Do You Experiment?
On Monday past, our friend E. Ann Bardawill http://somethingfell.blogspot.com gave us, as writers, a substantive homework assignment. Please refer to her post titled "Lentils and Flattery". The essay exam is Monday.
In preparation of my own response to Ms. Bardawill's assignment, one fundamental question continues to creep to the front of my mind. That question is: What genre?
Recent posts by other of our fellow writers, Jason Evans http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com and M.G. Tarquini http://mgtarquini.blogspot.com for example, have demonstrated their willingness, and ability, to write good work outside the sphere of their preferred genre. Their deviations cause me to wonder how many others of you do the same. And if you do, how radical is your departure (i.e. you write romance for publication----you play with horror).
Me? I already told you. I haven't figured out my primary genre yet. I just love to tell stories about people.
In preparation of my own response to Ms. Bardawill's assignment, one fundamental question continues to creep to the front of my mind. That question is: What genre?
Recent posts by other of our fellow writers, Jason Evans http://clarityofnight.blogspot.com and M.G. Tarquini http://mgtarquini.blogspot.com for example, have demonstrated their willingness, and ability, to write good work outside the sphere of their preferred genre. Their deviations cause me to wonder how many others of you do the same. And if you do, how radical is your departure (i.e. you write romance for publication----you play with horror).
Me? I already told you. I haven't figured out my primary genre yet. I just love to tell stories about people.
posted by Erik Ivan James | 7:55 AM
12 Comments:
Doesn't that make you "commercial", Erik, and therefore supra-genre?
Mine have been in the non-fiction category - quite 180 degrees.
Have you read On Writing? Int hat book there's a writing exercise where you use one of King's prompts and write a short story. As excpected the prompt had a thriller/horror slant to it. I had so much fun writing that. I write romance so this was a big departure.
I like to try a lot of different types of writing cause I figure you never know when something will click.
Bernita: Yes, I believe you to be correct. My writing is structured for the masses. Thanks.
Jaye: I started On Writing Monday evening. I'm about half through it. I know the example you mentioned.
Jason: You're welcome. I can't imagine you have turned anyone off by your experiment. It is good writing. I personally, am drawn more by your diversity.
Ann's assignment is a question not to be taken lightly, in my opinion. I have thought a lot about it and am not sure if I am yet sophisticated enough to give her a meaningful answer.
I have been toying with writing a sci-fi story just to explore a few ideas I have regarding the future.
I think it's good to stretch boundries, limits, and test the craft in other genres. I plan on doing more, maybe a western or romance...
Since I have no earthly idea what genre I write, I can't do anything but write stories that come to me.
I'm beginning to think I'm non-pigeonhole-able. That makes me a hard sell. So, what's new? My whole LIFE'S been a hard sell.
I experiment every time I start a story!
Erik,
Look at your bookshelf. What genre outnumbers the rest?
Tanya
Erik, if you're just writing stories about people, then you're Commercial Fiction. I think that's where everything that isn't genre going. Anyway, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
I think I'm commercial fiction, but don't hold me to it!
R.J.: You're not a western kinda guy. Write a good romance, you're in the mood.
Forrest: From what I've seen on your blog, your life's circumstances would make one hell of a good story in fiction form.
Tanya: My bookshelves have a lot of 'everything' on them. I don't believe any 'one' outnumbers the others, at least not significantly.
e. ann: I haven't burned my test sheet yet. I'll be there on Monday. Maybe I'll turn in a blank paper, but I'll show up.
I have to get permission from M.G. to write 'dirty' stuff.
M.G.: Right?
Dana: I enjoy whatever you have to say.
Erik - awwwww. You're so sweet!
Sounds like your genre is mainstream fiction.
Dana: Thank you, I meant it.
Faith: Thank you for stopping by. I'm honored.
Post a Comment
<< Home