Figuring Genre

I was taking my usual tour of the blogs yesterday when I stopped over at Scott Eagan's blog. I bug him from time to time because he's usually real informative, tells it like it is according to him, and doesn't have a problem with answering questions. He was blogging about mixing genres. This got me into thinking. When I first started writing it was purely a love connection. I didn't consider my target audience. All I knew without a doubt was that I liked what I was writing. The story pleased me. The characters were unique. If I enjoyed it then someone else would also. Then I happened upon a book signing. The authors were spouting information about genre this and genre that. Wait, I was supposed to worry about that?

　

Genre: A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.  

The dictionary was not real helpful. Needless to say I have mistargeted my share of agents in the past. Scott once offered a nifty piece of advice. He said to go to libraries or book stores and spend some time reading books in the various genres to see where we fit the best. This was helpful, except there are so many books.

I've also heard it said that the setting for fantasy is usually in the past or in an imaginary world. They speak of knights and castles, dragons and demons, but there is really so much more to fantasy. My stories are set in another world altogether. I've always felt that I walked a fine line between fantasy and science fiction because they complement each other, but the fact is that there is no way that what I write is real or possibly explained by any branch of science.

Someone else mentioned that in order to choose a genre you need to hone in on what your conflict is in the story. Again, I was walking that thin line.

Then one day while I was tugging at my hair like a mad woman trying to find where exactly I fit in, I happened upon this way cool site.

Check out below.

http://www.bookcountry.com/books/Map/Default.aspx

When you visit this site, it lists the many genres. If you click on one, it will offer a brief description and show you books that fit into it. This was a Godsend. So I thought I'd share for anyone out there suffering from a common affliction with first time writers. Go ahead and play with it. It's fun.

Have a great day!

　

What in the World????

My Thoughts For Today.

I work in an environment that allows me contact with a vast amount of individuals. Now, I love people, but during the years I've noticed that there are a few things that seem to bug me, so I thought it would be kind of fun if I pointed these out to see if anyone else suffered from a similar dilemma.

　

Laila's Pet Peeves:

　

1. People who walk by me and pretend I'm not here. This usually falls under the category of young lawyers. Seriously? (A wise lady..aka my mother...once used a phrase that now comes to mind clearly. She said, "sometimes people will fart higher than their asses.") It's one of the funniest statements I have ever heard used to describe snobs. This is common curtesy. If you've walked by me, and it is the first time you have seen me today, there is a good chance we're not sleeping together. (My husband would tell me otherwise.) You should really say hi. A simple waive will do.

　

2. Nose Pickers. This should be self-explanatory. I once had a conversation with a gentleman who could not resist the urge to insert his dominant digit into his nasal cavity. He did this for half an hour. I finally couldn't take it any longer and said, "Must you pick your nose in front of me?" Do you know what he said? It was priceless. He pulls his finger out and says, "I have something in there." Well, no shit. I'm sure it's not your brain. (I did not say this, only thought it.) If you're standing there talking to me, please resist temptation. I know to some it's irresistible but really, visit the inside of your nose in private. If you absolutely must poke your fingers in there, use a tissue, if not, abort.

　

3. Clicks. These are usually funded by highschool nitwits and backstabbers that never grew up. These individuals hang around in groups and scoff at the way you look, act, express yourself. There is a root need that urges them to act the way they do, something deeply embedded inside themselves that they dislike so much they feel the compulsion to take it out on you. When presented with such a person, I first attempt to apply my rule of giving someone a second chance. First impressions are not always the best. If they fail second chance, the best course of action is to wipe your feet and move on. These people will hurt you and infringe upon your character.

4. Holier than thou people. We've all met them. They live by a nifty religious code. As soon as you say or do something that jolts them out of their safe zone, they point fingers, label you, judge you, and dare to call it righteous. I have one thing to say about this. "Get over it." We are all different, wonderful, unique, and times have been changing for a while.

　

5. Finally, the prudes. Woe to you if you mention sex. They will squirm. Their lips will twist into something simbolizing the aftermath of a shot of tequilla with too much lime. They will then proceed to label you a pervert. And each time you open your mouth they will remind you that they've labeled you a pervert and share that information with others. Here's a bit of trivia. Our parents did not make us by whispering into each other's ears.

