Since recently deciding to rededicate myself to the pursuit of getting published, I have purchased a variety of short story magazines such as Analog
and Realms of Fantasy
, as well as the Alfred Hitchcock
and Ellery Queen
mystery magazines. I like genre fiction, and wouldn't mind writing some, but wanted to know what the field was like. It has been over a decade since I purchased and read adult genre fiction.I've read some very fascinating stories. Some I even liked. I'm not sure if any of it swayed me from the juvenile fiction path I've been on for the last decade or so. The weirdest fiction for me was not paranormal romance, however, though they certainly creep me out. It wasn't the hive-minded zombie story or the vampiric tango story, either. It was a super hero story. Short stories based on comic book concepts? That was what we called fanfic twenty years ago. Wouldn't they work better as actual graphic novels? Apparently not.
It didn't work for me at all. I enjoyed the paranormal romance more, which is saying something.
The magazine I felt most at home with was Fantasy Magazine. I've been reading it online and loving the majority of their stories. Such well crafted tales. Beautiful imagery. Stories that linger with me after I've read them. I'd love to e-subscribe to it, but they don't offer an e-book version. Since neither Barnes & Noble nor my library network carry it, I may be forced to subscribe to it the old fashioned way, something I am loathe to do since the magazines always arrive as if they'd been used as wheel shims for pup trailers.
One thing that I have been trying to learn from all the various genres is how they handle dialog. I can write very convincing dialog, but I feel my narrative transitions are hampering the flow in #snkrz. My conversations are like ornate pastries served on paper plates. I am not halting my progress to go back and rewrite everything. I just slogged through chapter three for the umpteenth time, and I really want to work on chapter four. I can rewrite dialog afterwards in revision. Going forward I will keep different dialog techniques in mind.
In the meantime, I discovered I did indeed email my #bewargob manuscript off, but from the wrong account—one I've never contacted my friend from. I re-sent it from the correct address. I think.
Checking…
Yes. I have re-sent it from the correct address. With luck, his comments will be insightful & helpful. I am anxious to send the manuscript off as soon as possible.
Lastly, I want to polish up an article for ADDitude magazine and submit it. I actually have two or three written up, but they aren't very funny. My goal is to infuse one with humor and send it off by Friday.
And now it's time to get busy. Wish me luck.
Follow me on Twitter for my ADHD escapades at @SplinteredMind or my novel writing project over at @DouglasCootey. And if you're a glutton for punishment you can friend me on Facebook as well.
