Defining Your Novel's Genre

I am at the crossroads of a seemingly impossible task, one of defining my novel's genre. In a world where genre-bending is as common as houseflies, when submitting a manuscript to an agent or publisher, it is still necessary to know where your novel belongs.

Let's look at my manuscript Gorgon-zola!, a manuscript that can seemingly fit on many bookshelves.

First, it's a book about a feisty Italian 30-something woman who finds out that she's the reincarnated Medusa, and you can imagine the boy trouble she has. After all, it's difficult to settle down with a man when every time she gets angry, she's in danger of paralyzing him. She does find Mr. Romeo, in the guise of a reincarnated hero, who just happens to have a fear of snakes. But is it romance? Not unless it's a main component of the story. Whereas my heroine and hero definitely have the hots for each other, unless the story is about my heroine finding true love, then it's not romance.

Second, it's a book with multiple Grecian gods and goddesses playing a starring role. They can disappear and reappear at will, and even summon martinis. So is it fantasy? There's no different world, different culture, and no fantastical creatures.

Third, it's a light summer read, one that I can see a woman taking to the beach for her most personal of relaxation times. She can struggle along with my heroine as she tries to master her powers and she can identify with a woman who sometimes just wants to be left alone. Does that make it chick lit? There's not as much humor as Bridget Jones' Diary.

Fourth, it deals with issues like trust, and solitude, and even briefly touches on religion. After all, it's kind of hard not to when Greek gods and goddesses are forcing you to take sides. It's also for women, so does that make it women's fiction? Women's fiction typically requires greater stoicism, and the tone of my book just isn't ready to go there.

Fifth, it takes place in "real life" and has a magical twist, so does that make it magical realism? Magical realism is often literary fiction with just a dash of "something else" thrown in. Gorgon-zola! is definitely a far cry from literary fiction.

So what's an author to do? Sometimes when you're at your wit's end and you want to call your novel a jack of all trades, you can fall back to those who have come before you. Find a book that you love that reminds you of your own precious novel, and head over to a review site, or read the back of the book. How was this novel described? Another idea is to pick the one that comes the closest and use the tried and true "chick lit with a touch of fantasy". Or ask a critique partner what they think.

And just remember, it's okay to be wrong. It's your compelling query and writing that will capture the eye of an agent and publisher. The market is continuously changing and combining genres in new and interesting ways. Just maybe, the next big genre catch phrase will be that perfect home for the novel you've just written.

How to Outline Your Next Novel

One of the single biggest questions asked of any author is "did you outline?" If you ask three different authors this question, it's one of those times where you will get five answers, all of them different. It's one of my favorite questions to ask at any panel, just to prove a point: there is no single right way to write a novel. Everyone does it differently. The point is learning your own style. Sometimes this means following in another's footsteps, and sometimes this means muddling through on your own.

If you do want to outline, how should you begin? I have come across more than a hundred blog posts and articles discussing the merits of outlining or letting your characters have their heads and run freely, but not very many on how to actually outline. If you need a how-to, check out one of these wonderful websites:

• Randy Ingermanson's "Snowflake Method". This theoretical physicist designed this method for growing your novel. It has step-by-step detail on how to outline, as well as a link to software that you can purchase.

• Alicia Rasley's 1998 Article on sff.net called "Outline Your Novel in 30 Minutes". A quick and easy way to get started.

• Creative Writing Now's "How to Make a Novel Outline". Here you can find a simple method, tips and dangers, and worksheets for novel, character and scene development.

