On Saturday I hit a writing milestone, and then I ate a ginormous sundae with a brownie on top. Quite by coincidence, the location of my celebratory desert coincided with the Pride parade route. A festive occasion all around!
In other news, I was inspired by this post over on Kat Howard’s blog. It’s so exciting to think of all the things I want to attempt, writing-wise, but here are five on varying degrees of simmer.
Space Opera This one is easy because it’s a novel I’ve already started and hope to get back to soon. It has aliens and unlikable biofuel researchers and themes about power, and I love it so much. Lois McMaster Bujold and I share a birthday, which I’ll take as an auspicious sign. (Don’t worry, I’m sure my shiny-eyed enthusiasm will wear off once I’m in the trenches.)
Time Travel Admittedly this sub-genre is a little problematic if you strive for scientific rigor, but I can’t help but look at what Connie Willis has accomplished and want to play in that sandbox. Let’s just call it magic, shall we? And I think I’ll aim for short-story length here.
Epic Fantasy Something that needs a map, no joke. Though I think this would have to be YA because I’m not spending the next couple of decades on it. I’m not crazy. Speaking of epic YA, everyone should go read Shadow and Bone.
Mystery I have a lot of respect for the form and I’m not convinced I could create something successful … but it would be fun to try. Or maybe I’m just a sucker for Benedict Cumberbatch and want an excuse to rewatch episodes of Sherlock. For research.
An Iconic Character My current, ultimate goal as a writer is to create stand-up-and-cheer moments. These are among my favorite experiences as a reader, and a driving reason why I write. I suspect the groundwork involves a compelling character, spot-on pacing, and a heroic action. If I ever succeed, please someone let me know.
What do you want to write that you haven’t yet done successfully?
There is no reason why anyone needs an excuse to rewatch the glory that is BBC’s Sherlock.
(But God knows, if you need one, Cumberbatch is a fine, fine reason.)
Agreed! I love it so much!
Love these categories. I see some writing challenges in our future, no?
Absolutely! It was kind of a fun exercise to think about, and also telling that my mind went straight to different genres, rather than to different styles/forms as in the original post. What are yours?
Time travel, singularity (natch), fantasy, … still thinking.