Into the Fire

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Know your limitations?

 

Everybody has them. Certainly writers have them. And of course some more than others.

As much as I'd love to write a Vince Flynn type of novel or an equivalent to Robert Liparulo's Comes A Horseman or Germ, it doesn't take even a brief hesitation to admit: I can't.

Now if you asked me to write the protagonist for this type of novel, I could. Or if you asked me to write the romance for the hero of this type of novel, you can bet the farm I could do it.

But highly researched, explosive action fiction, as much as I love it: I can't do it.

And there are definitely some genres or sub-genres that I'm not even remotely interested in writing (or reading). Hint: Amish fiction.

If you asked me to write supernatural suspense, that'll get you a maybe. I can do the supernatural incidents no problem. There're always supernatural occurrences in my novels. But genuine suspense? Tricky. 

I think it's possible to graduate beyond our comfort zones as we progress in our writing, but I also think most writers cannot do it all and seldom want to. I'm all for stretching ourselves as novelists and crossing genres if it's in us to do it. Most of us as readers show interests in genres outside our creative abilities.

So where's your niche? Are you willing to admit your limitations? 

God, you built me knowing the limitations I would face, the number one of which is my sinful nature. Thank you for giving me Jesus. Holy Spirit, I don't know how you can stick with me, but I'm so thankful you do. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

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5 responses to “Know your limitations?”

  1. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    I would LOVE to write novels around the military, but I just don’t have the ability or know-how to do it. Aside from the obvious technical aspects, it requires someone who understands what the heck is going on in this big world of ours, which lets me out. I can barely stay abreast of local news. But novels in that vein definitely top my list of “want but can’t have.”
    It’s hard enough writing historicals–not that the information necessary can’t be found, but for the time investment. Which is yet another reason I couldn’t write a military thriller–I can’t imagine finding the time to research all of that too.
    A “maybe” area for me is contemporary fiction of a general nature. Even though I do have a couple novel concepts in mind that would be general fiction set in contemporary times, my chief hurdle is that, aside from the military type thrillers noted above, I just can’t get into the modern age, so it makes it very difficult to write. Contemporary settings bore me, so its hard to dredge up the motivation to write one.

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  2. Brenda Anderson Avatar
    Brenda Anderson

    I would love to write mystery/suspense/thrillers like Flynn or Steven James, but as you said, I lack the experience and the connections to do it the right way.
    I could write Amish, I suppose, with adequate research, but have no desire to. I could also write historical, but I’ve never been intrigued enough with history as the good historical authors are. That authenticity comes through.
    To appeal better to the market, I have written a couple of romances. But my heart will always be with contemporary. I love dealing with today’s problems in an authentic manner.

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  3. dayle Avatar
    dayle

    I am a master of every genre except whatever one I happen to be writing at the time.

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  4. BK Jackson Avatar
    BK Jackson

    LOL Dayle! Well said. I think every writer would likely agree with you. 😎

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  5. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    B., I would love to write novels around the military too, but like the Vince Flynn novels I wish I could write, there’s just no way I could do the research accurately enough to satisfy me with its authenticity. No question you were born to do historicals.
    Bren, you gotta go with your heart, don’t you? Even though we might wish to go elsewhere, it’s like we know where we’re supposed to be.
    Dayle, you silly guy. You know where you fit. I know you do. 😉

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