Thursday, December 2, 2010

Cross-Genre

As you've figured out by now, I'm not one for doling out writing advice. However, I like to occasionally share when I have a lightbulb moment, or even when the dust is blown off an old lightbulb.

I think I've been crossing genres my whole life. Just ask me to explain the premise of any of my novels, and you'll probably readily agree. 

It's certainly not a bad thing--in fact, I'd dare say it's a great thing (except, of course, if you're specifically targeting a category market). After all, what's an epic story without a little romance?? Maybe I'm a sap, but I just about don't want to read something unless it's going to have some mush in it. Life's all about our emotional connections with the people around us, so it's only fitting for that to show up across all genres. 

As a self-admitted cross-genrer, I can still sometimes surprise myself at bull-headedly ignoring teeming idea holes. 

Case in point:

The Tudors


I've had seasons one and two of this show for over a year, just sitting on my shelf. They're my brother's, actually, and from time to time he'd pester me about not watching them and insist that I return them. I'd hastily assure him that I would, in fact, one day watch them. 

Well, yesterday was that day. I had a bunch of Christmas presents to wrap, it was pouring and gloomy outside, and since hubby is still out of town...well...

Seven episodes in a row later, I was hooked. 

And even more surprising? It gave me a GREAT idea for the sci-fi/urban fantasy (see? I can't even describe it here with just one genre) novel I wrote last year for NaNoWriMo. 

Yep. THE TUDORS, which is obviously, y'know, set in Tudor era England, gave me a great idea for my FUTURISTIC novel. 

Great Idea. Needs to be said again. 


So. Let this be a reminder that inspiration can come from all places, sometimes the ones we least expect. 

Also: watch The Tudors. If not for the picture above, how about this one?


24 comments:

Linda G. said...

LOVE The Tudors. Not precisely historically accurate, but with eye candy like that, who cares?

DEZMOND said...

that second pic is Henry Cavill, the guy whom HOLLYWOOD SPY has been supporting for years now :) Sometimes I think HOLLYWOOD SPY is his fan site :)
THE TUDORS are stunning, four seasons of joy, intrigue and history.

Hannah said...

Omg, you can't do that to me when I'm on my way to work. I can't even think straight.

wait, novel idea, right. This is one of the many reasons why I watch so much tv and movies. I'm flooded with ideas when I do, even more so then when I read, and maybe one in five actually has to do with the genre. Yay for new brain ideas!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Be careful with NetFlix - you'll find yourself hooked on all kinds of shows. (Like me!)

Christine Danek said...

I've been wanting to watch that show. Thanks for the tease. ;) You're right, ideas come from everywhere. I sometimes have to force myself to take a break and just watch TV to let my mind rest. The problem is more ideas come in, but I guess that's not really a problem.
I do this a lot too, cross genres. My novel is a young adult paranormal/scifi romance. Yeah a little much, but I've been told it is accurate. Yikes.
Love your kitty pic. So stinkin' cute.
Hope you are well.

Sarah Ahiers said...

so much yummyness in the Tudors. MMMMMMM

Saumya said...

Love the Tudors...yesssss

Lola Sharp said...

Tudors = YUM.

Teri Anne Stanley said...

Oh my. On my way to Blockbuster right now...oh, wait, I guess I'd better wait until after work.
Especially since I've run through Deadwood and Rome one too many times.

Old Kitty said...

Yay to how you found inspiration!! I'm all for cross gender-ing!!!! Why not?!? It's all imagination in some kind of art form or other!

Henry VIII never looked so yummy as in the Tudors! Take care
x

Colene Murphy said...

Great show! Only saw a few episodes but I have been meaning to pick up a season or two and just sit and bust them out.

Hurray for random inspiration too!

Anonymous said...

All epic stories need romance!!

Now I've got to check out The Tudors!!! Sounds awesome.
Ann Best, A Long Journey Home

Abby Minard said...

I've never watched that one, but I want to. I know what you mean about romance- I need at least a little in my books. I love adventure type fantasies. But I love when there is romance intertwined in the story.

Dominic de Mattos said...

I thought every single story was cross genre!

This is my take on it:

Take the basic ingredients:
Romance
Mystery
Action
Spiritual

Blend the elements together to create your own unique flavour, then take the blend and put it in a time and place, assign genders and race to your characters. This will determine whether your story will be labelled as a romance, western, paranormal, historical fiction, scifi, fantasy, spy thriller, crime or horror.
For me the blend is the most important thing.

Jamie Gibbs said...

I still need to see The Tudors (amongst the million other shows too :P) but I like cross genre shows and fiction..... unless that cross is 'urban fantasy' and 'romance', which tends to irritate me :P I'm interested to see what futuristic idea was inspired by The Tudors ....

Guinevere said...

I've never seen the Tudors, but I've been curious about it since it started. Time to check Netflix!

Meredith said...

Um, okay, definitely watching the Tudors now! I love finding unexpected inspiration :)

RosieC said...

I haven't seen it, but I'll have to check it out. Sounds interesting. And that's awesome about your latest idea. I'm all about genre-merging. :)

Nicole Zoltack said...

I only watched the second season but I adored it. Will have to watch the rest eventually. And it's funny what will spark a story idea, isn't it?

Jessica Ann Hill said...

It's amazing the places inspiration can come from. It's one reason I love to watch so many different types of movies and TV shows, and why I read such a variety of books. Even something that isn't the same genre as my own writing can be inspiring. :)

Raquel Byrnes said...

Oh, yes...Henry Cavil! I'd watch him read the phone book. ;) I like your idea of the urban/future twist...very cool!
Edge of Your Seat Romance

Wendy Tyler Ryan said...

I have the same problem with cross-genre issues. I just want to write and not worry about what element I'm bringing into my story. Agreed though, agents don't like that.

Jon Paul said...

Congrats on your new idea!

I pick up ideas and crazy thoughts from all kind of random places too. And the cross genre thing is pretty much a given for my writing. I like to feel like I'm pushing the envelope somehow (even if I don't always succeed) and I think that lends itself to cross-genre-ation.

Haven't heard of the Tudors. I'll have to investigate.

Evelyn J. Quinn said...

Hi there! Great blog you've got. :) You're a riot!

Anywho, never seen the tudors, but kudos to you for plucking inspiration from your marathon! It's always nice to know a day of vegging out more than one positive outcome besides rest.

-J.