How to make realistic fiction work for me

C.J. Rockwell · Aug 6, 2009

As I research agents and publishers more, I'm noticing a stronger preference for more realistic and reality based stories. As I write mostly Fantasy stuff, I'm wondering how I can use that to my advantage rather than it being a weakness.

The few times I've tried to write non-fantasy stuff, I always get feedback that it was boring or uninteresting. Like something's missing, but no one can tell me what.

I think the problem is that while I like reading books that can ground me in the real world in fresh new ways, doing that myself doesn't go well.

Anyone else have this problem, any tips to share?

john barnes on toast · Aug 6, 2009

I personally think the 'real' world is far more interesting than any world you could create.

Think about it; any world that's been invented for the purpose of a story has only been extrapolated from the real world any way, and the only way it can be viewed is through the prism of real world experience.

There's nothing more painful, more beautiful, more heartbreaking or more joyous than the things that happen in real life. You don't have to invent anything, you just have to observe.

Danthia · Aug 6, 2009

Write what you're passionate about writing, and don't worry about what people are looking for. While it's smart to keep an eye on the market so you know if your idea is fresh or overdone, and to know where in the market your story fits, writing for the market specifically is always problematic. You'll be behind the curve (since it takes years for a book to go to press, and by then the market has changed) And you won't be writing something you really care about, and that'll show in the work.

Fantasy is a major genre and I don't see that changing any time soon. Because it's been so popular the last few years, I imagine there are a lot more fantasy queries out there, and agents might be looking for more variety. But a great fantasy story can still sell. And if that's the genre you write best in, then that's the best book you can write.

C.J. Rockwell · Aug 6, 2009

john barnes on toast said:
I personally think the 'real' world is far more interesting than any world you could creat

Think about it; any world that's been invented for the purpose of a story has only been extrapolated from the real world any way, and the only way it can be viewed is through the prism of real world experience.

There's nothing more painful, more beautiful, more heartbreaking or more joyous than the things that happen in real life. You don't have to invent anything, you just have to observe.

...Maybe so, but the research it requires to write a story set in New York or some out of the way town in Russia, is no cakewalk, at least for me.

Besides, I'm better with my imagination than with researching facts in the way you'd have to do if you're grounding a story in a real place, especially if you've never lived or visited there, and can't afford to.

Exir · Aug 6, 2009

On the other hand, understanding what makes realism tick can help you heaps in writing better fantasy. JK Rowling writes wonderful character interactions -- her Hogwarts, with its share of idiosyncrasies and sadistic teachers, is a lot like a British boarding school. And she seems to understand how people interact, which makes her stories familiar even though it's fantasy.

ETA: Agree with sticking with fantasy if that's your favorite genre. Just because sales for realistic fiction is rising by 1.2378% doesn't mean you should start writing that.

C.J. Rockwell · Aug 6, 2009

Danthia said:
Write what you're passionate about writing, and don't worry about what people are looking for. While it's smart to keep an eye on the market so you know if your idea is fresh or overdone, and to know where in the market your story fits, writing for the market specifically is always problematic. You'll be behind the curve (since it takes years for a book to go to press, and by then the market has changed) And you won't be writing something you really care about, and that'll show in the work.

Fantasy is a major genre and I don't see that changing any time soon. Because it's been so popular the last few years, I imagine there are a lot more fantasy queries out there, and agents might be looking for more variety. But a great fantasy story can still sell. And if that's the genre you write best in, then that's the best book you can write.

Relax,I hear you, and I know this all too well. The only reason I ask what I have was that as much as I love fantasy, I'd like to try my hand at something different. Not solely to please the market, but becasue I WANT to.

I want to know how to make the ordinary and everyday interesting the way writers like Elizabeth Berg and Alice Seabold do in their books.

C.J. Rockwell · Aug 6, 2009

Exir said:
On the other hand, understanding what makes realism tick can help you heaps in writing better fantasy. JK Rowling writes wonderful character interactions -- her Hogwarts, with its share of idiosyncrasies and sadistic teachers, is a lot like a British boarding school. And she seems to understand how people interact, which makes her stories familiar even though it's fantasy.

ETA: Agree with sticking with fantasy if that's your favorite genre. Just because sales for realistic fiction is rising by 1.2378% doesn't mean you should start writing that.

Good points Exir, nice to see you on here again!

john barnes on toast · Aug 6, 2009

C.J. Rockwell said:
...Maybe so, but the research it requires to write a story set in New York or some out of the way town in Russia, is no cakewalk, at least for me.

The real world doesn't just happen in glamorous places. It'll be happening in your backyard right now. You've probably experienced some of it.

This is almost a side issue anyway, as I would agree with the poster that said you should write the stuff that you're passionate about, and if that's fantasy, write fantasy. You go chasing what you think other people want, and you'll likely wind up pleasing nobody, especially yourself.

Danthia · Aug 7, 2009

C.J. Rockwell said:
Relax,I hear you, and I know this all too well. The only reason I ask what I have was that as much as I love fantasy, I'd like to try my hand at something different. Not solely to please the market, but becasue I WANT to.

I want to know how to make the ordinary and everyday interesting the way writers like Elizabeth Berg and Alice Seabold do in their books.

In that case, pick a market, think up a story and go for it. You make it interesting the same way you make a fantasy story interesting. By creating characters readers are intrigued by and throwing a compelling problem at them. Stories are about people, regardless of where they are.

I wish I could tell you do this and do that, but it isn't that simple. The same rules used for fantasy apply to romance or mystery or mainstream. Study real world books you like and analyze why you like them. Then apply that to your own work.

You might stumble a few times before you get the hang of it, but the only way to learn it is to do it, same as any other writing.

katiemac · Aug 7, 2009

Read books on some of your nonfiction topics. What interests you outside of fiction? Personally I've always found a range of topics in sociology and anthropology fascinating; I'm reading a bunch of nonfiction at the moment and integrating a lot of those ideas thematically. My story is first and foremost about my characters, but this stuff is relevant to their situation.

Most likely if you enjoy what you're writing, it'll show, and hopefully you can avoid the boredom. Put your characters in a realistic setting that you actually care about, whether that be science or math or gardening or beekeeping.

How to make realistic fiction work for me

C.J. Rockwell

Not so new, really

john barnes on toast

Danthia

C.J. Rockwell

Not so new, really

Exir

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

C.J. Rockwell

Not so new, really

C.J. Rockwell

Not so new, really

john barnes on toast

Danthia

katiemac

Five by Five