Wednesday, August 5, 2020

My August IWSG Post and my Writing Style


Due to this pandemic raging across the world, the months are flying by in a state of anxiety and lockdowns. The eight month of the year has arrived, this is one year that can fly past quickly and I won’t mind at all.

Luckily for me, as I am writing so much, I don’t feel the impact of the situation that much, as my mind is on my book. This time I remembered the IWSG post in time, well before the first Wednesday of the month rolled into view.

IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) is an online group of writers, posting on the first Wednesday of every month. We writers are so fond of discussing our writing, talking about books, characters, stories, revisions and publishing, that I’m sure other than another writer, no one will be interested in our conversations. Our IWSG posts usually focus on our writing related issues, worries, fears and doubts. Do visit the IWSG website, its full of amazing and informative posts.

IWSG was started by the talented and brilliant allrounder Alex J Cavanaugh: writer, blogger, musician and a wonderful human who has taken it upon himself to help fellow writers. Alex has many other aces up his sleeve. Alex is the author of several amazon bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars, with more bestsellers in the offing.

August 5 question - Quote: "Although I have written a short story collection, the form found me and not the other way around. Don't write short stories, novels or poems. Just write your truth and your stories will mold into the shapes they need to be."
Have you ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn't planned on writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?

I usually choose a form or a genre in advance, that way I know exactly who my audience is, what my style will be and what word count I should restrict myself to. This way I save myself the trouble and the hassle of explaining to an editor why I veered so much from the general form. Though I take liberties in the story, but I stick to the form/genre in general.

What about you all? Do you all choose the form/genre in advance or it’s the other way round?


14 comments:

  1. I chose my form at the start too – but sometimes the finished length isn't exactly as I'd anticipated.

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  2. That's smart to plan it out in advance. Glad you are getting a lot of writing done!

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  3. I like to plan it out in advance like you. Glad your writing is keeping you busy.

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  4. You're so organized and analytical. That's great! I am working on a secret project that I did a little submission research on--for a change ;)

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  5. Knowing the audience is impportant.

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  6. I write in the mystery genre, but I'm sometimes all over the place within it.

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  7. Seems my stories fall between several genres so it's hard to pinpoint my audience. I like how organized you are.

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  8. I always choose my genre first! Sometimes there are more than one. Glad you are doing well!

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  9. I am a totally unplanned writer and indulge in whatever comes to my mind! Not the best way, perhaps :(

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  10. Hi Rachna - it makes so much sense to be organised and have a field that is manageable for the story you're presently writing ... good luck to you with all yours. Take care and enjoy writing away the horrors we find ourselves in - stay safe too - Hilary

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  11. Thanks Rachna for your post. By the book sort of gal, yes, useful when pitching to a publisher. Wishing you a happy IWSG August blog hop.

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  12. I know what genre I am Not writing in. The rest all seems to fall into place on its own.

    And yes, this year can't end fast enough to suit me. Unles all this craziness follows us into the new year. Scary thought.

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  13. You've found a way that works for you - and given how much you're writing, it seems to pay off too.

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