Is there any genre I wouldn't write or read?
Wow! Today is my 400th post -- it doesn't seem like I've been blogging that long, but according to Blogger, I have been. Dang.
Today I'm answering another question from Robert: Is there any genre you wouldn't write or read? And is there a genre or subject that you'd like to attempt at some point?
I don't read much horror. Of course I read books with vampires, demons, werewolves, and were-whatever -- but those are urban fantasy, not horror. At least in my opinion. As those of you who are regular blog readers know, I have a file of notes for an urban fantasy. Of course with my tendency toward genre-blending, it's more of an urban fantasy/military thriller. Kind of a "Tom Clancy takes on urban fantasy." BUT . . . I came to the conclusion this week that my next project will probably be a book (or short series of books) with Tam as the main character. That will be a challenge for me to write in first-person from a man's point of view. Tam's going to have to really let me inside his head for me to pull this off. ; ) I'm really excited about it.
That being said, instead of the Saturday fun pic, tomorrow I'm going to post a Saturday Snippet -- A section of Chapter 2 of The Trouble with Demons. All of you Tam fans out there, this one's for you. ; )
TGIF!
Lisa
Today I'm answering another question from Robert: Is there any genre you wouldn't write or read? And is there a genre or subject that you'd like to attempt at some point?
I don't read much horror. Of course I read books with vampires, demons, werewolves, and were-whatever -- but those are urban fantasy, not horror. At least in my opinion. As those of you who are regular blog readers know, I have a file of notes for an urban fantasy. Of course with my tendency toward genre-blending, it's more of an urban fantasy/military thriller. Kind of a "Tom Clancy takes on urban fantasy." BUT . . . I came to the conclusion this week that my next project will probably be a book (or short series of books) with Tam as the main character. That will be a challenge for me to write in first-person from a man's point of view. Tam's going to have to really let me inside his head for me to pull this off. ; ) I'm really excited about it.
That being said, instead of the Saturday fun pic, tomorrow I'm going to post a Saturday Snippet -- A section of Chapter 2 of The Trouble with Demons. All of you Tam fans out there, this one's for you. ; )
TGIF!
Lisa
posted by Lisa Shearin at
8:37 AM
5 Comments:
!!! Sounds Tam's keeping you buzy :) I am looking foward to them :p
Writing 1st person from a man's point of view...:
First off, nothing that you've written so far, dealing with a man's point of view (as shown thru his dialog etc) is off at all.
There are many female authors who get carried away with the man's "inner thoughts" and go on at agonizing length over a lot of emotional ground a man simply wouldn't spend the time on. This is not to say that men don't have emotions nor emotional thoughts - they most certainly do. They just don't go on for chapters about it. (My wife would say we pout, or sulk, or we calm up and/or go away.)
If it's any consolation, I don't think you'll have any trouble at all.
There are a couple of things I often suggest when "gender outlook" topic comes up:
1. Remember, that there is no male provision for a man to do a "complete make-over" of himself like the girls can. The question is "Why Not?" Basically guys don't (can't) re-relate to something that seems the same as before. We can put on a different "persona", but we perceive each other as the same guy we were a few minutes ago. e.g. "He might be a great house painter, but I remember when he spilled that bucket of orange paint down the side of his own house! - Man, he was weeks cleaning up that mess!"
2 As a continuation of above - listen to men razz each other - esp about something dumb they've done.
3. I've always thought Robert B Parker's novels good contrast for the girls who want their male characters to have lots of emotional thinking. All you have to do is read a few scenes in Parker's Spencer novels - especially between Spencer & Hawk. You won't find any more succinct examples of "male thought".
4. By the same token, to turn it around - take Parker's Sunny Randall novels (like - Family Honor, pub Nov 2000) and rewrite Sunny as a woman would write it. As a male, I enjoy the Sunny Randall series, but I think females would suggest some small "filling out" in her persona.
At any rate, I don't think you'll have any problem. If you have any doubts while writing, have your husband read it for "maleness" - You'll be fine.
Thanks Kara!
MQH, thank you so much; I really needed that. : ) I had thought much the same thing -- the only thing that would keep me from writing well from Tam's point of view would be myself. Meaning if I got all tense and worried about not sounding like a guy, and ending up writing in a style that's clearly not me. In other words, trying too hard.
No doubt, it'll feel different at first, but I'm sure it'll be fine. But thank you SO much for the encouragement. You're great!
BTW -- I've read some of Parker's Spencer novels. I love them. Clean, crisp, and to-the-point. Brilliant work.
Oooooh! I'm excited!
Hi Otto! I knew the possibility of a Tam series would make you happy. ; )
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