Not much writing news of late, except that I had a wonderful time delivering a writing workshop at Boston Book Fest. I did a lot of networking with other authors and joined a few mailing lists for local writers which I think could lead to some exciting opportunities.
The evenings are beginning to turn dark and cold here and I’ve been exhausted from work lately, which isn’t helping my productivity. There are quite a few anthology calls I’m interested in submitting to over the next couple of months, so I’m just hoping I can muster the energy to keep writing.
Favourite Features of Fantasy
This month’s optional question:
What do you consider the best characteristics of your favourite genre?
My favourite genre is fantasy, because the imaginative world-building offers an escape from mundane reality. Reading a well-constructed, immersive fantasy novel is like dreaming with your eyes open. I still experience child-like delight and wonder when I disappear into a magical realm full of exciting quests and mythical creatures.
I’m a fan of coming of age stories involving a young person trying to master their power, unravel a mystery or complete a treacherous quest. As well as being full of action, tension and intrigue, those adventures give me encouragement to battle the demons in my own life.
As well as the pure, imaginative joy it brings, fantasy can also be deeeeeeeeep. We can delve into political and philosophical ideas through archetype characters, magical hierarchies, and battles that highlight the costs and dangers of magic use. My brain is obsessed with finding patterns, so I enjoy all the subtext and symbolism.
I think the best characteristic of the fantasy genre is that it somehow manages to be both wildly different from reality and also a thought-provoking reflection of it.
The Latest IWSG Anthology
Congratulations to all the authors on the new romance anthology, which came out on 6th September.
The sweetness of first love…
Could a fiercely independent cop’s heart be stolen by the guy who makes her favorite doughnuts? Will a maid who used deceit to snare a mail-order husband get a dose of her own medicine? Can her handsome neighbor rescue a modern-day “princess” from a tenacious ex-boyfriend? Can two strangers in a rideshare be honest enough to fall in love for real? Can you remember your first love? How about your second? Third? Fourth?
Featuring the talents of Linda Budzinski, Melissa Maygrove, Michael Di Gesu, Sylvia Ney, Katie Klein, Kim Elliott, Templeton Moss, S.E. White, Denise Covey, and Sammi Spizziri. Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will touch your heart and rekindle lost feelings. Prepare to return to that first love…
The Insecure Writer’s Support Group post on the first Wednesday of every month. We want to help writers of all stages to overcome their insecurities, and by offering encouragement we are creating a community of support.
This month’s awesome co-hosts are: Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!
Do you have any writing news to share? What are the best characteristics of your favourite genre or your favourite features of fantasy? Let me know in the comments!
I’ve never been a big fan of fantasy. I prefer stories more grounded in reality. Sci fi is probably as close I get to reading fantasy and I don’t read much of that these days either. I lean more toward historical stories or non-fiction. But I can understand how some readers would be more drawn to fantasy. Thank goodness we readers and writers have so many genres from which to choose.
I can see why people enjoy realistic and historical fiction too. Sometimes I enjoy those genres, but I have to be in the right mood for them. I agree it’s wonderful there are so many genres to choose from, and many stories which defy catergorisation altogether.
‘I think the best characteristic of the fantasy genre is that it somehow manages to be both wildly different from reality and also a thought-provoking reflection of it.’ — Love it! 🙂
Thanks, Cee!
“Reading a well-constructed, immersive fantasy novel is like dreaming with your eyes open” Love that!
Thank you!