Getting rid of genre

[Lou]

In general books seem to have the aspects and characteristics of a certain genre: often we try to write to a certain genre too. If we were to ignore these conventions, what would happen? Are there any books which do ignore these, and instead focus on making an interesting story?

[aldan]

What do you mean by that? Is it like "I won't use elves in my fantasy because they are used by everyone else." or "I won't have spaceships or lasers in my science fiction novel" or things like that, or are you speaking more of styles of writing that seem tied to the genres to which you refer?

[Havoc]

I once read a science fiction novel series that took place on the moon Europa. The plot was sci-fi because the main character was a human who got transported there, but the technology there is low, so that would constitute more of a Fantasy setting. All in all, I think we don't write in any particular way so as to be in a certain genre. I think the lines of genre's were set after the people wrote the stories.

Genre's are a guideline for readers, so they know what to expect, not for writers.

[Lou]

I mean, its like, 'I will use elves in my story, and I will use spaceships and alsers in it too, and anything else that I feel like using'. That strikes me as being more fun.

[eleika]

Do you mean, Lou, that you want to try mixing genres? There's no rule that says you can't. Go for it.

Some of the best novels I've read recently are a mix of more than one genre.

I agree with Havoc, genres are reader guidelines. Margaret Atwood, for example, is a "literary" writer, but <i>The Handmaid's Tale</i> is definitely not set in "our" universe. (Said one writer to another at a talk I went to: "So is she a sci-fi writer, then?" Her companion replied, "No, she was just slumming it.")

[aldan]

If you watch even one anime movie, Lou, you will most likely see that sort of mix, just to give you some idea of the prevalence...

[Spiderkeg]

Jacqueline Carey wrote a book titled "The Sundering" which is Banewreaker and Godslayer in one volume. The story is fantasy, but breaks one big genre stereotype. There is no evil villain or heroes to the story. The story is almost like Lord of the Rings. It gives you an objective view from the villian's point of view, really clouding your judgement on what makes him evil. Then the story gives you an objective view of the heroes, really clouding your judgement. In the end, the story is a whole lot of grey and you don't feel that anyone is really "evil" or "good" but that they do indeed have convictions. It's a unique stab at telling a story while not really giving any major one side or the other.

[Lou]

Thanks for that, I'll look out for it.

I mean, why stick to genre at all... why not write whatever we want, (as long is it has plot etc!).... why worry about sticking to guidelines or conventions... I feel we are restricted and encouraged to follow these guidelines but titles which are really no more than labels.

[Spiderkeg]

As I have posted before: Write for yourself, don't write to the masses.

[Havoc]

I agree. You should write for your own fun, and you should not limit yourself. I say forget about the genre's all together. You can write a detective story with elves, orcs, lasers and space-ships if you want.

I don't see anyone (ANYONE) restricting or encouraging you (us) to follow so-called guidelines of genre's. Honestly, I couldn't even say I know of such guidelines. Why do you feel that way?

[Spiderkeg]

There is actually a guideline by which used, overused, and now cliché subjects keep popping up in literature. It was novel in the day, but with all the sci-fi stories and TV shows (scripts) that have been born in the last few decades this list has really grown hot and heavy.

Science Fiction Clichés
http://amethyst-angel.com/cliche.html

Fantasy Clichés
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Labyrin ... liche.html

[aldan]

The main difficulty with breaking from the "cliche" type of storytelling if you will (basically, not keeping things within strictly fantasy or strictly SF - and i don't' include mystery in this because there's mystery in most things...) is that those stories are TOUGH to get published. they are often as good or better than stuff that is getting published, but they are MUCH HARDER to sell for the book companies, because they can't focus well on a particular audience for advertising it. It is generally things like this that make it tough, though the attempts are worthwhile, and I'd suggest going ahead with writing it, even if you decide not to attempt publication.