But, my favorite genre to feast upon is YA, more specifically anything with a fantastical or paranormal element. I like these books because they place me right smack in the thick of a different world. It's enjoyable to read different twists and takes on supernatural beings. I love to wrap my mind thoroughly into the realms of these stories. And I do. When I finish a book, I typically think about it for days afterward.
With all this said, I write what I read/like, at least in the YA arena. My first book is a YA Paranormal Romance. The one I'm editing is an Urban Fantasy. I've also got a few other ideas up my sleeve--a YA Dystopian, YA Sci-Fi, and another YA Paranormal Romance.
I could definitely never write a Contemporary piece of literature. People wouldn't get past the second page if I did. Writing something non-fiction would make me dig my eyes out with a spoon (no offence to non-fiction writers). I don't think I have it in me to write an Adult work because I adore being in teenagers minds far too much. That sounded weird, I know.
So, do you write what you read/like? Have you ever tried to write something that doesn't fall under your typical reads? How do you decide what genre you write?
Writing. Jewels.
Sounded weird, but I know what you meant!
ReplyDeleteI read science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers, but I prefer to write in science fiction. Fantasy just seems so daunting to me.
I'm not sure I'd have it in me to create a world of fantasy characters. I understand how it would feel daunting to you. Have you ever read The Beyonders by Brandon Mull? He did an amazing job writing his very OWN fantasy characters. I love his books. I'd recommend all of his books for sure.
DeleteThanks for stopping by! :D
I do tend to write what I read, but then I read almost anything, though some genres aren't my favorites. I never thought I would write contemporary YA but I've got a couple characters breathing down my neck and I just might start their story next. In some ways I hope I'm always surprised by what I want to write. It means I'm growing and exploring.
ReplyDeleteI love how you said: "In some ways I hope I'm always surprised by what I want to write. It means I'm growing and exploring." Beautiful. That's like me, I never thought I'd write a Sci-Fi. The story idea has bit, therefore I have to write it. :D
DeleteI've lived and breathed 20th century historical for over 20 years now, though I used to focus on 19th century historical before I found my calling in the 20th century. Someday I'd like to try writing about some other eras, like the Late Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Golden Age of Islam, Heian Japan, and prehistory. I always read historical fiction and older books growing up, and history was always my favoritest subject. It's such a natural fit for me, and it really means a lot to me when people tell me they like how well I write historical and have a natural grasp on these bygone places and eras.
ReplyDeleteI also do some soft sci-fi, and my handwritten magnum opus, which started in 1941, is getting closer and closer to the modern era. To date, it's up to the fall of 1998, and it's going to end in 2050, so one way or another it's going to spend some time as a contemporary saga and move beyond late contemporary historical fiction. (It's going to end up as one book in 12 volumes, with each volume, termed a Saga, spanning each decade the story covers.) And speaking of, writing superlong books also has always come naturally to me. Even my much-shorter Atlantic City historicals are interlocking series books, and if I combined some of them together to have less books, they'd be a lot longer. Seriously, even 250,000 words is a drop in the bucket to me when you consider how long my Russian novels and my contemporary historical Bildungsroman are!
Wow, Carrie-Anne, I'm in awe. You are my hero, indeed. Good for you writing such a long series. I've got two books to go in my Urban Fantasy trilogy. That's way daunting for me, but 12 books is is crazy. :D
DeleteI've read a series that's an LDS Historical Fiction centered around WWII. I enjoyed them greatly. That's as far as I've delved into anything historical.Perhaps, I should try reading some more.
My first writing effort was a contemporary piece. I never would have predicted that, but when I started writing, that's what came out, so...*shrug*
ReplyDeleteIn general, I'm more fantasy/sci fi, though, especially in my reading (though I do, truly, read a bit of everything). My current WIP is a steampunk fantasy, so we will see how that goes :)
I guess when you're inspired ya go with it, right? I'd def love to read your book one of these days. *hint hint* LOL
DeletePretty much. I've always loved reading fantasy, so that's what I write. I don't write YA because I generally (with a couple of exceptions) don't like YA. Same with thrillers and horror and the like. I don't tend to stray out of my genres I like writing, unless I'm doing a combo or a mix of genres that include fantasy. (If I don't write fantasy, it's usually romance instead.) Although I've had friends trying to get me to write other genres...you know, the ones THEY like to read ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, ditch the idea of writing what your friends want you to write. I general, I think it would be too forced and not believable. Sort of like me writing a contempory.
DeleteI've always wanted to write a trashy romance novel because I think it would be a fun challenge. I should probably read one first though. I've written just about every other genre, though.
ReplyDeleteYou would! haha
DeleteI read in plenty of genres, but my writing always gravitates toward PNR. The possibilities are too tempting. :D
ReplyDeleteAs my post today show, I read lots of genres and enjoy them immensely. That's one of the reasons my three WIPs represent three different genres. lol
ReplyDeletePerhaps that's why I have so many different ideas for books that fall under different genres, all within the realm of YA, though.
DeleteI read mostly romance, and different genres. I wrote P/RS first, but my heart is really in historicals. In fact, my hero in my first WIP has slowed aging. LOL I managed to squeeze a little HR into a contemporary setting. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm coming over from Alex's IWSG, by the way. Nice to meet you. :)
Nice to meet you too! Don't you love Alex? He rocks!
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