I have been spending some time soaking in many groups of writers on various FACEBOOK pages as well as Bloggers. I have noticed that most people are very true to writing what they read. For example, if they are writers of Fantasy which seems to be the biggest draw of genres today, the only read Fantasy. This makes sense. I guess I never thought of having a favorite Genre or one that speaks to me the most as much I have had genres that I really had a hard time enjoying. As I read more and talk more to authors that are rightfully married to their genre, it makes sense that these people are perfecting a craft. They are immersing themselves into their craft by ways of reading what is out there. They read the world their minds live in. They enjoy the "competition" as it were. They create a bond within the subculture of writers and fans of the genre. This I now understand.
As a new writer, I am feeling confined to a genre. Almost as if I commit to a genre, I will never be able to escape the hold it has on me. I will be stuck...because that is now my genre. I want more freedom. I want to test the waters and span the genres. Sure, I will have a forte in a sense. But I want to drink from many genre ponds and not pre-choose one that I might find does not fit. I need a patient dressing room to try things on...maybe wear it for a while...and then make some decisions.
So...Last night, I asked a group, a very cool group of writers, where all of the Realism writers and readers are. I guess they ARE out there. I need to better understand the genre-specific worlds and choose to learn them better while trying them on. As a new writer, I now see the value of reading as much as possible. This is the test drive for writers. I like this idea. Who knew I could still be awaken to new worlds. It is fun to grow and feel new to the world.
Hi, Mark :) I'm not sure to what extent genre matters to the reading public. I believe that a lot of books are purchased as "spur-of-the-moment" choices by readers who are attracted by an outstanding cover and a captivating title. Then there are "devoted followers" of this or that author. Finally, there are readers who choose to read only a specific genre. There probably are statistics to bear out how correct (or not) my categories are and in what order they should be.
ReplyDeleteFrom a writer's point of view -- and I, like yourself, am not long into the writing scene -- I believe we discredit ourselves if we don't at least try on any genre that appeals to us. My first genre (still a WIP) is a mystery/suspense novel. My second, written for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) last year and in the editing phase, is in the women's fiction category sometimes referred to as "chick lit." Because I also write poetry and non-fiction, I feel at liberty to shift from one WIP to another when what I'm working on is giving me a problem and needs some "time-out" on the shelf.
Who knows? I may end up sticking with one or the other, but for now I'm content being a genre-shifter :)
Love the look of your blog, btw, and especially your "growing literacy with new seeds." Nice job ... and much success with your writing!
Candice
Candice, please consider joining my blog.
DeleteCandice, fist of all...thanks for being the FIRST to comment on my Blog! You win something I think. I appreciate your words and where you are on your journey. I will be posting every step of my journey. As it seems that are journeys are similar, please respond often. I would love to know when your WIP gets off of the shelf. Mine are yelling at me to take them off of the shelf. I am starting to listen more and have more compassion for them. Peace. Mark
ReplyDelete