Cross-genre

FIFTHWIND · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 3:25 am Post subject: Cross-genre

I may have said this elsewhere during the last two years, but I'm curious if anyone else has similar intentions.

I intend a five book series which follows a core story-arc, but I want each book to be a fantasy hybrid with a touch of another genre as a backdrop.

Example:

FIFTHWIND (Fantasy with a historical "alternate reality" feel)
WARBRIDE (Political suspense fantasy)
FAHD (Heartwarming drama fantasy)
MAGUS (Horror-fantasy)
FABLE (Swords and sorcery "High-fantasy")

Each book will be a tiny bit cross-genre but the encompassing story will flow through these different "feels"

Do you think this is a worthwhile approach? Have you seen something similar before?

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---Ken Kiser

MadLarkin · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:14 am Post subject:

I have never seen something like that. Well if i had i had never noticed it, but it should be good. My only concern is that each one will be missing things or will not have enough things. like WARBRIDE i think that would be a great book, but it might end up being a dull comparison that people won't even bother to finish let alone read the next one, even though it will be a cross genre.

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FIFTHWIND · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:24 am Post subject:

I do intend to keep a central style to the writing, so as to not alienate any potential fans i might have. I'm talking more along the lines of the plot-thread or the focus of the events and the way they are told.

I suppose it could be tricky, but I'm not a good enough writer to stray too far away from my own style, so it would be incredibly subtle. Smile

_________________
---Ken Kiser

mornara · ADMINISTRATOR Joined: 21 Mar 2007 Posts: 2890

Actually I think most good, strong books have cross-genre in them. Fantasy is less story-line and more setting, in my opinion. It seems that usually it is a political/romance/drama/horror... in a setting with dragons and unicorns.

Personally, all of my books mix genres. I set my current WIP in a fractured, torn America, yet there are demons and mythical beings, as well as genetic manipulation and Vampires. The story is allegory, hero quest, moral fable, political novel, and drama, all in one. And I think that all stories need that variety to make them unique.

Or am I missing the point here?

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FIFTHWIND · Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 6:53 am Post subject:

you got the point, except that I intend for each individual book to "lean" a different way.

If that makes any sense...

_________________
---Ken Kiser

min-i · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 2:15 am Post subject:

Neat idea! 'Fahd' and 'Magus' sound especially exciting, just because of my personal tastes. Wink

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and the hole in my brain,
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WishingStar · MODERATOR Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 761

Aww, Fif, you were so close to complete alliteration...

Lunarcat7 · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:38 pm Post subject:

I think it'd be fun to cross genres. Scifi/fantasy of course is pretty common but I think fantasy/mystery is pretty cool.

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