So, I write this post with much humility and preface it to say that this is entirely my opinion. I am not a published author and I’m sure better advice is found from a recent article by K.M. Weiland and her blog post here, but suffice it to say, here is my two cents and what works for me.
I have been blog surfing now for over 8 months and have tried to glean from both published and pre-published authors and see what works for them and try to incorporate some of their suggestions for me. I seem to have become acquainted with a lot of Romance writers and have enjoyed reading excerpts from their stories and recent kissing scenes. It makes my mind stir with delight thinking that maybe I could conjure up such a scene.
Ha ha.
Ha ha, ha.
Not happening. I even tried the five word game where a fellow blogger gives you five miscellanious words to incorporate into a story of your choosing. Here is my effort. I had seen other blog authors craft literal poetry and stories that took the reader on a colorful journey in their imaginations. I was sweating bullets. Pit stains, people! The opportunities were endless as to what I could have mustered, but in the end it was me….. my genre. A kid’s story with a little twist of Diane humor sprinkled in it.
Do I think that there is a stretching that could take place when an author tries to expand beyond their genre to another….. Yes! For me, I guess I see it as; I’m wired a certain way and that’s what comes out easily and naturally for me. Am I jealous of breath-taking love scenes, or mystery plot twists that keep my head spinning or action/adventure stories to put James Bond to shame…. absolutely, and I will enjoy reading YOUR books. So please, keep on doing what you’re doing. For me, right now, this is who I am. I’m trying to embace the way I was made and what makes me, ahem… “special.”
So, what are your thoughts on the matter? Jump from genre to genre to keep it interesting, or go with what you know and be a one trick pony?
For anyone interested, that crazy Twillypop is doing another giveaway this week to win a necklace and have it named after you! Check out her link here to enter!
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{ 30 comments… read them below or add one }
I started out in romance but seem to be going over into women’s fiction and even just plain old contemporary fiction with twists and all that. So I think yes, it’s ok to try your fingers at another genre and see what happens!
Diane, I just found your new website, great idea. You go girl!
Missed you Christine! Hope all is well there with you. :O)
If you found a genre that works for you, I say definitely stick with it. Sometimes readers don’t like you hopping around from genre to genre, especially if they like you in the one you’re in. In fact, I’ve been worried about putting out a YA romance and then an adult romance…will that get me in trouble with my readers (whenever I get readers!)? Guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
Diane, in my humble opinion you must write what is in you and your passionate about or it will likely dissapoint you. Writing is tough enough to do with something you love, can’t imagine twisting yourself to write something that doesn’t feel right to you. If you desire to try another genre, then definitely go for it. But I wouldn’t push myself to if it didn’t fit for me.
As one without that fabulous imagination and talent to perfectly weave a story together, I say, stick to what you know! Of course, some people are good at ALL writing and therefore, they can jump a bit. Me, I can weave together a crazy sentence structure from my son’s spelling words that make no sense but makes him laugh through his homework, so I guess we each have our niche. And I will join you in being jealous of others and reading THEIR awesome writing!
Absolutely! It’s time we embrace who we are as writers, instead of what we see in others. Good for you! We should all take it to heart.
I’m not a writer so my only suggestion would be to do what you love to do. That being said YOU CRACK ME UP! I almost pee’d myself when you said you had pit stains. You’re adorable.
Oh I can sweat! Look out!
Although you obviously already know my opinion on the matter
, I’ll add that I see absolutely *no* reason to feel guilty for not writing more than one genre. Write what you’re called to write. If you’re called to write just one type of story, that’s perfect. If you’re called to write half a dozen types, that’s awesome too. I believe strongly in stretching our comfort zones and expanding our horizons – never settling status quo. But I believe even more strongly in writing the stories we are given. You have to write what’s on your heart. You can’t force a story.
Thanks Kathryn. Maybe once i’ve become more experienced I will feel more confident to write in other genres. Thank you for the encouragement, that what I am now is ok.
