It is a Puzzlement: Genre Identification

Defining fantasy reminds me of that old commercial for Parkay margarine. 

Fantasy is many things.  Query Tracker has one take on the genre:

Fantasy. Fantasy stories are set on other worlds or in other realities. You can have vampires, werewolves, or fairies, but in general, fantasy creatures tend to be more…fantastic, mythological – dragons, gryphons, three-headed dog beasts. Magic is a huge element of fantasy stories. Here is a little test: if you can take away the “weird” in the story (i.e. the beasts, the magic) and the world you are left with is still not the normal, everyday world you know, it’s a fantasy story. Lord of the Rings is a fantasy. 

Urban Fantasy. This genre is actually closer to a paranormal than a fantasy. These stories deal with magical or paranormal elements in a real world, contemporary (or urban) setting. Many paranormal books could also be classified as Urban Fantasy, including Twilight, Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake and Merry Gentry series, and The Dresden Files.

In the interest of keeping my sanity, I've compiled the following: 

• Epic or High. Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien, The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
• Arthurian. Mary Stewart’s The Crystal Cave
• Swords and Sorcery. Gauntlgrim by RA Salvatore
• Bangsian (about the afterlife). The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

The discussion is personal since my drug of choice is a sub-genre of fantasy.  That is where my confusion starts.

Wilder Mage is set in the real world about events that can’t possibly happen. So what is it?

The categories are:                                                            

• Paranormal. Nope. The romance is a part of the canvas and not the whole paint.
• Urban Fantasy. Trying to nail this term down has resulted in a bleeding forehead and mangled keyboard. Some say it is the modern world in a city setting, note the above QT quote. Others say it is any time period as long as it is this world.
• Speculative Fiction. This one *really* confuses me. Since my publisher, Musa, defines Urania imprint as Spec Fic, I use the term also. But really? I mean isn't all fiction speculative?
• Contemporary Fantasy. I like this one best. To me it says it all.

Excellent sites that helps to clear/create the fog:

SFSite. Invaluable. Definitely bookmark material.

Fantasy Subgenres.

So what genre is Wilder Mage if it is about a wizard living in Iowa?

Wilder Mage – Cover Reveal

“I know who you are,” she said 

“Who am I?” Justus asked.  

“You are the one they call the wilder, the one who got away.”

Justus Aubre is a wilder. A mage unbound to the Imperium, and therefore a dangerous wild card in their eyes. The Imperium wants him, wants his power, but Justus has hidden for many years and now has some semblance of a normal life. All that’s about to change when Sable Rounds walks through the door of his antique shop, looking for work. Justus instantly knows what Sable is, he just doesn't know the danger he’s in.

Alone, also on the run from the Imperium, Sable longs for a normal life. For somewhere to belong. She finds this when Justus hires her, but she knows it’s temporary and fragile, an illusion. Though she hates to think about it, she knows that one day she will have to move on.

The Imperium is always behind her, waiting. When they finally find Sable, they find Justus. And all hell’s about to break loose.

Release Date, August 30

Profound Confusion

When I began this writing journey, those already in the business offered much advice. A lot of it contradictory.

Some of the 'help' came from people who appear a bit touched in the head. Or Laughing Their Collective A** Off at the muck they caused.

Examples:

“There is no such thing as a ‘query letter’,” snarled one literary agent.

“Here is a sample of a query letter,” said another literary agent.

Huh?

A published author advised the following in a query:

BOOK TITLE, urban fantasy.

Another published author sniffed and suggested:

Book Title, an urban fantasy

*sigh*

Agents have their preferences. They are people too. Or so I’ve heard. But what about the agent who doesn’t detail exactly how they like their query?

It’s up to the lame-brained writer to decide; does the agent like their query shaken or stirred?

To personalize or not to personalize; that is the question. Actually, how in hell’s name do we write a personalized note to an agent who has no website? Or one whose last post was two years ago? Not much marketing going on there. And not someone who is high on my list.

Conspiracy. Sometimes I wonder if there is an industry-wide scheme to cause confusion. Just for entertainment purposes. 

Agents, laughing uncontrollable, switching, and deleting information like format issues, rich text, HTML, page heading, title page, summary vs synopsis.

There is no such thing as ‘contemporary fantasy’. This came from a fellow writer even though I was submitting to an agent who wanted…yeah you guessed it, Contemporary Fantasy.

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away, agents rolled their collective eyes at self-pub. With the success of so many in the industry, Amanda Hocking aside, I believe they see it a little differently. And we adjust even as the industry shakes like a dog emerging soaked from a pond.

Confused by sensory overload? TMI? Or are the little voices in your head laughing at you. pipe down, I told you not to say anything!

Lucky Seven Meme

Chandara tagged me with the Lucky Seven.

• Go to page 77 of your current MS
• Go to line 7
• Copy down the next 7 lines - sentences or paragraphs - and post them as they're written. 
• No cheating

"Like the credit card."

I wasn't the only one startled when Faelan's words cut through the tension. His hooded eyes gleamed from under dark brows.

"Priceless," he said with a wry smile.

June sputtered then stalked toward him. "Looking for a sugar momma are you youngster?" Her face twisted in malice. "You need to stay out of this and keep..."

Her voice died. She came to a quivering stop.

Faelan hadn't moved.

 What is the title of your current WIP? Tell us about it.  

THE ADAMANT is about blacksmith Shamira Kelley a woman possessed by a pendant made from a unicorn’s horn that seeks payback from mankind for its millenniums-old death.

When did you start blogging and why?  

Two years last month. Blogging is a much better solution than a website, easier to keep fresh and update.

If you could do anything tomorrow, what would you do? 

I’d love to see the Northern Lights.

Describe your happy place. 

Sitting in my front yard, warm sun on my face and a dog under my hand.

What was your first happy memory?  

After coming home from work, my tired dad drove me ten miles to see the Christmas lights in town.

What was the scariest thing you've ever done? 
After I toured a wax museum in Hannibal, Mo, I was shaking. I don’t know why, but those wax figures totally freaked me out. I was about to go Hattie Hysterical on ‘em and use my fingernails to claw my way out.

Where is the strangest place you ever had an idea for a story?  

Driving seventy down a busy interstate. The idea for a climatic ending smacked me upside the head and I nearly lost control of my pickup.

Where do you write? 

Messy, paper-strewn computer table in the living room. Try writing with the spouse yelling, “Hey, come see this. ESPN’s top plays are on.”

If you just won a ticket to anywhere in the world and you had to take me, where would you take me and why?  

Scotland. The British Isles fascinates me. I love me some castles and ancient history.

The five Lucky Seven recipients that I admire most are:

Jenn (Substitute photography for writing)

1000^th Monkey

David Powers King

Tara

Magan

Clarissa

Honorable Mention goes to

Angela since *drat* someone beat me to her.