　

Why am I posting pet peeves? Well, maybe I just felt like doing a bit of rambling, or I thought I could brighten someone's day. In a nutshell: There's no reason to be rude to anyone. There's plenty of room for sympathy, kindness, and appreciation of each other. So if you fit into any of the above descriptions, be kind, rewind, and show us the best in you.

　

　

　

Questions.

I've been reading Writer's Market, and after Nancy's post on Stats I'm considering the concept of building a platform and social networking. That's something we're expected to do as writers to promote ourselves because things are so different now. It sounds like a lot of hard work. Now, I'm not squawking and definitely up for it, but I do have a few questions.

Everyone who is anyone is on Facebook, except me.

I've been encouraged, coaxed and begged, but the whole privacy issue holds me back. Once you post something on facebook, regardless of how well you block it, it can still be hacked. I do not kid you. I work with fraudulent cases. If they can't hack into your stuff they will leap onto your friend's facebook and explore your privacy there. Be careful what you post.

I'm a writer.

Once my books get published, people might want to know about me, so that tosses privacy out the window.

What about Twitter? I have a Twitter account I never use because I'm concerned that it's going to take too much time away from everything else.

Also, I'm not quite sure how to use it.

My questions are for those of you out there who have Facebook or Twitter. Do you like it? Do you use it often? What do you use it for?

I basically say what I have to say for the day on my blog because when wound up properly I can ramble on and on. Granted, only writers visit the blog, whereas something life Facebook could attract a myriad of individuals. I blog at work so that it doens't affect my writing or family life. I can read comments on my phone. It's great.

So...any words of advice from those more learned than I?

Sweets for the Sweet.

                               

Good morning everyone.

I had a post all ready for today, but I couldn't possibly ignore this wonderful award given to me by fellow blogger extraordinaire Bryce Daniels at the The Bryce Daniels Preservation Society  who continues to wow me with his prose and tickle me with his humor.  One day I might even discover his real name.  Thanks

Bryce.

I hope there are no rules that dictate that I have to complete this the same day it was received because I decided to have a little fun with it.  Let me start by saying that not only am I a visual person but I love angels.  Having said that, I'm going to attempt to put a face to a name.

For all of those who have never seen his face, this is Bryce.  

It was either this or...

                                              I decided the angel was much more cute.

Rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.  (See above.)

2. Include seven random tidbits about yourself.  (See below.)

3. Pass award on to 5 others and link to their blogs. (See further down.)

4. Let the people know you've given them the award. (Okay.)

Seven Tidbits About Me:  My goodness, what can I say about myself that I haven't already blabbed about on my blog?  Ahem, I'll try to keep this brief.

This is me...for today.

1. I was born in a communist country, which means I had to stand in line for food, clothing, and anything else I wanted.  It also means that I appreciate what it means to be an American.  I'm fluent in two languages, can understand what I'm reading in four, and can curse in all of them...not that I ever do that.

2. I'm a big fan of the Pink Panther and have the theme tune as my cellphone ringer.  For a short time I was addicted to episodes of Xena the Warrior Princess.  She still rocks.

3. I love dogs, cats, ferrets....all animals actually.  I once almost had a zoo inside a one-bedroom apartment.  That didn't bode well with  the landlord...specially since there were no pets allows.  Now I just have dogs.  (Caution: I have been known to run a fence line.)  I've also been swimming with dolphins.  It is quite the experience.

4. I'm a wine connoisseur.  (That just means I'll drink anything red, but I know that for show I need to sniff it first.)  Hubby bought me a wine shirt with a picture of a spitoon.  It says, Do you spit or swallow.  (I'm not allowed to wear it in public.)  I also like coffee ice cream and brown cake with brown frosting.

5. I'm an obsessive hummer.  (I don't ever realize I'm doing it.)  It started when I was little.  It means I create my own background noise regardless of whether I'm sad of happy.

6. When I'm not working on my current WIP, I write poetry or sketch faces.  I've sketched several picture of the male protagonist in my novel.  I also have a thing for art and science museums and am a certified trekkie. (Live long and prosper.)  Sorry, had to throw that in there.

7. I've been living in Nebraska for ten years after meeting hubby on line and coercing him into marrying me.  Nah, he realized he couldn't live without it...at least that's what I tell him every day.  I think he believes me now.

I AM OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.

