Tell me what you think the genre would be?

United States
May 8, 2007 11:47am CST
Stages by Teri Lee Hooper is the story of a West Texas girl who found herself bored with the small town she lived in and bored with her life. She set out to find the meaning of life, not afraid of what that really meant. She begins her search with a late night bus ride to the nearest ‘big city’ where she meets with disappointment and regret. Later, she finds excitement and the first glimpse of real life in a swanky nightspot not far from her hometown. There, she is taken back stage where friends show her how truly beautiful she is. When the tour boss sees her and realizes she has the most beautiful voice he’s ever heard he coaches her to center stage. She becomes the headliner of the show and travels to major cities performing and entertaining thousands. She travels to Hollywood, where she shares the stage with celebrities, to Florida where she realizes she is at last in love, and to Dallas where she is told the only man in her life has been taken from her by a tragic accident. His death sends her into a tailspin that almost destroys her life. She finds solace in friends from San Francisco where she is almost killed by a stalker and goes on to reunite with her mother and father after years of searching for a life. From there she finds a balance between life and death where she performs nightly, once again on Stages while playing out the Stages of her life. Stages conclude with the young girl, now much older, finding peach and happiness in the final stages of her life, back in the same west Texas town she started her search from, remembered every year with one dozen yellow roses. Can you find the genre'? This is a non-fiction manuscript. Is it Romance? Please tell me what you think?
1 response
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
8 May 07
If it is a non-fiction (that is, a true story) then it is simply non-fiction. If it is your story than it is a memoir. If a story is true the only genres it comes under are non-fiction, memoir or biography or autobiography. If it is fiction (made up story) then it would be general fiction or women's fiction. I don't think it would be considered a romance. Romance is only a small part of the story, isn't it? But you stated it is NON-FICTION. That means it is someone's true story right down to every detail, no made up information to make the story more interesting (look what happened to James Frey). Non-fiction is non-fiction, plain and simple. Besides, a publisher will probably rate the genre.
1 person likes this
• United States
8 May 07
Thanks patgalca. The reason I ask is, while searching for an agent and/or describing what genre, the always ask, I didn't know whether to rate the story as non-fiction or something else. I understand non-fiction, but this story has been embellished 'just a tad', so I suppose it would rate more under woman's fiction. The story is a true story, except for the ending, the lead character passes away while in real life, she is still alive. That means it can't be non-fiction. Right?
@patgalca (18391)
• Orangeville, Ontario
8 May 07
Most of our stories are based on life experiences. We write what we know. That story will have to be categorized as fiction. I know you have to say when you submit it but I really think it is fiction and you should say women's fiction. I say "women's" because I don't believe it is a story that would appeal to a man, am I right? Women's fiction does not mean romance. Chick-Lit has more of a romance spin to it. A lot of stories have a little romance in them but they do get categorized as romance. Even James Bond has romance in his stories but they aren't in the genre of romance. Stick to women's fiction. That's what I am doing with my stories. Good luck!
1 person likes this
• United States
8 May 07
Thanks for the terrific advice. You have answered my question completely. I really appreciate your help.