Time for another posting with the Insecure Writers Support Group, where writers can share their insecurities and encourage one another. IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and we share our posts the first Wednesday of the month. The co-hosts for June are: Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner.
I did not write as much as I wanted to this month, but at least I did get started on my novel! One thing I figured out pretty quick is that I do not write the same way on my computer as I do writing by hand. I’m also having trouble with choosing a genre, has anyone else had trouble with genre before? Genre selection seems hard for me. I just can’t seem to decide what genre my book is. At first I thought it might be a memoir, but I thought it would be too boring. I could have a taken a non-fictional psychological approach, but I doubt people would take it very seriously since I do not have credentials in psychology. And so I decided to go with fiction. When I first started writing on my computer, I was making it a realistic fiction based off of things that I have experienced. It just did not seem to be going anywhere, so I took a break for a few minutes and decided to try writing by hand. As I was writing in my notebook, my story took an interesting turn toward a sort of soft science fiction. I still don’t quite know how to classify my story, but it has been an interesting trip so far. As of now, my current WIP (Work In Progress to my non-writer friends) is a young adult soft science fiction that may or may not become a series. Despite this slight confusion, I am feeling less insecure this month simply because I have finally embarked on my WIP :)
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| https//classroomcorner.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/genre_identification_flowchart.jpg Maybe this chart will help... |
I find it easier to write on my computer than write my hand. I type faster and so can follow my thoughts better.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you shouldn't worry about genre at the moment. Sometimes that can be a hindrance to writing.
Good luck and all the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat Garcia
http://www.patgarciaandeverythingmustchange.com/2016/06/iwsg-june-2016-recovery-is-not-matter.html
Pat, sometimes I write better on the computer, but I think it depends on what I'm writing. I tend to edit more when I'm typing, and that sometimes distracts me from the story. When I write by hand, it seems I am more story-focused and go more in depth.
DeleteI find I am quicker on the keyboard than by hand,so if I wrote something it would be by that method. Proud of you that you got started on the novel. That was a big step!
ReplyDeleteBetty
Thanks Betty! The computer works great for my blog posts, but I think my imagination flows better with a paper and pen, or it could just be location. My computer is in the living room and my notebooks are in my bedroom, maybe if I move my work station...
Deleteinteresting
ReplyDeleteWhen I write by hand I'm freer, looser and often more creative. The words are usually not as eloquent or well-crafted and I miss a lot of details and description, but the heart of the story takes shape faster. I often have to go back over it and fill in the blanks when editing.
ReplyDeleteWhen typing it tends to be more "crafted," as I can move things around and fit them into place. I take more time to add more description, more detail. When editing though I tend to end up cutting pieces out, because I added too much superfluousness.
And genre is a marketing device. Write whatever you want, you can decide on what kind of label to slap on it when you're done.
IWSG Post June
Thanks C.D., I think my writing works the same way. I may miss details and have grammar mistakes in writing by hand, but the creativity seems to come better that way. And I edit way too much as I type! Of course, typing does make it easier to move things around.
DeleteHey, as long as you found a good path, just keep writing. Worry about genre later.
ReplyDeleteAlex, I think I am getting too caught up in genre, I just need to follow this train of thought in my story and see where it takes me!
DeleteThat's nice that you took the first steps of getting started. I would just write what I want to write and find a label for it later.
ReplyDeleteI too am working on a YA book, but it's not sci-fi.
Cynthia, I am glad to finally have some of this story written down, it has been swimming in my head for far too long.
DeleteNever worry about genre while writing the first draft. Just try to get the story on the page. Genre is just a made-up marketing tool anyway. Someone else can figure out where it needs to be filed. Just write what you feel.
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz, I think these insecurities sometimes just show up to distract me from writing.
DeleteI've never had a problem with genre since I've only had a passion to write a specific series of books, but I do have friends who struggle with that genre line. I can't write by hand. Usually my hand cramps, I can't read my writing, and then I get frustrated because I have to duplicate effort to get it into a digital format. I'll draw by hand, though, before I digitize it, because I need that feel and ability to go at odd angles. I imagine that's how hand writers feel about their stories.
ReplyDeleteLoni, I think you're right about hand writers. I feel more of an emotional connection when I write by hand, probably because of all the years I kept a diary. On the computer, there is more of a separation from my words, which is good for editing.
DeleteI'm surprised that you don't know the genre going in, but since I don't know the story I guess I don't have the information to make that judgement call. A memoir sounds like a good possibility--I don't see any need for the credentials in a background of psychology. Just writing and letting the flow carry you along I think will settle things for you in due time.
ReplyDeleteJust keep at it and do well! I wish you great success with your writing.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Thanks Arlee! I guess I know what I'm writing about, but it could easily go in different directions. I could write about actual events in my life as a memoir, but I'm leaning more towards fictionalizing it and adding some imagination to some of the events and changing things around a bit to make it more interesting.
DeleteI am much quicker on my keyboard than by hand (though still not fast with either).
ReplyDeleteKeith, I'm pretty slow with both of those as well. I am slower at writing by hand, but I think the pace helps me sort out which details are most important, I could always add more once I get it on my computer.
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