Trends in Fiction: Should They Stay or Should They Just Go Away?
Not too long ago (maybe a month or so) several different editors, reviewers, and other staff from literary magazines and publishing houses were asked about what types of stories (short stories and novels) they were receiving. They were also asked what types they were growing bored and/or tired of reading.
Top Five:
01. Zombie stories - Zombie stories are always popular, because at the end of the day they are survival and human stories. World building can be fairly easy, too. But, the people interviewed all said that it's become "same old, same old" - even the new "twists" aren't really twists anymore. It's more or less all been done before.
02. "steam punk" that isn't really what it claims to be - A lot of people want to write in the steam punk market, because the fan bases can be really loyal. But, throwing in some cool goggles or having people wearing Victorian era outfits while flying an air balloon with a canon, isn't steam punk. Sadly, the people interviewed stated that they get a lot of those types of stories, which they said was a shame because some could be great - if they'd throw out the "steam punk" stuff.
03. time travel stories - The two biggest issues with this one? Authors can't seem to keep the details and time travel rules straight and/or a lot of authors use it to write "historical fanfiction, usually with their hero or heroine hooking up with the author's favorite historical figure."
04. post-apocalyptic stories - They usually take place in the United States, sometimes the world building is confusing, and a lot of times the authority figures just seem down right insane. (Like,you wonder why no one has bothered to take out the cult-like figure head of this new land - especially when everyone is dying.) Oh, and there is usually one girl (or boy or man or woman, but mostly it's a teenage girl) who can save everything and start a revolution, just by...standing there or something. The people interviewed basically said the same things; they get these stories are popular, especially in the YA/New Adult market, but. . .apparently they all start to sound the same after a while.
05. fairy tale retellings - The people interviewed said that they aren't as bored with these, but they really do think authors jump onto doing retellings quickly. Basically, doing a retelling can be a real easy way to write that short story/novel, because you usually don't have to change too much. Interestingly, the biggest issue: authors using all those European tales. Most stated (and I agree) that they would love to see retellings of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, African, Middle Eastern fairy tales. I agree!
So, my questions are: Anyone else bored/tired of these types of stories? Or are there some you're still enjoying? Are there any that you would want to write?
I personally adore the YA "The Lunar Chronicles" series, which are sci-fi retellings of fairy tales.
Top Five:
01. Zombie stories - Zombie stories are always popular, because at the end of the day they are survival and human stories. World building can be fairly easy, too. But, the people interviewed all said that it's become "same old, same old" - even the new "twists" aren't really twists anymore. It's more or less all been done before.
02. "steam punk" that isn't really what it claims to be - A lot of people want to write in the steam punk market, because the fan bases can be really loyal. But, throwing in some cool goggles or having people wearing Victorian era outfits while flying an air balloon with a canon, isn't steam punk. Sadly, the people interviewed stated that they get a lot of those types of stories, which they said was a shame because some could be great - if they'd throw out the "steam punk" stuff.
03. time travel stories - The two biggest issues with this one? Authors can't seem to keep the details and time travel rules straight and/or a lot of authors use it to write "historical fanfiction, usually with their hero or heroine hooking up with the author's favorite historical figure."
04. post-apocalyptic stories - They usually take place in the United States, sometimes the world building is confusing, and a lot of times the authority figures just seem down right insane. (Like,you wonder why no one has bothered to take out the cult-like figure head of this new land - especially when everyone is dying.) Oh, and there is usually one girl (or boy or man or woman, but mostly it's a teenage girl) who can save everything and start a revolution, just by...standing there or something. The people interviewed basically said the same things; they get these stories are popular, especially in the YA/New Adult market, but. . .apparently they all start to sound the same after a while.
05. fairy tale retellings - The people interviewed said that they aren't as bored with these, but they really do think authors jump onto doing retellings quickly. Basically, doing a retelling can be a real easy way to write that short story/novel, because you usually don't have to change too much. Interestingly, the biggest issue: authors using all those European tales. Most stated (and I agree) that they would love to see retellings of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, African, Middle Eastern fairy tales. I agree!
So, my questions are: Anyone else bored/tired of these types of stories? Or are there some you're still enjoying? Are there any that you would want to write?
I personally adore the YA "The Lunar Chronicles" series, which are sci-fi retellings of fairy tales.