We all start somewhere with writing. Maybe we start writing
in our favorite genre. Maybe an idea hits us and we start there. Maybe we start
with technical writing.
I began writing as a teenager. I probably wrote a hundred
short stories during my high school years. They were a mixture of fiction -
romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror… In my twenties I completed a
novelette involving an alternate world. Even had someone critique it.
Jump ahead ten years and a wisp of a dream that would
inspire my YA series. I poured myself into those books and they came so easy. I
never envisioned YA though. Sad that New Adult wasn’t around then, because that’s
where they should be placed. I’m still proud of that series, especially the
final one.
I also wrote a non-fiction self-help book. It tied in with
my motivational speaking and only took me three months to write.
Now I am in the middle of edits for my next book, another
non-fiction title. I took a little longer to write, but I had so much more
going on than during the first one.
As I revise and continue researching to get all the details
right, I realize something. This is very comfortable. Although the amount of
work and research to put this book together seemed overwhelming, I’m enjoying
it. It suits my personality - I’m extremely organized and a detail person. With
non-fiction, I think I am finally writing in my proper genre.
Do you ever stop to consider why you write your current
genre? If you’ve been frustrated by revisions or rejections, do you stop and
wonder if this is really what you were meant to write? Is there a possibility
you are good with this genre, but with a different one, you’d be excellent? Are you really writing to your strengths?
22 comments:
I think you're a great match for non-fiction--thoughtful, organized, detail-oriented.
I tried a couple of other genres first and I couldn't seem to jump into the books the way I can with mysteries.
Hmmmm...I'm currently revising a mainstream novel. I have a mystery that needs work and I have a memoirish thing on the back-burner. I'd like to write a non-fiction based on my years of work as a psychotherapist, called 'The Myth of the Soul Mate and Other Ways we Rationalize our Bad Behaviour' but so far, only have the title! I'm not sure which I find the most comfortable to write BUT I know that I want to be a writer of literary fiction. The least likely to support me financially but there you have it. Maybe that wish should be a chapter in my Myth's manuscript! Thanks for the provocative post.
Doesn't surprise me at all that nonfiction is the genre that you feel most comfortable in, because your blog posts are so informative and helpful, with just the right amount of information, key elements in good non fiction writing.
It makes me wonder-- I wonder if the books we fly through when writing are where we really need to be?
Right now, I think I'm writing to the only strength I know.
I've written four different books- all of them YA but all of them a different genre YA. The problem is I don't think I have one specific 'genre'. I'm a mood reader and a mood writer. I write the book I feel like living/reading/experiencing- whether it's a suspensful thriller/horror or a paranormal history or contemporary chicklit:)
Thank you, Elizabeth.
Jan, you never know about that non-fiction book though.
Thank you, Karen. Considering the length of my fiction books, I did fly through them when writing, but I don't think they are my strength.
Creepy Query Girl, I think that diversity is your strength.
I do wonder where I should be placing my time and efforts. Being also detailed and systematic, I wonder if I would be stronger with personal essay and creative non-fiction than fiction, yet I have not been studying those genres. And then there is photography! From your posts, and with your sense of humour, I can see how non-fiction is one of your many strengths!
Non-fiction...I'm so glad you've found something that is a comfortable fit.
I wonder whether my genre is correct all the time. Also I hate the idea of being pigeonholed into only one genre. Sigh, so many ideas so little time.
I think about this a lot. I'm only starting out so I'm lucky in that there are no expectations on me. My first was future-fiction, my second YA. The current one is a women's contemporary. I dread the day I have to decide :-)
I did a lot of nonfiction writing - and I loved it but I enjoy the fiction more. I like the element of "getting away" when I write or read.
I've only written one book (which isn't even really done), and it isn't in my favorite genre to read, but it was the story that came to me, or through me, so it was the one I wrote.
Sounds like you're doing well, Diane. That's great!
Great question, Diane. I was thinking along these lines the other day, and I really need to sit down and go over some of my goals. Been kind of restless and feeling non productive even though I've been busy. Treading water, I think. :) Thanks for the shove in the right direction!
The first poem I wrote was when we had our dog put to sleep.......I had never written a poem before.Eight years passed then our first grandchild was born so out came the pen again. Then fate interveened, 10 days after Josh was born my mother passed away and then my husband 2 months later, my poems was therapy for me and have been for the past 13 years.
Yvonne.
Sounds like you've found your perfect niche! I've been spending the last year or so trying to decide just that. I think I'm in the right place now, but only time will tell. :)
I've actually considered this question. I love reading mysteries and thrillers but I've never tried to write in that genre.
My first love for reading has always been fantasy and that's what I write. But I often consider giving mysteries a try.
I think you make a good point - when you're in the right place, it feels right. Which is not to say it's easy, just right. It's very cool that you've found the place you're most happy. :)
Thanks for letting me now about that bad link at my blog today! I fixed it up and would've never known if you hadn't told me.
I started writing when I was a kid...like, probably 4 or 5. First year high school, I wrote a short story that I saw more as a novel (so did the English teacher I was writing it for). Then later in high school I began my first (and only) high fantasy novel - it's still not finished. LOL. But since then I've written at least 7 novels. I haven't done a count in a while, need to go back & do so.
I write what I like to read. I figure if I don't enjoy reading a certain genre, I'm not going to be very good at writing it.
Thanks for this! I definitely feel schizophrenic at times. I'm slowly releasing some of the corporate writing (which I've been doing for years), just finished my first non-fiction book and am slowly getting up the courage to put some time into writing my first novel.
Anne :)
I've struggled with this more and more lately. Writing mysteries comes more naturally to me, but I always find myself drawn towards more thriller, horror, Stephen King - Dean Koontz material. For right now I'm sticking with the mysteries...but who knows. :)
Diane, this blog really hit home with me. I've written 13 books to date and I'm now working on my 14th. I've enjoyed writing each one, but during my 13th, I realized something had "clicked" and I was writing effortlessly. I think it had a lot to do with a specific character's personality and the additional layer of romance, which I hadn't used to such an extent in previous books. It definitely made a big difference in the writing.
Sarah, maybe you won't have to.
Matthew, that's what happened with my YA series - it was just the story that hit.
DL, sounds like you have many options.
Hi Trish! I think that's what has hit me with the non-fiction. It's easier. (That and it sells better.)
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