How many multiple genres are allowed in a story? Are genres to be paired specifically, i.e. Paranormal romance, paranormal suspense, dark fantasy? Or are there other multiples that are acceptable? And how many genres are too many?
Multiple genres weren’t covered in your Advice Column.
It works out great for me. I get inspired every time I read your blog.
Maybe I was wrong about Steinbeck. I’m re-reading “Of Mice and Men” and there is a lot I like in it now that I’m reading it from a different perspective. I like this line a lot: As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment. Then gradually, time awakened again…
Great list, Victoria! I’m trying desperately to think of one to add… I suppose it would be the opposite of #9 about comedy… If you’ve got deathly stakes, add a little humour. I’m tweeting this.
Number 0: If you’ve got any genre at all, learn how to do top-notch character development.
As a fellow editor, I’m sure you can empathize here: how many manuscripts have you seen where the characters were flat and lifeless, where their motivations were unclear, where their emotional responses were tin-eared or just plain wrong, where everyone’s dialogue sounded the same, et cetera and et cetera?
And how many have you seen where the characters were clearly portrayed, lively, believable, distinctive, emotionally credible, and sympathetic to the reader?
To me, the best, Best, BEST way to add depth to any novel is to make sure your characters come across as real people that we’d actually want to read a novel about. If you don’t have that, the rest doesn’t matter.
Oh, absolutely, Jason. You bet. Fiction is about documenting the human experience. A really good writer can ferret out the tension in just getting up in the morning, if they’ve created a riveting enough character. But nobody cares about paper dolls holding guns on each other.
Wait a minute. . .that might actually be a pretty good premise. . .with matches. . .
As it happens, I just did a post on 8 Places to Find Inspiration that’s basically all about character development. And I’ve got eight more for the next post.
That was great.
Thanks, Kathryn. You’re so darn quick, it’s like you’re standing right behind me!
Interesting list.
How many multiple genres are allowed in a story? Are genres to be paired specifically, i.e. Paranormal romance, paranormal suspense, dark fantasy? Or are there other multiples that are acceptable? And how many genres are too many?
Multiple genres weren’t covered in your Advice Column.
Barbara, I can’t believe I never saw this question come through back in June. I’m sorry! Must have been a hectic week.
I’ll write about it on the Advice Column this coming week, okay?
It’s the time difference I think!
It works out great for me. I get inspired every time I read your blog.
Maybe I was wrong about Steinbeck. I’m re-reading “Of Mice and Men” and there is a lot I like in it now that I’m reading it from a different perspective. I like this line a lot: As happens sometimes, a moment settled and hovered and remained for much more than a moment. And sound stopped and movement stopped for much, much more than a moment. Then gradually, time awakened again…
I could learn something from that.
Great list, Victoria! I’m trying desperately to think of one to add… I suppose it would be the opposite of #9 about comedy… If you’ve got deathly stakes, add a little humour. I’m tweeting this.
Great post! 🙂 I’ve had no sleep, so I have nothing helpful to add, but I like your list and your site. 🙂
Number 0: If you’ve got any genre at all, learn how to do top-notch character development.
As a fellow editor, I’m sure you can empathize here: how many manuscripts have you seen where the characters were flat and lifeless, where their motivations were unclear, where their emotional responses were tin-eared or just plain wrong, where everyone’s dialogue sounded the same, et cetera and et cetera?
And how many have you seen where the characters were clearly portrayed, lively, believable, distinctive, emotionally credible, and sympathetic to the reader?
To me, the best, Best, BEST way to add depth to any novel is to make sure your characters come across as real people that we’d actually want to read a novel about. If you don’t have that, the rest doesn’t matter.
Oh, absolutely, Jason. You bet. Fiction is about documenting the human experience. A really good writer can ferret out the tension in just getting up in the morning, if they’ve created a riveting enough character. But nobody cares about paper dolls holding guns on each other.
Wait a minute. . .that might actually be a pretty good premise. . .with matches. . .
As it happens, I just did a post on 8 Places to Find Inspiration that’s basically all about character development. And I’ve got eight more for the next post.
Character is the heart blood of fiction.