By Debolina Coomar

Book lover and member of Woodpie.com clan Debolina Coomar shares her thoughts on various genres.

C.S. Lewis said, “You can make anything by writing.” And, in order to make something, you need to have an idea of what you want to make. So, writers choose different emotions, stories, facts and fiction, their imagination and creativity to illustrate different genres with words. Not every writer is equipped to deal with every genre. Some are romance writers, while others excel in fiction. A blank page is like a canvas and a writer can paint any picture. But, probably, one of the most important challenges for a writer is to make the reader feel and interpret, whatever his/her mind has painted in the form of a story or plot. Though, often it is said that we should leave the interpretation to the reader, but a writer would always want a reader to understand his/her point of view.

Romance, thriller, fictions are some of the well-known genres, which have seem some of the best authors or screenplays, with classics as well as contemporary marvels. As readers, we also have our favourite genres as it is something we like to read and remember. But, in this article, I wanted to talk about those three genres, which according to me are the toughest ones to write from the perspective of a writer.

I believe that ‘Horror, Humour and Satire’ are probably the most difficult genres because they are related to those human instincts, which are difficult to arouse. I guess all the three are related to the imagery, light and sound. These are feelings, which lies deep down and words have to be powerful yet soulful enough to evoke them. As somebody has said, “Writing is painting of the voice.”; where a writer creates a vivid picture in front of our eyes with the words of a book.

HORROR:  I guess many of you might not like to read about monsters under the bed or a pair of self invisible eyes following you. But, those who like (including me), I know it has its own thrill. The idea of horror is not a two-headed monster or a lady, clad in black or white saree, floating in the air. Rather, for me, it is the fear of the unknown. A regular Monday morning can be scary, if you hear a steam whistle in your kitchen, when you are living alone. Well, horror is not just confined to the darkness of the night, but can happen in the broad daylight too. Words in a book should be descriptive enough to give you the eerie feeling. I guess, Stephen King is one of those gifted writers, who have given horror books a new dimension. There are quite a many Bengali authors, who have excelled this this genre too. We have grown up with Bhoutik Omnibus, Bhoutik Golpo Samagra and many more. Many might argue that a visual replication of horror is more effective, but some of the best horror flicks have been inspired from great books including Bram Stoker’s Dracula and The Exorcist.

HUMOUR: Coming to a complete opposite genre, I feel, this is one of the most difficult art in the world. Making someone laugh aloud is truly an expertise. Humorous comic books in any language surely do justice to this forte. Nonte Fonte, Gablu and many more have always been our prized possessions in our childhood, but then they are supported by funny illustrations. Some of the best comedy novels in Bridget Jones Diary, The Diary of a Nobody, Thank You, Jeeves and many more. It is not easy to just use words and make someone laugh because readers will only enjoy if they understand and identify the context. A writer has to to build upon the emotion gradually and hit with the humor at the climax, which is quite challenging. Hopefully, we will see more of those rib-tickling comedy novels from talented authors in the future.

SATIRE: Finally, a genre, which has its own niche of both writers and readers. Not everybody can handle sarcasm. There is a subtle thin line between an insult and satire. So, it is hard to depict it, without hurting anyone’s sentiments. Though, out of the context, one of the best examples satire for me are the Charlie Chaplin movies, which brings out the contemporary world scene perfectly. Coming to literature, many consider Gulliver’s Travels or Huckleberry Finn as works of satire. I admit, I have not read a lot in this genre, but this one needs a lot of thought and research. It needs the precision and imagination, which can draw a picture of reality. I would love to explore more satirical books in the future and admire those great talents, who brought up the true face of ‘the right and the wrong’.

Writing is not just about books or novels, screenplays and scripts also comes in the umbrella of literature. However, there the creator has a discretion of using visual elements more casually, as they know the same would be depicted using motion and graphics.

The same task becomes a bit difficult for a writer, where he/she have to create the same effect on the reader’s mind without any external aid. Every book is difficult to write as the emotions are huge and the possibilities are numerous. But, when a writer is able to make a person laugh out loud, shriek in fear or smirk at sarcasm, with black words on white paper, then they have succeeded in their respective genres.

It is easy to interpret humor or horror by watching something, but we have amazing storytellers, who are skilled to create the same experience with words. It is not easy to mock a system, but we have authors who do it subtly to bring forth their point of view.

So friends, if you happen to read a great Horror, or Humor, or Satire on a paperback, do share if you like it. Check out Woodpie.com shelf for some of your favourite books in these categories and grab a copy today or share your own likes.

If the above mentioned genres make you laugh, cry and think, then try out books, which you might have skipped, both reading and writing.

About the Author: As a person who enjoys reading, writing and interacting with people, Debolina Coomar finds it exciting to write about emotions, experiences, stories, lifestyle, parenting, self-improvement, current affairs and pretty much everything that affects a common man’s life. A former HR and Corporate Communication person, and a freelance content, creative writer, content developer, Author in Tales To Tell and blogger (debolinacoomar.wordpress.com), she strives to ignite the power of thought with a whole new perspective.