I had words of wisdom, but my mind is still stuck on “pit stains”… LOL!
I say write what you know…what comes easy for you…what your mind sees. Let other people write the other stuff…as that is what comes easy for them.
I love you, D!!
I am the wrong person to ask. I have nothing published either. Pit stains indeed!!! Hahahahaha! Anyway, I do have to say that I am in awe! Your skin is fantastic!
I write a little bit of everything. Planning to start an historical fiction book later this year; that should be interesting. Thanks for the links and for sharing your thoughts!
I’m not a writer but I would think what ever comes easily to you is what will work best for you…I try to follow that myself! If it has to be forced it will feel that way to the reader…
My 2 cents worth :0)
Cheers
You guys are easily distracted…… Pit stains!!!!! Just wait till I start sharing bathroom stories!
Hi Diane -
I say, “Write what’s in your heart.”
Most people are either right or left handed. A few are ambi-dexterous. I guess some of us are “ambi-genred.”
Blessings,
Susan
Love it Susan, so sweet. I think you should get into the greeting card industry. :O)
I have written, not published mind you, two different kinds of novels. This was for the National Novel Write Month. It was fun writing both, just to see what happened. But right now my genre is non-fiction inspirational. Yeah, it’s fun to try and stretch, you never know???
Hmm, interesting. I think that I would have to stretch myself beyond all recognition to write some of the things I read. It just doesn’t feel natural, but then isn’t that what it is all about, learning all those facets of oneself hidden for so long?
For now, I stick with my poetry. I like having creative spurts of energy. I need to carve out some serious time to try and write something longer. I think I’m going to explore short story writing soon. I love all the writers’ blogs that help me with writing advice and creative ideas. The blogosphere has so much to offer (guidance, support, ideas, encouragement, constructive criticism).
Hmm, I liked what Eileen said about passion. I know that I could never write anything without romance. I just LOVE romance and no story is satisfying without it. *grin* But, that said, I can see myself writing historical romance, romantic suspense, urban fantasy romance…any of that.
Remember that old saying, jack of all trades, master of none? Think of it that way. 
One trick pony? I don’t think it’s that.
I bet Valentine’s Day is fun in your house, Miss Romance! :O)
Interesting. Of course understanding your genre is important, but I am trying to save those thoughts for the actual pitch – not to guide my actual writing process. I would hate to get stuck in a certain style and if I was actually fortunate enough to ever get published, I would love to explore different genres, using pseudonyms if need be.
Hope you’re having a wonderful day!
I put in only one cent, as my two cents aren’t worth getting pit stains over.
I think when you are first starting your writing journey, it’s best to stick with what comes out naturally, and what you enjoy crafting. You need to find your voice. From your Snicklefritz story, I’d say you’ve done a terrific job, Diane! I love the humorous twist at the end, and all kids love silly noises and gross goings-on in barns. So…
After you’ve found your voice a bit and developed a style you like, I think it’s great to try other genres. Bear in mind though, if you have a huge following who line up to buy your kids’ stories and you switch to historical romance, you may have to start over building a following. But you seem to do that naturally.
Jeanette- can I hire you as my very own professional cheerleader???? Thanks for all your encouragement!
Diana, I think a passionate writer writes, even if no one reads her work or no book will ever be published. She writes, simply because she has too and is unhappy if she doesn’t!
I started writing a series of non-fictional books (call it a kind of bible studies) but somehow my thrid book was a small novel, a story. It just came out that way and it fits perfectly with the rest of my work! I do NOT want to live in a box, I like to expand my horizon
I don’t mind switching around… I tried a Mystery, YA and adult paranormal. The one I seem to fit is the YA Paranormal, there is still a murder mystery in it, so I incorporated all of the above! I’m not a romance writer either, can’t really build the tension like one should be able to, but I’m working on that
)
Write what gives you passion, whatever that is – is what you should write, sometimes we can just write then pick a genre after, makes it easier I think ;o)
I vote for randomness.
You would! Wanna guest post sometime? :O)