What Genre Are You?
I'm curious. When your family and friends first find out you are writing - what's their reaction? Is it pregnant silence before recovering with faint smile...yes dear, always knew you were a little loopy...now did I tell you about the teacake your Aunt Edie served up yesterday? Shocking...really.
Or, perhaps you get that sideways glance, subtle rearing of head with raised eyebrows...Really? How exciting, er...what do you mean, like...writing a book?
Quite funny isn't it? How about if a complete stranger asks 'what genre are you?' Followed through with...'and why did you choose to write that?' Why the devil would you want to write about that...silly girl.
Personally, my favourite reaction is the excited squeals, jumping up and down, hugs and 'Wow! Thats awesome...cheers!'
We are told that its the writer's job to know their genre - true. You should know your genre and your reader. However I often ponder this whole 'pigeon-holing' business. Are there genre-pigeon-hole police? What happens if you decide to cross the borders? Say, from Historical Romance to Paranormal Young Adult or dare I suggest Chicklit to Sci-fi Fantasy. I mean what are the rules about pigeon-holes and writers? And who decides what a genre is?
Tell me, how did you choose your genre and why? And do you ever want to cross that border?
A/N:
For the record, my lovely family and friends have been very supportive cheerleaders! Yah Team Scribe!
Or, perhaps you get that sideways glance, subtle rearing of head with raised eyebrows...Really? How exciting, er...what do you mean, like...writing a book?
Quite funny isn't it? How about if a complete stranger asks 'what genre are you?' Followed through with...'and why did you choose to write that?' Why the devil would you want to write about that...silly girl.
Personally, my favourite reaction is the excited squeals, jumping up and down, hugs and 'Wow! Thats awesome...cheers!'
We are told that its the writer's job to know their genre - true. You should know your genre and your reader. However I often ponder this whole 'pigeon-holing' business. Are there genre-pigeon-hole police? What happens if you decide to cross the borders? Say, from Historical Romance to Paranormal Young Adult or dare I suggest Chicklit to Sci-fi Fantasy. I mean what are the rules about pigeon-holes and writers? And who decides what a genre is?
Tell me, how did you choose your genre and why? And do you ever want to cross that border?
Aunt Edie's teacake...a dollop of cream...shockingly sinful
A/N:
For the record, my lovely family and friends have been very supportive cheerleaders! Yah Team Scribe!
Comments
I write chick lit, which usually meets with some kind of reaction like: 'Oh, just for women, then.' Or a pat on the head.
ARGH!
Pigeon holing is a pain in the butt.
As to reactions? I've stopped telling people that I write. They always ask what books I've written and if they've read them. The fact that I'm not published diminishes my credibility with them. They don't understand that my publication status has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a writer. So, when asked what I do, I tell them about my teaching job. Partly out of cowardice, partly because I don't want to explain it to people who really don't care.
Thats also an good point about publication status. Some people immediately assume writers works are published right away, they have no idea how hard it is. Good luck!! And thank you for the following!! :)