"There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate's loot on Treasure Island." - Walt Disney

Wednesday, June 5, 2019

IWSG: Favorite Genre

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive.Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

JUNE QUESTION: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?

MY ANSWER: I genre hop quite a bit, but the most common element seems to be romance. Whether I'm reading, or writing, I enjoy elements of love. It's the most basic human need, and universal theme, so it makes sense that I would prefer a tale with elements of that emotion - even when it's not an outright romance novel.

For a sample, check out a few of my FREE short stories:

Thankful Every Day
Madame Tooshkas Spell
Masters in Love
Love's New Beginning


Which genre is your favorite to read and write in and why?

42 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Love is universal.
Thanks for co-hosting today!

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's great that you can write in more than one genre. And romance can be a great part of any story. Thanks for co-hosting.

S.A. Larsenッ said...

I wish I could genre hop. I think that is a pretty cool skill! I'm a major romance sap, so my YAs center there. And I also love fantasy adventure, which is where most of my MG work goes. Saying that, I'm just starting to map out a contemporary MG. Praying it goes well. Thanks for co-hosting!

Loni Townsend said...

Emotions are the core of people and that's what we love best about stories: the characters! Thanks for co-hosting!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Romance is a popular genre. Thanks for co-hosting this month!
Mary at Play off the Page

Rachna Chhabria said...

Romance novels are always popular. Thanks for co-hosting.

Computer Tutor said...

I enjoy romance novels, maybe the 4th-5th favorite genre. They are always hopeful and have a happy ending (stuff I like in a good story).

CV Grehan said...

Every novel I work on has a romantic element. Short stories, not so much.
Thank you for co-hosting! Free short stories? You are amazing!

Carrie-Anne said...

Many of my books have strong elements of love stories, but I personally wouldn't go so far as to call any of them actual romance novels except maybe my first Russian historical. The love story forms so much of the plot, though it's far from the only important thing going on. Current romance novels are so much stronger than they were 20-30 years ago, though many people unfortunately retain a stigma against them and assume nothing has changed in the genre.

Jennifer Lane said...

I love romance, too! Romance provides an emotional hook to any genre, in my opinion. Thanks for co-hosting.

Anonymous said...

Romances stories are an art in and of themselves, but I agree that romance can add layers to other genres, as well. I write horror, which seems to have spawned an odd horror/romance offshoot, just proving that relationships are important to all stories.

Thanks for co-hosting today!

Sarah Foster said...

I love your answer! I think there's always been an element of romance in my story ideas, even if it's not the main focus.

The Cynical Sailor said...

I do like a good romance. I'm thinking of trying my hand at a slow burn romance in my next cozy mystery series. I think that could be fun. And of course there will be a HEA by the end of the series :)

Cheers - Ellen

Chrys Fey said...

I genre hop, too, but whatever I write has romance in it. :)

Sadira Stone said...

Thanks for co-hosting, and vive l'amour!

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Happy IWSG Day, fellow cohost! :)

Lidy said...

Thanks for co-hosting this month! I’m a bit of a genre hopper myself. But for this IWSG question I have to say romance too. Absolutely love reading and writing two characters becoming closer and closer on all -ly levels.

Diane Burton said...

All my books contain romance, no matter the genre. Even my middle grade sci-fi adventure has a hint of a romance for two teens. Thanks for co-hosting this month.

Pat Garcia said...

I like the way you said, elements of love. Regardless of how much we try to sterilize love and make it non-essential, the key to changes in our lives regardless of what we do revolves around our love for whatever we have decided upon.
Thank you so much for co-hosting.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

cleemckenzie said...

Romance is always a go to genre when you need to feel good. It's kind of like chocolate. Thank for co-hosting this Wednesday.

diedre Knight said...

Hi, Sylvia!

Like you, I hop around. Though a common (mystical) thread prevails, it could be in any genre or for (most) any age-group. Typically, I seize a prompt or an idea and run with it. Shorts are especially satisfying ;-)
Happy Writing - and thanks for co-hosting!

Michelle M. Nebel said...

Thanks for co-hosting this month! I agree with you about elements of love. In my favorite reading and writing, I'm all about relationship. (It can be friends or family members or romantic partners--I just love the stories that develop around the ins and outs of relationships!)

Olga Godim said...

I love reading romance, but writing it doesn't work well for me.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I agree that love makes every story more interesting even if it isn't the main storyline.

Meka James said...

Reading about love. Seeing how different people interact and connect does fill you with a sense of happiness and hope.

Erika Beebe said...

I am always disappointed when I read a book that's brilliant at first, but has no love interest. I do love a great heart story. Happy IWSG Day :)

Fundy Blue said...

Thanks for co-hosting today, Sylvia! I hope that you have had fun visiting around. I always enjoy elements of love in any genre, and love is what makes a story truly memorable, even if the ending is not happy. Happy writing in June!

Tamara Narayan said...

Thanks for co-hosting. Love is odd in the way that some of the most successful stories about it keep the pair away from each other as long as possible or have situations that break couples up. I guess that's where the drama is.

Jemi Fraser said...

I agree! I like to have that romance (or human!) element in the books I read (and write) as well. Love, acceptance, hope, are central themes of life and romance - what's not to love? :)

C.D. Gallant-King said...

Most stories are love stories, even if they're not a "romance" in a traditional sense. The protagonist usually loves someone or something, or is helping someone that does; that's the whole driving force behind the plot!

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

It's fun to write in different genres, isn't it. So many choices to make. I've never tried it, but who knows? Love is always good.

Michelle Wallace said...

Love is a winner!
I can remember reading loads of romance stories, especially those written by Danielle Steele, when I was young.
Thanks for co-hosting the IWSG this month.

Kalpana said...

Thank you for co hosting. Every genre needs an element of romance is what I feel. I'm looking forward to reading your short stories.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

I don't read a lot of romance, per se, but I do like a little romance worked into mysteries and historical fiction (my two favorite genres.) BTW, I enjoyed your stories. They read so well. Do you have a collection coming up?

Ryan Carty said...

Stories with no emotion, no love, leave me empty. Even a political thriller needs a little romance, right?

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

I would like to add a postscript to my earlier comment: I liked three of the stories you posted. The fourth, "Love's New Beginning" didn't grab me as much as the others, but the others were really appealing stories, and I hope they have found a publishing home since your earlier posting.

Lisa said...

I'm with you on having love be a part of the story, no matter the genre. Thanks for co-hosting this month!

Victoria Marie Lees said...

I love reading romance too, Sylvia. I'm following your blog. I'll check out your stories, too. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG's June question. All best to you!

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for co-hosting.
I agree. Love is so relatable no matter the genre.
I read mostly in the speculative genres, but have been expanding my horizons more and more each year. My favorite genre to write is science fiction, though it's probably the genre I've published the least. Oh well.

Debra Renée Byrd said...

Thanks for co-hosting! While I wouldn't say romance is the most basic human need (there are aromantics in the world who certainly wouldn't say it is), love or being loved definitely is. I also like reading or writing romance.

Liesbet said...

Who doesn't love a bit of love - in writing, reading, and real life! :-) Thanks for co-hosting this month and may your summer be filled with love.

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