Missy's Twisted Tangent

So I just read this article and this response to it.  This blog also spoke to me concerning these topics, sort of.  Not exactly on point, but still emphasizes a few thoughts here and that Michelle made. Now, I'm not published or experienced in the business but something struck me as odd in Richard's post.  (For those of you with experience, please feel free to correct me.)

Richard Morgan was speaking of the issues that writers within the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres seem to have with each other and sub genres. The 'pure' fantasists hate the urban fantasists.  Urban fantasists think the 'pure' fantasists are in a rut and need to move on. Etc. Etc. Etc.

Ironically, I just saw a blog concerning JD Robb/Nora Roberts (one in the same for those who don't know) and how the community is now questioning how to shelve her JD Robb stories since she is primarily a romance writer.  I also have multiple friends online who are writers and though they may not be heavily published, they tend to have projects in more than one genre.  One writes 'pure' Fantasy and has just sold a trilogy for an Urban Fantasy. Another writes Paranormal Erotica and Urban Fantasy.

Now while I agree with Mr. Morgan that writers shouldn't dis other writers b/c they do not enjoy their genre or style of writing, I can't help but wonder how big of an issue this is.  All the online writers I know read multiple genres gladly (even sub genres *gasp*) and post book reviews and recommendations.  They reviews focus on the quality of the writing and story, not the genre. But like I said, they cross genres in their writing as well.

So is this some kind of self-loathing? Or what?

But beyond that, why would other writers gripe about other genres, especially sub genres? They should be proud that they either write in the genre that birthed such creativity or respect their roots of those who paved the way. I read multiple genres. I write multiple genres. I can't imagine only having one genre to read/write. If someone had turned down the first Urban Fantasy novel (which I would guess came out around the time of like Dracula), where would we be? And don't forget the first Science Fiction. Wouldn't that be like War of the Worlds or Journey to the Center of the Earth? And those to me, make me think Contemporary Science Fiction b/c they took place in the time period they were written, right? (I could totally be off, but you get the point... hopefully.)

Anyway, I thought it sad that this is an issue and ventured forth to express my opinion and now humbly ask all your own. And not just my writer friends. I want to hear from the readers. Do you care? Does it matter that there are tons of sub genres popping up practically daily, etc?  Let's get a good discussion going...

Why do I feel like I just titled a new book in some bizarre Harry Potter series?

Anyway, I feel the need to gush. In the past year, since I picked up Magic Bites at the behest of my sister and we emailed her with our rave reviews and fan adoration, I have met and spoken with almost a dozen authors online.  It's very heady for me, you see, as I have been working on a book for the past 5 years and now have like 5 others in some form or another.  It's wonderful to get to meet these writers in their various stages of development: just published, almost published, published multiple books... to get to learn from them and even befriend some.  I really feel blessed and often very giddy.  Yes, I am a big, big nerd!!

Some of the amazing people I've spoken with:

Ilona Andrews- Magic Bites, Magic Burns (coming 2008)
Diana Pharoah Francis- The Path series (Path of Fate, Path of Honor, Path of Blood), The Cipher (Nov 6th, 2007)
Brandon Sanderson- Elantris, Mistborn,
Jill Myles- Sex Starved (2008 or 2009)
Mark Henry- Happy Hour of the Damned (Feb 07)
Stacia Kane- Personal Demons
Anton Strout- Dead to Me
Jim C. Hines- Goblin Quest, Goblin Hero, Goblin Wars (writing now)
Katie McCallister- Aisling Grey series, Men in Kilts, Hard Days Knight (the list goes on and on)
Jennifer Fallon- Hythrun Chronicles (Medalon, Treason Keep, Harshini)
Wen Spencer- Tinker, Wolf Who Rules, A Brother's Price, etc.

And just recently, I have spoken with David Farland, author of the Runelords series (the final book just came out! *squee*).  He holds seminars on writing and has also decided to do a "Dave's Daily Writing Tips" on his blog!!  I am very excited about this!

Another site which has 5 of the above Urban Fantasy authors as members is the League of Reluctant Adults where they foray into their experiences with writing, genre, publishing and life.  They all have a good sense of humor, and even if you don't write, they will crack you up.

Thank you to all the above people for taking the time to talk to me and get to know me.  It's been amazing!  (Yes, I know, but I'm at a loss for words on this one.)  It's a real blessing to get to learn from all of you.

For everyone else, if you are interested in writing, then you should check these sites out!  If not, then just check the sites out for fun!  I also tried to get the home pages of all the authors so you could look up all their books.  Go!  Buy/Preorder!!  I demand it!! :)

*This message has been brought to you by #1 Squee Fan-girl Pimp. Thank you.

*said through nasally zombie sneer* I would like to welcome you to the pimpage of Mark Henry, my new friend... Yesss... He is full of the wit and wisdom of a published author *rubs hands together*- and he's a zombie!!  (Right?  Do I have that right??)  Anyway, once he gets used to the time change, he'll start posting earlier, but this is where his post of zombie brain-filling goodness will be (it's like a zombie donut... the smater you are, the sweeter the filling!):  

http://www.leagueofreluctantadults.com/blog.html



(I'll update once I can comment on his actual article.)

HA Mark!  I pimped ya first!!  And you weren't even awake yet!! 

UPDATE:
So, after getting beyond the wonderful images of Mark in his man-panties (they were pink in my head, with little black teddy bears on them- don't know why), I tried to absorb the lovely ramblings of the man behind the words... or rather the words from the man behind them.  I don't know.  My brain isn't in straight today, the jelly having been sucked out by the zombie under my bed.

I enjoyed his writing.  He makes a point in a very round about way... if you don't have humor, it's difficult to add it.  Take me, for example.  I'm chuckling to myself as I write my nonsense but I highly doubt that many people find me funny.  My sister is the funny one- I think it started as a defense mechanism.  Now me- I'm the nice one, the friendly one, the outgoing one... I didn't try to make people laugh, I just expected them to like me, dab nab it!  Oh, and I was also the flirt, but that's a whole other story... :) Anyway, as I start trying to venture into the world of writing myself, I've often worried that my moments of attempted wit are going flat and I have no clue how to fix that.  So, I've decided, once I've read his book (*cough*hint*cough*) if i think he's funny enough (which I'm expecting he will be), I'm going to make Mark write all my comedy!

There was an introduction.  Then we skip to the important stuff.  What do I do in-between?

This Estith- she is a stubborn one.  What do I do with her?
(And how much longer do we think I can procrastinate before I even get a word on the page?)

UPDATE & EPIPHANY!!  (I seem to be having alot of these lately.)
Ok, sadly I must rework my outline.  I realized that I only have one major character and the others are flat and bend too much to fit into her story.  I need more characters (though the thought of getting to know all of them is frightening).  I need others to have at least a bit of backstory otherwise I have these chalkboards saying 'Please, write whatever you want on me. I am only here to be convenient for you. I am a robot.'

Well, arygato, Mr. Roboto!  No more for you!  You will develop a personality or leave!  Do you hear me?  I want some logical, realistic emotions and thoughts from you.  I don't want to hear whatever would be best for my character, got it?

Peace out.