Wednesday, April 7, 2021

IWSG & Risk Taking

 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.



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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?


59 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Must be my personality as well - not much for taking risks.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
If you're happy with it, that is what counts.
Wishing you all the best.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I always want a happy ending.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

My tolerance for taking risks is about at a 0, ha!

A Hundred Quills said...

I've just begun to take risks. Whether they work out or not we shall see. Happy IWSG Day!
Sonia from https://soniadogra.com

Patsy said...

I'm not deliberately controversial, but sometimes stories end up with an element which might be considered slightly risky.

Laur said...

You 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.

nashvillecats2 said...

As my poetry is almost nearly about life events I hope I don't upset anyone with what I write.

Enjoyed your post very much.
Yvonne.

Yolanda Renée said...

I thrive on risk. The status quo is a no go! LOL

Mary Aalgaard said...

I think telling your truth in your own style can feel like a risk. You're doing great.

Mary at Play off the Page

Ellen Jacobson said...

Second person - wow, I can't imagine ever trying to write in that. That would be a real challenge.

Love your romance books especially the way that you write heroes / heroines that are so relatable.

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm with you!

Jemi Fraser said...

I guess it is! And I am :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too!!

Jemi Fraser said...

That seems like a great number! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Good for you, Sonia - so exciting! Good luck!

Jemi Fraser said...

That works too - I think the story takes us where it will!

Jemi Fraser said...

You're so right! I hadn't thought about it that way - sharing our family's most vulnerable moments was incredibly difficult - but worth it!

Jemi Fraser said...

I think your writing is very cathartic - on both sides of the poems!

Jemi Fraser said...

You really do! And you do it well!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Mary! All of the various answers this morning have made me realize I've taken more risks than I thought!

Jemi Fraser said...

2nd person gives me shudders!
Thanks so much Ellen - my characters have become real to me and I'm thrilled that comes across!

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly! All depends on the mood and the personality and the timing!

M.J. Fifield said...

I 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.

When I was working on my romance novel, I had to keep reminding myself that there was supposed to be a happy ending. :)

cleemckenzie said...

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! :-)

Rachna Chhabria said...

Love the title 'Dancing With Dementia' it has a nice as well as an intriguing ring to it :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

I love the way you've given your characters some interesting jobs!

Natalie Aguirre said...

It 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.

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - that's so funny! You did a great job with it!
I used to enjoy those Choose Your Own as well :)

Jemi Fraser said...

That's so very true! After reading all of the posts this morning, I'm thinking I should have had a different answer :P

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you! Mom loves to dance and all kinds of music. And dementia has certainly had us all learning new steps to take!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's always fun figuring out the jobs the characters have and the Why behind it all!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's true! It's so much fun figuring out the Whys behind their professions!

Chrys Fey said...

I 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. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I know I surprised a few readers when my pro athlete was the female character - all part of the fun!

emaginette said...

I 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. :-)

Anna from elements of emaginette

Olga Godim said...

I love happy endings in romances. I need to read yours.

Anne Higa said...

Great answer to the question. I agree that those things may be "controversial" but shouldn't be. Have a great April.

Anne from annehiga.com

Elephant's Child said...

You are under estimating yourself - as usual. You have stepped (gently) into very controversial and very important areas. Controversy doesn't need to be shouted.

Anonymous said...

I think I fall into the "minion" category.

I 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!

Carol Kilgore said...

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!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thank you so much, Anna!
Sharing Mom's story was tough but I sure hope it helps others on that journey!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm all about the happy endings!
Except with dementia because there are no happy endings there - not yet

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm definitely not a controversial type!

Jemi Fraser said...

What a lovely thing to say - and a lovely way to phrase it. Thanks so much, Sue! *hugs*

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - love that!
A few dead bodies shouldn't interfere with our happy endings!!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Carol - LOVED seeing the flowers on your blog - spring is really coming!

Yvonne Ventresca said...

Sounds like two interesting projects for different reasons. Happy April to you!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Yvonne - and happy spring to you as well!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Those happy endings are part of why I love your books so much :)

Denise Covey said...

Yep, 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!

Jemi Fraser said...

Awww! Thanks Lynda - I do love a good happy ending!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I 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 :)

Michelle Wallace said...

I'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?

In 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!

Chemist Ken said...

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.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

It's really refreshing to hear that you're comfortable with what you've written and will write. <3

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks so much, Michelle! That means a lot. I'm having a lot of fun with Bloo Moose!
Leaving our comfort zones is very important!

Jemi Fraser said...

LOL - I'm with you! There's stretching to try new things, and there's making leaps that terrify us!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks, Sheri, I love my stories! Looking forward to more!