tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post1102793187798787197..comments2023-07-22T04:51:00.772-07:00Comments on Jennifer Represents...: The Big Ol' Genre GlossaryLiteraticathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-66457972423809536022013-10-26T13:17:39.070-07:002013-10-26T13:17:39.070-07:00Nice article, and it's handy for people who ar...Nice article, and it's handy for people who are wondering how to query their novels.<br /><br />I don't think there's any unanimous agreement about what HF is (as opposed to fantasy that's simply set in a second world with magic). Some say it should have elves and other "traditional" fantasy creatures and tropes (but how many second world fantasies written in recent years have had elves and dwarves in? Very, very few, and those are mostly by writers who have been at it for decades). Some say it's about the scale or scope of the story and stakes, but that's really more the definition of epic fantasy (and some stories, like LoTR, can be said to be both HF and EF). I've even been told a story isn't really HF unless there's a certain elevated tone or language to the piece. I've given up on trying to decide whether my own novel qualifies as HF, or epic fantasy, and am going to query it as fantasy, I think.<br /><br />There's sword and sorcery fantasy as well, though it's less common today.E.L. Wagnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05631080231126783838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-67133071835407717062013-09-12T07:55:32.793-07:002013-09-12T07:55:32.793-07:00And I will be the 86th person to declare- this is ...And I will be the 86th person to declare- this is awesome! Book marked and noted. Thank you :)Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12589132806788056004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-11215226836387935392012-10-25T10:59:30.659-07:002012-10-25T10:59:30.659-07:00hmm.. I'll have to give this some thought. I&...hmm.. I'll have to give this some thought. I've written what I (and others) call dystopia.. but it's not necessarily bleak.. it's just that there's a very strong, very controlling government.. and the MC is acting contrary to what the government would suggest. Are you sure the bleakness is an essential element?Laurie Gienapphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12393041676803349767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-43249404390507046662012-06-01T17:18:44.760-07:002012-06-01T17:18:44.760-07:00Thank you for this blog, as well as the great post...Thank you for this blog, as well as the great post! It's really been helpful. As far as MG, is that the industry's name for what I grew up calling kid's books? What would I call the Ramona Quimby books, as far as category and genre? Or something like AFTERNOON OF THE ELVES, which deals with heavier issues but with young children? Thank you so much for the help!<br />-AlenaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-32873990742778273442012-06-01T14:29:43.327-07:002012-06-01T14:29:43.327-07:00Great post! Thanks!Great post! Thanks!emma d drydenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08742492495749128209noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-65116857325105268082011-12-02T07:26:36.821-08:002011-12-02T07:26:36.821-08:00Is that specific enough in a query? and thanks......Is that specific enough in a query? and thanks...Julie Fraynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-17563888406438443502011-12-02T06:32:45.437-08:002011-12-02T06:32:45.437-08:00What is wrong with calling it "fiction"?...What is wrong with calling it "fiction"?Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-65685110944432861412011-12-02T06:19:26.118-08:002011-12-02T06:19:26.118-08:00Being an over-thinker, here's what I am way-ov...Being an over-thinker, here's what I am way-over-thinking... My novel sounds like it fits urban fiction (drug use, sex, child abuse, rape, murder) but parts have a rural setting. Categorically, it is about teenagers, though is not YA - it is a love story, but not a romance novel. Gak! Can you clarify?Julie Fraynnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-50065793196432554192011-09-21T10:28:46.762-07:002011-09-21T10:28:46.762-07:00Would you classify Supernatural along with Paranor...Would you classify Supernatural along with Paranormal? I see there is no mention of supernatural. ThanksK. L. Hallamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05672153195378644215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-67051277551181934382011-08-17T06:03:55.528-07:002011-08-17T06:03:55.528-07:00becca you are way overthinking it.
WAY.
