As I was writing my novel, I wrote a few short stories and entered them in contests. I haven't heard back yet because it's too early, but I was curious if anyone else has tried this route to get established as a writer. I see it as a way to get feedback while improving my writing, plus it's much less of a time commitment than writing another novel. It took me a year to do that, and I'm still not finished.
One of the short stories I wrote was about two young girls, written in parallel accounts of their experience with a doll. One girl lives in the States and the other is a poor girl in South America. I think it might work as a children's book if I modified it slightly.
I think part of my problem is I don't know which genre fits me best. The novel I wrote started out sounding like a YA but ended up a suspense with a little romance thrown in for good measure. I'm rewriting another version where I'm focusing on just suspense. We'll see.
What's your opinion? As always, I love to hear your thoughts.
You might be one that writes in various genres and for various ages! Keep experimenting,keep tweaking what you have written, keep writing new stuff and see what fits. Maybe it all will.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement! I will do that.
Delete...nothing wrong with changing the game a bit, and trying something new. Staying glued to one particular genre can actually hurt one's chances at getting noticed, or so I've been told on more than one occasion ;)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with those contests!
El
Thanks for stopping in and joining my blog, and for the encouragement! As new to the game as I am, I think experimenting with genres is a good idea too.
DeleteYou write what's in your soul---what you know has to come out. I know for me, I'm drawn to the fantastical--if I ever write a literary book I'd be shocked out of my mind!!!! Or like you said, a memoir... man, that would be an adventure! I think it's always a great thing to open yourself up and stretch yourself--so you can solidify what you love best! Great post. :D
ReplyDeleteYou're right. You can't force a genre to fit. I'm still trying to figure out what comes naturally to me and it's all been a great adventure!
ReplyDeleteI am still learning, dreaming and thinking about all of this stuff...good luck to you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And thanks for dropping in. :)
DeleteYou've hit on one of the biggest issues in creating stories. Knowing where you story fits is important--to you as a writer, but also to publishers as a business. I started by going to the bookstores and reading what was on the shelf where I thought my story might fit. That helped me a lot.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good idea. I've been reading all kinds of books lately, but I haven't read recent thrillers and that's what I probably should be reading. Thanks for stopping by and joining my blog!
DeleteOh please please send off your stories to lots of competitions and such!!! Build a portfolio - it always helps and it's great for the very fragile writerly ego!! Good luck!!
ReplyDeletep.s. love how you are exploring all sorts of genres too!! Yay!
Take care
x
I think it's the best route for me at this time too. Thanks for stopping by and joining!
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