Just my meandering thoughts and opinions on...

Writing Fiction -

Short stories or full-length novels? That is the question many fiction writers ask themselves when they first decide to write. Some immediately know the answer to the question, while others try their hand at both before settling into what they feel best suits their talents and interest. Some stick with both. You have to think differently when writing a short vs. a full-length story, and I've read several authors who are very good at writing both.

The next question is usually about genre and/or subject matter. One big influence on this decision is where the writer's interests lie when it comes to their own reading material. Take me for example - I write mostly mystery crime fiction stories centered around a smart, sometimes wise-cracking, private investigator. Guess what? I read mystery crime fiction that centers around smart, sometimes wise-cracking private investigators. The biggest influence on me to write those types of stories with that type of character was the late, great, prolific author, Robert B. Parker. He was a master of the mystery crime fiction novel. I was introduced to his work when I picked up a used copy of one of his Spenser novels. He is the first author, and maybe the only author, where I can honestly say I've read all his work. His Spenser novels, his Sunny Randall novels, Jesse Stone, and I even ventured into westerns through his Cole and Hitch books, He also wrote some YA novels as well as several stand-alone books. His characters became so popular that they carried on after his death with new writers at the helm. But before he ever put pen to paper, he had to make the same decisions all writers make. He had to decide what he wanted to write about and in what genre. He had to look inward at who he was influenced by to help him make the right decisions for his writing life. Parker was a fan of crime fiction, and he was influenced by great mystery detective crime fiction writers like Raymond Chandler, Dashiell Hammett, and others. He was so enthralled with Chandler that he took on the challenge of completing Chandler's last, unfinished Philip Marlowe thriller, Poodle Springs. He then went on to write the aptly titled, Perchance to Dream, the sequel to Chandler's, The Big Sleep. I could go on and on, but I'll leave it here by saying that I am a big fan. It made it easy for me to choose the genre I wanted to create my stories in.

Some will decide to write to market. They will not be influenced by a particular genre because they read those books or are even a fan. They've researched what sells and use their talent to tell a good story in what's hot at the time. It's a financial decision. Don't misunderstand me, there's nothing wrong with writing to market. I've thought about it myself. And maybe one day I'll venture into that type of writing. But for now, I'm in a place where I feel that I have to really enjoy reading the subject matter to even think about writing about it. And some of the hot markets making all the noise are just not for me. But there are several genres besides crime fiction I do enjoy reading. I'm a big fan of action-adventure series, and I love tropical adventure books. I also find that I enjoy western-romance novels. Will I ever try my hand at one of these other genres? Maybe one day.

I think what it comes down to is this -- write about what you know, what interests you. Or don't. Research something new and write about that. At the end of the day, anyone who feels the need to write should write. For whatever reason, you choose to write, remember that it all starts with some germ of an idea that you must get down on paper. So, go forth and write... but whatever you decide, just do not leave the page blank, because that would be the worst decision of all.

Until next time...

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