IWSG; February 2018

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Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Co-Hosts: Stephen Tremp, Pat Garcia,Angela Wooldridge, Victoria Marie Lees, and Madeline Mora-Summonte!

Question: 

What do you love about the genre you write in most often?

Short Answer: What's not to love? ;-)

Long Answer:

I write Women's Fiction. And before you groan, I'll ask if you've ever read Jodi Picoult, or Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre? Truly, all books could be classified under this genre if one of the MCs is a woman. The Women's Fiction Writers Association defines the genre as "layered stories in which the plot is driven by the main character's emotional journey." Many classics fall under this definition. Nearly all of the book club choices do, too. So, again, I ask, what's not to love? I enjoy the twists of fate, choice, and connections that fill the pages of much of publishing today. So if you haven't sampled one of these books (and they include Christian, SF, Fantasy, Suspense, and elements of Romance), check out these lists on Goodreads or Pinterest.

Links: (er...make that one link...Real Life has been real. lately.)

• "Radical Freedom: Writing, Walking--and Exploring the Wilderness Within" is a fabulous article that says truth that we all know

Next post: The Book Pusher, of course!
And just because I have a recent picture from Jamaica, I'll leave you with a sunset in Negril. ;-) 

September Links

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Source

Don't sneer at genre fiction. Let James Preston share Three Tools for Reading and Watching Genre Fiction with you.

Kate Moretti explains why we have genres at all in Does Genre Dumb it Down or Make it Rain?

There are Craft Books for Pantsers--that's what they say. I'm still on the fence. ;-)

And another post about thinking it through or getting it down. Join Kristin Hoffman in Making a House a Home (and What It Taught Me About Writing)

Next Week: All about the WFWA Retreat in Albuquerque!

Genre...again and Mini-Reviews III

It seems that everything is based on genre these days--finding an agent, pitching publishers, and marketing. That can be limiting to writers who write stories that cross genre lines or take on characteristics of several genres. I'll admit to being a omnivorous reader who will read anything. ; ) If it has a strong main character, I'm happy. All of these books have main characters who come alive. You won't forget them.

CASTAWAY DREAMS Darlene Marshall (romance)
Award-winning author, Darlene Marshall's latest at first seems as frivolous as Daphne Farnham's wardrobe. But like the frilly dresses, lovely hats, and perfect shoes hide the truth about Daphne's true nature, Marshall's light romance hides deep character development. It's a delight to see what's at the heart of the story. Castaway Dreams is a light and racy romance full of wit. Great read.

PAINTING NAKED Maggie Dana (literary women's fiction)
This one is racier than my usual read, so be forewarned.
The MC has a coming-of-middle age story. Jillian Hunter will win you over and make you think about the assumptions we all make about life. Good read.

TAI-PAN James Clavell (historical)
I periodically reread Clavell's Asian Saga for the amazing stories and vivid characters. TAI-PAN is the second in the series and is set during the founding of Hong Kong. With a tightly plotted story and an unforgettable main character--Dirk Straun--Clavell proves he is a mastery storyteller. Good read

Julia Spencer-Fleming--the Clare Ferguson and Russ Van Alstyne mystery series:
Not only are Spencer-Fleming's books wonderful, intricate mysteries, she also creates deep, rich characters. The developing relationship between Clare Fergusson, the Episcopal priest, and Russ Van Alstyne, the police chief, is amazing for it emotional reality. If you read mysteries, read these books! If you love real characters, read these books. I've read the first four--In the Bleak Midwinter, In a Fountain Filled with Blood, Out of the Deep I Cry, and To Darkness and To Death. I can't wait to read the next three books.

Do you have a favorite genre? What is it?
Or do you join me in the omnivorous reader group? ; )

What's the Genre?

What genre do you write?

I'm guessing you've heard that question more than a few times. Is there clear cut definition for the genre you prefer? If so, you're blessed. ; )

Of the three genres I write--one is very clear cut (devotional), one has several sub-categories (Science Fiction), and one is all over the place (women's fiction).

It's the definitions of Women's Fiction that give me a headache. Many start with, "written by women for women readers." Do you know of any genres that are defined as "written by men for men readers?" This definition frustrates a lot of women's fiction writers.

One of the best places to get a feel for this is at Amy Sue Nathan's Women's Fiction Writers. Juliette Fay has a great take on this problems in her interview at Women's Fiction Writers. Juliette's latest book, THE SHORTEST WAY HOME has a man as the main character and is still classified as women's fiction.
"But maybe there’s a different question you’re asking: how does the gender of the writer affect the way a book is labeled, regardless of the gender of the main character. If that’s what your wondering, and if I’m being completely honest … I think that if someone in possession of a set of testicles had written this book, it would be called general fiction. After all, it’s not just about a man—it’s about a single man with no children. But since it’s ultimately a family drama, and I have ovaries, it’s called women’s fiction."

Her definition of the genre is "I think of women’s fiction as family drama, and I wish they’d use that label instead. But the women’s fiction label doesn’t really bother me, because a rose is a rose. Happily, there are a lot of people who want to read family drama/women’s fiction—and, hey, I’m here to help."

One of the issues with a gender based definition of a genre is the assumptions that books in the genre won't seriously written or about deep topics. That's a shame. I've read a lot women's fiction that deal with abuse, family disruption, life-threatening illness, and relationships among family members, both male and female.

What's you opinion on genre definitions that take into account the gender of the writer? Is is fair?