OVERTH...becca you are way overthinking it. <br /><br /><br />WAY.<br /><br />OVERTHINKING.<br /><br />IT.<br /><br />If you think it is suspense, say suspense for crying out loud!Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-62281421905878654472011-08-15T13:35:37.464-07:002011-08-15T13:35:37.464-07:00This is very helpful, but I was wondering if there...This is very helpful, but I was wondering if there is a genre known as "suspense" or anything similar, or if that would fall into another category? I'm having trouble placing my books.<br /><br />One is rather realistic, aside from two people having a specific, special power, so I would assume that is paranormal?<br /><br />In another wip, I'm even more confused. I always labeled it suspense, but I don't think it's quite as fast or intense as "thriller." Any advice?Beccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08229009550203388722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-23582563780558638572011-04-06T20:35:46.232-07:002011-04-06T20:35:46.232-07:00Now I wish I could subscribe to blogger sites via ...Now I wish I could subscribe to blogger sites via wordpress! <br /><br />Very informative- thanks for posting this!M Pallantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12161369864497765598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-11554968490310192772011-02-07T20:08:13.559-08:002011-02-07T20:08:13.559-08:00ROFL, I'm so with you on the word 'moist&#...ROFL, I'm so with you on the word 'moist' :) Thanks for such an informative post. I write MG and I often see the term 'adventure' - can you tell me what would be the difference between, say, an 'historical adventure' and an 'historical thriller'? Thank you!Tatum Flynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00074228011847976820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-65025639613645559542010-12-07T13:27:38.586-08:002010-12-07T13:27:38.586-08:00What's mainstream literature? I've heard p...What's mainstream literature? I've heard people say it's anything that's popular... is it in anyway different from the other genres you've mentioned?Teralyn Rose Pilgrimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586129403789427592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-43558788635712078902010-12-05T18:53:27.655-08:002010-12-05T18:53:27.655-08:00C.L. Hill - I never said that Women's Fiction ...C.L. Hill - I never said that Women's Fiction is bad. I said that the TERM ITSELF makes ME PERSONALLY uncomfortable - but it is a real term, and everybody else uses it anyway regardless of my feelings on the subject, so oh well.<br /><br />I also hate the word "moist" - it hasn't yet been outlawed.<br /><br />It certainly sounds to me like you have written Women's Fiction. Or if you prefer - just Fiction.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-91542252377627679762010-12-05T03:35:28.621-08:002010-12-05T03:35:28.621-08:00I think I'm more confused than before in terms...I think I'm more confused than before in terms of 'chick lit' and 'women's fiction.' One of my stories is about a late 20s woman, struggling to figure out if she should carry on in a long-term relationship, or if it's time to start focusing on her own goals in life irrespective of men. <br /><br />It's not about shoes, fancy cocktails, getting someone to propose to her, shopping, and (thank God) definitely not about working in advertising/journalism in New York.<br /><br />So by those terms, I don't think it's what most people think of when they hear 'chick lit'. But at the same time, you say 'women's fiction' is bad. So what on earth do I call it?C L Hillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-34940099577816591152010-11-14T09:07:09.595-08:002010-11-14T09:07:09.595-08:00Great post, Jenn.
