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In the Writing Jungle

Suzi Goode

A trip through the Jungle of Genre

Walk into a bookstore, any bookstore and what is the first thing that catches your eye? Of course there's plenty of books but other than that, what is noteworthy? Still haven't figured it out?

Here's another clue. Are you searching for a particular author? Perhaps J.D. Robb (a.k.a. Nora Roberts) or maybe Isaac Asimov or Mercedes Lackey. What do you have to know about each author to get the book you are looking for? Don't you need to know what type of novel they are writing or, in writer's parlance, what genre they are writing in? J.D. Robb writes in the mystery genre but she uses Nora Roberts when writing in the romance genre; Isaac Asimov writes in the science fiction genre and Mercedes Lackey in the fantasy genre - if you're so lucky as to have a bookstore with a fantasy section separate from its science fiction section.

Knowing genre is important not only when you are searching for a particular novel but also when you are writing a short story or novel. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, genre is defined as "A category of artistic, musical or literary composition characterized by a particular style, form or content." Simply stated, when it comes to 'literary composition', genre is a classification, making it easier for the reader, writer and publisher to get about in the world of writing.

When we think of genre, we generally think in terms of fiction. Among the genres which immediately come to mind are science fiction, romance, mystery and horror, to name a few. However genre is not confined to fiction. When I think of genre and because I tend to write fiction, I think in terms of fiction. To do so is to exclude the other half of writing made up of non-fiction and poetry. While fiction entertains and makes learning an unforgettable experience within a story setting, non-fiction is written with the intention of educating the reader. Growing up, more often than not, I had my nose stuck in an historical novel and learned much about different periods of history while I lived a character's life and problems. I discovered a passion for history, and from an early age, learned to appreciate the great amount of time and research it took to write non-fiction.

Genre didn't become important to me, however, until well after I began writing. I had no idea that there was such a thing, and found that as I was getting to know the genres, that there were subgenres, much like a subfolder within a folder in your mail program. Many times, I got confused and wondered which genre I was writing in. In fantasy alone, there is such a diversity of subgenres, that it was mindboggling to learn about them. At one point, I challenged myself to write in each of the subgenres...I'm still at it after over a year, trying to write a humorous fantasy, a dark fantasy, an urban fantasy...I suppose I'll be writing for a long while. I'm still learning about genres. Recently, I began writing erotica. To my amazement, I found that this genre has subgenres as well.

To the beginning writer, and often to the more advanced writer, genre can be a jungle. Why should a writer care about this aspect of writing? In order to be a successful writer, you must know the genre you work in and its subgenres. It not only allows you to write according to that genre's formula (if there is such a thing), but allows you to make wise decisions when marketing either fiction or non-fiction.

No matter which genre you write in, write the best you can and write as much as you can. Only a writer who writes every day will succeed. Read extensively in the genre you are writing in, and in other genres. Your writing will improve for the extra time you put in reading and from the knowledge you gain. And, if the Muse takes you, attempt to write in another genre than the one you are currently writing in. You might find, as I did, that you can write not only science fiction, but mysteries and perhaps a bit of erotica.

Genres aren't difficult to understand and knowing the differences among them as well as the subgenres within them, will greatly improve your understanding of the writing world as well as improve your chances of success.

If you have any questions you'd like answered in this column, please let me know (suzi@wvu.org).

Merry Christmas and Happy Writing in the New Year!