When a writer ventures into a challenging genre

(GLO) - In recent years, many members of the Literature Branch of the Gia Lai Provincial Association of Literature and Arts have proactively broken out of their comfort zone, shifting to writing in challenging genres, promising to bring fresh, diverse colors to the province's literary landscape.

Confident in historical fiction and memoirs.

Since the 1980s, Pham Huu Hoang's name has been known to literature lovers in the Nẫu region for his early short stories that explored diverse aspects of life. He gradually established his place in the hearts of readers when he shifted to writing about historical themes, a direction not every author is willing to venture into. To date, he has published four collections of short stories: *Vuong Phap*, *Dem Ao Huyen*, *Nguyet Cam*, and *Bong Hoa* .

Writer Pham Huu Hoang believes that historical short stories present many challenges, requiring writers to invest time and effort, especially in researching every small detail related to history.

My Tien, Tran Quoc Toan, and Thuy Trang (from left to right) are young, prolific authors writing in various genres. Photo: Phi Nguyen

From historical events and figures to cultural life, customs, and traditions, as well as clothing, language, and behavior, everything must be consistent with the context of the dynasty depicted in the story. "Writing good historical short stories also involves connecting the past and the present, helping readers gain a deeper understanding and love for their national history," shared writer Pham Huu Hoang.

Similarly, author Van Phi, after publishing two poetry collections (The Stranded Day, The Wandering Pottery) , has reinvented himself with... essays. Currently, he is completing the manuscript for his essay collection, *Men Tram* . According to Van Phi, writing essays was initially a work requirement, but the more he wrote, the more he felt a connection with this genre. It allows the writer to observe and record life while simultaneously expressing their own emotions and thoughts. *Men Tram* not only preserves memories of the profession but also represents an effort to retain traces of time, stories about identity, history, and culture in a rapidly changing social context.

"I think venturing into a new genre is a challenge, but also a motivation, especially for young authors. When choosing a more difficult field, writers are forced to read more, observe more carefully, feel more deeply, and enrich their expressive abilities. That's also a way to self-improve, renew oneself, and keep the writing journey from becoming monotonous," he confided.

According to author Vân Phi, in recent years, many writers have been expanding their creative scope. For example, writer Lê Hoài Lương, previously famous for short stories, is currently completing the manuscript for a novel. Authors such as Duyên An, Trần Quốc Toàn, Trương Công Tưởng, Thùy Trang, My Tiên... are all simultaneously writing in many different genres.

"Falling in love" with epic poems and novels

Poet Dao An Duyen said that she had been harboring the intention of writing an epic poem for quite some time. Besides practical experience, she also read many books and documents about the culture of the Central Highlands, developing an outline… And the opportunity that prompted her to start realizing her plan was when she participated in a writing camp organized by the People's Army Publishing House in Nha Trang in August 2025.

Poet Dao An Duyen hopes to nurture his emotions and maintain the flow of his writing to complete his epic poem. Photo: TH

According to her, if poetry is a snapshot of a fleeting emotion that arises at a particular moment, then epic poetry is an extension of that emotion, interwoven with narrative elements to create a story. It's about telling a story, but still maintaining the emotional impact, which is much more difficult than writing poetry.

“The title 'Season of Ripe Mist ' perhaps evokes the hazy, mist-shrouded landscape of the Central Highlands, the main setting of the epic poem. To reveal a little secret, the cultural space of the Central Highlands will occupy a large portion of the work's content. The main character is a person born in this basaltic land. Following the main character will unfold the vast expanse of the region with its incredibly unique cultural features. I hope to nurture my emotions and maintain the flow of the text to complete the work,” poet Dao An Duyen expressed.

Literature always demands that writers have new ideas, especially for a challenging genre like the novel. It is known that many young authors today are not hesitant to venture into this genre. For example, poet Lê Vi Thủy plans to complete the manuscript of his novel this year. Notably, young author Võ Đình Duy has just released his debut work, the novel " Mountains on Flat Land ".

According to poet Pham Duc Long's assessment, "Mountains on Flat Land" has a fresh and youthful writing style; it doesn't elaborately construct a plot, doesn't have suspenseful situations, and lacks thrilling details. Based on a number of fictional images, the writer's stream of thought flows with each word. Through this, the author expresses his concerns about life and the environment...

"The fact that some poets like Vo Dinh Duy and Le Vi Thuy have switched to writing novels, and Dao An Duyen is writing epic poems... is a welcome development, affirming a new generation of young authors in Gia Lai ," poet Pham Duc Long emphasized.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/khi-nguoi-viet-dan-than-vao-the-loai-kho-post563209.html