Curing Headaches the Persian Way

Having a headache for ten days that refused to respond to conventional medicine or alternative methods made me wonder, what did the ancients do to relieve their pain? I'm familiar with ideas from willowbark tea, the staple of any fantasy novel and something that is well versed in fact, to Zeus's last resort of having Hephaestus take an axe to his head, thus bringing forth the fully formed goddess Athena. Since neither of those two ideas seemed plausible for the moment, I decided to do some further research and stumbled upon this article from 2003, written after a German report showed that ancient Persian techniques are starting to prove effective in treating migraines. While some of the techniques used (ie the method of administration) may need to be altered to today's more...cultured audience, some of the plants mentioned can be found in your everyday pantry such as garlic. Others, such as rose oil, can be found in any health food store or wherever Indian groceries are sold. Not only did the Persians study plants and their effects, but they also took catalogued different types of headaches and which remedies were the most effective.

Read the full article written on ABC Science Online back in 2003 here.

Finding a Place to Stay When on Holiday

Many people would love nothing more than to spend an adventure abroad. Fear of language barriers, custom differences, and finding a place to stay, however, often keep the would be traveler at home. If you're willing to try something a little more daring than the local Mariott or Holiday Inn, sometimes finding what you want can be a frustrating experience. So here are a few websites that I use to find bed and breakfasts and apartments that I've stayed at in Europe.

Venere.com
This site lists hotels, bed & breakfasts and apartments around the world. If you're looking for somewhere a little more authentic to stay than the local Mariott or Holiday Inn, this is your site. You can browse the reviews or post your own once you've gone on your trip.

Smooth Hound.com
This site specializes in hotels and guest houses in the UK, however offers the ability to find them worldwide. Contact information for the properties are listed and you can press a single button to send an email to the owner.

Active Hotels.com
This site is a Priceline.com brand and was founded in Cambridge, England to be a site specializing in hotel reservations catering to those from Europe. Availability is shown up-to-the-minute, and the reviews and ratings are particularly helpful.

First Time Abroad: What to Purchase

Given the opportunity to take my parents to Italy this past November, and seeing the mingled looks of amazement, confusion, excitement and bewilderment on their faces when shopping, it made me think: what should you buy as a souvenir when abroad? When in a foreign country, everything can seem special, even something as simple as shampoo. Whether you are the type of person who wants to bring back only a few special items, or the type of person who wants to bring back a suitcase full, knowing that it might be a while before you fly overseas again, there are three types of souvenirs that I feel are integral to making sure you don't feel like you have any regrets.

1. The stupid.
The worst thing about buying this type of item is summoning up the courage to go into one of the tourist shops, especially if you are trying to blend in. But if you are coveting that three-inch tall plaster model of David, or that apron that lists the various types of pasta, or that gladiator helmet magnet, by all means, buy it. Generally these types of souvenirs will not break your budget and will allow you to smile and laugh every time you see it, and that should be worth it in and of itself.

2. The local specialty.
This could be a food item (such as chocolate in Belgium, or wine from France, or specialty vinegars from Vienna), or it could be a craft. In Roatan, an island just off of the coast of Honduras, artisans specialize in crafting out of mahogany. In Murano, near Venice, the specialty is glass. Every country, region, or city you visit will have something that they would like to share with you, and you should bring it home and display it (or eat it) with pride.

3. The practical.
This third category is often overlooked, but one of the most important. Clothing, make-up, jewelry, writing utensils, music, books - these are the items that you will be able to use again and again, and where they might not say the city that you purchased them in, these items can easily remind you of your trip for a fraction of the cost. For example, charity shops such as Oxfam in England offer you the opportunity to bring home a piece of England at a fraction of the cost of a regular store, and also go to help people in need.

Whatever you decide to purchase when overseas, do research ahead of time. Look at sites like Virtual Tourist where world travelers have offered their recommendations on stores and specialty items. Visit the markets and enjoy the crowds full of people from all over the world. Make a list of birthdays and holiday gifts that are needed, and try to do some of your shopping ahead of time. Even if you don't want to buy for yourself, there are few people who wouldn't appreciate something special from a different country.

But however much or little you purchase, the worst experience is to arrive at customs and not be able to bring your souvenirs home. So make sure to check your country's import laws and regulations, otherwise your shopping may have been fun, but you'll end up empty-handed, and full of regret.