Your genre

writeorwrong · May 19, 2006

I have noticed a large proportion of SF and Fantasy writers as opposed to other genres represented on the boards. As one who is unfamiliar with either genre, I'm wondering why that is so. What makes those genres and sub-genres more appealing to those of you who write them?

To others: what type of novel do you prefer writing?

stormie · May 19, 2006

I have MGD--multi-genre disorder. I write across the board. My first novel pubbed was a romance, the second one currently making the rounds is a middle grade (mild) horror, I'm working on an early chapter book (humor), and I also write religious essays, adult horror short stories, and humorous poems. (They're humorous because I can't really write poetry.)

CaroGirl · May 19, 2006

I agree that the scales seem to be tipped on this board decidedly in the SF/fantasy direction. I think there's a large market for it. Sadly, I haven't read in that genre since high school (which was some time ago, believe me). I'm tragically unqualified to give valid feedback to writers who post their SF work in the SYW forum. I read some of the entries, but don't feel able to comment. For that, I'm a bit sad. I wish I could help.

I'm generally a literary writer. Although I have some stories written in the mystery/crime genre, which I loved writing and might consider moving toward for a future novel. Both my novels to date are in the literary/contemporary literary style (in the direction of women's lit, but not as far as romance).

stormie: I like that, MGD. I think I have a little of that myself.

glutton · May 19, 2006

I write fantasy because I love writing about legendary heroes with larger-than-life personalities and problems kicking the tar out of dark lords and demon gods etc. Also because it would be pretty far-fetched to write in other genres than fantasy with the kind of over-the-top melee combat I like (though historical fiction works too, but it'd probably need to be more realistic). Or to have a character like my Rose (ha, she's hard enough to accept in fantasy as is!)

I am a hack David Gemmell wannabe (with more love for female epic heroes)

jchines · May 19, 2006

I wonder if there's a correlation between loving the shiny tech toys of Science Fiction and loving the shiny tech of the Internet and message boards. I don't think SF/F is the biggest genre out there. I think Romance could easily crush us under its huge stiletto heel, for instance.

For myself, I write fantasy because I like the flash, the magic, the swords and the sense of wonder that comes with it all. Plus I like being able to redefine the rules of the universe.

DeadlyAccurate · May 19, 2006

Keep in mind that quite a few of the published writers (Victoria, Ann, Jim, and Cathy C to name a few) on here are sci-fi/fantasy writers, so it could be a carryover from that, too.

veinglory · May 19, 2006

I write fantasy, romance, erotica and non-fiction. I read pretty much every genre. I see writers from each genre here... I hadn't formed the impression that there was an imbalance.

badducky · May 19, 2006

Things aren't always what they seem.

I write weird fantasy novels. I also write weird poems. I also write an occasional literary short story. I also do healthcare freelance writing.

If you asked me to define myself with only one, I'd pick the fantasy novels. This is because that's my primary source of income right now. However, I'm already finding myself referring to myself as just a freelance writer again... And, I'm poking around for work.

Tomorrow, I'll probably be a freelancer who dabbles in fantasy novels.

These matters are always in flux, you know.

ChaosTitan · May 19, 2006

Maybe we are just more talkative than everyone else, so it appears that more of us exist? :tongue

I don't write what is generally thought of when you hear the terms Science Fiction (near or far future, tech-based, space opera) or Fantasy (medeival setting, dragons, swords, magic).

My stories are firmly set in our modern times, but injected with some sort of paranormal element. More comparable to Buffy or X-Men, than to Star Trek/Lord of the Rings.

writeorwrong · May 19, 2006

veinglory said:
I write fantasy, romance, erotica and non-fiction. I read pretty much every genre. I see writers from each genre here... I hadn't formed the impression that there was an imbalance.

I'm going by # of posts in the genre forums, and excerpts I see posted. IMO, SF/Fantasy has it by a mile, but like someone said, maybe they're just the most talkative.

FWIW, I wish I had "MGD" (good one), for no other reason than marketability. Nora Roberts/JD Robb, for example, seems to have the best of both worlds combining suspense and mystery (which I write) with paranormal and fantasy.

Tienci · May 19, 2006

I'd say I'm mainstream/contemporary.

veinglory · May 19, 2006

writeorwrong said:
I'm going by # of posts in the genre forums, and excerpts I see posted. IMO, SF/Fantasy has it by a mile, but like someone said, maybe they're just the most talkative.

.

I think that there's a few thing behind thus other than number. There is a lot more IMHO to talk about with fantasy and sci fi, and other genres are more spread around. The mainstream/contemprary/literary types have not specific place to be--and I know a lot of people here write romance but for some reason they are not talkative on the subject...

