Unbelievable, that I am sharing my third insecurity. Genre Envy. I write predominantly Middle Grade Fiction with heavy doses of Fantasy and humour. Currently I am working on my Paranormal Trilogy.
Whenever I see writers tackling Science-Fiction,
Speculative Fiction, Urban Fantasy, I feel several sharp twinges of envy. I
don’t think I have read many Sci-Fi books, but, nevertheless it’s something
that fascinates me all the time. I don’t know why I have the feeling that it
must be very difficult to write it.
Actually, I am envious of everyone who writes genres
different from mine. I feel they are way more talented than me. Honestly.
Poor little me, tackling good old Fantasy Fiction in this world of high breed
genres. Sigh. Life is indeed cruel.
I hope my blog buddies, all the wonderful Sci-fi
writers (Alex Cavanaugh, Lynda Young, Ellie Garrat, Shallee McArthur, Lydia
Chang will give me tips when I write my own Sci-Fi).
Let me not restrict getting help from just these
above writers. I hope that all of you wonderful writers and blog buddies will help me become a better writer. So
that someone out there envies me sometime in the future.
Well, I have shared another writing insecurity with
you all. I am looking forward to reading all your insecurities. Do you all
suffer from genre envy like me? What’s your envy?
I love a good scifi tale, although it's amazing how much more advanced writers imagined we would be in the 21st century. Still no jetpacks.
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Moody Writing
I have the same envy for Steam Punk writers. I like the genre, but really don't think I could ever write in it.
ReplyDelete......dhole
I envy all those non-genre authors out there!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to write a YA contemporary. I even have an idea for one that's kinda aching to come out. But I'm just so scared.
I love magic and worldbuilding and I'm worried I couldn't create character stories compelling enough on their own!!!
My first novel is high fantasy and at times I sigh looking at other types of fantasy that seem to sell more easily. Or YA authors who seem to sell their books quicker. But we can branch out too. My new project is a YA urban fantasy. I love the genre and age group I write for but I am trying to branch out.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
My biggest fear, is to press the 'Publish' button:)At least you have so many published books to your credit, Rachna to serve as a model writer!
ReplyDeleteI write paranormal and fantasy but I think in 20 years I've practically touched all genres except MG. I believe it is just too hard because the attention span of a child is shorter than that of an adult and they have less patience for a bad writer. The ironies of life, I envy you, :D
ReplyDeleteI am a writer and I don't necessary have genre envy, but I do have a hefty dose of music envy. Every time I hear a cool song that inspires me, I wish I could have that talent. I wish I could play a bunch of instruments and sing my guts out (which sounds painful now that I think about it). I think a little envy proves we are human and shows we appreciate what other talented people do. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNo matter what I do I am never envious of anyone or anything. I couldn't imagine those feelings your having! Trust and believe in your own writing, and if there is such a thing....let them be envious of you! sandysanderellasmusings
ReplyDeleteAnd I think what you are writing would be more difficult!
ReplyDeleteI think we all have that envy to a degree. Every genre has it positives and negatives.
And you know I'd help you any way I could! Although not sure anyone wants writing tips from me...
Genres, genres, who cares about genres? We all have a unique voice that's calling out to be heard. That's what counts.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine writing MG fiction. Do you know how crazy the minds are of kids these days? If you can get into that and write something, well, that's a mighty talent. Be proud and claim it!
My main thrust is Fantasy, but I recently pitched a YA series to a publisher that is contemporary. Am I betraying my roots? Not at all, but as the mother of a former teenager (now 25) and a current teenager (15), it is a subject I know well. I think that is the key - write what you know. Despite the 'genre'!
ReplyDeleteHi friends, from your comments I see that a few of you feel that I am immersed in self-pity and sadness. I was just sharing my insecurity and being honest about the genre envy I often suffer from.
ReplyDeleteDeep down I am quite proud of my writing as its difficult to hold the attention of kids and get into their minds.
I am touched by all your comments and warm words.
A normal dose of envy is healthy. Most feel it but refuse to admit. Like Rahul my pulse rate increases as I press publish. I am worried to death about typos and grammatical mistakes.
ReplyDeleteI always imagine what fun the sci-fi and fantasy writers must be having as they create those imaginary worlds with fantastic sounding names and places... and here I am steeped in "old-fashioned" reality!
ReplyDeleteYeah, the grass always seems greener, but I always come back to my favorites, and if I was the last person on earth I'd still writer historical fiction:)
ReplyDeleteHmm. Genre envy. Kind of . . .I would love to write scifi - I have written some scifi, but I get bogged down in the tech aspect of it. I think I'm a little envious of those who have been wise enough to call their work space opera . . .someday I'll re-write an old scifi novel I have and call it that so I don't have to worry as much about the techie side of it.
ReplyDeleteI am also fascinated by mystery writers. Every story has some mystery, but to keep all those details in your head and plant just the right ones along the way so that the detective can solve the crime before the reader does . . . I think that must take some serious genius.
BTW - I love fantasy too! Yay for fantasy writers!
I envy the picture books writers and illustrators. I'd give anything to be able to do what they do!
ReplyDeleteGlad you signed on for the IWSG. And thanks for visiting The WRite Game.
Hmmm I'm not sure if I suffer from genre envy. I started reading NA contemporary romances and loved the genre, so I switched to writing that.
ReplyDeleteDoes that count?
I have it. I'm toying with the idea of writing speculative fiction this summer. In the past I would begin a paranormal or sci-fi draft, but never finish it.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachna. Thanks for trying to follow me. My "Join This Site" button is on the right at the top, right underneath the A-Z challenge badge.
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