The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
April 7 question - Are you a risk-taker when writing? Do you try something radically different in style/POV/etc. or add controversial topics to your work?
Short Answer: Nope!
Slightly Longer Answer:
My memoir, Dancing With Dementia, is a bit of a mixed genre. Most of the book is written in short snippets about our experiences with dementia. These sections are organized by themes. They read as short stories (although they are 100% factual). The back of the book includes lists relevant to families experiencing the early stages of dementia (early warning signs, communication tips, self-care tips etc.). While this isn't exactly controversial, it does combine a couple of styles/genres in one book.
My Bloo Moose romances follow the most important romance rule - there is always a happy ending! My characters don't always follow stereotypical gender role jobs. I blend a lot more humour into my romantic suspense than is typical. But, no, nothing too controversial.
That pretty much matches my personality.
How about you? Anyone going boldly where no one has gone before? Anyone bending gender stereotypes? Anyone writing in second person? Anyone thrive on controversy?
Must be my personality as well - not much for taking risks.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteIf you're happy with it, that is what counts.
Wishing you all the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
I guess it is! And I am :)
DeleteI always want a happy ending.
ReplyDeleteMe too!!
DeleteMy tolerance for taking risks is about at a 0, ha!
ReplyDeleteThat seems like a great number! :)
DeleteI've just begun to take risks. Whether they work out or not we shall see. Happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteSonia from https://soniadogra.com
Good for you, Sonia - so exciting! Good luck!
DeleteI'm not deliberately controversial, but sometimes stories end up with an element which might be considered slightly risky.
ReplyDeleteThat works too - I think the story takes us where it will!
DeleteYou may be more courageous than you claim. Writing about dementia sounds risky to me. Even if the risk is only the scariness of facing into something so potentially life shattering, it still takes courage. Thank you for taking it on.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right! I hadn't thought about it that way - sharing our family's most vulnerable moments was incredibly difficult - but worth it!
DeleteAs my poetry is almost nearly about life events I hope I don't upset anyone with what I write.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post very much.
Yvonne.
I think your writing is very cathartic - on both sides of the poems!
DeleteI thrive on risk. The status quo is a no go! LOL
ReplyDeleteYou really do! And you do it well!
DeleteI think telling your truth in your own style can feel like a risk. You're doing great.
ReplyDeleteMary at Play off the Page
Thanks, Mary! All of the various answers this morning have made me realize I've taken more risks than I thought!
DeleteSecond person - wow, I can't imagine ever trying to write in that. That would be a real challenge.
ReplyDeleteLove your romance books especially the way that you write heroes / heroines that are so relatable.
2nd person gives me shudders!
DeleteThanks so much Ellen - my characters have become real to me and I'm thrilled that comes across!
There's nothing wrong with books that take risks, but sometimes I need to read something that will give me a happy ending and doesn't rock the boat.
ReplyDeleteExactly! All depends on the mood and the personality and the timing!
DeleteI used to love reading those Choose Your Own Adventure novels when I was a kid, but I've never had any interest in writing in the second person. There are authors who do that really well. I don't think I would be one of them.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was working on my romance novel, I had to keep reminding myself that there was supposed to be a happy ending. :)
LOL - that's so funny! You did a great job with it!
DeleteI used to enjoy those Choose Your Own as well :)
If we don't do what we feel is right, then we can't possibly succeed. Of course, just writing and publishing a book falls into the high risk category with me! :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's so very true! After reading all of the posts this morning, I'm thinking I should have had a different answer :P
DeleteLove the title 'Dancing With Dementia' it has a nice as well as an intriguing ring to it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! Mom loves to dance and all kinds of music. And dementia has certainly had us all learning new steps to take!
DeleteI love the way you've given your characters some interesting jobs!
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun figuring out the jobs the characters have and the Why behind it all!
DeleteIt sounds like you've been able to combine the expectations for a romance with some unique twists, like having your characters work at non-traditional jobs.
ReplyDeleteThat's true! It's so much fun figuring out the Whys behind their professions!
DeleteI love that your characters don't follow the stereotypical gender role for jobs. I have a series I hope to do one day like that. :)
ReplyDeleteI know I surprised a few readers when my pro athlete was the female character - all part of the fun!
DeleteI think your writing is fabulous and sharing your experiences with your mom is a huge thing. You've helped so many by just sharing who you are. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Thank you so much, Anna!
DeleteSharing Mom's story was tough but I sure hope it helps others on that journey!
I love happy endings in romances. I need to read yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm all about the happy endings!
DeleteExcept with dementia because there are no happy endings there - not yet
Great answer to the question. I agree that those things may be "controversial" but shouldn't be. Have a great April.
ReplyDeleteAnne from annehiga.com
I'm definitely not a controversial type!
DeleteYou are under estimating yourself - as usual. You have stepped (gently) into very controversial and very important areas. Controversy doesn't need to be shouted.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely thing to say - and a lovely way to phrase it. Thanks so much, Sue! *hugs*
DeleteI think I fall into the "minion" category.
ReplyDeleteI reached a season of life where I want happy endings, as well. But I still like my happy ending stories with some dead bodies littered along the way. :-)
As to your final question, the answers are: nope, nope, nope, and nope!
LOL - love that!
DeleteA few dead bodies shouldn't interfere with our happy endings!!
I'm good with small risks as long as they're not all in a clump. But when it comes to big things, not so much. Hope you have a flowery April!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol - LOVED seeing the flowers on your blog - spring is really coming!
DeleteSounds like two interesting projects for different reasons. Happy April to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Yvonne - and happy spring to you as well!
DeleteThose happy endings are part of why I love your books so much :)
ReplyDeleteAwww! Thanks Lynda - I do love a good happy ending!!
DeleteYep, that romance genre has such strict guidelines/tropes that you dare not bust them. I've tried to write pure romance but it just doesn't gel for me. Surely romantic suspense has more leeway, although I know it's still HEA!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, there aren't a whole lot of rules I worry about except for that happy ending! Which is why I love and write the genre in the first place :)
DeleteI'm not much of a risk-taker... BUT... I believe that we have to move beyond our comfort zone in order to grow, which involves taking risks, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteIn this crazy world, we can never have too many HEA stories!
Congrats on your Bloo Moose romances. I've seen your books all over, on various social media platforms. You're doing a great job! Keep going!
Thanks so much, Michelle! That means a lot. I'm having a lot of fun with Bloo Moose!
DeleteLeaving our comfort zones is very important!
I find it hard enough to write non-daring stuff. I don't even want to think about trying anything crazy or different, at least not until I grow a lot as a writer.
ReplyDeleteLOL - I'm with you! There's stretching to try new things, and there's making leaps that terrify us!
DeleteIt's really refreshing to hear that you're comfortable with what you've written and will write. <3
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sheri, I love my stories! Looking forward to more!
Delete