Raven O'Fiernan

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Genre Confusion #IWSG 06/05/2019

June 5, 2019 By ravenofiernan 14 Comments

So, I have just joined the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, which is fitting, since I am a writer and very insecure!


INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP

FOUNDED BY

Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh

Writers supporting, encouraging and learning from each other. Post on your own blog about your struggles, your triumphs, and your successes. Talk about your works in progress the good, the bad and the ugly or some other writing relating topic on your mind. Read others, interact, comment, and grow within this wonderful author community. Every month there is an optional question for those who may need help figuring out what to post about.

Twitter is @TheIWSG Hashtag: #IWSG

Join in yourself!

IWSG Website

JUNE CO-HOSTS:

DIANE BURTON / KIM LAJEVARDI / SYLVIA NEY / SARAH FOSTER / JENNIFER HAWES / MADELINE MORA-SUMMONTE

QUESTION FOR JUNE 05, 2019: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why? (Always optional)


This is a good question for me. I don’t really have one favorite genre to write in, or to read in, for that matter. Sometimes I need light fluff. Other times I want something intellectually dense, but not too emotional. Other times, I yearn for emotional intensity. So, when it comes to writing, I want to have books like those out for others who read. It doesn’t help that ALL genres have books on all ends of this spectrum, for the most part.

That said, as my subtitle suggests, what really draws me is the weird. Usually, this means some sort of paranormal, fantasy, or science fiction element. I also love puzzles and mysteries, the sort Agatha Christie is famous for, so most of what I write includes a mystery, either as the main plot or as a subplot. And I love solving problems in ways that are a little unconventional: thievery and spying and assassination are really fascinating to me, as are serial killers and secret organizations.

So, what genres do I write in, then? Cipher, the novel I am revising, is an urban fantasy. As the first book, it sets up the world of vampires, and other paranormal creatures. I’m also planning on including a secret society, and most of the plots will be intrigue or mysteries.

The Neighborhood Witch Watch series is paranormal cozy mystery: the premise is a neighborhood watch made up of witches and other supernatural beings. I’ve flirted with putting them in the same universe as Cipher, but have decided not to. The supernaturals in this series are more flavor than core elements, so the mechanics are more simplistic. I’ve written the first book, but have not yet revised it, nor planned any more yet.

Prime Tower is a standalone science fantasy. The main plot is a mystery in that the main character is amnesiac. Think Bourne Identity with future technology, dystopian government, and natural magic. So, it’s not mystery in a traditional sense (no one is solving a crime), but it is a puzzle, with secret powers and spies. I’ve started writing this.

And then, I am hoping to write a series around The Rookery — a Renaissance-esque fantasy about a monastery of thieves and spies who can turn into ravens and use chess pieces as messages. Lots of play on the word “rook”.

As you can see, while I write in many different genres, the core pieces always seem to come back.

What genres do you like to read and/or write?

Filed Under: #IWSG, Reflection

Comments

  1. Madeline Mora-Summonte says

    June 5, 2019 at 6:14 am

    Welcome to the IWSG!

    I love your Neighborhood Witch Watch and The Rookery ideas. Good luck with all your projects!

    Reply
    • ravenofiernan says

      July 31, 2019 at 9:53 am

      Sorry I missed this back in June. Thank you for the welcome and I’m glad you like the ideas!

      Reply
  2. Michelle says

    June 5, 2019 at 8:08 am

    I love your many plays on “rook” for the Rookery stories — that sounds like a ton of fun to read!

    Reply
    • ravenofiernan says

      July 31, 2019 at 9:54 am

      Sorry I missed this back in June. Thank you! I actually got that off another message board where other people were discussing the different meanings. That’s what gave me the inspiration.

      Reply
  3. Sadira Stone says

    June 5, 2019 at 9:12 am

    That’s the beauty of indie publishing–you don’t have to tie yourself down to just one genre. Your paranormal cozy mystery series should be a big success.

    Reply
    • ravenofiernan says

      July 31, 2019 at 9:54 am

      Sorry I missed this back in June. Thank you! I agree, and I hope you’re right!

      Reply
  4. Anna says

    June 5, 2019 at 2:40 pm

    I’ll read about anything, but my first love is mystery. 🙂

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    Reply
    • ravenofiernan says

      July 31, 2019 at 9:55 am

      Sorry I missed this back in June. Yeah, mystery is probably my first love, too 🙂

      Reply
  5. Lee Lowery says

    June 5, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    Welcome to IWSG! We offer a lot for writers at all stages in terms of support and community. Be sure to visit the website regulary. There’s always something new and interesting there.

    You certainly have a lot on your plate, writing-wise. I love to read in all genres, but I tend to mystery/paranormal/horror in my writing. I’ve just never been able to write light and fluffy.

    Reply
    • ravenofiernan says

      July 31, 2019 at 9:56 am

      Sorry I missed this back in June. Thank you for the welcome! I do have the website up, but forget to check it. And yes, also definitely a lot on the plate, but not trying to do it all at once, thankfully! I can’t do pure light and fluffy either, although I sometimes like to read/watch it. Maybe eventually I’ll do something like that.

      Reply
  6. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    June 5, 2019 at 6:11 pm

    They are all speculative fiction – which means you like the freedom that genre provides.
    Welcome to the IWSG!

    Reply
    • ravenofiernan says

      July 31, 2019 at 9:56 am

      Sorry I missed this back in June. Thank you! And yes, that’s true.

      Reply
  7. P.J. MacLayne says

    June 5, 2019 at 8:39 pm

    The neighborhood Witch Watch sounds like fun!

    Reply
    • ravenofiernan says

      July 31, 2019 at 9:57 am

      Sorry I missed this back in June. Thank you!

      Reply

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