Archetype Writing Blog

Nonfiction Project

The Project: I am writing a book based on the same idea as the Archetype site: a guide to help writers get the psychology right in their fiction! The book will have far greater breadth than the site, and go into much more depth to help you get the details right in your stories.

The Update: I am currently working on a chapter about psychological emergencies like suicidality (being a danger to yourself) and homicidality (being a danger to others). The chapter includes information on what it's like to be hospitalized. Since I'm not currently working inpatient, I'm meeting with the director of a psych unit on Monday to make sure all my facts are up to date. That means now is the time to let me know if you have questions (or just want me to be sure to cover something particular) about suicidality, homicidality, or hospitals! 

Fiction

ToM: My friend Mary spent the last few days reading the the manuscript and tells me she was liberal with the red pen, so I'm awaiting her first round of edits. (*Gnaws fingernails*)  This is the one I'm going to send back to the agent who suggested I do some rewrites and then get back to her.  I'm having some trouble nailing down the genre with this one. I think it's contemporary fantasy.  It has magicians and swords and a heroine who's afraid all this fantasy in her reality means she's crazy.

I was thinking it was paranormal romance, but there isn't a lot of detailed sex, so maybe not so much.  And it's not urban fantasy (my heroine doesn't throw kick ass, throw knives, or wear leather pants, and there's nary a vampire or werewolf in sight).  And it's not dark enough to be dark fantasy.  So...contemporary fantasy.  But not Charles deLint contemporary fantasy -- more Kay Hooper's Wizard of Seattle.  (Which is a paranormal romance.  Le sigh.  Can anybody think of novels that sound like what I'm describing?)

SW: I also pulled out another novel that needs work.  Going to buckle down with it as soon as I'm finished with the one above and see if I can whip it into agent-ready shape.  I think this one is science fantasy -- does anybody say "science fantasy" anymore?  It could also be called future fiction, which is something set in the not-so-distant future, but you rarely hear that as a genre designation.  Hey, are you getting the feeling genre is really an issue for me?  'Cos it is!

S: Which means that I put my NaNo novel on the back burner for right now. I have the feeling the story may become longer than it is right now, and maybe if I spend some stewage time I'll figure out why I feel that way.  At least, that is what I'm hoping will happen!  (PS - This one is either a paranormal romance or an urban fantasy.)

So, dear reader -- where are you with your WIPs?