Editing my book tonight, I had to inquire to some friends. I sent them each a paragraph with a question about the wording. My question was “does this sound too romance novelishy?” Did I use the word novelishy? Yes because I like to make up words – more importantly, I like to add ish to words and an occasional ‘y’ on top of the ish.
What does romance novelishy mean? It means, does this wording make this novel sound like a romance novel and not a true solely fantasy novel? My great fear is that I am writing a romance novel and not realizing it. I have written the book and am editing now and every time I encounter romance I wonder,
“Does this make my story a romance novel?”
I have no problem with romance novels. I read them sometimes. I just don’t want to write one. I want to write a serious fantasy novel, an epic. I want to be taken seriously as only a fantasy or science fiction writer.
I want to be taken seriously as a writer in general. I feel if I can’t define my own work, how can I expect others to define it as what I want them to? If I write a different novel than I planned does that make me a bad writer?
I also wonder, where exactly is the line between genres? Who determines this so called line? Is it the reader or the writer?
Jcckeith 
The line between genres. True enough; who does decide? I am currently revising my dystopian love story, but what exactly is that kind of book? What category would you place that into?
As far as being taken seriously as a writer, you WROTE a book. That’s fantastic. I think if the book is well-written, it doesn’t matter what genre it falls under. People will, ultimately, read it because it contains good writing.
What makes you like a book?
Take care,
Paul
I hope people will read it because it is well written. I just want to make sure I try to promote it to the right readers. Maybe I’ll just create my own genre!
“I also wonder, where exactly is the line between genres?”
That is like asking where is the line between a mother and daughter species.