G.Spot - Creative Writer's Workshop #1 READING & GENRE

There are many people who have a story they want to write. It can range from memoirs to a suspenseful thriller to a spine chilling horror.

Do you?

Hi there. I'm Georgie Tyler and welcome to G.Spot and my series of creative writing workshops. They're free and you can log on when ever you have some spare time and want some inspiration.

I'm a traditionally published author, with two ebooks on the virtual shelves and the third due for release in November. I'm also an English high school teacher. I love teaching creative writing at school so I thought I would extend my classroom and impart the knowledge I have acquired on my writing journey to whoever wants to join me.

WELCOME.

Okay, let's get started.

To be able to write something decent you have to be a reader. Reading is imperative and closely linked to good writing. Those who tend to write well, read books (fiction or non-fiction), magazines and newspapers. Reading broadens your vocabulary and it improves your grammar and spelling. Reading also shows you how to write particular texts.  For example, for the budding journalists, a newspaper article is set out as follows:

However, this is a creative writing workshop and most of you want to get some tips on how to write that novel you've plotted and planned for years.  

I'm a romance writer. When you click onto my website, you will see the covers and blurbs of my books displayed. Though I read broadly, I LOVE to read romance novels. It is my GENRE of preference. 

What is genre? Genre is a style or category of literature. There are many genres people like to read. Romance, sci-fi, fantasy, horror to name a few. Decide what genre you enjoy to read mostly, because you will tend to write in that genre. I don't read many sci-fi books so it would be silly of me to attempt to write in that genre. 

When you've decided on your preferred genre, immerse yourself in those books. When I was beginning to get serious about my writing I read romance novels and only romance for about a year. It was an invaluable exercise. 

 Each genre has particular elements and features that make them fit into a genre. For example, fantasy usually includes: 

• a portal to another world 
• anthropomorphic characters 
• magic
• a quest or journey of some sort. 

Romance novels must have:

• A hero and a heroine and they must be likeable (or hero/hero or heroine/heroine depending on the romantic situation!)
• They must meet early on in story
• There must a reason why they can't be together
• Lots of romantic tension is important and
• A 'happily ever after' is a must.

In conclusion, you should READ as much as you can in the GENRE you want to write in. It seems basic, simple and pretty obvious but it is important to becoming a successful writer. I have learned that the writing journey is a slow one and to be successful, whether success for you is finishing one chapter, developing your characters, completing your book or publication there are many things to learn and it takes time. I think that has been the hardest thing for me to come to terms with in this profession; there are no shortcuts.

So, settle in for the ride, subscribe to my blog and we'll take this journey together.

Until next time, HAPPY READING!

Georgie