I’m a crime fiction girl through and through. I read loads of crime fiction and I’ve written, well just finishing, my first crime fiction novel, which, I am hoping will be the first in a series. I even watch crime shows on the television. But there’s a story that has been going around and around in my head for about the past nine months and it’s not crime.
It started as one sentence. I was driving home from work and I looked across my windscreen into the sky – It was quite an open area I was driving in – and the sentence just appeared in my head. It wouldn’t go away. It was there days later, so I wrote it down.
After writing it down, my mind wandered. Where did this sentence lead to? Then, what happened to the group of people? Until, eventually, it’s all mapped out. Well, not quite all…
The book I want to write is Science Fiction so there is a lot of detail that isn’t all mapped out. The overall idea and knowledge of where I want this to go and what I want to happen, is there, but there are things that need sorting. So this is what I am using NaNoWriMo for. To get this novel down, in it’s roughest form, with rough science and limited knowledge, which can all be sorted out at a later date.
I am surprised by this turn of events though. Even though it happened fairly steadily, I never saw myself writing anything like, what is currently running through my head. I have blood splattered across the header of my blog! I like crime. Yet, I find myself signed up to write something so completely and utterly different. In my defence, I will say, I love science. The world around me just fascinates me. Before I started writing, I was studying for a Geoscience degree with the Open University and passed all my level one courses, but decided to take a year out to see if I could write a novel and I haven’t stopped.
I hope those of you who are here only for the crime aspect, that you please bear with me. I promise I’m still an avid crime fan. I’m still finishing the first crime novel, I will submit it and I will write the second, but I really need to do this.
This could be an interesting journey. Crime and Science Fiction trying to make it out onto the page.
Has anyone else found their brain making such a sudden switch on them? And did you follow it?
It’s clear that you need to get this out of your system, so the best of luck with it! I believe you have to write the book that demands to be written.
Thanks Dave. Hopefully what comes out, is something like the story actually going around in my head.
Whenever people mention genre-hopping, I cite Margaret Atwood – historical, dystopian, science-fiction, speculative, women’s… Her hopping is endless and yet she manages to make it work. As for me, I’m never sure what genre I fit into anyway, so I write whatever I want! Doing it for NaNoWriMo sounds like a great idea, because if you change your mind, you’ve only lost 30 days, but if you love what you’ve written, you’ll have something great to edit – good luck 🙂
Thanks Annalisa. You’re right, what better time to trial that genre hop, than a massive 30 day writing splurge. I’ll see what comes out at the other end and go from there 🙂 Good luck with yours!
Rebecca – Oh, I think this is fascinating. And whyever shouldn’t you go with what needs to be written. That’s what writers do. Asimov did both science fiction and crime fiction and I think he did OK. 😉
Wow, I didn’t actually realise Asimov wrote crime! I’ve read his science fiction years ago and loved it, but not his crime. Do you have some titles Margot? I may have to check them out some point after November.
Hi Rebecca,
Sure do have some titles. You may wish to start with The Caves of Steel which is the first of Asimov’s series featuring Elijah ‘Lije” Baley. The others in that series are The Naked Sun and The Robots of Dawn. I hope you’ll enjoy.
Thanks Margot – by the way, I don’t know why there isn’t another reply button under your second comment… –
I am going to put these in my phone the minute I have stopped typing this up and look them up after NaNoWriMo has ended. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!
If there’s an itch, you need to scratch it. Good luck, whatever you do, and have fun doing it!
Thanks Marina. There is definitely an itch and it’s been driving me insane. NaNo starts tomorrow, so we’ll see how it goes from there! 🙂
Go for it, Rebecca. This is one of those situations that seem so “writerly.” Follow the path it takes you. I believe writers should try their hand at different styles and genres. It’s a way of keeping the saw sharp.
Thanks Mieke, I think it’s definitely true that we should try if it’s something we want to do and this story has been talking to me for months, so we’ll see if it carrys on talking once I put my fingers to the keyboard!
I’m with Mieke on this one, go for it, don’t worry about boundaries or genres, just pursue the idea, it’s a blessing if it hangs around ; )
Fascinating change of steer, Rebecca. Get those words down, my friend. Best of luck for Nano. :))
Thanks Jane. It is a definite change of direction isn’t it. But not a permanent one. Crime is still where my heart lies 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad you’re going to have a go at the sci-fi! Write what you feel is right for you – go for it. Nano here she comes, best of luck! x
Thanks Mel. I’m wondering what I’ve let myself in for. Not only am I attempting NaNo, but I’m doing it in a new genre. I don’t like the easy life do I!
Hey, I’m excited you want to write science fiction!
I’m a secret science fiction fan Alex. I’ll be coming to you for advice! 🙂
Oooooo, good luck Rebecca!
Xx