Genre-Blending

[avatarblade2000]

I for one try not to restrict my reading or writing to one set genre: I try to keep my material as broad as possible, so that I'm never trapped creatively by my own likes and dislikes.

HOWEVER...I am a sucker for works that transcend and blend genres. That's actually what I try to write. I've never written a straight genre-story, since it stagnates my creativity, and I like the challenge. My current novel is what you could call "an allegorical thriller," if that gives you any idea of what I'm talking about (a friend once said it was like reading "1984 or the Da Vinci Code in Narnia," which gave me a particular ego boost). I've just become aware of the "urban fantasy" genre, as well as books that blend detective fiction with sword and sorcery, or the Lovecraft mythos, and so on.

I suppose all I'd really like to know is what your thoughts are on such genre-bending genres. Does anyone write them, which ones do you like, which ones do you wish you could see more of, which ones have you never seen before, etc.? Which unlikely genres do you think would be interesting to read or write? You never know, you might give yourself some ideas.

 

[sunstruckdream]

Hi Avatar! How are ya?

I know what you mean, yeah. (And a 1984 in Narnia sounds like it'd be *really* interesting!) I don't like to limit myself by genre either. I'll read out of the literature section, the sci-fi and fantasy section, memoirs, historical fiction, short stories, young adult stuff - anything. There's so much to learn from and contemplate.

When I'm asked what genre I write, I never, ever know what to say. I've written a fantasy. I've written a war story. I'm working on a realistic murder mystery. I'm fond of putting fantastical elements into everyday situations, but some of my work is starkly realistic. So I guess you could say I have no idea what I write

Out of curiosity, Avatar, what are some of your favorite genre-blended books? Now I'm in the mood to read something of that nature.

 

[avatarblade2000]

Nice to hear from you again, sunstruck, I could've done with some of your wisdom later last year. My writer's block can only be curbed by other writers.

To answer you're question, I've found this genre recently which can be loosely called "fantastical mystery" ...essentially thrillers or detective stories that take place in a fantasy setting. Detectives can be wizards, victims magicians, murderers vampires or werewolves, methods are usually magic...that sort of thing. I like a good mystery, but it helps if there's a dragon in it somewhere. All Sherlock Holmes ever had to deal with was a big dog. ;p

I'm currently reading LORD DARCY, which takes place in an alternate Europe, where magic has filled the niche science does in our time; most of it whodunit murder mysteries. HAWK AND FISHER is pretty good, which is about a husband and wife who work as cops in an old sword-and-sorcery port town; kinda hard-boiled, kinda tongue-in-cheek, but I like that sort of thing. Isaac Asimov wrote ASIMOV'S MYSTERIES, which has taglines like "the first murder on the moon," which is enough to get my geek juices flowing. The HELLBOY comic books are nothing but genre-blends, fighting monsters and demons and Nazis and robots all in one issue - but not everyone goes for that kinda stuff.

Another thing...

I'm fond of putting fantastical elements into everyday situations, but some of my work is starkly realistic. So I guess you could say I have no idea what I write

...first of all, that made my day, I can completely empathize. Second of all, though, I think that's technically called "fabulist fiction," which is a story that's 99% realistic - if it weren't for the 1% strange unexplained fantasy. THE STRANGE CASE OF BENJAMEN BUTTON is a good example. The reasons for his condition are completely ignored just so that the audience/reader can focus on how REAL the situation is treated. That might be what you're writing, I don't know. It's a neat genre to check out, though.

(And a 1984 in Narnia sounds like it'd be *really* interesting!)

! I found a beta reader!

 

[sunstruckdream]

Nice to hear from you again, sunstruck, I could've done with some of your wisdom later last year. My writer's block can only be curbed by other writers.

Good to hear from you again, too. It gets quite quiet around here, and I've missed your thorough and thoughtful suggestions.

To answer you're question, I've found this genre recently which can be loosely called "fantastical mystery" ...essentially thrillers or detective stories that take place in a fantasy setting. Detectives can be wizards, victims magicians, murderers vampires or werewolves, methods are usually magic...that sort of thing. I like a good mystery, but it helps if there's a dragon in it somewhere. All Sherlock Holmes ever had to deal with was a big dog. ;p

I'm currently reading LORD DARCY, which takes place in an alternate Europe, where magic has filled the niche science does in our time; most of it whodunit murder mysteries. HAWK AND FISHER is pretty good, which is about a husband and wife who work as cops in an old sword-and-sorcery port town; kinda hard-boiled, kinda tongue-in-cheek, but I like that sort of thing. Isaac Asimov wrote ASIMOV'S MYSTERIES, which has taglines like "the first murder on the moon," which is enough to get my geek juices flowing. The HELLBOY comic books are nothing but genre-blends, fighting monsters and demons and Nazis and robots all in one issue - but not everyone goes for that kinda stuff.

