Romancing the XYZ - Carol Marinelli on writing the first story of the 'Single, Free and Fabulous in Sydney' mini-series

I loved writing for the Single, Free and Fabulous in Sydney miniseries.

My heroine Ruby, was, for me, like a breath of fresh air and I never quite knew what she was going to do or say next – I didn’t really have to work her out, she was just who she was right from the moment she popped into my imagination. I loved having students and a grad midwife sharing a house and a glimpse, not just of one heroine, but the ups and downs in all their busy young lives.

I love Gen Y, I want to be one of them, but apparently I am Gen X (I didn't know that till last year – and for those of you who have no idea what I am talking about I have compiled a teeny list at the end of the blog) – I sort of drift along having no idea about labels, but a quiz show started here in Australia and I finally understood what my Billy Idol t-shirt meant all those years ago.

I just asked my daughter what she was – “Gen Z”, she said, hardly bothering to look up from her i thingy.

I had no idea that Gen Z even existed.

So what came before Baby Boomers?

What happens after Gen Z???

Apparently in 2012 it all changes again, my daughter informed me – Gen A or Gen Alpha.

I find it a little hard to keep up with – but for all our differences, I think we’re the same – I really do, especially when love comes in – okay, things have changed, and yes there are differences, but there is, I believe, and always will be, things that will forever remain the same – there’s attraction, there’s love, there’s the sting of rejection and a whole lot of other stories in between.  

I don’t even think it’s a matter of age – love comes along and some force bigger than numbers and generations takes over – whether you want it to or not.

I loved writing the first story for Single, Free and Fabulous in Sydney – loved being Gen Y for a little while and loved my grumpy moody Gen X hero, (who, according to my new research, possibly acted more like a baby boomer) and I hope to keep writing them – even for Gen Z.

Yeah right – says my youngest.

Yeah right!!!

Love hurts, love makes you laugh, it’s the craziest roller coaster you’ll ever step on – no matter if you’re X, Y or Z

I would LOVE to hear your thoughts – what you see as differences/same :)

Cx

P.S. Everywhere I look the age ranges are different – but here is a loose guide and you can look into it further if you care to :) My info has been gleaned from my children and a little google, but it is all rather fascinating and perhaps worth a google of your own over morning coffee some day!

Babyboomers – Born during post the WW11 Baby Boom 1946-1964 – they generally had a more traditional upbringing, their parents using their savings rather than credit and grew up in a time of great social change.

Generation X – variable dates, born 1965 – late seventies – lived through rising divorce rates, increase of women working and were teenage through the eighties :) also called the MTV generation.

Generation Y – variable dates, but from my sources (kids) born from the late seventies early eighties and through to the mid nineties – the Net Generation – digitally savvy, civic minded, individualistic.

Generation Z – again variable dates, but born around mid 90’s and, apparently Gen Z finishes next year – they too seem to be called the Net Generation – although Gen Z have, for the most part, grown up with the Net during their formative years. They have more diverse parentage – traditional, divorced single parent, IVF, traditional, gay – and are increasingly liberal and tolerant about long held views

Generation Alpha – some say they are already born, some say from 2012 – I guess we shall have to wait and see :)

Cort Mason – Dr Delectable / Survival Guide to Dating Your Boss by Carol Marinelli / Fiona McArthur contains the first two stories in the fantastic Single, Free and Fabulous in Sydney mini-series and it’s out now!