Ah! The dreaded question!
I believe I am more than a single genre.
How can I squeeze all my thoughts, ideas and interests into just one genre? Is it odd that I can’t fit myself into a sole category?
Misfits unite!
Come to think of it, I’ve never fit into one mold in any aspect of life.
When I was a kid, I was always different in one way…or many. As I matured and learned more about myself and the world around me, I became more diverse, less classifiable. I never even had a single identifiable clothing style; something most girls have going for them.
My literary interests spanned all library sections from Louis L’Amour to Agatha Christie to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to Shakespeare to every available book on the care, anatomy, classification and training of horses.
As an adult, I am a classically-homeschooling, Harry Potter-loving, pierced & tattooed wife and mom who loves and follows Christ and is quite alright with not fitting in anybody’s mold.
My all-time favorite author is J.R.R. Tolkien, with the Brontes duking it out for the second spot. My Goodreads “Books I’ve Read” shelf for 2016 showcases authors like Tracy Chevalier, Thom S. Rainer, Stephen King, John Steinbeck, David W. McFadden, Susan Wise Bauer, Natalie Babbitt and Germaine Greer.
My Pandora favorites include nature music, Pentatonix, classical, Metallica, Josh Groban, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Celldweller, Scottish National Pipe & Drum Corps and Straight No Chaser.
With all my quirks, oddities and seeming contradictions, how could I ever squeeze all my interests and thoughts and creativity into one genre?
Genres unite!
If I were to be asked that question with a gun at my temple, I’d blurt out historical fiction because that’s where my heart lies. There is nothing I love better than a well-crafted story surrounding historical events, places and people; and I would love to make my mark in that genre one day. (I kind of want to be Susanna Kearsley—who, I might add, includes elements of various genres in her books and does so quite successfully!)
The truth is, I’ve already been all over the map when it comes to types of content. I have been working on a non-fiction book for five or six years now. Several children’s books exist in varying stages of readiness for submission. My “to-write” list includes a series of biographies for middle school. Several short stories of various types lie to the side, needing another edit or two and a decision about their futures…some a bit darker than I’m sure I want to release. My journal is full of poetry that may or may not ever see the light of day. I have several novels started and awaiting direction—one has historical fiction potential; another took me on a Sci-Fi twist that, quite frankly, scared me a bit.
I always swore I’d never attempt fantasy; but doggone it if I don’t have the most intriguing protagonist beckoning me down that road. That’s the one genre I’ve always fought because I should never be so presumptuous as to think I could enter the realm of the creator of Middle Earth. Seriously, the thought makes my knees knock; but my stubborn brain won’t stay away!
This inability to pledge allegiance to a specific genre has given me a few headaches as I’ve thought through my “author brand” and how to present myself to potential readers and publishers as well as to other writers. And, several times, I’ve gone back to my mind’s drawing board to think it all through again. With so many people demanding a singular answer to this question, perhaps I’m wrong?
Storytellers unite!
Some make the case that a writer must focus on one genre in order to perfect his craft. Personally, though, I find inspiration and clarity comes in a historical fiction work while describing a woman’s hair in a poem; the same recollection of my inquisitive 9-year-old brain aids in compiling a mother-daughter devotional and a biography for young girls about Susanna Wesley. The understanding needed to pen a poem about a desire to end one’s life also aids in empathizing with a short story character who finds her forgetfulness is early-onset Alzheimer’s. And, answering the whys, what ifs and then whats of a novel’s plot leads me to develop a new race of people surrounded by their homeland and customs.
At the end of the day, regardless of genre, the goal is the Story. And, if you can convey a Story in such a way that it moves and affects people even a little, you have proven yourself a worthy storyteller—perhaps in only one genre or perhaps in many.
Think of some of the great authors of the past. J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and several other Inklings pop into my mind. They crossed genres repeatedly and, usually, quite successfully. Tolkien produced wonderful poetry of various types; stories of fantasy and faerie, time-travel and more; as well as countless scholarly essays and other publications. Lewis explored fantasy, allegory, non-fiction apologetics, academic works and even sci-fi!
For now, anyway, I choose to focus not on genre; but on the Story. Where does it lead me? Where do my characters need to go? What struggles must they overcome? What circumstances surround them and social conventions hold them back?
After their whisperings cease in my ear, then perhaps I can answer the infamous question. Or, like me, my Story will rest outside the genre box, content in its non-conformity.
What do you think—one genre or many? Where do you fall in your preferred reading and writing?
Hi Joy, I enjoyed reading your post! I’m the type of person who wants to be considered a reader (not just because I have glasses and decent grades). And I’m the type of writer who still needs help to figure out if I should have used the word “who” or “that” in that previous thought, and if it was okay to start this sentence with the word “and”. HELP ME (hahahaha)! I also pray for eloquence because I sure wasn’t born to be this way! I think having one genre is helpful to give a person who is searching for a piece to read an overall idea of what kind of writing you would provide, but I don’t think it has to be that way. I love how diverse you are and that will come through in the way you write. Of the little reading that I do do, I have the hardest time enjoying science fiction/fantasy. Actually, my husband loves this genre and he started a story of his own. He asked me to read it, but it took me reading it aloud with silly voices to get through the first chapter. Sorry my love! The last two books I’ve read were military history: “With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa”, a memoir of a World War 2 Marine named Eugene B. Sledge and Stephen Ambrose’s “Band of Brothers”. So, maybe my favorite genre to read is historical non-fiction. This doesn’t mean that I only read from this genre, of course. I’m just more likely to be found in the non-fiction section of the library, rather than the science fiction. I look forward to reading more of your work. Who knows, I might become a real reader!
Oh, my sweet friend!! You most definitely are a “real reader”! Writing is a life-long learning process…and so is reading! I believe, just as we experience seasons of life, we pass through seasons of reading. I would love those two books you mentioned. Military history fascinates me. Since I come from a Marine family, I would especially appreciate that first one. In fact, I may just have to add those to my to-read list right now! I’ll be happy to read your hubby’s story, if he’d like. Better yet, how about you read it to me in your silly voices?!?! 😉
Hey, Joy! Like you, I’m all for the Story.
Genres are a help to get the story to an audience, but I think writers sometimes put too much emphasis on them, raising genres to a higher platform than deserved (in the creative process).
I’ve noticed in some of my previous writings that I’ve accidently condescended traditional YA audiences, lessening consequences for characters or inserting lessons, even subconsciously, because I’m writing in a genre for younger audiences and I didn’t want to scar the poor darlings. That’s when the story fell flat, or maybe it revolted, lol!
I was thinking BEYOND the Story when my focus should have been the Story.
Yes, you need to know your audience and the genre of the project you’re working on, but you don’t have to use that information as a deciding factor for anything story related, imho. Genres are for marketing purposes, and we should use them for such.
Oh, Mea! I love that: “I was thinking BEYOND the Story when my focus should have been the Story.” That’s so easy to do; especially when we’re surrounded by so many voices when we try to write. (Stay tuned for a blog post on that, by the way!) I understand what you’re saying about a story falling flat. That’s what I feel happened with one of my children’s picture books. I’m planning a blog post surrounding that particular story and my process right now! I can’t wait to get some feedback on my process there as I plan to push forward to submission with it soon!
Your blog is really resonating with me! I’m having many of these same thoughts as I consider my “identity” as an author. But you’re right that it should be story above all–identity and genre can come later.
Glad to connect with you–looking forward to reading more!
Thank you for your kind words, Allison! One of the best things about having a blog and experiencing this author journey “for the world to see” is meeting fellow writers. I am so excited about walking this road alongside you as we learn together!