The various genre

Every writer has their favourite genre. It usually follows that if you enjoy reading short stories then this is the genre you will write the most. I started on short stories, then went through articles, poems and finally arrived at the novel.

A brief outline of each of the common genre follows:

The Novel

What many writers aspire to but many never reach. It is said that everyone has a novel in them. That may well be true but putting that story onto paper is another matter. To sustain interest for around 100,000 words is not an easy matter. Legth is another factor. I really do not know what - if any - is the average length of the novel. A novelette is a short novel of around 40,000 to 50,000 words. Then there is 'War and Peace'. It is easy to get carried away with a story but it is the interest to the reader that is most important. No point in 'waffling' on for page after page. A structured story is vital not only to the reader but also to the writer.

The Short Story

This is the genre where most writers first try their hand. I would imagine every writer who has written a novel has written many a short story. In fact, this genre is probably harder than a full blown novel. Here you have to have a beginning, centre and end all wrapped up in a particular number of words, say 3000. Not easy by any means. Many compotions, whether national or local writers circles, are this genre. It is a good starting point for the aspiring novel writer.

The Article

Not an easy genre. Possibly more for the writer who wishes to go into the newspaper business. Not only is writing involved, but usually photography; a skill in itself. There is certainly no shortage of material required with the vast number of magazine and newspapers around. Although many articles are written by 'In house' writers, the freelance, who has a new angle on a story, will always find an avenue for his or her talent. It is certainly worth writing about something you know a lot about.

"There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately no one what they are."

Billy Collins in the New York Times

1941-

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"I'm a writer - if I stop writing, I'm nothing"

William Faulkner

1897-1962