There Be Genre Choices Ahead

Someone asked me the other day what genre I write and I immediately responded with fantasy. They followed up by asking my why. All that came to me was, "I have trouble with reality." We both laughed, but it got me thinking why do I write/read mostly fantasy? Of course there is my love for Renaissance Faires, Lord of the Rings and D&D that fuels my desire to spend as much time in a Medieval Stasis type situation as possible, but it's the magic. Yep, always the magic that gets me. I was reading my old flash posts and backed up files. They are all a quick romance flash, traditional or contemporary fantasy. Which I actually thought was urban fantasy, but I lack the grit required to be in that category. Then I was wondering how many categories are there? I found list upon list of categories and subcategories many of which I honestly never knew were a thing or the proper name for. It was a bit confusing until I found this genre map. It looks cool and is interactive.

I've been having trouble with inspiration probably because I need structure and guidelines. If my options are wide open I freeze and nothing gets done. So I was thinking about seeing how many different genres I can work in. Some of them would obviously require a bit of research, but it seemed exciting and excitement is something that has been lacking from my writing attempts as of late. I think steampunk is where I am going to start because it has been on my mind. With gears, steam, fantastic machines and victorian fashion I think I wouldn't miss my elfs, gnomes and dragons as much.

Oh, almost forgot that the first flash I have shared in a long time was posted yesterday at the Lake Writers blog. Please have a look and let me know what you think.

ROW80 Rundown

Make the check-ins on Sundays and Wednesdays - Running late again, but still plugging along.
Visit 5 fellow ROW80 bloggers each check-in - I visited 5 ROW80 friends posts, but still couldn't get my phone to cooperate and allow me to comment. I spent 7 hours Googling (There may be gremlins in my phone.) to figure out how to fix the problem. I don't think I found the correct solution, but a I reached a good enough that allowed me to be me instead of my my daughter on my phone. It would have been easier to just sit at my husband's computer, but I took a fall and sitting up was hurting so badly I couldn't bear it.
Write 500 words every day -
Monday - I started a steampunk flash. I got to just under 600 words, but it still needs work.
Tuesday - Took the fall Monday night so getting through the day was the most I could manage.
Wednesday - Went to the Dr and added just over 200 words to the steampunk flash, but then got to attend the Lake Writers meeting. We visited more than anything else and I had a really good time.

What genre do you write in most? What about reading, the same or different? What keeps you coming back to the same or skipping around? Let me know in the comments.

Photos by Pixabay.

Flash Me A Chance

Friday Flash happens every Friday and the participants write a flash fiction story up to about 1000 words. My entry is very short this week only 200 words, but I am proud of them. 

They were sitting next to each other trying to decide where to go from here."If I don't do this I will regret it forever," she said as she slid off the bed and to her knees "Take a chance. Please."

"W-what w-would it ah-accomplish?" he asked stuttering with conflict in his eyes and leaning away from her.

"I want to know what you feel like."

"Th-that is a va-valid qu-query." he said not able to make eye contact. Then it seemed like something inside him snapped he had come to a decision. He jumped off the bed moved away from her quickly. Her heart began to sink until he closed and locked the door to the spare bedroom.

He took her hand and helped her off the floor. Taking her in his arms he kissed her, softly at first then his mouth became hungry and his tongue greedy. He felt her breasts as he continued kissing. He fumbled with her bra for a moment. Then her milky breasts plummeted from their wire cage. He took the nipples between his fingers and began to manipulate them.

She could not believe that he was finally touching her. This was her fantasy coming true before her eyes and in his hands.

photo credit: dhammza via photopin cc

Flash Me a Gnome

I dismounted into the squishy mud and felt it creep around my foot. Each squelch was like pulling against a dog that had a hold of my boot. As I approached I marveled at how the decrepit structure was still standing. I knocked on the weathered wooden door and waited. 

"Like I said the partnership will no doubt be a profitable one." Someone said on the other side of the door. It was wrenched open and I was almost bowled over by a red haired dwarf heading out of the door. I stepped aside just in time to avoid the collision landing me back in the mud, but at least I was still on my feet. "Good day," said the dwarf who had been talking when the door was closed. He walked by me and down the lane. 

"And what can I do for you?" said a gnome who held himself like he owned a castle instead of a shack. 

"I have been sent by King Ambron to secure your services. The princess-"

"No thank you, I am entirely too busy to fool with the whims of silly girls," he said as he began to close the door.

"The king said to name your price and-"

"Yes, yes, I am sure he will make it worth my wile. Gladly paying any price I set and all that nonsense," he said like he gets these offers every day. "I am just too busy. I have real work to tend to."

I was obviously loosing him so I had to try another tactic. "What are you working on that is keeping you too busy to serve your king?" His eyes narrowed and I immediately realized that I had said the wrong thing.

"I am under no obligation to serve your king," he put a great emphasis on the word your. "I am my master and will do as I wish. There are things you don't understand that have already been set in motion. Like the gears of my dolls your cog will soon be moving and you will be squished in them if I am not left to my work. Now be gone with you," he all but yelled.

"I understand that you are a very busy man," his eyes narrowed again, "I am sure there must be someone else around that you can refer me to. Someone who's work you strive to achieve. We are looking for the best and if you are not available we would be willing to look else ware." This was my last hope playing on his pride, but it could go a lot of different ways and most of them are bad.

"There is no one who's work I admire. I am the top of the line and you will not ever find someone better than me. I will take your commission, but it will cost your king dearly." he said and a mischievous smile crept across his face.

"As you have already said, he will pay any price you set," I said relieved that I had convinced him, though I am a little worried about the way he is looking at me.

Running late today, but getting my post in for Friday Flash. 

 

Gnome photo credit: toel-uru via photopin cc
Shack photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc