In their own quiet way, writers are brave creatures. They face challenges daily. One wrong decision could break their bank account, a contract or, horrors, their career. Is this agent right for me? Should I invest in a full-color ad? Should I fight my editor on a specific revision request? One of the most angst-ridden choices could be: Do I follow my muse and write in X-sub-genre when I’m multi-published in another sub-genre? Do I take a leap of faith that readers will follow no matter where I go?
Sometimes it’s not even a muse who nudges an author into a new world, but a publisher. “Yes, we know you’re established in historicals, but romantic suspense is hot and that’s what we want.†The author wonders/worries if readers will take a leap of faith and crossover. Obviously, the publisher is counting on just that. Hopefully, said author has a true desire to explore this new genre. There’s nothing worse than forcing what doesn’t come naturally. The creator suffers as does the art.
As a reader, I have followed many of my favorite authors into a new world. When Catherine Coulter and Julie Garwood made the leap from historical to contemporary, I jumped too. Did I enjoy these stories? Yes. I find that, although the era is different, the tone is similar. Personally, that’s what I’m most drawn to—an author’s voice. Do I wish they’d throw me a historical every now and then? Yes! I’m greedy. I want it all.
As a writer, I want it all too. Although, I’m multi-published in contemporary romance, I’m also inspired to write historical westerns—Lasso the Moon comes out in 2006. This past year another idea sparked and refused to die. Suddenly, I just had to explore a first-person contemporary series, leaning toward women’s fiction with strong romantic elements. I opted to follow my muse, to take the leap of faith that readers will crossover, not once, but twice. Fortunately, I have an agent who supports my vision. She recently sold two more of my westerns to Medallion Press, and the first-person contemporary series to HQN. I look at it this way. I’m not switching genres, I’m expanding my horizons. The eras are different, but my voice, the tone, is the same. Most importantly, the writing will be honest and passionate because it’s what I’m personally driven to do. Do I wonder if fans will crossover? Do I worry that they’ll feel cheated of their first love—my more traditional contemporaries? Yes. Do I think that writing in multiple sub-genres is a wise business choice? I’m not sure. But I do believe that it is wise to write from the heart, not for the market. The creator will flourish as will the art.
Readers, how do you feel about authors who write in multiple sub-genres? Will you take a leap of faith and follow where they go?
Writers, do you follow or fight your muse? Have you taken a leap of faith and survived?
Let’s talk!
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I’m just going to sit here and scream a lot. Beth, will you stop looking inside my head when you post! It’s unnerving!
I came through here just looking for some links. I didn’t have time to read, and I really didn’t have time to respond… but your entry caught my eye and I was hooked.
I’m not published, but genre angst has been my close personal companion for a while now. Not in a definite – ‘I want to write X!’ – kind of way, but a sense of questioning what I write and why.
I don’t have any answers just yet, but your entry made me face the fact that I have questions. And that’s progress.
As for your leap of faith, don’t sweat it. I bought Jinxed because I followed you from here to your blog. I bought Charmed and Seduced because I love your voice. And I cursed Amazon for telling me Lasso the Moon wasn’t out yet when I was buying my holiday reads because as far as I’m concerned a Beth Ciotta is a Beth Ciotta.
Nuff said.
I’m personally thrilled when an author writes in multiple sub-genres. I enjoy a variety in my reading, and when one author can entertain me in more than one way, I’m a happy reader.
I’ve followed authors several times, and haven’t been disappointed yet. Julia London, Kathleen O’Reilly, and Beverly Brandt/Jacey Ford come to mind of the top of my head, though I know there are more. So far, it seems that if I enjoy an author’s writing in one sub-genre, I enjoy it in another. Even if the styles are different, somehow the writing quality stays the same.
Those who do not follow a favourite author may be more entranced by the sub-genre itself – its form and setting – rather than an author’s voice and style, not realizing it’s that writer’s particular grace that made those settings and characters so inviting.
Gee, Anna. You certainly know how to brighten this author’s morning. Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! As to your questions… it’s good that you’re asking them. Keep mulling, discuss with a friend, write from the heart. The answers will come to you.
Darla, I’m like you. I enjoy variety. If the author’s voice hooks me, they can reel me into any world–past, present, future.
However, now that Bernita points it out, I can more easily see why some readers might not follow a fave author into a new sub-genre. Nothing personal. They just like it where they’re at. It’s that world/sub-genre that gives them the charge… even more so than the individual author. I get that. And it eases my mind. Thanks, Bernita!
Hi Beth … great post. I agree, I will generally follow authors because I love their voice; however, I discovered JD Robb early on, before anyone knew she was Nora Roberts, and I loved the stories. When I learned she was Nora, I realized that while the books are very different in tone and setting, they have the same strong characters that are Nora’s trademark.
I write romantic suspense because that’s where my voice lies … not because it’s a hot market. I’ve read suspense and romantic suspense and mysteries my entire life. I do want to write in another genre . . . paranormal . . . but again, it’ll be suspense, dark and angsty, because that’s where my voice seems to be.
Congrats on your recent sales! I wish you tons of luck and success.
Honest writing, that’s the key. You’re writing what you love and it shows. I’ve enjoyed many authors in multiple subgenres and even different genres. If I like the author’s voice, I’m going to like the story no matter what label is on the spine.
On the other side of things, I’m writing in multiple subgenres and so far nobody has objected.
I’d try a favourite author in another genre, but haven’t found that an author will necessarily be as good in every genre.
I’d say both Heyer and Nora Roberts are top-notch romance writers, but their detective stories are readable rather than brilliant – for me, the strength of the In Death series was in the development of the relationships, not the mysteries.
