treasures in that section. They need to make a seperate section for fantasy, not lump it in with sci-fi.
I'm reading Outlander right now. It's got time travel in it, but that's totaly different than world traveling. I don't mind reading about time travel, but I could never write about it. There's too many holes in all of the time-traveling theories and I'd end up obsessing over those holes. You know the show Heroes? They had a 5 years in the future episode and even that confused me for a little bit. Ever heard of the Steven King book/ movie the langaliers? Its about these people who fall asleep on an airplane and somehow go through a rip into the past. Turns out the past is empty. Its happened and over and there's nothing anyone can do about it. So they're alone in time. So what happens to the past? The fuzzy black things eat it. It's gone. So now the people have to get back to reality and stop the crazy paper-ripping-guy from killing people. But that's not the point. The point is, it's easier to think that the past has happened and there's nothing you can do about it. It's not as creative, but it's less of a headache. And the future? It hasn't happened yet and we haven't made the choices yet. That's my time theory.
Anyway, if anyone reads this, let me know what you think about my fantasy genre dilema.
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3 comments:
Yes! First comment!
I would take some advice from Ray Bradbury...(Not his exact words, but the gist:)
"The best thing to do as a beginning writer is to keep churning out stories. It doesn't matter what type, doesn't matter what quality. If it's crap, keep writing. It'll get better. And eventually, you'll come out with a hit. And then another. They could be long intervals apart, but the important thing is to keep writing like a fiend."
So...if you can't pick a genre, choose both. I think the best books have a little of everything in them.
I know I've told you this already, but check out the stuff by Janny Wurts and Raymond E. Feist. They're two of the most highly-acclaimed authors in the Fantasy genre, and I think you'd connect with them as an author - your Kyri seems a lot like their Midkemia, Kelewan, and Athera. You'll see what I mean by a little of everything...Heck, even politics are mixed in.
The point is, don't try to find a niche. Create one.
Whatever you write, I want to read it. You're an awesome writer, and I enjoy your writings (when I read them and they don't sit on my computer for months, like Autumn Country is doing now...)
Just keep at it - it will probably get better once school's out, too. Once you finish Outlander, you'll see that it doesn't fit anywhere either - Romance, adventure, historical fiction plus the time travel thing. So just write what comes naturally, and don't worry about the genre. Have fun!
I say "right on" to the two posters above; write what interests you, write it well (and we both know you do), and write as much as possible.
Remember, genres (i.e. sections in the store) have to do with bookstores and the marketing of books. Don't worry too much about convention; once people start publishing your work the publisher will market it in the way they think works best (and they may or may not get it right), but they will spend the money to let people know where in the store to find it so you don't have to worry too much about that.
Once people start to get a feel for you as a writer (your style, voice, quirks, etc.), they will seek you out wherever you are. [Another good reason to have a web site or blog that people can check to stay up to date with what you are doing.]
Tracie is correct, Outlander is a great example of an Extremely Popular series that defies classification. The secret there is that Diana is a very good writer and she tells very good stories.
Can't wait to see what you come up with next.
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