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When did fiction become so Speculative?

Someone posed this question to one of my social networking groups recently and though the topic was very popular, I don’t know that an answer was ever given. I guess the question is a bit vague. It’s not like all fiction has actually become speculative, but this genre has become very popular as of late. The term speculative is so broad that it’s not too hard to understand its popularity. There is something there to appeal to a great many people across the board.

Speculative fiction encompasses sci-fi, fantasy, horror, supernatural, paranormal, and all sorts of alternative reality themes including those with historical, romantic, and political undertones. The Speculative fiction umbrella is so vast that many like it and don’t even know they do, while some think they like it and actually don’t. I think it’s the term itself that’s really been getting the buzz lately.

As popular as the myriad of speculative genres are, fiction still stands strong and stands strong all on its own. Depending on the circles in which one travels, Speculative fiction may not even exist. I know lots of people who read fiction and have no idea what Speculative is. These people read historical novels, crime and suspense novels, romance novels, and so much more. People do still write stories that tell the tales of ordinary every people without any undertones of supernatural happenings, or creatures, or technological wonders of the past, present, or future.

I think maybe that sometimes people get so involved in the happenings of their social circles that they forget that everyone isn’t a part of their world. I know I’ve been guilty of that many times. And while I’m content to continuing working my series of Speculative spiritual fiction, that doesn’t mean I don’t take the time to step out of that world and experience something else from time to time.

This is an unofficial Author Insights post.

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An Empty Mind is a Good Thing

My mind is empty for the moment, but it’s not writers block. This is exactly what I wanted. I needed to clear my mind for just a little while so I can regroup later. As I’m writing this, everything is slowly coming back to me. How I got here and why.

First, I made myself a cup of tea. Second, I watched an old cartoon episode on youtube to clear away all thoughts of literary pursuits. Then I went into the living room, sipping my tea along the way, and sat with my husband for a few minute as he watched TV.  I asked him a question about the game that was playing. This is always fascinating to me. I know nothing about sports, but I like to hear my husband talk about them. He’s so passionate about it; and even though I don’t always understand what’s going on, I do enjoy watching the game in hopes of witnessing a touchdown or a good tackle. When I’m watching hockey, I like to yell at the TV; it helps me to feel like I’m there in the arena.  By the time my tea was finished, my mind was a complete blank. I pat myself on the back as I head back towards my computer.

Now I’m ready to regroup and write. That’s what all that was for after all. So here I am writing a blog entry I should have written a day ago. Even after I finish this, I will take another break. I’ll be watching one of my favorite TV shows, just to, again, clear my mind and regroup later.

After my show, I’ll be ready to add another tidbit to the ebook companion guide I’ve been working  on for the first installment of Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel. After that, I’ll brush up another one of my short stories. Pretty soon, I’ll have enough of them brushed up to send to beta-readers and finally an editor. The last bit of writing I’ll do tonight, will be for a romance I just started, well sort of. I started it ages ago and forgot all about. I guess that’s why I send myself reminders to clean up my files every couple of months. Here’s a another, novel-length story, just waiting to get out there and be read by the masses. Sometimes, for me to be a good writer, I have to stop writing. I’m glad I know that about myself.

This is an unofficial Author Insights post.

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Author Insights

Breakdown & Write

Today has not been a good mental and physical health day. I think, no I know, I over did it throughout the week and even this weekend. I can’t complain too much; I actually did some creative writing today. I had a bit of breakdown today, but I guess all artists do from time to time, though I don’t know how much of an artist I am. I write, I like it, it makes me happy. If I have to have a breakdown from time to time just to get some rest so I can start up my writing mojo, I’ll do it.

I’m being a little silly right now, but I’m also being a little serious too. Life sometimes seems unnecessarily hard and it makes me crazy, but if I can just have a few moments to read some creative words and then write a few of my own, I think I’ll be able to make it through.

So while I’m not letting up on the marketing efforts of my Eternal Curse book, I am focusing my writing on a collection of story stories. I’m just about finished with the companion guide I wrote for the Eternal Curse book and will need to have it edited before releasing it. I’m pretty sure this will be a free e-release to help build up the buzz for the actual book. My short stories are very precious to me and I want to make sure I give them as much love and care as I am giving to the Eternal Curse Series.

This is an unofficial Author Insight post.