Lilypie

Monday, January 8, 2007

Different Genres Of Writing

Now that I am part of the Write Clique group, I am starting to seriously think about how to improve as a writer and the different genres of writing I can handle. All along for me, I write whatever that comes into my mind. Journals, articles, essays, short stories, even a bit of plays and poems here and there, although my works are never good enough for publication, thus I never dare to show my writings.

While I was growing up, I always have a problem with notebooks. I used them up faster than I could replenish them, and it got to a state that I could not be bothered to replenish and just wrote on loose leaf or foolscap paper. But when the papers were loose, they started flying about, then I realised I had some pages missing here and there, especially for a messy person like me.

Thus, a space for writing had always been my problem. I am so glad that in the modern world of technology, there are blogs to allow anyone to write anything that comes into their minds. This space for writing had always been what I dreamed about. I no longer have to worry about journal books being used up, or loose papers all around. Now I can have my own writing space to do as I please.

Which then got me thinking : just exactly how many genres of writing are there? What constitutes good and bad writing? Does it mean that someone who writes in perfect sentences and flowery vocabulary write better than someone who uses slang and pidgin language? Does someone who brings the message across in five words write better than someone who needs twenty words before people get the message?

I have dabbled in a few genres. Personal recounts, factual recounts, reviews, plays, short stories, poems, movie scripts, reports. In fact, almost all except novels, which I have yet to venture into. But when I see how others can write, I feel ashamed to let others see my own writing. I do not mean my usual blog-writing (because each entry normally goes through a series of proof-reading and editions before being published), but my own creative pieces, which actually are not really that creative.

Sometimes I wonder if established writers themselves have a niche. Do they only specialise in one type of writing or all types? Do they write just short stories, or just novels, or just poems? Do they ever try their hands at the other different genres?

For me, I wish to do all. If I am to write, then I want to write everything. Fiction, non-fiction, short stories, travel articles, general interest articles, women's writing, teens and children's writing, poems, and of course, novels! Being able to publish a novel or a collection of short stories have always been one of my dreams!

3 comments:

Ole' Wolvie said...

Specialize, young grasshopper.

Even great writers tumble when they stray too far away from what made them great.

juphelia said...

Specialise? In what? I like all genres, and there are just too many aspects I want to do!

Tammster said...

A good writer does not use big words or uses extensive vocab. Look at Mr Brown or Elvina. I enjoyed their articles immensely. How about Rockson, the blogger who gets a lot of flak for the use vulgarity & obscenities?

In my opinion, a good writer is someone who is able to write to capture the attention of the reader. A good structured paragraph that would be able to stir the readers' the minds.

Well, having said that, I am not a good writer either, but if I were to read something, I would go for the abovementioned.

^_^

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