DamaNegra · May 19, 2006

I write mainstream/romance and fantasy. I'm planning a novel that's set in the future, but not more science to speak of so I don't know what it is.

Paul J. Andrew · May 19, 2006

I write fantasy because thats what I like to read. With a few exceptions (that I've enjoyed, certainly) fantasy has been nearly ALL I read since I was but a weeeeeeeee lad. Every time I go to the bookstore the first thing I do is check the new releases in SF/F. Modern fiction has always seemed kind of boring to me, and if I can't bring myself to read it I sure won't be writing it. Mysteries are OK, I loved Sherlock Holmes, but I don't feel that I have the capacity to write an effective mystery. Romance causes my involuntary gag reflex to activate (that's my pre-teen self popping up again, no offense to romance writers). Long story short, I guess I write fantasy because it's all I really know, having read very little of other genres beyond the classics you get in high school. And the control freak in me loves the idea of making my own universal rules... can't forget that little item.

Linda Adams · May 19, 2006

Action-adventure thrillers. There's is nothing like a good pursuit novel with lots of action.

RG570 · May 19, 2006

I write science fiction/fantasy because of the freedom of it. It's hard to speculate on fantastic ideas without writing in those genres.

I'd love to be able to come up with ideas for literary fiction (so I could qualify for Canadian Arts Council grants!), but for one thing, I still can't quite figure out what that is exactly, and I have a hard time being interested in ordinary people doing ordinary things.

I've also wanted to write erotica, but I am terrible at it, so I'll just stick with sf/fantasy.

Popeyesays · May 19, 2006

writeorwrong said:
I have noticed a large proportion of SF and Fantasy writers as opposed to other genres represented on the boards. As one who is unfamiliar with either genre, I'm wondering why that is so. What makes those genres and sub-genres more appealing to those of you who write them?

To others: what type of novel do you prefer writing?

IO learned to read at four. At five I was reading the OZ stories for myself. At six, it was H.G. Wells and Jules Verne.

Sci/Fi and fantasy have always caught my interest because one is free to create what ever setting the story requires.

I have just finished a sci fi novel (I'm looking for a publisher), and my next piece which I have already started is an historical novel about World War I. I, too am a genre hopper.

Regards,
Scott

LightShadow · May 19, 2006

I write conspiracy thrillers and supernatural mysteries.

Anya Smith · May 19, 2006

My background is in science, so SF is the easiest for me. I also like the freedom of world building, new tech, aliens, etc.. that come with the territory. And of course the SF/F genre has so many sub genre and crossovers. You could still have romance, action adventure, suspense, religious, and all the other genres.

I don't think, however, that this board has more SF/F writers.

icerose · May 19, 2006

I write across the board as well. Pretty much everything but Erotica and non-fiction.

Anything else is game.

Simon Woodhouse · May 19, 2006

I write Sci/Fi, but whilst I'm doing so, I can picture the stories taking place in more down to earth settings.

One of the books I've written involves a recently widowed, middle-aged woman travelling by herself to a remote planet. When I was writing it, I often compared her trials and tribulations to what she would have faced if she were living in the mid 1800s, and travelling on her own into the interior of Africa or South America.

The next book I write is going to be set in a fictitious land based on the world as it was during the Victorian era. I think that'll be classed as Fantasy, even though it's not in the usual setting of something like medieval Europe.

Branwyn · May 19, 2006

I write occult suspense mysteries. Unfortunately for me, there aren't many agents (if any) that represent that genre. :-O

stumpfoot · May 19, 2006

I write historical. I dont include a lot of romance because its the people themselves and the histroy that intrests me. my grandmother is the family historian and I grew up with tales of the family during the civil war on up through the depresion, so the past is my thing, I blame it on her

triceretops · May 19, 2006

I've written across the board (about 16 unpublished novels) and found that I have settled in the SF/Fantasy area. Mainstream/contemporary bores me--it's too easy for me. Now, world-building and learning the core sciences to incorporate into a manuscript is a real challenge. However, these types of books can be rejected solely for "No suspension of disbelief" and "inconsistent world building" like many of the other genres are not. So to write believable SF/Fantasy, you're taking an extra risk in trying to create a speculative atmosphere.

Like Britania once did, Romance still rules the reader waves today. I do believe SF only accounts for about 10% of the reader pool and popularity. I don't know what Fantasy represents.

I just recently tried an urban fantasy, something similar to Bedazzled, and I just loved it. So did my agent. And I was just goofing around.

Tri

stace001 · May 19, 2006

I can't decide which genre I like best. My first novel was a Romance, second a Mystery, third Romantic Comedy, and I'm working on another Mystery. I also have 2 children's book I'm working on. I guess you'd call me indecisive.

Your genre

storm central

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