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Genre language: Editor's Notes #403 November 01, 2023 |
| Hello, Everyone of us is trying to transfer an idea from his own head into some other brain. —Arthur Brisbane In this issue: 1. Genre language 2. Tickled my funny bone 3. Interesting Web site 4. Writing prompt 5. Letters to the editor 1.Genre language What happens when you find yourself in a place where you not only do not speak the language, but you also do not even share a common alphabet? A great deal of confusion, that’s what happens. I know because in 1994-95, I lived in Ukraine under those exact circumstances facing a steep learning curve. Similarly some writers find themselves confused and confusing to publishers because they do not have enough genre-specific knowledge to make a coherent submission package. Some do not even know where to submit their particular book. Knowing which genre you are writing allows you to stay within the boundaries of the genre as you write and guides you as you move to publication. Usually, writers write in a genre they enjoy reading, so the "language" of the genre is not a complete mystery. But even if you are immersed in a genre, some personal study of what makes one genre different from another (what I’m calling the language of the genre) can only help both your writing and your marketing. Here are some questions to guide you as you study the genre you are writing.
The more you know about the genre you write, the more intentional you can be in aiming for your target market and the more successful your submissions will be. =========== 2.Tickled my funny bone Why was the dating coach jealous of the writer? They found someone even more knowledgeable about rejection. =========== 3. Interesting Web site Not sure which genre you are writing? Here is a list with brief descriptions of each. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-are-the-different-genres-of-literature-a-guide-to-14-literary-genres =========== 4. Writing prompt Rewrite this passage from Middlemarch by George Eliot in a different genre. American Western perhaps? Your choice. "Let me hope that you will rescind that resolution about the horse, Miss Brooke," said the persevering admirer. "I assure you, riding is the most healthy of exercises." "I am aware of it," said Dorothea coldly. "I think it would do Celia good— if she would take to it." "But you are such a perfect horsewoman." "Excuse me; I have had very little practice, and I should be easily thrown." "Then that is a reason for more practice. Every lady ought to be a perfect horsewoman, that she may accompany her husband." "You see how widely we differ, Sir James. I have made up my mind that I ought not to be a perfect horsewoman, and so I should never correspond to your pattern of a lady." I would love to see what you do with this challenge. =========== 5. Letters to the editor Thank you for the writing prompt. Here’s my attempt. John Alexander
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