Can I identify what I write?

~ aurorajeanalexander
Picture courtesy of: http://www.leap-plus.com/writing-genre-fiction/
Picture courtesy of: http://www.leap-plus.com/writing-genre-fiction/

 

 

When I became a writer and started with my stories, I had to classify them. Considering the existence of so many genres, I had a hard time to choose.

Where are the differences between the genres? I needed to get research done:

My research showed me that fantasy is a genre of fiction using magic and supernatural phenomena as a primary element.

It might be based on myth or legends or even Science that doesn’t exist (yet).

Fantasy encompasses numerous subgenres. And now we are getting to a list I love! The complexity of the fantasy genre is fascinating!

 

 

(Source: Wikipedia)

 

What subgenre do I categorize my own stories in?

Here it’s getting difficult. The only thing that’s clear is that my writing is ‘fantasy’.

At the moment, I am working on several stories. I’d sort one of them within the subgenre ‘urban fantasy’, the other one might be identified as “heroic fantasy.’ The novel I work on is a mix between ‘Contemporary fantasy’ – and ‘paranormal romance’.

And here I am now, switching between the real world, fantasy worlds, romance, funny characters, creepy creatures, and magic.

I love what I do! And even though the fantasy genre with its numerous subgenres is a little confusing, I’m sure I am working myself into it.

What is it that I like so much about fantasy that I decided on this genre? I think it is quite easy to answer this question. I can let my imagination run amok. If I am going to turn the hair of my heroine blue and give her gills, who will stop me? If I decide to create a child with magical abilities, who will tell me that it “cannot be”?  I love myths, legends, and mystical creatures like unicorns… and once in a while I need a protagonist being a princess. This is why fantasy is just my genre. (or – paranormal romance, or contemporary fantasy… Maybe I should try to categorize my story after completing it.)

One of my favorite books is a fantasy book. I identified it a mix of Science fantasy and dark fantasy. It is: “Watchers”, written by Dean Koontz. I love this book even though it’s one of Dean Koontz older books. It impressed me and I never forgot it I wish I one day can touch my readers as much as Dean Koontz can do it.

Do you have a favorite genre or subgenre you read or write in? Don’t be shy, please tell me!

 

19 thoughts on “Can I identify what I write?”

  2. I love writing fantasy, too! Reading through your list of fantasy subgenres made me want to rub my hands together with glee, except I’m holding a cell phone and can’t do that. Watchers is so good, and my favorite Koontz novel is Lightning.

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    1. Thanks so much for dropping by and leaving your comment. I understand it’s hard to rub your hands together with holding a cell phone. *chuckle*
      I’m glad you liked the list. 🙂
      And you’re right. Lightning is a fantastic Koontz-Book as well! I love it!

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  3. I had a hard time narrowing down my subgenre too. My writing is just so different from everything else out there, I didn’t know where I fit it. The closest fit for me was dark fantasy though, and I finally came to realizing that when I was trying to figure out what style of book cover would be best for my books. It wasn’t until I got to the dark fantasy covers that I realized that was exactly the right fit for me. Maybe looking at book covers from the different subgenres will help you too?

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    1. I see what you mean with the book covers, Renee. But I’m not sure if that’s really of help. Some fantasy book covers have as well the light as also the dark part of the book on the cover… (Let’s say, a fairy and a troll) – where do I set it up then?
      But I like the idea.
      Thanks so much for reading the post and leaving your comment. 🙂

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      1. I’m not just referring to the dark or light. It’s more about the style as a whole. Like high fantasy and sword and sorcery covers can be dark in tone, but they’re usually hand drawn scenes. Whereas a dark fantasy cover is usually photographic images or symbolic images (or a combination of both) rather than a scene, if that makes sense. The artistry itself on the covers of the different subgenres is very different in a lot of cases. My issue was that I was looking at “fantasy” covers for ideas and most of what came up was for high fantasy, and that didn’t fit with my style of writing. Of course, if you combine many subgenres within one story, that can make it difficult. I suppose you’d have to decide which one is most prevalent within the story.

        Have you considered letting others read your work and asking what subgenre they think it might fit into? Sometimes having an outside opinion can help too. Then again… maybe you just have a new subgenre and you’ll have to come up with a name for it! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you very much for all the information! I really appreciate it. – And of course I like the idea of a new subgenre. Believe me, since I read your comment I’m trying to come up with a really cool and magic name. LOL
        Really! Thank you!!

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  5. I agree. I find it hard to define genre. My book is set in the real world where anything is possible, if not probable. It is a fantasy but not of The Game of Thrones variety. It also makes me wonder if when agents say they don’t take sci-fi or fantasy if they mean anything with dragons and knights or something that is not real?

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  6. Good idea about the covers, Renee. Life was easier in the past when it was just fantasy. My current series is epic fantasy, i think, but it has some elements of romantic fantasy too. I suspect most fantasy novels cover more than one category.

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    1. I’ve learned over the last year how the cover and listing in the right genre or subgenre can really make or break a book. That’s why I spent so much time researching different cover designs and what subgenre my stories fit into. It’s made a huge difference because I’m actually gaining a lot more new readers now than I was before. Fantasy readers, especially those who only like specific subgenres, can be very picky.

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