Fantasy, Adventure, and Existentialism

[Susannosaurus]

Hi everyone!
I find it very difficult (and others have confirmed this) to squeeze my novels into a genre, but they all take place in a fictional world, so Fantasy it is, with a disappointingly low dragon and wizard count, and an alarming readiness to launch into deep existential musings...
I'm looking for feedback on my writing generally as well as an assessment of language issues specifically, as English is not my first language.
And also I'm just curious to see what everyone else's imaginations are coming up with
What you need to know about me: sometimes I use emoticons in place of punctuation...
Susanne

 

[Karlin]

Hello Susanne. I've started a story where Heroes and Madmen from across ages and cultures gather to fight Evil. i.e. Data Centers. So far, I have a Native American, a nobody who attracts the heroes. Don Quixote will join today, then probably Crazy Horse, Mushashi, Joan of Arc, Li Kui... we'll see how it goes.

 

[Romy]

In my language "fantasie" is the power/skill to imagine things, not necessarily true (but... can be)... So sometimes a bit difference with fantasy as a genre, for me "make believe" is fantasy. Certainly not the only one struggling.

 

[pmmg]

Howdy Susannae, Welcome here. What is your first Language? So far, I cannot tell.

 

[RoccO]

Existential musings are great, a mouse with a sword, greater than perhaps the existential musings... A toss up between the sword or the quill sometimes, but at other times an avid connoisseur. Maybe the world domination thing has got a little weak, but plenty still on the team, with their thinking caps. Well, maybe night caps, but a bit of foil, to keep away the radiowaves.

 

[Mad Swede]

Since when has it been necessary to have your stories fit into a specific genre? Sometimes I think we stare ourselves blind at genres, tropes, structures etc, and forget that what we're supposed to be doing is writing a good story.

 

[Adam Scribentis]

Welcome!

 

[Susannosaurus]

Since when has it been necessary to have your stories fit into a specific genre? Sometimes I think we stare ourselves blind at genres, tropes, structures etc, and forget that what we're supposed to be doing is writing a good story.

Exactly! Very well said! I try not to think about genre at all when writing, and just focus on the story. But when you think about publication, you - or someone - has to choose a shelf eventually.

 

[Susannosaurus]

Howdy Susannae, Welcome here. What is your first Language? So far, I cannot tell.

Thank you! My first language upset Mark Twain so much he had to write a long essay about it. Now you may be able to guess

 

[pmmg]

The language of the philosphers?