One of the questions I've often asked myself is: What kind of writer am I? And by that I mean, in what genre does my work fit?
As I've written on this blog, I love writing in the chick lit genre, particularly about the American South. I have stories for days, a veritable well from which I can draw inspiration. Certainly Sweet Divinity fits perfectly into this style and genre, as does My Literary Boyfriends. Yet I also enjoy writing literary fiction; at least, I have enjoyed writing it when working on my manuscript of Miranda.
So the question remains: What genre suits me best? And I think the answer is "both".
When I first set out on my journey to publish, I just sent out whichever manuscript was ready, not a worry about a long-term career. I just wanted to publish. But the more I work, the more I know this is what I wish to do, consistently, for the rest of my life. Therefore I came to the realization that perhaps I had to choose: Am I a Sophie Kinsella or a Jane Green, a Caassandra Clare or a Chris Cleve? It seems as if in order to market your book, one must market herself, and that requires defining yourself as a writer.
But the truth is, I am both a chick lit writer and a writer of literary fiction, and I'm pretty sure I've got some nonfiction inside of me as well.
So while I'm still seeking representation for Sweet Divinity, I think I'll give Miranda a little bit of love, and we'll see if she strikes an agent's fancy. Besides, while I can be sweet and humorous, I certainly believe I'm complex enough to be gothic and metaphysical as well. We should all own our unique complexities. And I'm ready to own mine.
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