Suggestion Box

I actually came here to request/suggest a completely different item (which I'll do in another post), but then I saw that you used NEW GENRE REQUEST: Dark Fantasy
as one of the examples in the header. That made me smile, because it made me hope that you might still consider offering that genre.

So, I just wanted to give a "gentle reminder" that we dark writers are still interested in the addition of this genre, as is evidenced by the popularity of "Invalid Item" .  Here are a few responses to the original post "Genre suggestion/request"  :

I think this would be a great addition. I know I've seen plenty of stories here that, while falling under other categories, would definitely fit under a "dark" genre. People who like to read twisted, dark items could more easily find them this way, without sifting through dozens of other items.

Some might argue that dark is the same as horror/scary, but I'd have to disagree; dark writing isn't necessarily horror, it's just, well, dark. Not light. Maybe an ending that isn't happy, but isn't scary; perhaps vampires, but not ones that are vicious killers, etc.

Firedrake

The addition of a 'Dark' genre is much needed on this website, as someone who writes a lot of dark material I feel that this would solve a lot of problems regarding appropriately labelling my work so both authors and other readers can get a more vivid impression of what to expect from a piece. Granted you do have other labels on here that help to refer to a piece as dark but usually they need to be used in conjunction with others to just get close to what the simple 'dark' label implies. It's definately worth considering.

Byron Quinn

To be honest, I've never really done any genre searches on WDC; but I understand that it's a common practice. The more specific we can be, the better. And, as someone who has been known to write some "dark" stuff, I think it's a distinctive genre in itself. There are those who write, read, and review solely or primarily dark fantasy or horror (or even dark humor).

Big Mike

I think this would be a wonderful genre to add to WDC. I often hesitate to label my stories as horror even when they contain vampires or other traditional "horror" type characters because my stories are seldom truly scary -- and how can it be horror if it's not scary. Adding the category "dark" would be beneficial to both writers and readers by adding more nuance to the system.

thank you,
Mere de Vachon

Great suggestion, Starr! I wrote one story that was horror (considering the circumstances written about) but wasn't truly "horror" in the way in which it was written. "Dark" better described it and is a good generalized genre description for many writings.

gailey


I'm still interested in this one! Thanks for your consideration.

Starr*R
[Edited to add poll.]

Dark Fiction 

As of April 17, '08, a new genre has been added to WDC: Dark. A huge thank you goes out to all who helped to champion this cause!
Hooray for The Dark Side!

There are many items on this site that are "dark" that do not really fit into the genres of Horror/Scary, Thriller, Gothic, or even Psychological (which can be construed as non-fiction).
         Some dark writers write to explore their own dark side, while some write about the people who go bump in the night.
         Do you think this genre should be added? This would be a catch-all genre for "dark" items that do not fit into any of the genres already offered.

         Interested in what others have said about this question? Click here: "Invalid Item"   Posted at "The Suggestion Box": "New Genre Request: Dark fiction"  . Thanks for your support.

This poll is part of

The Writer's Café  [13+] #384540 Home of The Next 5 Words, Polls, In & Outs for everyone, a bushel of quotations, & more. by Starr* Rathburn

      Yes. I write in the Dark Fiction genre.
      Yes. I'll read it but not write any.
      No. This genre is not necessary.
      I just want to see the results.
      Yes, but I won't read or write any.

"Invalid Item"  [] by A Guest Visitor
   

"The Writer's Café"  [13+] by Starr* Rathburn
    Home of The Next 5 Words, Polls, In & Outs for everyone, a bushel of quotations, & more.