"Geek juices" cracked me up. Those sounds interesting, too. *Takes trip to bookstore* Hawk and Fisher rings a bell, for some reason...who's the author?

Another thing...



...first of all, that made my day, I can completely empathize. Second of all, though, I think that's technically called "fabulist fiction," which is a story that's 99% realistic - if it weren't for the 1% strange unexplained fantasy. THE STRANGE CASE OF BENJAMEN BUTTON is a good example. The reasons for his condition are completely ignored just so that the audience/reader can focus on how REAL the situation is treated. That might be what you're writing, I don't know. It's a neat genre to check out, though.

I've never read Benjamin Button, but I'm interested to do so since I saw the movie last week. (Anyone else think it took *WAY* too long, and could have been told in half the time?) F. Scott Fitzgerald's a smart guy, from what I've read.

That's not exactly what I write, but the fabulist thing is interesting. I meant I like to write across the genre-board, so to speak. I have a few fantastical stories, and I'm currently working on one realistic, mystery-esque piece, as well as one period piece set in a BC year preceded by a big group of digits. The closest I've come to real genre-blending, from how I'm coming to understand it, are a couple pieces in which a realistic human character is confronted by or gets mixed up in the ordeals of supernatural, invented creatures. One of my projects (I know, I have too many...) is about a woman in the real world who is surprised by an unexpected, uninvited houseguest in the form of a pixie. I'm not sure if that counts as blending...but I'm having fun with it.

! I found a beta reader!

You know, I might actually be able to do that if you're interested...

 

[Christianfantasy]

Hey, Avatar, it's great to see you back! What an interesting thread; you've really got me interested in Fantasy Whodunits. I'd like to read one! Which one of all those you've read do you consider the best? [Please bear in mind that while I read murder mysteries every chance I get, Sherlock Holmes is still my all-time favorite. ]

Your genre blended novel sounds interesting. Is it one I know about, or new since we last emailed? I've written a couple of Historical Fantasies, but neither is in final draft/queryable form. The research takes forever, and I'm not sure I'd attempt a third. [Though the flu epidemic of 1918 has fascinated me for as long as I can remember, and I already have a story all plotted out in my mind that takes that pandemic as its starting point.] I'm working, when I can find the time, on a SF/F blend right now. It features a more mature subject matter than I usually deal with. I've also blended Occult with Fantasy.

While on the subject, what is the difference between Fantasy Realism [which I write] and Fabulist Fiction? I see an opportunity to learn something here.

I hope your writing is going GREAT. Many blessings.

 

[avatarblade2000]

Sorry this took so long, but things have - kept me away. Everyone who should know knows now. Anyway.

The differences are very slight. Defining genres is a science anymore, but I will try, best I can.

Fabulist fiction usually has just ONE magical or fantastical thing about the plot; everything else is treated as happening in the real world. The one thing that occurred in BENJAMIN BUTTON was that he aged backwards - but the entire world around him was treated as being real, as the one we currently know, even if it is a period pic.

Fantasy realism is, in contrast, permeated with magical or fantastical elements that run the whole of the work. However, they are treated seriously, not tongue-in-cheek or with the sort of abandon a fan of classic or epic fantasies would read their favorites. I would venture to say that LORD DARCY is magical realism. Or maybe something closer, like THE DRESDEN FILES.

I recommend both, but both are somewhat hard to find.

 

[Solomon Kane]

Avatar, like the idea you have of a Naria with a more modern setting.
I also have read the Lord Darcy and Dresden stories and found them both to be enjoyible reads. Though the Darcy series had the extra bonus of, imo, establishing a rigid set of rules for his magical system and sticking with them.

Like you I tend to go with the genre bending. Although I go more with mixing the 30's pulp style and setting with horror along with some hardboiled detective elements. Imagine a sort of Sam Spade or Philip Marlowe character having to track down someone who is blackmailing the victim only to discover that the blackmailer is wizard who uses spells to discover the dirty secrets of the powerful.

Or, a Dirty Harry style character who is attempting to locate the missing child of a local businessman, only to find out that the child is really a werewolf who is going through their first transformations.

BTW, if you like urban/modern fantasy, you might want to read some of Kathrine Kurtz's Adept books. Not well know but, imo, well worth the time to track down and read.

 

[Wicked Willow]

Blending genres (or just ignoring the conventions of a particular genre to begin with) is always a good idea, IMHO. There are way too many stereotypes, clichés, and cardboard plotlines attached to some genres as it is - just think of some random run-of-the-mill fantasy novel!