Monday 13 August 2012

Sticking to your genre

You want me to...ch...choose?
I know they say that aspiring authors should stick to reading within their genres, to really get to know those genres well, to study the successes as well as the failures. But...what about people like me, who write in all sorts of different genres?

Personally I hate the idea of limiting myself to just one genre, or a couple. I guess I want to stay free to do whatever I want, whenever I want to do it. I've written in numerous genres so far, and there is no genre I would ever completely strike off my possibilities list.

Maybe it's because I read many different genres, too, and enjoy them all?

I guess this could be seen as a problem...but I'll admit it's a problem I don't mind having. :)

20 comments:

  1. Nothing wrong with writing in multiple genres and reading the same. My next book with be my third genre. Each one has helped me be a better writer, too.

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  2. I think it's a good idea to read outside your genre so you bring new things to the table. Otherwise, you'll write exactly like the other writers in your genre.

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  3. I love reading all kinds of genres. Though I tend to write within only one.

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  4. I think reading other genres can be very useful and of course fun!

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  5. I totally agree :) That's a good, and usually fun problem to have. I read all over the map. I've now written three different genres and each one feels like it fits better than the previous one. I think reading other stuff helps us as writers no matter if we're going to write in it or not. Read away :)

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  6. Folks want to pigeon-hole others, it seems to give them some (false) sense of control. Frustrating.
    Some Dark Romantic

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  7. I don't like the idea of having limited writing options just because I've written something in a particular genre/style, either.

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  8. I do this too. I like way too many genres to stick to one forever :)

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  9. Authors often have the problem that once they're published they are stuck in a genre. This sounds like an offshoot of that idea- that writers have to write in a single genre. Unless you're really successful- like James Patterson and Grishom- then you can write for all ages if you want. Cheers!

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  10. I am not a believer of only reading within your chosen genre. Also, there is nothing wrong with writing within a range of genres. You may need multiple pen names, though, to market the different stories, but that's nothing new either.

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  11. I would hate sticking to only one genre, both in reading and writing. When I'm writing, I'm also reading and whatever genre it is, it inspires my work.

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  12. I understand gravitating to particular genre that you love, but who just loves one thing? The more you try, the more your tastes might change. I recently read a romance novel, which was something I'd never thought I'd read, and surprisingly liked it.

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    1. I'd love to know which romance you read, just out of curiosity ;) I tend to prefer novels that have romantic elements but aren't necessarily flat out romance. But if there are romantic elements, and I care about the characters, I DO hope for a happily ever after ;) I am a sucker that way!

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  13. I read and write in many too! Wouldn't do it any other way.

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  14. LOL; I had a post like this not too long ago.

    .....dhole

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  15. I'm the same way. Love all different genres for reading and writing.

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  16. I write mostly contemporary and some magic realism - But I read wider than that - it's inspiring to read widely
    xx

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  17. Ah, I'm in such a genre bind right now! I realized that I hate reading dystopians, so why am I writing them? And have I really ever read a science fiction? No. All the books I enjoy reading aren't the ones I'm writing. *headesk* But when it comes to sticking to your genre, you've got to write it all to find out what works. :)

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  18. I read what I think sounds good, what interests me. That could be a fairy retelling or a vampire novel or a contemporary. In fact, I have different bookshelves for that sort of thing.

    As for writing, I write whatever my idea is. No matter the genre.

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  19. I would disagree with that suggestio. Yes read lots of books in your genre but reading widely gives you the edge. makes you stand out from the crowd because you'll have something more to offer. I'm sure Neil Gaiman said he reads widely for that very purpose. You just don't know where that next idea will come from.

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Thanks for your words, me hearties! and don't forget to leave a link to your blog somewhere I can find it!