In preparation for my NaNoWriMo adventure next month, I was at the web site entering some information about the novel I would write. One of the questions asked about genre. “Uhhh, I don’t know! Is fiction a genre?”
No problem, I figured. Since I intend on writing a book similar to 44 Scotland Street: A 44 Scotland Street Novel (1)
Since I don’t see my novel as anything like “coming of age”, and since it is not strictly a humor book, I was back to square one.
So, I Googled “Genre Definitions.” I was amazed at first by the lack of any decent sites that could explain to me how genre worked. As well, there was very little about the criteria for inclusion in a specific genre.
This whole business about genre is important in a lot of ways. In a query letter you should be stating the genre. And if you plan on finding an agent, knowing genre is a necessity lest you keep sending your erotic vampire stories to Christian Non-fiction agents.
Sometimes, it will be obvious where your book belongs. If so, that is one less hurdle to jump in getting the thing published. Otherwise, you’re going to have to come to some sort of accurate decision and go with it until someone in the industry tells you different.
While researching the topic, I did come across this fantastic website that lists what must be every genre known to mankind. Here is just a sample:
Absurdist
Dickensian
Fantasy of Manners or Mannerpunk
Historiographical Metafiction
Hysterical Realism – WTF?
Luciferian
Neuronovel
Retro-futurism
Pinhead
Tumblemoosonian – Okay, not really. But what the hey? Seems like there’s a genre for nearly everything else!
Here’s a link to the genre list. It really is quite fun.
http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/genres.html
Ultimately, my NaNo Novel falls squarely into the drop down menu selection of “Mainstream Fiction.”
I guess I’m okay with that.
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Hello George!
You know, this ‘genre’ boogeyman has scared budding writers for years and I feel that we have to squarely stare it down into its native nothingness.
Who but commercial interests try to put writing and writers into made-up categories, useful only to the fading elite of the book world. A world that needs (and is now getting) a good ass-kicking.
I am of the belief that the creative process simply cannot and should not be put into the proverbial box. I mean, what if Giacometti or Picasso or Cormac McCarthy had buckled under social pressure to fit their radical works within the straitjacketing confines of so-called ‘genre’? We wouldn’t have such cutting-edge art, pure and simple.
I will always fight common-ness or dumbing-down-ness in all walks of life.
I know, I know, George. You are probably saying ‘one has to eat, don’t they’? Sure, they do.
But maybe the answer is this:
Go ahead and ‘render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s’ and then, on a parallel track, stick your creative neck out and give us something altogether new and undefinable. Create a genre unique unto to you.
Throw away the mold and cast a brilliant new gem that will be looked upon with wonder and have gasping readers blogging about it until kingdom come. THAT’s what creativity is all about!
Good luck with NaNoWriMo, George!
Wayne
Ahh, words of wisdom from the sagiest guy around. Yeah, I do get irritated when I think about this whole genre business.
Also, I find it interesting when libraries or bookstores set things up by genre. How can you find anything? Genre is kind of subjective and not only that but most works could be pigeon-holed into any number of genres.
Thanks for the encouragement, Wayne.
George
I’m with Wayne, George. Boxes be damned!
But I do have to tell you, after reading this & your previous post about NaNoWriMo (and having heard my oldest daughter talk about it for years) I bit the bullet & joined in. Can’t let you guys have all the fun, right?
Nothing like throwing myself under the bus…but, why not? I struggled with Writer’s Weekly 24 Hour Short Story Contest because I just couldn’t get my story down to 900 words. Perhaps I’ll do better at the opposite end of the spectrum? I do, after all, have something of a reputation for talking alot…I’m sure I can translate that into a workable manuscript.
Unfortunately, I am behind the ball compared to your prep work. I haven’t the foggiest CLUE what my ramblings will ultimate turn into. I have no characters in mind, no storyline, nothing. Complete and utter blank slate.
My strategy? I’m thinking I should spend Halloween with my favorite partner in crime, drink way too many adult-type beverages, and see what kind of misfit tales I dream up while I snooze into Nov. 1st. I’m thinking seat-of-my-pants works just as well. No time to overthink.
I look forward to riding out the month with you!
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Sandi,
Yay! I’m so excited! I know the feeling about the prep, though. I need to do a bunch more. Lori suggested putting together as many plot points as possible and then tackling a few of them each day – She was done by Nov 19! Talk about setting the bar…
I’m diggin’ the strategy for Nano. I might follow that very route!
It will be a blast!
George
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