Saturday, July 13, 2019

Write the Random Stories

I think we all know by now that I don't have much of niche as a writer. At least not yet. Things I've experimented with (and even published) are all over the map. So today I want to encourage you to write the random stories.


I enjoy writing the random stories. And by random, I don't mean the storyline itself is random. I mean that the genre or idea or reason for you writing the story is random: outside of your norm.

For the next while, I think everything I publish will be in the contemporary genre. Which means that in all my published works, there will be one exception to that genre: Andora's Folly. 


My lil' medieval Pandora's Box retelling story. (Confused yet?) I wanted to write a novella so that I could finish the first draft during my first Camp NaNo three years ago. I decided to do a retelling because it sounded fun and might simply plotting. I chose to retell a Greek myth because I happen to adore them and fairytales are overused.

I didn't know if the story would come together or not. But I liked the idea and was only dedicating a month to it, so why not? It was random. And it was a fun little experiment among friends.

A year later, I published it.

You never know where the random stories will take you. I like flash fiction and Camp NaNoWriMo and the like because they encourage experimentation in my writing without huge, long-term investments.

I'd say that writing the random stories has been a huge part of finding my niche (even though that itself is still a WIP). Fiddling. Having fun. And being willing to close the doc or notebook and move on if it didn't work out. Because who knows? Maybe it will work out.

~~~~~

How do you like to experiment with your writing?

Andora's Folly is on sale for the rest of today (Saturday the 13th)!!! Grab a copy HERE.

9 comments:

  1. Abi, it's so neat how God will use random things to bless people - like how Andora's Folly has delighted so many readers! I've written in many genres I never expected to explore... and every time, it's been so much fun. =)

    Keep up the good work, girly! ♥

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    1. Yes, definitely!!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who enjoys trying new things with my writing. :) Thanks so much, Hosanna <3

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  2. I love this! I definitely need to give myself permission to write the fun, random stories that pop into my head, so thank you for that. Also I can't believe I haven't read Andora's Folly yet! I love Greek myths. I'm adding it to my TBR right now. It's pretty cool because my Camp NaNo this month is a retelling of Perseus and Andromeda. =D

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    1. Aww, you're welcome! I fought against that for a while, too (probably because I'm a control freak and like to do things in an orderly manner). But it's been so freeing!

      Ahhhh, your NaNo story sounds so cool!!! Do you think you'll publish it down the road or is more just for fun? Because now I really want to read it. xD

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  3. I love these sort of stories.

    keturahskorner.blogspot.com

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  4. Ahh, I love this!! ^^ I'm one of those writers who never has had a niche...or has focused on one certain genre. I always felt guilty about it - until your article, that is!! :) You make me feel as if my craziness is justified!! xD

    Thank you!!

    ~ Lily Cat (Boots) | lilycatscountrygirlconfessions.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm glad, Lily! Funny about the niche--I used to feel like I really had to find one. But it wasn't until I discarded that pressure and started experimenting that I found my niche!! Because I think contemporary is gonna be it for me for a while. :)

      So yes, experimenting is part of the fun and learning curve. Join the crazy club. ;)

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  5. Yay for celebrating the creatives writing outside of the box! It's a great feeling to be able to bounce through genres, keeps everything interesting. ;)
    Andora's Folly and The Sorceress and the Squid have a very similar beginning in terms of being "random, fun, little stories" that suddenly became actually pretty big and important. That's such a cool feeling too for sure.

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