tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post2405633170616904531..comments2024-03-17T06:03:00.362-04:00Comments on Fiction University: Know Before You Go: Should You Know Your Genre First?Janice Hardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-552317899638991732015-10-05T11:02:33.740-04:002015-10-05T11:02:33.740-04:00Sounds like basic mainstream fiction to me. Not ev...Sounds like basic mainstream fiction to me. Not every novel is genre. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-80771702909259516012015-10-01T14:50:43.009-04:002015-10-01T14:50:43.009-04:00One more I forgot: One of the secrets are a 6th se...One more I forgot: One of the secrets are a 6th sense, but it's not a paranormal.<br />GaleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-45450377317977458392015-10-01T14:46:09.980-04:002015-10-01T14:46:09.980-04:00I forgot to add, modern technology is mentioned, b...I forgot to add, modern technology is mentioned, but it's not science fiction.<br />GaleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-61143087204186572652015-10-01T14:44:26.901-04:002015-10-01T14:44:26.901-04:00As a new writer, it's hard to categorize mine....As a new writer, it's hard to categorize mine. I can only go by what it's NOT. No magic or made-up creatures, so not a fantasy. There are deputies & robbers but they are today, so not a western. There's love story, but it's not a romance. There are surprises & um ;) secrets, but it's not a thriller. There are children, but it's not a children's book. My main characters range in age from mid teens to mid 80s, so not really a young adult. I wonder if it ends up in the general pot of "adult fiction".<br />GaleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-15465738384326610942014-04-27T18:28:38.770-04:002014-04-27T18:28:38.770-04:00Since I'm not writing to sell, I'm not nec...Since I'm not writing to sell, I'm not necessarily thinking about what I'm writing in this way. My stories generally cross over.<br /><br />How do you explain to someone a story where it seems like magic, but it's really ancient technology. I've contemplated just going under the Historical Speculative fiction label.<br /><br />Yet its set on a map that's not Earth. There is no epic quest in the traditional sense (anyone who still thinks mentors like Obi-wan are necessarily, needs to get up to date.) And doesn't follow a typical seven point structure.<br /><br />Rather it's more episodic. So lots of problem in that regard.JustSarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911766394335306918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-60458764374268268872013-12-19T07:41:10.475-05:002013-12-19T07:41:10.475-05:00I'm so glad the blog's been helpful. That&...I'm so glad the blog's been helpful. That's exactly why I do it! <br /><br />Your story sounds like paranormal romance to me. Suspense can be part of that (suspense is good for almost any novel, any genre) but the focus looks like it's on the paranormal plot with romance subplot/secondary plot. You might try looking for books that you feel are in the same ballpark as yours and see how they're categorized as well. Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-34553310604605416582013-12-18T21:58:50.621-05:002013-12-18T21:58:50.621-05:00what genre would you categorize a story about para...what genre would you categorize a story about paranormal enemy beings who eventually fall in love with each other while fighting together against an evil force (haven't decide whether it's human or paranormal yet) in? i call it a paranormal romance but have been told suspense is part of it. i really want to keep a balance between the love story & the save-the-world story if i can.<br /><br />ps. just wanted to tell you how much i appreciate you taking the time to make everything understandable! there's been quite a few "aha!" moments :) racejunkiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14484896098799272056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-25644107347074874882012-02-16T07:43:48.572-05:002012-02-16T07:43:48.572-05:00Natalie, I agree. And a fun, unrelated note, I typ...Natalie, I agree. And a fun, unrelated note, I typed in your name as "Nataline" at first and thought, "what a cool name for a character." So if you ever see a Nataline from me, you inspired it :)<br /><br />1000th Monkey, challenging, but since you read them as well, you probably have a better idea of how they fit into the market. That's a plus!<br /><br />The Writer Librarian, oh wow, great tip, thanks! I didn't even know they had that. <br /><br />Melinda, absolutely :) Summed it up perfectly. <br /><br />Catherine, I don't think you need to know sub-gerne to start out with, as that can change as the story develops. And they'll still be on the same shelf most likely. <br /><br />C0, that's how it is with me.<br /><br />Julie, anytime!<br /><br />Wendy, that's a great observation actually. I think you just gave me Monday's post! Thanks :) This is worth a discussion. <br /><br />Traci, I agree :)Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-15192764032280076932012-02-15T05:54:03.936-05:002012-02-15T05:54:03.936-05:00I think it's very important to know what genre...I think it's very important to know what genre you're writing. It's all about the guidelines that keep you on course while your writing your story.Traci Kenworthhttp://www.tracikenworth.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-5362861319780497482012-02-14T02:41:21.524-05:002012-02-14T02:41:21.524-05:00I often hear writers say that genre isn't so i...I often hear writers say that genre isn't so important in these days of ebooks and self-publishing -- selling novels in the 21st century is supposedly all about author platform now, not bookshop shelves. Just wondering...Wendy A.M. Prosserhttp://www.wendyamprosser.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-19297003809342307252012-02-13T22:58:19.371-05:002012-02-13T22:58:19.371-05:00To me, it sure makes a lot of sense to know this b...To me, it sure makes a lot of sense to know this before starting. And reading in that genre also helps a lot.Thanks for the great points!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-81642398040876322372012-02-13T16:28:47.940-05:002012-02-13T16:28:47.940-05:00In my case, genre comes naturally to me with the s...In my case, genre comes naturally to me with the story idea, so I can't really say.Chihuahua0http://www.youngaspiringwriter.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-68148682086777767112012-02-13T15:08:59.310-05:002012-02-13T15:08:59.310-05:00I'd have to say familiarity with your genre is...I'd have to say familiarity with your genre is a big plus, though not a must.<br /><br />As you mentioned in your post, you at least have the beginnings to some direction even if you're going to pants the stuffing out of the story.