Thanks to our awesome co-hosts for the April 7 posting of the IWSG! PK Hrezo,Pat Garcia,SE White,Lisa Buie Collard, and Diane Burton!
I’ve taken a lot of risks in my life. Go read the blog post from Monday…I won’t cover them again here. https://www.pjmaclayne.com/?p=6254. But when it comes to my writing, I play it safe. Unless you count the fact that I’m an Indie writer, and that’s a risk in itself. Heck, writing and putting it out there for the world to see is a risk.
My writing style is pretty traditional, and I’m okay with that. I’m writing fiction, (mostly almost-cozy-mysteries) and there’s only so many risks you can take in that genre before you lose your audience. Some folks believe even the use of strong language breaks the rules of that genre.
I prefer to present controversial topics in subtle ways, as part of the story and not the main plot. I might sneak in a casual reference in support of the legality of marijuana or have a minor LGBTQ character. My female main characters can stand on their own against a male villain. To me, those topics aren’t radical, although I’m well aware that other people feel differently.
One thing I do that almost seems controversial is that although I’m not writing ‘sweet’ stories, I don’t include sex scenes. Many readers these days expect sex scenes, but I don’t feel the need for them in my stories even if they have a romantic subplot. I figure most of my readers know how it’s done, and don’t need the details. Will that ever change? Sure, it could, if the right story came along.
But I doubt my overall writing style will ever change. Topics may, characters may, but I don’t see myself ever being on the cutting edge of a major writing shift. That just isn’t me.
Thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget to take a look at what some of the other Insecure Writers have to say by following the links below. And, until the next time, please stay safe.
Hi,
Glad to hear you are an indie writer. I am a hybrid writer with one foot in the indie world which I like tremendously and one in the publishing world.
Wishing you all the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Thanks! To you, too.
Thank you for taking the risk of not putting the sex scenes into your writing (so far). Depending on the reader’s perspective, there will be criticisms either way. Thank you for taking a stand, at least for now.
I don’t know that’s it’s a stand as much as a a reflection of my own tastes. I don’t mind a decently written sex scene, but I’ve gotten tired of them.
As a male, I have enough challenge keeping my imagination and my lust in check. It upsets me when a really good story is written with stuff in it fanning the flames of those mental images I’d wish were not in my mind.
I thought cozies avoided anything R rated like gore and sex? If you don’t include those, that’s okay by me.
I think that’s true in general. I’ve avoided those as well. In fact, a couple of the books don’t even include a murder. I’ve found various opinions on the cursing, and it seems like it’s in flux. But the age group I write about, and the characters in the series, it’s more realistic to include a few ‘bad’ words.
All writing is risk. I’m always meeting people who want to be writers, but haven’t taken the first step to start.
I really like cozy mysteries, and I’d rather not read bedroom scenes personally and agree that it doesn’t add much to the story.
Jenni, you should check put my Harmony Duprie Mysteries! 🙂