Elissa Haden Guest and I taught ...Great post, Jenn.<br />Elissa Haden Guest and I taught a writing workshop yesterday at Stanford Continuing Studies on Writing the MG and YA Novel. For "extra credit" we encouraged our students to take a look at your very useful Big Ol' Genre Glossary. Thanks!<br />LynnLynn E. Hazenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03799679224716669691noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-56290969327174804442010-11-10T18:00:06.262-08:002010-11-10T18:00:06.262-08:00I've been struggling with what genre my work-i...I've been struggling with what genre my work-in-progress goes under because I originally thought it was Urban Fantasy--because it's set in the city--but then realized it could probably just be Fantasy because someone said that if it's set in another realm, it's not Urban Fantasy.<br /><br />My work-in-progress has other realms in it, and my characters visit them throughout the book, but what's happening with them isn't actually set in the realm. The realms are there for other, necessary reasons. So would I still classify it under Fantasy? I would say so just because Fantasy is such a broad category and I wouldn't screw it up, but I want to make sure. <br /><br />The glossary was great for clarifying what genres my other works-in-progress go under. Thank you!Remilda Graystonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13649300813621588790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-57843418464794816782010-11-05T10:21:08.715-07:002010-11-05T10:21:08.715-07:00I work in the film industry, I decided to give wri...I work in the film industry, I decided to give writing a try as I believe I have a phenomenal idea (We'll see) and don't have the disposable millions to produce it. Thinking I know enough about communicating story, and writing being just a different media- How hard could it be?<br /> I'm stumped even working out what to label it?<br />I believed I was writing - A Book, is the label 'Fiction' unmarketable? It feels literary genre titles have become infected by a form of purple prose? <br />My WIP is nothing like Star Wars but how would you classify something like that if it was argued to be our own past? My WIP is set in the present but I include backstory set "a long long time ago" in an age very futuristic in feel. There is 'magic' believed to be Miracles to the uneducated but is shown merely to be science. It's always felt to me to be a species of Fantasy, due to the wielding of 'power' but there are no magical or supernatural creatures, it's set in todays times in a city. Without the drug addled fairies impregnating trolls in nightclubs or whatever, its not Urban Fantasy is it? <br />The driving force behind all the action that unfolds is love, in the end the MC gets the Girl. Yet I dont think this warrants a Romance tag. I am not giving up on my WIP But it seems I cant even describe it in 250 words -sigh-Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-57620852327673932942010-11-05T06:43:26.752-07:002010-11-05T06:43:26.752-07:00I categorized myself as historical romance, but ha...I categorized myself as historical romance, but have been criticized as being more historical fiction + women's fiction. My newest query markets it this way in spite of strong romantic elements.<br />Is there a place for novels that straddle genres? And are there agents who will even look at them?Erin Kane Spockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05376851676240606472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-67021817070804415642010-11-01T05:01:10.345-07:002010-11-01T05:01:10.345-07:00Well of course they weren't weird to the peopl...Well of course they weren't weird to the people in the story, but talking dragons are extremely weird to us. You could of course argue that the stories are set in an alternate reality, which would bring them under the mantle of quantum physics and thus SF, but to me historical novels with dragons fit more comfortably into Fantasy, regardless of the lack of magic.<br />Much of the science in SF novels is effectively 'magic' in that it has no basis in scientific reality, but is just a construct of the authors imagination. Some fantasy novels (ie set in a world different to ours) don't contain any magic.<br />Don't edit the post, there will always be grey areas in a list like this & anything which sparks intelligent debate is a good thing IMHO.Paul Gahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753130713958958920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-57106709706757445932010-10-30T05:24:34.087-07:002010-10-30T05:24:34.087-07:00Great post! I'm wondering what genre anthropom...Great post! I'm wondering what genre anthropomorphic novels fall into? Fantasy?Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-38503759942796782002010-10-29T09:17:58.280-07:002010-10-29T09:17:58.280-07:00Good golly you did a lot of work laying this all o...Good golly you did a lot of work laying this all out like this.<br /><br />BTW, I call all my fiction Urban Fiction.lurbanhttp://www.lindaurbanbooks.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-45579481043253914502010-10-29T06:00:23.557-07:002010-10-29T06:00:23.557-07:00Paul, I am sure you know that I was thinking speci...Paul, I am sure you know that I was thinking specifically of HIS MAJESTY'S DRAGON by Naomi Novik. It has been a long time since I read it, but to me, it felt like history, not magic. They were just THERE, like horses were there, they weren't weird or anything. <br /><br />However, you are quite right that Dragons are inherently creatures of fantasy. <br /><br />I don't know, I am still on the fence about this one. But I am perfectly willing to edit the post.Literaticathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15513424208149456614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11089716.post-47046316890829032402010-10-29T01:31:30.615-07:002010-10-29T01:31:30.615-07:00"What if the Napoleonic War had been fought w..."What if the Napoleonic War had been fought with Dragons?" I'm not sure how this fits into SF, even though it's what you broadly call 'Alternative History'. Dragons are purely mythical/fantasy creaures, they have no basis in science other than the Komodo variety, which would not be much use in an epic naval battle.Paul Gahanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753130713958958920noreply@blogger.com