(Aug 16, 2012) Friday Writing Essentials: Let's Focus on Westerns!

Hi, Gatherites!

Okay, I can finally spill the beans (as of two days ago) on my super cool, awesome announcement! I'm going to be signing in Costco! I've just signed a contract with a distributor who will be sending me to a bunch of different Costcos and bookstores starting next month. Yay! If you'd like to read more about this, check out my blog post here. I tell the whole story (it's one of those "right places, right times" stories. Things really just fell into place in a few short hours!), along with letting people know other perks that have been lined up for me. Yayness. :-)

On to today's prompt!

As you know, we're focusing on specific fiction genres each week. We've covered:

• Romance
• Historical fiction
• Contemporary
• Children's Fiction
• Mystery
• Horror
• Sci-fi/fantasy
• Thrillers
• Crime/Detective
• Inspirational
• Humorous
  

If you want to write something regarding one of the above genres, click on it, read the prompt, write your post, and link to it in a comment on today's prompt. (I won't find it otherwise, even if you tag it correctly, since I don't monitor the tags after their due date.)

The order in which these genres will be covered:

• Westerns (Today)
• Short Fiction (August 24)

If I've missed a genre, see my previous post here regarding how to submit ideas for more genres. Leave a comment on this prompt, letting me know that you've submitted an idea.

Today's Prompt:

While I'm not a huge fan of westerns, I can't remember a time growing up when my mom didn't have a Louis L'Amour book in her hands. She tried many times to get me into them, and it might have worked if it weren't for Michael Crichton's books. :-) My grandpa also was a huge western fiction fan, not only of books, but also movies. He passed this down to my dad, and some of that rubbed off on me. Support Your Local Sheriff, Quigley Down Under, McLintock!, The Magnificent Seven... happy sigh... :-)

Ways in which you may respond to this prompt:

• Post something you've written in this genre
  
  • It can be any section of your work, and that section doesn't necessarily have to be an "example" of western, so long as the work in its entirety is considered to be that genre.
  • It can be any of the subgenres within the western market. (And any other genre that would use humorous materials.)
    
  • It can be something you're working on and for which you're needing feedback. (Specify if you want critiques. I recommend the first few paragraphs of your book - those are the ones that usually need the most strengthening.)
    
  • It can be something you've already finished/published/don't want to work on more.
    
  • Don't make it too long (if posts are too long, people are discouraged from reading them and lose interest).
    

More ways to respond:

• Respond to all (or some) of the questions below, giving short answers
• Respond to one of the questions below, giving a long answer

Questions you could answer as a possible prompt response:

• Were/Are you a Louis L'Amour fan?
  
• What are some of your favorite western movies and/or books?
• Have you read any books in this genre lately?
• Who is your favorite author in this genre? Why?
• What are the main characteristics of a western, along with some not-so-apparent characteristics?
• What makes a good western?
• What would spoil a western for you?
• If you don't enjoy westerns, what would encourage you to read them?
  
• What is the most difficult part of writing in this genre? The easiest part?
  

What other questions do you want answered or do you think I should ask? Put them in the comments below, or ask and answer them in your post!

Remember:

You have until Thursday, August 23, 2012 at midnight to write and post, and it can be in any format.

I will read, comment on, and feature your responses a week from today.

* Have your title say FWE or Friday Writing Essential, and have the initials "LFOW" (Let's Focus on Westerns) in it.

* Make sure to post to the Writing Essential Group.

* Put FWE or Friday Writing Essentials and the initials "LFOW" in your tags. (I won't find your post without these tags.)

Have a great week! :-)