I'm passing on the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award to: 


Let me start by saying that I am proud to share this space with all my fellow bloggers.  Bryce and Nancy were my first buds in the Blogosphere.  I think I picked them up from Rachelle Gardner's blog.  And I'm so happy I did.

So, allow me to present the next five.

1. Desert Rocks at  The Desert Rocks.  

                                                              
Desert Rocks was one of my first followers.  I have no clue what she looks like or what her name is, but, like me, she wouldn't mind kissing Clark Gable.  She believes in angels and has a cute wiener doggie.  She strikes me as a lady of distinction.  Her posts make me think of basic human kindness, good home cooking, and a warm hug.  Her writing clearly flows from the heart.  I thought the fairy angel suited her well.

2. Mike Koch at  Protect The Risen.    

Okay, I know what he really looks like, but I couldn't help myself.   I'm also sure he'll appreciate the picture.  I've been following Mike in silence for a while, and vice versa.  He has a way of weaving words together on a post that makes me think of art.  I'd be thrilled to read one of his novels.  I've recently discovered that he is open-minded, has a great sense of humor, a vivid imagination, and isn't afraid to play with words.

3.  Jessica Nelson at  Jessica Nelson.

Jessica just sold her first book.  It's due to be published in 2012.  Although she only posts on Wednesdays, everyone can benefit from this great writer's insight into the publishing world.  She also has nothing but goodness in her heart, always a kind word, and is as sweet as molasses.  I gave her the fairest angel.

4. T. B. McKenzie at  Magickless. 

Did you notice how the angel guys are hotter than the women.  What's up with that?  Good job!

Travis is an awesome fantasy writer who is in the process of getting published.  He is doing a terrific job of writing in detail everything he's had to do to ready his manuscript for publication.  He's a teacher, an artist, and a great writer.  I doubt he'll have any time to play, but I've given him this award to show others someone who has begun to live the dream, and what we're all eventually in store for.

5. Pam Asberry at Sometimes It's Cloudy, Sometimes It's Clear. 

 Pam loves beaded necklaces, making lists, remodelling her house.  She has a warm heart, is really family oriented and is one of the most caring individuals on this Earth.  (No wonder she writes romance.)  She was also my third follower, and I haven't heard from her in a while.  I'm sending her this award so she can share a little bit more about herself.

                                     There now.  The cards have been placed on the table.

                                                 I hope everyone has enjoyed this post as
                                                 much as I enjoyed writing it.

Something Different for a Friday.

For anyone who's read Heaven is for Real, I've posted the art gallery belonging to the little girl (child prodigy) who painted these amazing prints.  She and the boy who wrote the book swear up and down that her picture of Jesus is what he actually looks like.  I don't know how true it is, but her paintings are lovely.  (what can I say.  I'm a closet artist.)

http://www.artakiane.com/gallery

Also, for any of you who have been following the flood, I've posted some pictures.  An ocean in Omaha?

            This is the Ameristar Casino in Iowa.  I can see this from my building at work.

This is the inside of the building.

Hotel

Parking Lot

Pretty Impressive.

At one time Nebraska had an ocean running through it.

There are even sharks in the museum.

I'm glad I live in Bellevue.

Have a great weekend.

 

It's Good to Dream

　

I was making progress on my WIP last night, but 25 more pages into it I had to stop. My head was killing me, and the ideas were not flowing. The blinds were banging. Kids were screaming outside. The TV was going. The dogs were barking just because they've mastered the art. I need it quiet when I write. I finally stopped what I was doing, stuck in a pair of earplugs, and went to bed.

Here's where it got good.

I had a dream. It was an awesome dream in which I was writing. Normally if I were to dream about work, I'd demand that someone pay me overtime, except that I don't consider writing work. If anything it's my way of unwinding after I get home from a long day of sifting through paperwork, solving problems and occasionaly thinking in a different language.

In my dream I wasn't only writing my current WIP, I was in it.

Surely, every writer out there has wanted to play a key role in their own novel, be the protagonist, the lover, the villain, etc.

Haven't you?

We all love to pretend.

"If they ever make a movie, that'll be me," I joke to myself. Dreams are what keep the ideas soaring.

I've fallen asleep at night and prayed, "let me be in my book tonight, oh pretty please. It would be so much fun."

Last night it happened.

