I've been thinking a lot about my next step after finishing my current WIP and the more I think about it, I want to try something outside the fantasy genre. I really liked how China Mieville's style of writing is different with almost every book he does, yet you can still tell that he wrote it. Same with someone like Chuck Palahniuk, who writes about all manner of different kinds of topics, but you can still tell he wrote it. Something about that kind of writer is appealing to me.
So what I'm hoping to do is try to write something in the real world without any sort of fantasy elements to it. Actually, I want to have the fantasy genre involved, but as it's perceived in the real world. I'm fascinated with people who find themselves more at ease in cosplay, roleplaying or writing fiction (as I do). I'm hoping to explore this theme some in my next book. Instead of looking at only the positive side of it, I want to look at how it can be destructive in many ways. (an example would be like the movie The Wild Hunt.)
However, I know some people think it's better to focus on one type of audience rather than spreading yourself out too thin. But I'm of the opinion that you write what is calling to you or else you're being dishonest with yourself.
Any thoughts on writing outside your main genre? Have any of you tried writing in real world settings without fantasy elements involved? How did it work for you?
So what I'm hoping to do is try to write something in the real world without any sort of fantasy elements to it. Actually, I want to have the fantasy genre involved, but as it's perceived in the real world. I'm fascinated with people who find themselves more at ease in cosplay, roleplaying or writing fiction (as I do). I'm hoping to explore this theme some in my next book. Instead of looking at only the positive side of it, I want to look at how it can be destructive in many ways. (an example would be like the movie The Wild Hunt.)
However, I know some people think it's better to focus on one type of audience rather than spreading yourself out too thin. But I'm of the opinion that you write what is calling to you or else you're being dishonest with yourself.
Any thoughts on writing outside your main genre? Have any of you tried writing in real world settings without fantasy elements involved? How did it work for you?