Sunday, January 03, 2010

Tell Me a Story



The woman on the right is my grandmother.(Anna) The other two are her sisters.(Mina and Jeanette) I never met any of them, but I've heard many stories about them over the years. The one on the left (Mina) left writings to describe their lives. I started transcribing some of those stories into fiction and it has been fascinating to me to think about how a couple generations ago they were living, hurting, loving, surviving, as well as developing into strong women, and how they loved God, too. 

I still struggle as to whether to write historical romance or contemporary romance. I keep trying both. But which will win out? A writer must write. I am a storyteller, but which stories to tell?

What stories do you like to read/hear? I admit openly how much I love historical and historical romance. I have tried to figure out why,  but I decided it is just part of who I am. But can I write those kinds of stories? Only time will tell. And this is the year I resolved to tell these stories outside of my own circle of family. In the meantime I have already come under attack.

11 comments:

Sue said...

My vote would be for historical romance. When I read fiction it is normally to escape. Historical love stories take me to a time away from what we live every day.

Not sure what you mean by "being under attack", but don't ever let someone else steal your joy!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Crystal -

Oh, what a treasure that you have your aunt's writings! I love old pictures.

I vote for historical romance. When I began blogging, I decided to broaden my reading tastes. Historical romance has skyrocketed to the top of my Favorites.

Blessings,
Susan :)

Jan Cline said...

I too lean towards historical romance. I love history and I am currently writing in that genre. But my next WIP is going to be set in the World War 2 era. Is that still historical? Anyway, it looks like you have some historical stories to share - go for it.

Crystal Laine said...

Jan, WWII stories are considered historical. Do you have any markets you are targeting? Two authors who write historical in that time period are Tricia Goyer and Cara Putman. (There are more, of course! :) )

Sue, that is the very same reason I love historical romance. You would really love Mary Connealy's stories, I would think.

Susan, are you writing contemporary fiction? (I'm sorry, I forget.) I would think that anything you write would be good because you're a good writer.

The best markets I can help anyone with is Steeple Hill and Barbour, but I have reviewed and acquired so much elsewhere, that I have at least a working knowledge. If you send me your questions and I'll attempt to answer in this blog.

Yes, some people are trying to steal my joy and you are so right, Sue! "Don't ever let someone..."

Candy said...

Cris, I hope you will write the stories of these women. I'm sitting here looking at a picture of my grandmother and her sister and a picture of my father in front of his WWII plane. There is part of me that is drawn to and wants to write the nostalgic stories of bygone days. Let's tell those stories.

Crystal Laine said...

Candy, it is DEFINITELY time for you to write those stories. I'm intrigued just by the description of your family photo. You have such beautiful settings and a strong family background.

I think this is your year. We're not getting any younger, either! (LOL)

Story and Logic Media Group said...

I am pretty sure you can write both, Crystal.

Lee Warren said...

Crystal, I'm right there with you ... always wondering about the timing of what I write. Life is seasonal; no doubt at that, but I naturally gravitate toward contemporary fiction. That's what I read, think about, study, and desire to write. I don't think that desire is ever going to go away until I scratch that itch. Maybe it'll be the same for you regarding historical romance?

Christine Lindsay said...

To choose between contemporary and historical, that's a tough one for me. I'd have to say I love both, but with the caveate, it must be well written and have a drama that draws me in with great depth of character. I didn't think I cared for contemporary as much as I did historical, until I read Linda Nichol's At the Scent of Water. WOW. And as for following the Lord in what we write, I'm right there with you Cristal--under attack big time for my trip to India. But God is faithful.

Carla Gade said...

Crystal, I agree with Susan, what a treasure. You have some great material right there for historical fiction. I might not be a romance though, maybe just historical women's fiction. What I have heard and that makes sense is to write what you love to read. That is what I have been doing. You learn so much from what you read that it helps with your writing, too.

Blessings,
Carla

http://writingtodistraction.blogspot.com

Crystal Laine said...

Praying for you, Christine.

Lee, I do wish you'd write fiction. You have a great voice and your nonfiction is so good.

Sharon, you are such an encourager. I look forward to the day of reading your fiction published!

Carla,that is really true and I'm thinking over this.