Thursday, August 25, 2011

Hi, My Name Is Mel...

Hi everyone, my name is Mel and I'm a fantasy author.

{Hi Mel!!}

I've been writing fantasy since I was about nineteen years old.

{Awww}

I took a break from writing when I was married to my first husband. Yes, I've been married three times.

{Oh.}

In my spare time, when I'm not writing, I dress up like an Elf from Lord of the Rings, gather the family to act out scenes from movies like Willow or even Star Wars. If we feel really rowdy, we act out Harry Potter.

{Weirdo.}

I also play online role playing games like World of Warcraft, text based games like Legends of Cosrin and sometimes Oblivion. I also play paper Dungeons and Dragons as well as Magic the Gathering.

There are times when we'll make foil hats and stare up at the sky looking for UFO's or scan the sky through our telescope.

See, I have no life and have entered the 12 step program for fantasy authors and I'm really not looking for your pity, just your support.

*******

Hehe! On a serious note, this is just me being sarcastic and snotty because I am getting tired of the pity I receive from people when I tell them that I write High Fantasy.

Why has this genre been the black sheep of the family? Why... why do I get the "Aww, I'm sorry" head-tilt? Why can't I be given the same courtesy and respect another author gets when they say they write ... well anything other than fantasy?

I feel like they're looking at me as if I have grown a second head. (No, that's sci-fi.)

If you write YA, you're cool. If you write Horror, you're bad ass. If you write Romance, you must be good in bed.

Fantasy or sci-fi? Psshhh.... forget it. They practically grab you by your collar and your jeans and chuck you out into the mud. Then slam the door in your face.

Am I the only one who feels this genre prejudice? Is it just me, as a person? Didn't know my deodorant wasn't working, my bad.

Tell me some of your experiences when you tell people what you write. I'd like to know!

5 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sometimes those genres aren't taken seriously. I like the "I don't read science fiction." Have you ever tried it? It has all the same elements as any other genre. Just a little different setting.
Do you wear the foil hat while playing D&D?

Carol Phipps said...

Yeah, when I announced that we got a 4 and 1/2 star rating on our book from Best'O'Books an author complimented me by saying that was pretty good considering it was a booka bout elves and fairies...You get the idea.

Mel Chesley said...

@Alex~ No silly. I wear Elf ears. Duh!

@Carol~ Wow... some people.

You know what I find funny is I had someone who does NOT like fantasy read my rough draft way back when and they told me they loved it. Sheesh.

Unknown said...

I enjoyed your intro lol :)) I like the fact that you're into role playing :D

It's funny when people stare at elf ears I think Elves are gorgeous beings keep up the good work Mel!continue on writing no matter what others may say you just can't please everyone Take care ^_^

I'm a new follower feel free to drop by:
http://kimyunalesca.blogspot.com/

Mel Chesley said...

lol Thanks! I posted a comment to one of your blogs letting you know I am following you as well.