What genre do you write?

[sterling]

In a recent discussion with a writing peer, the subject of genres came up. She asked me what genres I typically wrote, or would like to start writing.

My answer was a lengthy ramble that could have just been summarized by two words: Speculative Fiction. But of course, I wanted to get into more detail than that, so we talked about it for several hours. Almost everything I've written falls into this category (both fanfiction and original fiction), with specifics in: post-apocalyptic, dystopian, fantasy, steampunk, and/or urban fantasy worlds. With the rare exception of a few horror and sci-fi works, I was actually a little amazed that my writing focus was so easily defined.

Even the genres I'd like to start writing for are under the big "speculative fiction" umbrella (one specifically would be alternate history, but I just don't know if I have the patience to do the kind of research I would need to do to make it feel historically possible).

So, some questions for other writers here...

What genres do you usually write?

What genres would you like to write for if you decided to try something new?

Comments

[vanessagalore]

I write suspense and mystery. I've dabbled in erotic fiction, usually with a psychological slant. Mostly I like to screw with my characters' heads and see what happens.

I have a mild interest in writing chick lit, as long as I'm veering far away from traditional romance (oxymoronic, perhaps?). After a year of writing classes, a couple conventions, and reading a lot of publishing/writers' blogs, I feel like none of the typical genres that are popular interest me all that much, and it's discouraging how stratified the business is.

[finch]

I sum myself up as writing mainly urban fantasy and horror, though I'm working on steampunk, superhero and scifi projects as well. Urban fantasy and horror are generally the genres I talk most about and... "write most like" if that makes sense? Other urban fantasy writers tend to "get" where I'm coming from better than other genres.

I'd love to move toward a more mystery/noir style, since I enjoy reading those a lot. I just find it really intimidating.

[ninety6tears]

I've written realistic YA-type stuff, sci-fi/fantasy YA, general lit with a trend of family issues, general fantasy...It's really hard to generalize, and I'm not really sure yet what I'm best at, but no matter what the genre my plots are always very character-driven.

I'd love to write something more postmodern some day. Or a play or screenplay.

[sixbeforelunch]

Right now it's mostly historical fiction. I'm interested in sci fi as a reader, but I don't know if I could ever make the genre work for me as a writer. I'd maybe like to try my hand at contemporary literary fiction as well.

Also, I have Stephen Fry's An Ode Less Traveled and I'm kind of hoping he'll turn me into a poet. Not counting on it though.

[yoshitsune]

The genre I write at the moment could be summed up as historical-fantasy-slice-of-life. But the slice-of-life part could be because I'm trying to find my bearing and character-voices through short fragments and drabbles.

I'd actually like to try writing something in the gangster, techno-thriller or wuxia genre because I love movies in those genres. But writing thrilling action and intrigue is so different from what I'm used to writing. XD;

[ilthit]

My original fiction is almost exclusively speculative fiction. *thinks for a moment* Yeah, I think I've written only one or two non-SF original stories. I've written plenty of non-SF fanfiction though. To be more specific, I've done some high fantasy, but it's more often magical realism or sci-fi with a psychological slant.

[nerakrose]

in my fanfic i've usually written character driven stuff. i screw with my characters' heads, basically... and they don't always have happy endings. i refuse to get influenced by readers who hope for happily ever after and follow my characters completely. some of the stuff has been pretty weird and post modern too, but not too badly...

at the moment i'm writing an allegorical short story and a fantasy novel. first proper non-fanfic stuff for years.

[sweet_sparrow]

I'm a fantasy writer all the way. ^-^ Mostly fantasy of manners or romantic fantasy at that, if you want more specifics, but I'll tackle anything that doesn't veer off into horror or scifi. I Fail at both. Currently I'm having a "Let's retell folktales!" phase. They're loads of fun (and keep going crooked on me, but that's neither here nor there).

I've tried writing a few real-world settings and... it just doesn't work. You could also ask a fish to breathe on land. That kind of situation. I'm quite happy in my genre bubble. ^-^ I'm trying to branch out a little in my reading, but in my writing the fantasy just comes creeping back in when I'm not looking and sometimes even when I am.

If I wanted to try something new, though, I might take a stab at a mystery book. No particular reason behind that except that it seems like a fun challenge to do and mystery books aren't very high on my list of 'things I've written about'. ^-^ It'd probably be a la Elizabeth Bear's New Amsterdam, though, in its setting.

[sincere]

I write fantasy, but I find it's kind of a box situation for me -- unless I'm writing high fantasy, taking place in an original world, I find myself writers-blocked. I've tried writing modern urban fantasy, but I get bogged down and nervous and distract myself with stupid concerns like "BUT WHAT IF I GET SOMETHING WRONG ABOUT THE SETTING???" even if I make up a new town or city. And I've tried writing sci-fi stuff, but I've never been able to manage what I feel is the proper "tone" of sci-fi writing, the grit and the realism and the hardness, and that just kills my creativity.

I get inspiration for sci-fi and urban fantasy. But I can't write it. I wish I could. orz

[revolutemind]

Alternate history, eh? I'm sure I don't need to point you in the direction of Harry Turtledove (and if so, well; I'll write the rest of this taking a couple of liberties).

Turtledove writes excellent alternate history precisely because he is so well-versed in the eras he chooses to write in (even where he veers off the track of realistic history and into fanciful journeys). That you note research is key is very apt on your part; I imagine one could write speculative fiction while simply letting the imagination run off; however, it grabs the mental meat so much more when it's well-researched. I happen to fancy history, and the simple act of reading Turtledove's works taught me things (especially second-hand, where if I found a particularly appealing character or event; or even an analog of some historical event, I researched it later out of curiosity, and Turtledove's alternative treatment of it really punched up the colors of the real-life event).

---

I don't like genre so much. Though it's handy when talking sword-and-sandal, or the rivets of science fiction, genre goes to a good story as a costume, or physical description might go to an individual. What lies beneath is only ever barely hinted at by its appearance.

Genre: Hell, me, I'm trying to write me a love story, mostly to see if I can execute in fiction what I think could happen in fact, if I could just get the scene and dialogue right.

Trying new things: If I wasn't writing the urban myth I was attempting to now; I think I'd write something dystopian myself. Perhaps comically dystopian.

Going back to research: Research for one's World ain't too hard. A little concentrated study does the trick. Studying characters; now that requires living, either out in the street or in-between the ears, with both being equally exhausting.

[snowynight]

I am really into speculative fiction too. I wrote steampunk and scifi though the stories should never see the light. I would like to try detective action comedy but I am too intimidated now to try.