This month’s IWSG August optional question was to do with : Where does form come from?
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August 5 question – Quote: “Although I have written a short story collection, the form found me and not the other way around. Don’t write short stories, novels or poems. Just write your truth and your stories will mold into the shapes they need to be.”
Have you ever written a piece that became a form, or even a genre, you hadn’t planned on writing in? Or do you choose a form/genre in advance?
So where does form come from?
It’s fair to say that my form found me. As a lover of the fantasy genre, it was a natural transition for me to start out by writing fantasy. I’m a firm believer that if you enjoy the subject you are working on, it will show in your craft. This principle probably applies to most vocations, but certainly to writing.
Also, writing about what one enjoys makes it less of a task, and more of a pleasure. As a part-time author working around a full-time day-job, it is much less of a chore writing about what I enjoy during my own time.
That said, I have recently had an idea for a non-fantasy short story. This will be all new to me, as I have never written anything other than fantasy. Nor have I ever written a short story, so the results may be interetsing!
At some point in the future, I would like to try a different genre. Possibly a thriller or a horror – my latest project is a dark fantasy so elements of horror occur naturally within it.
The possibilities are endless! So many good things to write about, and so little time!
Hi Chris. I completely agree, if you’re enjoying what you’re writing, both content and form, then it feels less work-like and will be clear to see in the writing. If a writer can get that feeling and enjoyment across then the chances are that the reader will feel it too.
I’ve been branching out from my initial writing genre, and I find that different genres often seep into a story when I’m not looking. As long as it’s not too many, a small mix of genres can add interest and intrigue to the tale.
You said it Chris. It’s about having fun doing what you do. And when it comes to writing, putting your honest feelings on paper makes it easy. I’ve been trying to experiment, not too successfully though. Wish you luck with your experience.
Thankyou, I wish you the best of luck also. Stick with it!
I hope you enjoy writing that non-fantasy short story!
Thanks, I’m excited about it!
That’s great- I look forward to the new pieces from you!
Thankyou, hopefully won’t be too long 🙂
I had to write outside of science fiction for a magazine and it actually turned out well. Bet yours will as well.
Thankyou for the encouragement! Looking froward to getting stuck into it.