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I think this is one of those times that the sound to the ear is probably a good guide. "Among" the hurricane or "Amidst" the trees just sounds awkward whether within the strict rules of grammar or not. It is definitely not a distinction I would be concerned about should a character utter a sentence using such words. If it sounded weird, then I would probably rewrite the sentence to avoid it altogether rather than checking to see if some rule was bent or broken. That's the way I see it and will probably write it in the future present. Take care. Vern

You don't really have to say "look" in any way or use synonyms for such. What are you seeing when you "look" at someone's face or whatever it is you're "looking" at? That's what you describe and in doing so, it is obvious you had to "look" in order to see what it is you're looking at. Why say "I looked at her eyes" or any semblance of such when you are going to go right ahead and show the reader what it is you are "looking" at. If you say she has blue eyes, then you must have looked and the reader can figure that out without being told direct; it's like beating them over the head and telling them, "Look, damn it, or else you're gonna miss what I'm about to tell you to look at." Okay, look, that's my opinion. Take care. Vern

Use your favorite books to read. Study the presentation of voice, dialogue, description, transitions, pace, foreshadowing, characters, sub-plots, etc. We often learn more by examples we enjoy than from self-help books. Punctuation/grammar would probably be an exception to that philosophy. Take care. Vern

This article has an interesting take on genre and writing to a target audience. Perhaps you will agree with it. Follow the link below. Take care. Vern

http://www.writersdigest.com/online-edi … hooses-you

Agents specialize in one genre? I think not as evidenced by small sample from A.A.R. below. Take care. Vern

Biography, Memoir, CHILDREN'S and Y/A, Cooking, Food, Wine, FICTION, Mystery, Thrillers, Romance, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Young adult
Jim McCarthy
Dystel and Goderich Literary Management

African-American, Arts, Cinema, Photography, Biography, Memoir, Comedy, Humor, Erotica, FICTION, Gay + Lesbian, Historical, Horror, Music, Musicals, Mystery, Thrillers, NONFICTON, Pop culture, Entertainment, Religion, Spirituality, Inspiration, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature, Young adult
Ethan Ellenberg
The Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency

Biography, Memoir, Business, Investment, CHILDREN'S and Y/A, Comix, Graphic novels, Early readers, FICTION, Middle grade, Mystery, Thrillers, NONFICTON, Picture books, Romance, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature, Young adult
Kimberley Cameron
Kimberley Cameron & Associates

Query by Email or Mail
Biography, Memoir, Cooking, Food, Wine, FICTION, Health, Diet, Historical, History, Horror, Literary, Mind, Body, Spirit, Mystery, Thrillers, NONFICTON, Parenting, Family, Politics, Current affairs, Pop culture, Entertainment, Relationships, Family, Religion, Spirituality, Inspiration, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Self-help, Travel, World cultures, True crime, Women's literature, Young adult
Deborah Schneider
Gelfman Schneider/ICM Partners
Currently not accepting queries
Biography, Memoir, Cooking, Food, Wine, FICTION, Health, Diet, Literary, Mystery, Thrillers, Narrative nonfiction, Politics, Current affairs, Pop culture, Entertainment, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature
Shira Hoffman
McIntosh and Otis, Inc.
Email only
Biography, Memoir, Comedy, Humor, Comix, Graphic novels, FICTION, Horror, Middle grade, Mystery, Thrillers, New adult, NONFICTON, Pop culture, Entertainment, Romance, Science-fiction, Fantasy, True crime, Women's literature, Young adult
Barbara Lowenstein
Lowenstein Associates

African-American, Business, Investment, FICTION, Health, Diet, Historical, History, Middle grade, Mind, Body, Spirit, NONFICTON, Politics, Current affairs, Professional, Reference, Science, Technology, Science-fiction, Fantasy, Women's literature, Young adult

To start with, I've checked dozens of agents and every single one lists multiple (many) genres they accept. And no one said to put in a query that you have elements of different genres. As I stated earlier, you pick whatever genre best fits in your own mind and don't worry about it. I doubt very seriously any agent will decide against a good query and sample (or complete draft as many accept now) because they might not see the genre classification as you do. And btw, you might read clearly the first time before making assumptions and deciding not to read further. Take care. Vern

Most stories, if not all, have elements of more than one specific genre. For instance, a historical novel might also have a love affair and a murder mystery. You pick the element which dominates in your mind and/or intention and go with it. There is a good chance that no matter what you pick, an agent/publisher will choose a different genre. Of course, if you self-publish, it really doesn't matter; you're not marketing the genre, you're marketing the book, hopefully anyway.

The way I look at it, we often get sidetracked by things which ultimately are pretty much irrelevant in getting a book published. This is one of those things which will take care of itself with the crafting of a good story. Just my three cents (inflation). Take care. Vern

The writing is not hard; it's the writing to please others which is difficult. Take care. Vern

I've always thought literary fiction to be more character driven than plot driven -- heard that somewhere along the line. So, I suppose you get more in depth character analysis and relationships versus twisting plots and sub-plots, intricate mysteries, etc.. By that standard, I guess my somewhat fictionalized memoir is really literary fiction. Egads, who knew. Take care. Vern

I believe the key word is "sparingly" and if well established authors can get away with it only "sparingly" then those still looking to join the established club probably should use such tags a bit more sparingly. It goes without saying, hopefully, that if you intend to self-publish, then you can do anything you wish without concern for any norms within the traditional publishing industry. Regardless, there is nothing to prevent the author from writing any which way they wish, publishers be damned -- you pays your money and takes your chances. No one can force the author to abide by any rules if they choose not to and who knows, you might win the lottery. Unfortunately, few will. Still your choice. Take care. Vern

Like all other "rules" it is just a guideline. Sure folks use "uhs" and "ums" and such in talking just the way they use "you know" which is distracting and annoying in person and would become more so in written dialogue. An occasional utterance is no big deal, but to make it standard practice is probably going to make it stand out to the point of distraction for the reader. Surely there are better ways to differentiate characters' speech patterns. Take care. Vern