 Short Stories: November 01, 2023 Issue [#12248] |
This week: Let's talk about genres! Yes, again! Edited by: Lilli voted early.𧿠â  
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âWriting fiction is the act of weaving a series of lies to arrive at a greater truth.â
~ Khaled Hosseini
"When you make music or write or create, it's really your job to have mind-blowing, irresponsible, condomless sex with whatever idea it is you're writing about at the time. "
~ Lady Gaga
"Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money and fame from this state of being."
~ A. A. Milne
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by."
~ Douglas Adams
"Half my life is an act of revision."
~ John Irving
"Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it's the only way you can do anything really good."
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There are many more genres and subgenera's then I will mention in this newsletter today, but I will cover a few, not all, that are recognized by The Quills.
Fantasy
This genre is characterized by elements of magic or the supernatural and is often inspired by mythology or folklore. In high fantasy, one thatâs set in an entirely fictional world, these magical elements are at the forefront of the plot. In low fantasy or magical realism, magic is subtly woven into an otherwise familiar, real-world setting.
Science Fiction
Though science fiction and fantasy are often considered two sides of the same coin, sci-fi is distinguished by its preoccupation with real or real-feeling science. Lots of sci-fi is set in the distant future, which makes it popular for stories about time travel and space exploration. But your science fiction storyl doesnât need to be inspired by âhardâ science like physics and astronomy. Some of the stories in this genre reflect on âsoftâ sciences, such as sociology and anthropology, to predict the future of the human race - think Dystopian.
Action & Adventure
If youâre writing adventure, then chances are your story follows the structure of the 'Heroâs Journey'. Your protagonist has a very important goal to achieve, but theyâre really going to have to go through the wringer first! You throw up obstacle after obstacle, putting your hero in downright dangerous situations but eventually, they triumph and return home transformed. The action and adventure genre also complements a huge range of others, which means it has its fingers in everything from fantasy novels like The Hobbit to classic romance like Jane Eyre, for example.
Mystery
Also called detective fiction, this genre is characterized by a gripping plot that revolves around a mystery. But hopefully, youâve cracked that clue! The setting, characters, and tone of your book will determine precisely which category it falls under: cozy mystery, hardboiled, or something in between. But at the core of any mystery is a crime that must be solved by the protagonist. Agatha Christie was the grande dame of mystery fiction.
Horror
What unites the stories in this genre is not theme, plot, or setting, but the feeling they inspire in the reader: your pulse quickens, and your skin prickles as you turn the page with bated breath. Of course, this feeling of dread only comes about if the right atmosphere has been created; an essential feature dependent on the subgenre. Gothic horror, for example, sends a shiver down your spine with spooky settings and paranormal elements, while gross-out horror shocks the reader with hacked-up flesh and buckets of blood. The master of horror fiction in all its guises? Stephen King, of course.
Thriller & Suspense
A horror story can also be called a thriller, if it employs psychological fear to build suspense. But not all thrillers are horror stories. So what are they? While this genre encompasses many of the same elements as mystery, in a thriller the protagonist is usually acting to save their own life, rather than to solve the crime. Thrillers typically include cliffhangers, deception, high emotional stakes, and plenty of action keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the climax.
Romance & Love
Romance is so frequently used as a subplot that it can sometimes be tricky to know whether or not youâre writing in this genre. The key thing to remember is that the romantic relationship must be the center point of the plot. Other giveaways include a âhappily ever afterâ ending and the warm fuzzies. If your story has a romantic relationship at its heart and is perfectly at home in another genre, it probably falls into one of romanceâs many subgenres, including but not limited to: young adult romance, paranormal romance, and historical romance.
LGBTQ+
Any fiction with authentic LGBTQ+ representation falls into this book genre. Itâs important to note that while your story's queer characters should feature in the main plot, the centerpiece of your plot doesnât have to be a romance. In fact, there doesnât need to be any romance at all! This means that your fantasy, thriller, or historical novel could fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Don't limit yourself!
Childrenâs
Stories in this genre are written with readers under the age of twelve in mind. Of course, kids will do a lot of growing between the ages of zero and twelve, which is why childrenâs books range from baby board books all the way up to middle grade âepicsâ of 50,000 words. Hopefully, if youâre writing childrenâs literature, you already know you are. But itâs crucial that you also know which age group youâre trying to target, as this will impact the themes, characters, and complexity of your story. As much as kids love fairytales and talking animals, theyâre often just as happy to pick up a nonfiction book at storytime. Whether itâs an activity book to keep them busy, a powerful true story like Malalaâs Magic Pencil, childrenâs nonfiction is all about making learning fun.
Memoir & Autobiography
Both memoirs and autobiographies provide a true account of the authorâs life. They differ in that an autobiography provides a chronological account of your lifeâs events and accomplishments, whereas a memoir puts the emphasis on only the most defining, emotional moments. Generally, these moments are drawn together by a single theme â or a significant time, place, or relationship â to communicate a message you wish to share with readers. For items like this, you can select from Biological or Experience from the WdC genre listing, for example.
If you've made it this far - congratulations!!! Now I tell you a little bit about why selecting the correct genre is important.
 Some readers look for something to read and review based on the genre. As do Newsletter Editors. If you've ever wondered why one of your items hasn't appeared in a newsletter, be sure to check the genre you are using. I never search for 'other' or 'contest entry', for example.
The Quills also gives awards for Best in Genre. However, you need to select up to three genres for each item you write. We aren't going to guess and just plug an item into a genre - that is up to you - the writer.
Now is the time! I f you have an item that has been nominated for a Quill Award, be sure to check your genres!
Sure going back and checking every item in your portfolio might seem tedious; but you can make the change today by properly categorizing each new item you add to your port!.
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| | | The Letter (13+)
Dylan enlisted for two years. He and Sue would be married as soon as he was discharged.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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