Too Many Hats?

pretticute80 · Jun 25, 2008

Hey all,
This is my first post, so forgive me if it is posted in the wrong place or a question similar to this has been answered. I tried searching through the threads to check. At any rate, I am currently working on an unpublished series that I am still sort of figuring how to classify –it’s a lot of fantasy, lot of romance but not set on Earth. Classification isn’t my issue b/c I figure when it’s finally done and completed I’ll have a better grasp on it. The MCs’ of my series are by any means-necessary heroines/heroes. There isn’t a clear definition of whose good or whose bad in my series besides the fact that the intergalactic governing board has deemed certain races as criminals. My stories are a bit dark compared to some fantasy romance I’ve read that are suppose to be more on the edger side although not too over the top gruesome - my heroines are all assassins who tend to enjoy their sexual play as well as their killing :whip:

. Unrepentedly so (I tried changing them to be a little bit lighter in nature but it doesn’t work.) Some are classified (and with good reasons) as outlaws and are considered the antagonists in a few stories but (hopefully if I tell it right), when it comes time to tell their story, people will be able to see that they aren’t necessarily the bad guys but b/c of circumstances, they had to do what they had to do in order for their people to survive. (Hopefully that doesn’t confuse anyone.)
Although I tentative have one story in the near-completion stage, I have an outline for at least six more –that actually have to occur before the one I am currently working on can be told correctly (I hope that isn’t confusing, it’s just how my mine work from ending to beginning :e2shrug:

). My trouble is that as my series currently stand, I will be telling the story of several different species or races (not for certain what’s the proper terminology) and all of them have their own culture and officials (like kings and queens and such) that is very important to them and their stories. One particular MC is a female of mixed species –she is the unofficial queen of one group (unofficial b/c her people don’t do titles but she is the strongest) but also the chief advisor to another (whom actually is the “bad guys” according to the intergalactic council). Her story does focus on a lot of different things but her background impact her story tremendously –especially her romantic interest. (She is involved with a guy who kills many of her people’s best warriors. And yes, he is her HEA although their story takes some seriously wicked turns that I am not for certain many romance fan will dig but I anytime I try to change their story from the way it is, it doesn't feel right.) So to sum up my rambling, what do you think about stories where there are a lot of different people who are leaders or individuals who wear multiple hats?

BlackViolet13 · Jun 25, 2008

Well first of all, welcome!

Definitely try not to worry too much about classification right now; just get the book done. I have seen others round up beta readers take a look and give their opinions about which genre would work best, although to me it sounds like you're writing fantasy romance, or fantasy with romantic elements (which in some cases doesn't necessarily have to have the HEA, or a traditional path to it). Personally, I like my fantasy to be a little bit darker, both in reading and writing. Don't push yourself to make it something it's not

I don't see anything wrong with having a hero/heroine who wears multiple hats, and in fact, I think it's great. That gives a lot of opportunity to show how your characters tick. I would do my best to make sure you're concise with the details so the reader doesn't get bogged down by all of the politics, and can focus on the story. I do see where her leadership of the two groups is going to create great conflict with the hero, so you seem to be on the right track there

To me it sounds like your characters genuinely believe THEY are the right ones, so it doesn't sound like they're necessarily "bad" but just that they disagree with each other. That's great!

Hope this helps answer your question, and happy writing

dolores haze · Jun 25, 2008

Welcome to AW!

I prefer the more complex characters. It sounds like you have 6-7 inter-related novels all set in the same world/worlds. Be careful to keep all your details straight. With that many characters and plots going on it would be easy to get tangled up.

Good luck!

P.S. Check out my friend's blog in my siggy. It sounds like you have a healthy dose of sci-fi in your fantasy/romance.

Deb Kinnard · Jun 25, 2008

Welcome!

I'm so adamant about the following point, I started a blog by the same name: just tell the story. It sounds like you have a great grip on your story -- I agree with the others that you don't worry about what to call it at this point, just worry about crafting the very best, most readable story you can.

And why, WHY can SF/F authors not write one book at a time!?

aliajohnson · Jun 25, 2008

I can't think of anything I'd want to add to the previous posts. So, I'll just say,

Hi and Welcome, Pretti :hi:

It's nice to have you!

(Why didn't I think of that username? I could handle people calling me pretty every time I got on the board.

)

pretticute80 · Jun 26, 2008

Aw thank you so much for replying. I have absolutely no clue as to why SF/F can't stick to just one story -I certainly never thought I would be writing one or several SF/F type romances (or whatever classification my writing falls under). I guess with the time it takes to do the worldbuilding, it's hard to just let go

. I do try to keep everything straight in my stories although I do have to go over my story constantly to make sure what needs to be explain gets explain (such as a strange plant or a certain power that a race my have) although any technique you found to be helpful would be great.
BTW -yes I do like to have people tell me I am pretty :Hail:

-ode to Vanity.

Deb Kinnard · Jun 26, 2008

One way I've found helpful is to keep a spreadsheet in Excel. That way if I've given one of my secondary characters brown eyes, I can check back if I'm tempted to write them as green.

I keep a column per character or fact that I want to keep straight. Doesn't really matter what you call the columns, as long as they work for you. For example, in a time-travel book I wrote, the characters were on a journey. I had to keep track of where they'd be each night they stopped, and for that I had to know how long a non-urgent journey would take on horseback, and then I needed a map. So I figured it out and entered the "stops" on the spreadsheet.

Hope this works for you. Everybody else, how do you keep the threads from tangling?

Josie · Jun 26, 2008

Thanks Deb.

What a good idea for Excel. I never use it.

Cheers, Judith

Gillhoughly · Jun 26, 2008

So to sum up my rambling, what do you think about stories where there are a lot of different people who are leaders or individuals who wear multiple hats?

Just write well and clearly so the reader knows what's going on in each book. YOU may know what's going on, but you have to be able to communicate it to others so it makes sense.

Read Lois McMaster Bujold. Sounds like yours is in the same neighborhood as her Hugo-winning Vorkosigan series.

Start with "Cordelia's Honor," which has the first couple books in one volume.

See how an expert does it, then figure out how to make it work for you.

Brush up on Elements of Style, too. The less work you give a grouchy editor like myself the better we like you.

L.Jones · Jun 26, 2008

Welcome.
There's a lot to learn here - have fun and keep writing, that's the best way to figure out if the many hats work or not.

Too Many Hats?

pretticute80

Sade -Soldier Of Love

BlackViolet13

dolores haze

international guttersnipe

Deb Kinnard

aliajohnson

pretticute80

Sade -Soldier Of Love

Deb Kinnard

Josie

Gillhoughly

Grumpy writer and editor

L.Jones