<br /><br />The works I have in progress can all be defined as sci-fi/fantasy, though it gets interesting in defining the subgenre of paranormal, urban fantasy or dystopianAngela Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03324366495151363782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-48978554532794270542012-02-13T14:45:32.760-05:002012-02-13T14:45:32.760-05:00I may be struggling with making mine an MG length ...I may be struggling with making mine an MG length novel but I know it's adventure/fantasy. That's a start lol. Thanks!Catherine Johnsonhttp://catherinemjohnson.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-15168414790958866372012-02-13T14:44:33.275-05:002012-02-13T14:44:33.275-05:00Perhaps because my background is business rather t...Perhaps because my background is business rather than writing, my answer is a resounding, "yes!"<br /><br />If I were writing for my own private enjoyment, the answer would be different. Then I would write whatever I pleased. But I'm writing books to sell them, to make a living, to help put 2 kids through college. Spending 4-6 months working on a novel without a defined goal and market would give me hives. <br /><br />Readers have expectations, particularly when they browse the shelves of their favorite genre. For example, if a romance reader pulls your book from the romance shelves, it damned well better end with a happily-ever-after.Melinda Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15873296075529304961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-10242349806196255652012-02-13T12:18:11.377-05:002012-02-13T12:18:11.377-05:00Another way to gauge is to find a novel similar to...Another way to gauge is to find a novel similar to yours and see which genre it's written in. A database that most public libraries carry is called Novelist, and it usually has accurate genre listings (though some, like Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver are listed under "character-driven" which isn't a traditional genre type). But Novelist can help set some parameters at the very least.The Writer Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532839053876490957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-14291134242946481142012-02-13T11:18:27.464-05:002012-02-13T11:18:27.464-05:00I've always been drawn to quirky-don't-nec...I've always been drawn to quirky-don't-necessarily-fit-a-genre books, and unfortunately, that's what I seem to write as well.1000th.monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16835988128285459745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-89262651164647365892012-02-13T09:13:06.184-05:002012-02-13T09:13:06.184-05:00Since I write fantasy I know my genre. I think it&...Since I write fantasy I know my genre. I think it's helpful to fit in a category when you ared trying to find an agent.Natalie Aguirrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03756087804171246660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-41503414742236323252009-08-31T07:55:21.793-04:002009-08-31T07:55:21.793-04:00LOL nah. There's nothing wrong with not knowin...LOL nah. There's nothing wrong with not knowing, (and not every book has a genre) it was just one of those things that made me think and wonder about.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-55188850467155197112009-08-30T11:05:24.917-04:002009-08-30T11:05:24.917-04:00I didn't think about a genre before writing my...I didn't think about a genre before writing my book. I just knew it would be for young adults. Should I be terrified? lolGlen Akinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09647296775230237162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-46792038049176456052009-08-29T07:59:59.878-04:002009-08-29T07:59:59.878-04:00I don't think you have to know exactly what su...I don't think you have to know exactly what sub-genre before you write, and I agree, it can be pretty blurry for a lot of books. And depending how marketing decides to sell it, they can shift it one way or the other. But you did start as a genre, even if that could vary later. Of course, I could be wrong here too, LOL.Janice Hardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356672149097741248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-39828682077121029562009-08-29T02:51:38.196-04:002009-08-29T02:51:38.196-04:00I think the problem is there's so many genres ...I think the problem is there's so many genres today that are really just under the umbrella of the ones we all know and love. Urban fantasy. Paranormal. Dystopian. The lines can be blurry sometimes, and that's when I think it's okay to plow through and write the story you want, knowing generally what it is, then figure out the exact genre later.<br /> <br />I called my first book urban sci-fi. An agent called it a high-tech thriller. Different genres...but really kind of the same, right? I like the thriller description- it fits really well with the book I wrote. <br /><br />I thought of it as a sci-fi, not a thriller, when I wrote the first draft, but in the end it works either way.<br /><br />However, writing a book about, say, magic and witches and different worlds, and not knowing you're writing a fantasy of some sort, is going to be a problem.Michellehttp://yahighway.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-68263214754169287912009-08-28T23:19:50.683-04:002009-08-28T23:19:50.683-04:00Yeah, I definitely agree. I guess I'm biased c...Yeah, I definitely agree. I guess I'm biased cos I've usually written fantasy; but on the odd occasion I've written outside the fantasy genre, I usually know what I'm writing. Doesn't the core plot/style of writing/etc define that anyway? And I assume /most/ people would know at least a vague outline of their plot before starting to write their story....<br /><br />I could be alllll wrong here, though.Ruth (Book Focus)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06211262861068620446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3901370917824739259.post-39232350051947131692009-08-28T15:19:06.342-04:002009-08-28T15:19:06.342-04:00I'm in the 'know your genre' camp, at ...I'm in the 'know your genre' camp, at least as far as genre fiction is concerned. If you're writing to get published, and if that's the dream you've been sitting on for the past ten or fifteen years, then I don't see anything wrong with tailoring a story to suit its genre. Now, obviously you shouldn't do this to the story's detriment (that would be counter-productive), but I personally wouldn't throw a lot of abstract philosophical naval gazing that cleverly references the modern schools of thought on aesthetics into a story about lesbian vampire detectives. For example.<br /><br />Seriously though, knowing your genre seems like a good way to get published. Push that genre's boundaries, certainly, but first figure out where and what those boundaries are.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com