Mainstream?

[STING]

Did you ever think of writing "mainstream" - or any genre other than SFF? What made you go for SFF? Do you read non-SFF books these days? (Too many questions? Just curious.)

[dask]

Whoops! Person specific thread. Sorry.

[STING]

I posted the above questions before I saw your announcement on freelance editing services. The announcement caught my eye only now and I was happy. I hope to be able to use your services one day - my wip has a long way to go. I had been thinking of suggesting to you that you should write a book on POV. Maybe this is another way to help aspiring writers.

[The Judge]

I know Teresa is busy with other matters and she may have a few problems with internet access and getting onto the Chrons at the moment, STING, so she might not yet have seen your original post.

[Teresa Edgerton]

The Judge is right, STING. Things have been hectic and stressful at my house this week. At the moment, our internet connection is down, and I'm using somebody else's computer and connection for a flying visit to check on things here. My online time is too limited to give you a detailed (or even coherent) answer to your question right now. Will try tomorrow.

[STING]

Originally Posted by The Judge

I know Teresa is busy with other matters and she may have a few problems with internet access and getting onto the Chrons at the moment, STING, so she might not yet have seen your original post.

Thanks for the information, Judge.

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

The Judge is right, STING. Things have been hectic and stressful at my house this week. At the moment, our internet connection is down, and I'm using somebody else's computer and connection for a flying visit to check on things here. My online time is too limited to give you a detailed (or even coherent) answer to your question right now. Will try tomorrow.

Am sorry to hear about your current situation. Please do take your time. Thanks.

[Teresa Edgerton]

And now that I have a chance to answer your questions:

Originally Posted by STING

Did you ever think of writing "mainstream"

I've been making up or writing down stories ever since I can remember, and so far as I can recall none of them were ever mainstream. I can remember a mystery novel I tried to write as a child, and something historical as a teenager. But mainstream ... no.

or any genre other than SFF?

As an adult, I've sometimes thought about writing a historical novel, or a Regency Romance --- thought about, but only in a general way, because all of the stories that I've ever figured out in detail have been fantasy. If a story in another genre ever came into my mind and took hold of my imagination so that I felt I had to write it, I'm sure I would, but so far none has. One thing I doubt I would ever write is a story in a contemporary setting.

Do you read non-SFF books these days?

I read many different kinds of books. Fantasy is definitely my favorite, although I do read SF, also mysteries (rarely by contemporary writers, though -- I prefer authors like Dorothy L. Sayers or Ngaio Marsh), historical novels, novels by 19th century writers, a smattering of other things, and also a certain amount of nonfiction. Some of the nonfiction is research, but sometimes a subject will catch my interest and I will want to read up on it.

[STING]

Many thanks for the replies. Perhaps there is no real explanation as to why a certain author writes a certain genre. Authors probably write what they would like to read.

Originally Posted by Teresa Edgerton

I read many different kinds of books.

That's what another author once said: whatever genre the writers write they read all kinds of books and even watch all kinds of good movies.

--

Any plans to write a book on fiction writing? Not all authors might be good at teaching the craft -- for that matter, not all good practitioners of anything might be good teachers. But I think you could pull off a good book on writing, considering your numerous lucid and practical posts on different aspects of writing in these forums that I have been reading.

There aren't too many good books in the market on writing, maybe because there aren't too many good authors who can or who want to write them. A thread that someone recently started on books on writing attracted just a handful of posts.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Well, I don't read all kinds of books. That would be giving myself too much credit. But many different kinds.

As for a book on writing, I have been considering that I might someday do something like that. Put together a compendium of my greatest hits, in the AW forum here and the advice I give my clients.

But first I have fiction projects I very much want to finish.