What genre would this be, and suggested reading?

Sunshine13 · Oct 21, 2008

So I've had an idea brewing for some time, but I'm not entirely sure what genre it'd be considered. Mainstream? contemporary? Women's Lit?

The story is basically involving a lot of elements in my life about fathers (I've had 5), but told fictionally and I'm thinking 1st person POV. It's kind of a "this is my life, what's happened, how it's changed me" kind of thing (in a very bare kind of way).

And what suggestions would you have of similar stories told in first person?

Thanks, just wanting to gear up for Nano this year and I'm feeling really good about this.

Puma · Oct 22, 2008

My first thought would be woman's lit. As far as suggestions for similar stories, I don't have any. If you're looking for something to read for ideas in how to put things together, you might also want to look at memoirs (but since you're saying fiction that wouldn't work for yours.) Puma

Cathy C · Oct 22, 2008

You could make it a memoir, if you want. One (on the mother side) might be "The Women Who Raised Me" by Victoria Rowell. Neat lady. She was on a recent tour with us.

jannawrites · Oct 22, 2008

It may help you categorize it by considering that mainstream and contemporary are just two different terms for the same classification. I've heard women's fiction defined as the story of a women's journey, so if that applies to your idea, it may be a good fit. If the MC "finds herself" or some such through the process of going through several fathers and their interactions, it may indeed work, otherwise, I'll just call it maintream.

Good luck!

DeleyanLee · Oct 22, 2008

My advice would be to write it and then see what it actually turns out to be. Ideas can fit many places, but the full tale will usually give you a better clue where to put it.

Good luck on your nano!

Sunshine13 · Oct 22, 2008

Thanks guys, And Cathy, thanks for the suggestion! I honestly haven't figured out if I want to do a memoir or fiction, I'm seriously starting to lean on the memoir side of things. I think I'll just write it like one of you suggested and worry about it later

What genre would this be, and suggested reading?

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!

Puma

Retired and loving it!

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

jannawrites

no, really

DeleyanLee

Writing Anarchist

Sunshine13

Mom by day, writer by night!