What is your favorite kind of story to write?
When people ask me this question I always have to pause and think. What kind of story to I like writing the most? Do I even have a favorite? Perhaps it is the kind of book I’m currently writing, but then again, maybe I liked a different kind better.
I think it would be better if I broke my stories down and took a look at them.
• Home Fires of the Great War
I greatly enjoyed writing this book because of the everyday family life. The research was exciting and I always had more ideas than I could fit into the stories. This book is unique in that it is mostly made up of letters written by two cousins during the war. A different style perhaps than most books, but still fun. Writing the letters brings the characters more to life because you get to be the character writing the letter.
• The Unexpected Request
Since I’d never been much of a western reader, this book took me by surprise. I knew I loved western things, but writing about the west was different. It’s not filled with cowboys and Indians, but it does take place in the west.
• Gift from the Storm
Half mystery, half home life–a combination that kept me eager to write. Yep, I’d be happy to write another book like this. (If I had a good idea.)
• Triple Creek Ranch
Here we go, western, home life, mysteries, historical fiction–it seems to have it all. This series has grown more than I had ever dreamed it would. I have greatly enjoyed getting to watch the characters grow and develop as the time passes. It’s a little hard at times to write it though, as there isn’t a certain era in history (as in no specific years are mentioned) and the books don’t take place all in one or two years. Doing research for them can be a bit of a challenge at times.
• The Graham Quartet
Oh, I liked this story! Not only did I get a mystery I didn’t even know about, but I got to write about a later time in American history. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series as it is going to be based on a real happening. It has always been a delight when I can write about something that really happened or at least base my story on something that really happened. It makes it much more enjoyable to me as the author to know (even if my readers have no idea) that events similar to my story really took place.
• Short Stories
I do enjoy writing short stories. It’s great to be able to get a story completed in only a few days. 🙂 But in another way it can also be harder. I don’t have time to develop the characters and don’t usually get to take them much beyond one day or one week. I also can’t put in as much detail as I sometimes like to. But short stories can also be a great way to try a new writing style, practice a new writing technique, or try something fun. (Like making every character have a “ten” in their name, never using the word “said,” or only allowing 3 characters in the entire story.)
To sum it all up, I don’t think I really have a favorite kind of story. The genres vary in my writing and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Perhaps that has something to do with my personality. I like variety and different stories, styles, and genres. My favorite might be whatever story I’m working on at the moment. Or maybe I haven’t come across my favorite style of writing yet. Perhaps down the road I will develop into a “one genera author” but don’t count on it.
What about you? Do you have a favorite type of story to write? Have you tried multiple styles, genres? If so, I’d love to hear about them.
Hmmm, historical fiction would definitely be my favorite genre to write. In fact, except for modern-day story I'm working on with a friend, historical fiction is the only thing I've ever written. Maybe because I enjoy reading it so much. 🙂
Historical fiction is certainly on or near the top of my favorites, too, Jesseca. I do enjoy writing and reading other things though. Thanks for sharing.
I gravitate mostly towards writing in the medieval, pioneer, or vintage time periods; but I'm learning to branch out. 😉 I know exactly what you mean about short stories! Writing them has been such a growing experience for me. 😉
Every time I think of "Gift from the Storm", I wish there was a sequel; but sometimes perfect stories just don't have room for sequels. Sigh. 😉
I've never tried medieval or even a pioneer story, well except from the perspective of the wagon. 🙂 Hmm, maybe I should. When I first started writing short stories, I liked having other give me the instructions for the story, i.e. "No more than 4 characters, must take place all in one afternoon/evening and should be no longer than 2,500 words long." (Hmm, I've never done that story. Maybe we should all try writing it and see what happens.)
Thanks for the complement on "Gift from the Storm," Kate. It made my day. 🙂