I didn’t as much take a leap of faith when I branched out from series romance to chick lit as I was shoved off the cliff by my editor, who was adamant that I “try it.”
What I soon discovered, however, was that for the most part I have two entirely different readerships for the two sub-genres. Yes, there’s some crossover, but not a significant amount. Most chick lit readers are not interested in series romance, and most series romance readers are convinced that they won’t like chick lit (never mind that mine end up being more romance-y than not, since clearly that’s the way my Muse is wired.) Being able to write fast enough to keep both readerships from straying can be quite a trick, though, which is something anyone contemplating writing in more than one genre should consider.
I would never, however, be able to write “on demand” to the market. Yes, my editor encouraged me to write for RDI, but only because she felt my voice was already chick-litty and that moving from series to women’s fiction wouldn’t be that much of a stretch for me. Turns out she was right, even though I was skeptical at first.
But other than that, I don’t care how hot a particular trend is at the moment, if they don’t resonate with me (or I don’t read them because I don’t generally enjoy those types of stories), I couldn’t write them if my life depended on it.
Now, if a writer is imaginative and flexible and fast enough to write to trends, and does so because that’s what she really wants to do ,that’s great. But that’s not to say that a writer who sticks to writing stories that come from the gut — whether they’re “in” or not — can’t still have a long, solid career. Above all else, readers recognize and value honesty in the work, and a story that rings true will find its readership, no matter what. Maybe not immediately, but eventually, when the time is right.
If a writer crosses over my personal lines – horror, sex and gnuporn – I won’t follow him, and I’m also likely to stop reading any ’safe’ books from him henceforth, because the offending pictures will remain linked with him and I’ll keep wondering whether he’s going to spring another nasty surprise on me.
Other than that… I don’t really care much what a book is billed as. I love writers for their voices, imagination, ability to develop characters, plausible plotlines – and if they manage to keep that quality under slightly different circumstances, I’ll be delighted to read more.
Hi Allison! I just checked out your website (impressive!) and saw you have three books coming out back-to-back. Bam, bam, bam! Wishing you great success! As for attempting paranormal at some point, you’ve echoed my thoughts. If you’re inspired to crossover do so, but honor your voice. Again, best of luck with the upcoming releases!
Oh, jeez. The above anon post to Allison was from me.
Ooops.
“Honest writing, that’s the key.” Can I print that out and tape it above my computer, Charlene? Love it! As for your own experiences with writing in multiple sub-genres–I’m glad they’ve been good!
“Gnuporn,” Catja? Porn for gnus?:shock: Dang… I was going to tackle that for my next book, but hey, if the readers don’t want it…
Seriously, this is a topic that resonates with me in a big way. I wander vaguely around after my muse, just trying to keep up. I started in historical romance, moved to contemporary romance, then wrote futuristic and fantasy romance. The only subgenre I’ve really quit writing is historical– I fully expect to keep writing the others.
I don’t think my readers necessarily follow me across all subgenres. Some do, and that’s nice, but people who enjoy historicals don’t necessarily love futuristics, and I can understand that.
Still, you gotta go where the muse leads, and I don’t think I’d be happy if I’d forced myself to stay in one subgenre. In fact, I’m not sure I’d still be writing!
Karen, thank you so much for sharing your experience in this matter. I wondered if I might end up dealing with two different readerships. It’ll be interesting to see how that works out for me. It sounds like you’re successfully juggling sub-genres. I can absolutely see where it can get hairy time-wise/promo-wise. Your website is set up nicely, giving equal time to both readerships. Kudos and continued success!
Marianne, so you’re willing to give a fave author a chance to win you over in another genre. That’s good to know. At least we have a shot. Yay!
Catja, you’re also willing to follow an author if they crossover (so long as they don’t cross personal lines). Again, this is really nice to know. There’s hope.
Wow, Ellen. You’ve got me beat. What’s thrilling is that, although you may not have a huge crossover audience, you have a faithful following in EACH sub-genre. Rock on, woman!
Hi Beth … if I go into paranormal, it’ll be side-to-side with my RS. I love RS, I think I’ll always write it . . . at least for the next decade if my publisher is willing to ride it out with me! I like the way Nora Roberts does it (who doesn’t? LOL) . . . she satisfies both of her readerships, with two futuristics, one ST romance/RS and a trilogy. Now, I don’t think I could write 6 books a year, but 3-4 is good, right? LOL
3 or 4 would be GREAT, Allison. Right now I manage two a year. Throw some of that creativity and energy my way, will ya? LOL By the way, your plan sounds like a winner!
I’m not published yet, and one of the most frequent questions I see pre-pubs asking editors/agents is “Is it okay to write in multiple sub-genres?” And of course, everybody has a different answer.
As far as following an author, I’m willing, provided it’s a genre I read.
When a favorite author branches into a different genre, sometimes she or he helps me broaden my own horizons. I don’t know if I’d ever have ventured into anything the least futuristic had Nora never begun the “In Death” series. One of my favorite authors is Kay Hooper. Her Bantam Loveswept “Men of Mysteries Past” series is high on my list of all time keeper series. I love her writing, her ‘voice’ and willingly followed her over, not only into the psychic thrillers, but into hard cover. Beth, I think your readers will follow you, too, because your voice and style are so distinctive.
Great column Beth, and very much like the subject I’m blogging about on Friday–except you’re writing from a position of having crossed the line already, and I’m just starting out on that new-genre road.
Personally, if I like an author, I’ll read anything she writes. That doesn’t, however, reassure me that AS an author, I can write whatever I like.
Your story is inspiring to me!