The writer’s group I belong to is not without competition.  I’m not sure how non-profit groups end up in competitive relationships, but our group has been silently snubbed by other groups in the area.

Our offense?  Inclusiveness.

Yes, in a world where you can be your own grandmother (there’s a country song that explains it) or cry foul when your boss fires you for not showing up several days in a row, we, the Grand Rapids Region Writers Group, suffer the snubs of many a writer for  – wait for it … writing genre fiction.

That’s right, world, we write the low grade, non-literary stuff that gets lumped into the genre category.  So ordinary.  So common.  So unsophisticated.

But oh so sell-able.  Our authors sell their work.  Mysteries, inspirational, erotica, romance, non-fiction, and urban fantasy sell.  As in, the writer gets paid for writing.   Why?  Because people like to read it. 

I sometimes imagine what other groups talk about – the deep, earth shattering meaning of their work; the political statement hidden in the pages of their story of a woman finding meaning in her work with orphaned exotic birds; the meaning of life laced into the story a man who has decided to become a woman after his brother changed from being his sister; or the fabulous commentary on the human race to found in their latest story of a young man coming of age in war torn Bosnia.  Yes, the literary types are very, very sophisticated.

But do they have as much fun?  I doubt it. 

I find it interesting to listen to people talk about the books they read.  For the most part, people enjoy genre fiction.  Sure, there are the literary types who won’t read anything too fluffy.  I feel sorry for them.  They miss out on so much of the fun that goes with finding out “who done it,” the joy that accompanies falling in love again through the eyes of characters from another world, the relief of knowing the hero made it through and saved the free world while he was at it. 

While the works of Tolstoy may live until the end of time, I’d dare say that Nora Roberts has given many more people a brief escape from their busy lives.  And while Solzhenitsyn may still be read a hundred years from now, Grisham has captured the imagination of millions without having his works listed on the required reading list of some tenured professor. 

 What makes one author so much more acceptable than the other?  Hmmm?  I wonder how many literary snobs might read genre fiction if they didn’t have friends to impress.

My name is Mary, and I read and write genre fiction.

How solid is your house’s story’s foundation?

Spring is in the air, which means we start our annual house hunting tour.  Someday, it will backfire and we’ll find the perfect house and be forced to move.

Yesterday’s house showing made me think of the similarities between a house and a story.  I’m sure you’ve heard them before – your story is only as good as its foundation.  If there are cracks and shifting sands, if your story can’t stand on its own, it will collapse, losing readers along the way.

Is your story light or dark?  Windows are important – to let the reader see where you’re leading her, to illuminate certain aspects of the character, to spotlight flaws and conflict.

Are there cubbyholes and odd corners to tantalize your reader?  The house we saw yesterday had a space totally useless as a closet (2ft wide by 10ft deep) but awesome as a fort/castle/hideout for a kid.  An intriguing door in the paneling lead to the water main.  It became a game, finding the next oddity.

Does your story prompt your reader to keep investigating?  Beside the cubbyhole and a closet that served two bedrooms, we found a bomb shelter.  Doors lead to doors that lead to doors.  Keep your reader guessing and wanting more.

Watch out for cobwebs, cracks and drafts.  My son compared the incoming pipes to a prison movie.  Cobwebs hung in corners and lamps.  A towel kept the draft at bay at the front door.  Not the best way to sell a house.  Don’t be as careless with grammar, loose plot threads and characters introduced for no purpose.  Clean and polish your story so that it shines – all the better to sell it.

Clean up the outside.  Rampant raspberry canes and side yard shrubs lessened the charm of the house’s exterior.  Make sure your formatting matches the industry standard.  Proofread, proofread, proofread.  The format of your manuscript should reflect a professionalism an editor or agent is looking for.

Think of your story as a house for sale.  Present it in its best light, every flaw erased, the rest shiny and warm, and you’ll prompt a sale.

Blessings,

Cheryl

I’m off to my monthly meeting with the Grand Rapids Regional Writer’s Group (GRRWG).  The group is a collection of genre writers from every type of genre you can imagine.  We have children’s and YA writers, romance and erotica, Christian inspirational, mystery, action adventure, and copywriters. 

Over lunch once a month, we get together and share our latest writing triumphs and tragedies.  We set goals and reward ourselves for goals met.  Someone will share the latest market news for writers.  Usually, a special speaker will share their career with us (like a cop or movie producer) or help us polish our craft.  We gossip, laugh, and have a great time together. 

Going to GRRWG is, in a way, like going to church.   No, there is no worship at our meetings, but just like going to church tends to re-fuel the soul, going to my writer’s meeting renews my love for my craft.  It gives me a boost of encouragement.  It leaves me thinking, “yes, I can do this,” even when I’ve had a slow sales month.  In a church, members are supposed to love each other, sharing in each other’s victories and sadness.  In my writing group, we do much the same – cheer one another on when things are going well and bolster each other up when they aren’t.  It’s a beautiful thing.

If you’re in the Grand Rapids area, check out our meeting.  It’s on the second Saturday of every month, 11:30 am, at the Grandvilla Restaurant in Grandville. 

If you live farther away, find a group in your area, or start one with a few friends.  If you’re part of a writer’s group and love it, tell us about it.  We’d love to help spread the word for you.

Have a great weekend!

Mary