Into the Fire

So. Here’s your chance to analyze, comment on, or consider whether or not you like formulaic genre writing. Many of you who visit here write. Most of you who write choose to write fiction. Almost all of you who visit here read. A lot.

Some of you vary your genre reading, selecting novels purposefully or taking a chance here and there based on somebody’s recommendation. Some of you are precision readers and seek out particular publishers for your reading stock. Some of you read purely for enjoyment and to be entertained. For others, your reading constitutes either a learning or an examination experience.

Sometimes I’ve failed to remember certain novels are supposed to be formulaic. Category romance, historical romance, a lot of romance novels tend to require adhering to a basic formula. Suspense and mystery can also follow a specific formula. I’m fairly sure it depends a lot upon the particular publishing house or their acquisition editors. Nevertheless, when you pick up certain kinds of books, you expect a bit of “formula”.

Where formula goes bad for me is when I know the result in the first few chapters and I no longer care how it goes down. Know what I mean? It’s when the writing itself is safe and too orderly so that not only is the story formulaic but the writing style is, too, I rebel. And strain to finish the book. Unhappy. Blasé about how it all happens.

How ‘bout you?

God, I just want to do what you want me to do. It shouldn’t be that hard, but it often is. I’m sorry for that. Continue to direct my steps, Lord. You know where I need to go and how I need to get there. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.