Friday, October 26, 2012

On Revisions and Dark Comedies

The revisions I'm doing are going much slower than anticipated.  I was hoping to get half of the manuscript edited to final or almost final quality by Halloween, just before the start of NaNoWriMo.  It is not going to happen.  Not even close - I think I'll have a quarter of the novel edited. 

I can live with the slow pace because I feel like this will be the (almost) last round of edits.  It's very close - like when when you stick a knife in a cake and there's only a tiny bit of uncooked goo inside.  

This is a work I'll be proud to say I wrote - except I don't think I'll want my kids or parents to read it.  It's very dark, so dark that, if my grandma were alive to read it, I'm certain she'd be praying for me and telling everyone that something is definitely wrong with me.

I started a query letter for this novel a few weeks ago after crying about it here.  In the letter I had a hard time explaining the genre.  It's a dark comedy, and it's women's fiction.  I suspect putting those two genres together isolates a large population of readers.  I wonder how many women enjoy dark comedies.  I equally wonder how many people that love the dark comedies also love women's fiction. 

I'm sure someone will read it and will laugh at the tragedy.  First, I must finish it....

Do you like dark comedies?  Women's fiction?  Do you think it would be odd to combine dark comedy with historical fiction?  I think my NaNo novel is headed toward the dark side.... I can't help myself.

32 comments:

  1. If you're proud of it, that's what matters!
    I like some dark comedy.

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    1. Being John Malkovich is one of my favorites. I have a fresh copy of it on my desk still in shrink wrap and the screenplay too. :) The screenplay is a riot to read. I think I could write one - and it's only 115 pages.

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  2. Sure, last night I watched "A Friend for the End of the World" which just by the title sounds pretty dark. Needless to say the ending was a little depressing.

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    1. That sounds good. I didn't see that one yet.

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  3. I think a lot of women like dark comedy. I know the idea appeals to me.

    So far as trying to get a book edited by NaNoWriMo--Me too. EXACTLY me too. Going slower than expected, all that. I am pushing because I want to get it to readers and do aNOTHER round of editing to enter it in ABNA... Oi! Why do I have to participate in EVERYTHING!?

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    1. I know my sister and I do, but we are a little bit odd-ballish.

      At least we are in the same boat. I think the pressure of getting a goal accomplished by a set date is good for me...to a point. :/

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  4. I read just about anything. I have no genre that I get super excited about reading.

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    1. I am a big literature nerd and get super excitd about Homer and Milton and Faulkner.

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  5. Write from the heart, not from the head. I read a variety of genres, as long as the book is well-written. I have a alternate history/women's fiction story in my mind too, but it's further down the list. I don't do NANO but I am creating a new novel draft during that time.

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    1. Well, apparently my heart is dark and twisted. At least I'm putting it to good use. I would enjoy history/women's fiction - I'd definitely like to read yours when it's done.

      Mine will be history/women's fiction if I can write it straight. May be easier for me to put the dark comedy spin on it than write it as the pure tragedy that it is. Not sure yet.

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  6. I disagree. Love dark comedy. So do a lot of my friends. Sounds like a great project.

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    1. Great! Maybe I'll do better than expected. :)

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  7. I'm not doing nano either, as I'm also trying to finish editing my YA. Dark comedy? no worries. I read just about anything as well:)

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. I hated NaNo last year. I just signed up this year so my family will have a reason to give me a quiet hour or two a day. :) I kind of think I should just stick with editing in November.

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  8. I've seen a lot of women's fiction with dark comedy in it, Tonja, or at least elements of it. I think it'll do well. I hope so, so I can read it. :D

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    1. Thanks, Mary. :) I was hoping to have it done by the end of the year. Now I'm shooting for April.

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  9. I do like dark comedies. I find the sarcasm in them funny because it's usually poking fun at life, which is my kind of humor.

    I'm a new follower! :)

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  10. I like this combination. It sounds interesting

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  11. If you're proud of it, we'll be happy with it and that matters most.

    I like women's fiction, too! But romance is up my alley.

    Your combination sounds intriguing! :)

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    1. I overdosed on romance when I was younger. My opinion on romance in general has definitely been tainted by the first marriage and divorce.

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  12. Different and interesting combination. As long as you are happy with it... that's the important thing.

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    1. I think it will work itself out as I write it. I've got it all detailed but the tone of it could go either way once I get to writing it.

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  13. I love dark comedies. Secondhand Shoes has off-kilter humor in it as well. Anyway, don't worry. Your story will get into the right readership.

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  14. I think a lot of women like dark comedy. And I think that's the genre you should name in your query. Don't go for a combo genre like Dark Comedy/Women's Lit. That makes your query sound like you are trying to cover all your bases.

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  15. I agree with Alex J. If you're proud of it, that's the most important part :) I'm the same way with my work. I'd rather it be read by total strangers than by people I know.

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    1. If I'm proud of it when it's done, then I did my job and it's all good if it gets picked up by a publisher or not.

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  16. Intriguing post! Like it was said before, I agree with Alex J. and Randi L. I'd rather my work be read by total strangers than by people I know but the more the merrier :) Good luck with everything!

    Also, I just re-opened my blog and I would really appreciate you checking it out.
    Here's a link to my newest post:

    http://yadinbromberg.blogspot.com/2012/10/im-back-nanowriwr-is-here.html

    Thanks!
    -Yadin

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  17. I'm pretty confident that folks (guys & gals) will go outside of their "genres" if a thing appeals on some level. I'm not sure I'm a reader of women's fiction but I heart dark comedies. If your book's blurb grabs me, I'll likely give it a read. I'm totally intrigued by what you've written about it, BTW. :)
    Mina's Resurrection Blogfest!

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