I was on Pantheas. That's where Craven lives. He wasn't always called Craven. I've known him since I was 10. Our relationship has evolved drastically during the years. Characters tend to change as we grow older. Anyway, he was showing me around his home, making me privy to all of their projects, pointing me out to his people. I sat on the council with all the world leaders, stared into their eyes. There was a sense of belonging. My characters were so vivid, so real, as only a dream can make them.

When I'm in the process of writing, I imagine these people, the way they look and act, how they reason. I know everything about them, what moves them, how to make them forgive or kill, laugh or love. (Wouldn't it be wonderful to know so much about our fellow human beings?) Craven looks fabulous wearing nothing but a string of emeralds...just a warm up game we play. His best friend Damon is the most flirtatious and crass character I've ever created, yet somehow they function perfectly together.

I've asked my co-workers countless times what their version of heaven is, specially when the whole rapture thing came around. Some say it's fishing or golfing. Others speak of eating and drinking. More still bring up men, women, sex.

My heaven is on Pantheas. It always has been. It's the one place in the entire universe where I will never be judged.

Maybe that's why I write the most, to share my heaven with others.

What's your version of heaven?

My Point of View

　

I've been discovered.

I was riding in the car with my husband when he made a curious observation.

"Are you happy?" he asked.

"Sure. I'm ok," I said.

"No, not okay. You don't have a middle ground."

I was tickled to my toes that he'd noticed.

It's true, I have no middle ground. When I'm happy, I'm deliriously thrilled. On those rare occasions when I'm angry, I'm pissed to all hell. Why? I adore the extremes. It's those unusual moments that spur the creativity of a writer. A drama should make me weep. A romance should make me want to fall in love all over again. A comedy should be so funny it makes me run to the bathroom. Here are a few noteworthy funny stories I have enjoyed the honor of experiencing.

Funny Story 1: Last year, for my birthday, my hubby took me horseback riding because I've been bugging him about it for years. I hadn't ridden a horse since I was three, at which time I peed on the unsuspecting animal. So he took me. I rode on a black horse named Storm. He, being such a tall man, was matched up to a caramel-colored horse named Snickers. Snickers was a feisty animal. If anything spooked him, the horse would flip himself around 90 degrees, but surely a man could keep him in line, or so they thought. The ride was going good. We're having fun. Something scared Snickers, so he flips himself around, assumes a hunched up position, and decides to defecate. The last thing I remember seeing through my hysterical laughter was the large form of my hubby sitting on a pooping horse.

Funny Story 2: I had a friend once. She was a New Yorker. I don't know if that had anything to do with it, but she had a mouth on her that could make a sailor blush and a biker gape (I know, I'm stereotyping). She had also recovered from a brain tumor that had damaged the left side of her body. She would fall all the time. It was normal, even expected. We'd be walking and plop, there she went. Well, we were at McDonald's one day. She ordered a double cheeseburger, fries and a drink, and insisted on carrying her own tray. Any offer to help was seen as an acknowledgement of her malfunction. So I let her carry her stuff. Well, next thing you know, she falls, and it was quite dramatic. She spun a full circle. The tray went flying, fries smacked someone in the head, pop spilled on the ground. She slipped on it, one leg went forward, the other backwards, and she wound up on a floor. It was a pirouette. And so I laughed.

After searing me with a glance, she says, "You mother*bleep*asshole, quit laughing at me."

We were friends for years, so at this point I was accustomed to her colorful retorts. "I'm not laughing at you," I said. "I enjoyed the sight of your fall. You don't understand. It was grandiose." She was able to appreciate my point of view after that.

Funny Story 3: Never take me ice skating. I was one of those deprived kids who never learned physical activity of any type, so when I turned 18, a friend of mine suggested we go ice skating. Half hour into it she was sitting on a bench engaging in a frenzied cackling. I had succeeded in falling for the umpteenth time, taking six other people down with me, and was being reprimanded by the portly woman I had landed on while kids skated around me pointing. I didn't blame my friend for laughing. To onlookers I must have been hilarious. I would have done the same in her place. Needless to say, I never went ice skating again.

Why am I posting these comical ventures? I have a mantra, one of many. "If you're going to do something, do it all the way, go for the gusto. Half-ass doesn't cut it. That goes for writing too."

Have a great day, and I hope I made you laugh at least once.