Ian Fleming is best known for his James Bond books, yet he is also the author of the iconic children’s classic Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang: The Magical Car. Agatha Christie changed the face of literature by mastering the whodunit, yet I’ve also enjoyed her more dramatic novels published under the name Mary Westmacott. Both of these unparalleled authors stepped out of their comfort zones (well, assuming a writer can EVER feel comfortable) to write remarkable and memorable stories that didn’t happen to fall into the genres they made famous. So, I consider myself in very good company with my latest release. Even though my four novels and five short stories to date are all Romantic Comedy, I have a contemplative, serious short story in the Love Unlimited anthology. My contribution, “In Her Space,” tells the story of a 64 year-old woman who lives quietly, content with all she has survived in life. But things change when she discovers a homeless young man living under her house.
This idea for a story first came to me when my husband Ron and I spent many nights crawling 
under our neighbor Grace’s house, trying to get two opossums out before the exterminators came. (We got them out and relocated them to safety.) And we are often bringing food and blankets to homeless people who live in the park near our house. Hmmm … Then these seeds of an idea blossomed and took shape when I heard a story on NPR about the Mortuary Services in the army, the soldiers who are quite literally responsible for going onto battlegrounds and collecting the body parts of fallen soldiers so that the soldiers might be sent home.
So, here I am, a romantic comedy writer with this idea for a story about … all sorts of heart-wrenching stuff. Then, a few months ago, fellow writers asked me if I wanted to be part of an anthology that celebrated love in all of its many incarnations. And suddenly, mmmrrh … I had the perfect opportunity to write my story.
Love Unlimited is a free ebook anthology that’s burning up the charts on FREE downloads on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes, and Google Play. Eleven authors share stories that cross generations, cultural backgrounds, and borders in order to warm your heart, tickle your funny bone, and envelop you in the wonderful and complex human emotion the world calls “Love.” Download for free and enjoy!
And you can see what you think of my more serious story. This story is a BIG DEAL for me because it is not romantic comedy. It is hopeful and sweet, though. Yeah, there is tragedy and memories of bad stuff, but it is about the triumph of spirit and connection. I don’t think I could ever write something with a downer ending!
Have you ever stepped out of your genre? Who are some of your favorite writers who have gone genre-hopping? I’d love to hear all about it in comments!
When she was a kid in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Geralyn Vivian Ruane Corcillo dreamed of one day becoming the superhero Dyna Girl. So, she did her best and grew up to constantly pick up litter and rescue animals. At home, she loves watching black & white movies, British mysteries, and the NY Giants. Corcillo lives in a drafty old house in Hollywood with her husband Ron, a guy who’s even cooler than Kip Dynamite.
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Geralyn, Loved your story, “In Her Space.” It was warm and tender as when you explored the idea of occupying your own space but still being invisible to others. And in a way it did contain elements of a romantic comedy like thinking it rude to seal up your own property against a stranger, and the invisible relationship you developed with him. Your allusions to the show Sanford and Son with Lamont who never escapes the junk, and Elmira Gulch’s theme song riding her bike as she transforms into a witch were great.
Veronica!!!! Oh, I am so tickled you picked up on the Sanford and Son reference! And Mrs. Gulch!!! Oh, what a wonderful compliment you have given me! To recognize elements of “my” writing, even though it was a very different kind of story! And I must say, I found Sanford and Son so depressing in how Lamont’s dreams never came true – I mean, were we just just to supposed to be okay with that? I wasn’t – it made me sad. Oh, thank you so much for reading the story! I am so happy you liked it <3
Lamont endured alot with his father and yes, none of his dreams came true. But on the positive side, it was a beautiful example of of his love and honor for his father in that he made his father’s care more important than his individual hopes and dreams.
Like your character, her concern for the Vet trumped any thoughts of her own safety.
Keep on writing, caring, and loving!
What a sweet way of looking at it <3