My genre has always been a mystery to me. In fact, I am currently in the process of writing a metaphysical mystery. My first short story collection “Ban The Taboo- vol 1” was described as “Modern day fables,” because of an implied morality message. I was told I write horror because I bring dark, even gruesome scenes to life with vivid detail. One, with the omission of some adult theme scenes, was adapted to a children’s story by a reader.
So let me attempt to break it down based on examples from the upcoming “Ban The Taboo” series:
- “The Spiders Thunderous Purr” war drama, with a hint of comedy, and a message of morality.
- “One Step Out of Time” metaphysics, time travel, romance.
- “Undying Love” romantic tradgedy, touching horror.
- “The Mineral Kingdom Messenger” perhaps a true fable, lighthearted look at heavy subjects.
- “Tikoloshe The Tormentor” cultural, tribal, African folklore, coming of age– with monsters.
- “The Farm” post apocolyptic, distopian, inspirational horror.
- “Eve’s Wisdom and Truth” biblical fiction.
- “The Law of The Land” Native American, self realisation, fantasy.
- “The Dumpster King” tragic feel good, traumatic buddy story.
- “The Harpy” would be pure fable, if it wasn’t for the cliffhanger.
- “What Fate Giveth Fate Taketh Away” inspirational dark fantasy, star crossed, life swap.
- “Unspeakable Wickedness” biblical fiction, witchcraft, a true dark fantasy.. maybe.
It has been hard for me, and my readers alike, to assign a specific genre to my short story collection. That is– other than short stories. Because each is so wildly different, and each mixes genres or at least blurs the edges just enough; they are hard to contain in a narrow genre definition.
Creative fantasy is a way of life for me, so perhaps they will become genre-defining. That is for the future to decide.
