To distract myself from the election, at least for a little while, I thought I’d respond to this week’s writing prompt with Insecure Writers Support Group. The November question is this: why do you write what you write?
I don’t think about this too much, because I tend to just write whatever it is I want to write. At least, that’s how it is for the most part. I like writing short stories and poetry. I love these forms of writing because it allows me to write more of what I want to write. It lets me try out a lot of different characters, or emotions, or settings, or plotlines.
In terms of the genre, well, I guess you can say I write a little bit of speculative fiction. If you are interested in really diving deep as to what that means, you can take a look at this fascinating article that dives deep into what “speculative fiction” really means. If you are eager to debate whether or not I’m actually a speculative fiction writer, you can read one of my flash fiction stories, “We’ve Been Here Before” published by Sky Island Journal in their fall 2020 issue.
For me, speculative fiction means I have one foot in this world, and one foot in another, more unknown world. I’m inspired by TV shows such as Twilight Zone and short story writes such as Aimee Bender and Robert Matheson. Most of my story ideas and completed stories have elements that are either mysterious, or definitely not part of the real world. I like the flexibility this gives me without making me stay devoted to a genre like fantasy or science fiction.
Real life inspires me a lot, but also my “what if” moments. I love “what if” stories, because that really makes me bend the boundaries of reality in my mind.
As for poetry, that is always from an emotional place. It’s sort of an art form to me more than any other writing I do. At least that’s how I see it.
I’d love to know: why do you write what you write?
I think that if you write what you want to write, that will reflect in your work. I have the same philosophy – I try not to write something because I think it’s what others want – I write it because I want to write it for me.
All the best!
And I think that’s the best way to capture a reader too!
“One foot in the door” I like that. I write about “What if” moments too.
Thanks Joylene!
Thanks for sharing! I write short stories and poetry for much the same reasons – they give me freedom to play with story ideas, and a place to deal with the emotional stuff.
I like the way you describe speculative fiction as one foot in one world and one foot in another.
Happy writing in November!
Thanks Tyrean! I love having that freedom.
I love writing stories too 🙂 poetry is a new love. Have written 5 to 6 poems only.
Rachna Chhabria
Co-host IWSG
Rachna’s Scriptorium
Oh welcome to the world of poetry! It’s a wonderful way to express yourself.
I admire that you write poetry. I write fantasy and speculative. I like to create and escape into other worlds.
I LOVE when I write something that takes me away like that.
That’s a great way of categorizing speculative fiction – it’s rooted in reality, but you’re open to exploring things that might not be immediately visible or can’t be explained. I really admire poets. I’m no way eloquent enough to capture a feeling or scene in a few well placed lines!
Thank you so much! I find poetry can be a little elusive, sometimes I hit the nail on the head, other moments, not so much.
One foot in this world, and one foot in another – I like that analogy.
I love the freedom of speculative. Good luck with your writing.
Personal essays with universal themes. MIddle-grade fiction with a heart. Short stories that explore the intricacies of mother/daughter relationship, the inner life of teenage girls, and the power of religion to both lift and corrupt. Blogging on living the creative life at EvelynKrieger.net