Just being nosey ...

Phot's Moll · Jul 27, 2008

I wondered who wrote what and who for. Do you stick to one genre and write towards a distinct market, or write whatever you feel like just for yourselves?

I write three kinds of short story - those I hope will be bought by UK women's magazines, some health information stories that are occasionally bought by a UK website and other random stuff that usually just lurks on my hard drive.

Maryn · Jul 27, 2008

I write in two genres. In one, I think I'm good enough to sell, although so far I've sold only stories, not novels. The other, I know I'm not good enough yet, and may never get there. Yet I continue to write the stories, to teach myself, because I enjoy it, and because you never know when one will turn out much better than you'd imagined.

Maryn, suspense and erotica

Phot's Moll · Jul 27, 2008

Which is the kind you've sold?

I've not sold any novels - yet (It could happen, as I keep telling myself)

I tried writing erotica, but I wasn't any good at it. (Much worse than not good, actually)I think it's one of those things that seem easy until you try. Some of my women's magizine hints at sex, but fortunately for me, it's not supposed to actully happen 'on the page'.

You're right, I think, to write as a way of teaching yourself. I like to think I'm improving with practice. You're even more right to write because you enjoy it; I can't think of a better reason.

astonwest · Jul 27, 2008

I generally write in one genre and write for myself, not a particular market (though I do have one market which tends to want most of the writing I submit to them).

Phot's Moll · Jul 27, 2008

I vant more details (she says in a dodgy and obviously fake German accent)

tehuti88 · Jul 27, 2008

I write primarily fantasy fiction, some occult, some erotica and such, all of it fiction, just because I like to write, and to try to entertain people. It's what I personally want to write, I don't set out to "gear" it toward any audience in particular. I'm not good at judging who might or might not like my writing. Most of it is longer, though I do write some shorter stories and novellas.

I'm not trying to get any of it published, so, I apologize if that's what your post was really asking about.

WendyNYC · Jul 27, 2008

I write short stories with literary magazines in mind. I haven't attempted genre. I'd love love love to write something quirky for a magazine like McSweeney's. No luck with them so far.

Right now I'm working on a novel. So, while more short stories are floating in my mind, I haven't had the chance to write them down recently.

Phot's Moll · Jul 27, 2008

Thanks for sharing (as I believe Americans say)

Tehuti88, there wasn't a real reason for the post other than my wondering what people liked to write about and why. I really am incredibly nosey ... Does it sound any better if I say I have an enquiring mind?

I've not heard of McSweeney's but quirky is good.

Pike · Jul 27, 2008

I tend towards horror, fantasy, and stuff wedged firmly in the middle. I stay close to those genres because I enjoy them. I've only sold a few pieces, mostly in horror, but hope to sell in all of those areas until I saturate the market - but who doesn't?

Aglaia · Jul 27, 2008

My voice has always been more on the literary side. Even if I try to write, say, a horror short, the voice will end up spinning it over to literary and it doesn't work as horror. :Shrug:

I guess it's good that I like literary fiction.

I'm only now trying to publish, so we'll see how that goes...

Outside of that, I've recently started an historical romance novel, and while of course I hope it ends up being good enough to send out into the world, at this point I'm writing it because I like it and it's fun.

Mumut · Jul 27, 2008

tehuti88 said:
I write to try to entertain people.

This is a big thing in my writing. I have a few short children's stories because I made them up for bedtime stories for my granddaughter. My books are YA. The one published and its sequel, to be out in a few weeks, are historical fantasy. Others are YA adventure/fiction. I love giving talks about my stories at highschools, readers groups - any organisation that will have me as a guest speaker. Seeing others get enjoyment from my words is fantastic fun.

Maryn · Jul 27, 2008

Phot's Moll said:
Which is the kind you've sold?

I've sold three suspense stories and eight or nine erotica stories. None of my few completed suspense novels is marketable, but two of the erotica ones might be. Cross your fingers for me!

Maryn, who's going to snicker watching you type

kct webber · Jul 28, 2008

I write in three different genres: literary, fantasy, and horror (and hybrids of the three). And sometimes I write for a particular pub. I just sold one to a horror/bizzarro mag that I read and then wrote a story with them specifically in mind. Hey, if it works... *shrugs*

heatheringemar · Jul 28, 2008

I write what I like to write, and usually, it ends up all being within the same genre (gothic).

Phot's Moll · Jul 28, 2008

It seems that there are big differences about what we write, but we all do it for much the same reason - we enjoy doing it.

Lusty_Goat · Jul 28, 2008

I just try to write a good story... I want to write for people to take something away from what I write. I hope to inspire other writers and give people something to chew on. I like stark themes. Nothing subtle.

bsolah · Jul 28, 2008

I think this has changed for me over the years, and at the moment, I think my next creative binge will be written for my girlfriend. She seems to motivate me at the moment. However, I'm not sure on the content at the moment.

In the past it has been for friends, for myself, to explore political themes and ideas, to shock, to answer questions and to explore myself.

stormie · Jul 28, 2008

I've written short stories for children, mild horror stories, psychological thrillers, and literary. Some are published, most are not.

Fjm3eyes · Jul 28, 2008

being nosey

Basic, Short answer . . . I write short stories for myself.

As far as genre, I have written for years in what I would call, for lack of any better description, horror. I'm trying to get away from it now, although like Don Carleone, it kleeps calling me back.

I'm ignoring my attempt at writing a novel, which we won't talk about.

antebellum · Jul 30, 2008

Like WendyNYC, I tend to write stories with literary publications in mind. However, lately I've been toying with the idea of historical fiction since I'm a bit of a history nerd. So far I haven't been able to come up with a good plan for that, though.

Just being nosey ...

Phot's Moll

Maryn

I Tried

Phot's Moll

astonwest

2 WIP? A glutton for punishment

Phot's Moll

tehuti88

Mackinac Island Fanatic

WendyNYC

fiddle-dee-dee

Phot's Moll

Pike

Chivalry ain't dead

Aglaia

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

Maryn

I Tried

kct webber

Squirrel, Sekrit type, 1 ea.

heatheringemar

lurking behind that corner..

Phot's Moll

Lusty_Goat

bsolah

AW's Resident Commie

stormie

storm central

Fjm3eyes

antebellum

Oh, you know.