#2 Begin With The End in Mind

 

How many of us do that - begin with the end in mind? Not just on a small scale either. Think about it for a minute... Are you who you want to be? Doing what you always dreamed you'd be doing? Be honest. As I was reading and studying habit number two, I couldn't help but see the correlation of this with the writing process. After-all don't we as readers and writers begin with the end in mind? Before we purchase a book don't we look at the synopsis to get an idea of where the story is headed? As an author, I always begin with the end in mind, because if the end is weak there really is no story at all. Not only can this help me in my personal life balance attempts, but also directly applied to my writing!

According to Dr. Covey-"Habit 2 is based on imagination--the ability to envision in your mind what you cannot at present see with your eyes. It is based on the principle that all things are created twice. There is a mental (first) creation, and a physical (second) creation. The physical creation follows the mental, just as a building follows a blueprint. If you don't make a conscious effort to visualize who you are and what you want in life, then you empower other people and circumstances to shape you and your life by default. It's about connecting again with your own uniqueness and then defining the personal, moral, and ethical guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfill yourself. Begin with the End in Mind means to begin each day, task, or project with a clear vision of your desired direction and destination, and then continue by flexing your proactive muscles to make things happen. "

Now is the time. Not next week. Not tomorrow; but today. It's time to make a mission statement and begin with YOUR end in mind!

XOXO Genevieve Rule

What's In a Genre?

Adventure • Comic • Crime • Docufiction • Epistolary • Erotic • Faction • Fantasy • Historical • Horror • Magical Realism • Mystery • Paranoid • Philosophical • Political • Romance • Saga • Satire • Science • Speculative • Superhero • Thriller • Urban

     I don’t know about you, but to me; the literary world seems like an ever changing machine…. a computer actually. The genres that I grew up with seem obsolete in their simplicity. When I went to the book store growing up we had Children’s – Mystery - Classical Literature – Fantasy – Fiction & Non-Fiction. That’s it. Now there are too many genres and sub genres to mention! Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that there seems to be a genre for EVERYONE… it’s keeping track of those changes that are tough! To remedy a little of the confusion, I have decided to shed some light on the subject. With the help of my friend Wikipedia, I am going to define what some of the most popular genres are. :)

YOUNG-ADULT (often abbreviated as YA) is fiction written for, published for, & marketed to adolescents and young adults, roughly ages 12 to 21. Themes in YA stories often focus on the challenges of youth, so much so that the entire age category is sometimes referred to as problem novels or coming of age novels.

DYSTOPIAN The story usually centers on a protagonist who questions the society, often feeling intuitively that something is terribly wrong. The hero comes to believe that escape or even overturning the social order is possible and decides to act at the risk of life and limb; this may appear as irrational even to him or her, but he or she still acts. The hero's point of view usually clashes with the others' perception, revealing that concepts of utopia and dystopia are tied to each other and the only difference between them lies on a matter of opinion.

URBAN FICTION, also known as STREET LIT, is a literary genre set, as the name implies, in a city landscape; however, the genre is as much defined by the race and culture of its characters as the urban setting. The tone for urban fiction is usually dark, focusing on the underside. Profanity, sex, and violence are usually explicit, with the writer not shying away from or watering-down the material. In this respect, urban fiction shares some common threads with dystopian or survivalist fiction.

CHIK LIT is a genre comprised of books that are mainly written by women for women. Chick lit is told in a more confiding, personal tone. It’s like having a best friend tell you about her life. Or watching various characters go through things that you have gone through yourself, or witnessed others going through. Humor is a strong point in chick lit, too. Nearly every chick lit book has some type of humor in it.

The list goes on and on… and I know I’ve only touched on a few because It is my hope that you will share what your favorite Genre is & its definition (if it hasn’t already been defined), & what your favorite book from that genre is, so this discussion can continue! :)

Until Next Time,

Genevieve

Indie vs Traditional ... *GASP*

It seems to me, that asking the question “Indie vs. Traditional?” gets the same passionate response as the questions “Breast vs. Bottle?” or “Republican vs. Democrat?”. So why then, am I approaching this subject? Well, because I have an opinion and I want to weigh in on the topic!

From a Book Enthusiasts stand point -

As a life-long avid reader, lover of the written word, and fan of many authors, genres etc. etc. my opinion of Indie vs. Traditional is…. It doesn’t matter! We as fans want to read great books. Bottom line. End of discussion. I have read AWFUL books that were published both ways, and I have read AMAZING books that have been published both ways. The route an Author takes doesn’t ensure the quality of the book.

From an Author stand point -

I think it is fantastic that we, as writers have so many options! I can see the pros and cons of both methods, no two people are alike, so why should there be only one cookie cutter way to do something? Bottom line, both routes take work. In order to be successful at anything, you have to work! There is no such thing as “get rich quick”, or ”overnight success”. Many of us, including me, have been doing this our whole life in one way or another; and I for one don’t want anyone else telling me how I have to do something. I respect all authors and their right to choose. I know which way is right for me and me alone.

So, Dear Reader, if you are still reading this hot topic… I thank you for sticking around; and I leave you with this question….

Chocolate or Vanilla?

I say I’d like two scoops please… one of Chocolate and one of Vanilla; because it tastes better to have both!

~Until Next Time….
Genevieve Rule