tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post7050011320466389535..comments2023-10-17T07:37:00.391-05:00Comments on Written Words: Literary genre: haven or prison?Scott Buryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05061034006121401082noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-16326115300265760882014-05-06T15:44:57.027-05:002014-05-06T15:44:57.027-05:00I suspect that for high, ongoing sales and devoted...I suspect that for high, ongoing sales and devoted readers, sticking to one genre is best. But some writers (including me) just cannot resist exploring new fields, against all commercial advice. And it's good for our souls.Rachel McAlpinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17068871558132153540noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-83120184770536656902014-04-22T06:25:10.476-05:002014-04-22T06:25:10.476-05:00Interesting post, and something I've been stru...Interesting post, and something I've been struggling with. I write stories for kids and adults as well as non-fiction. I get bored if I'm always writing the same thing...Melissa Gijsbershttp://www.melissawrites.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-75347714179985738042014-04-07T18:43:10.251-05:002014-04-07T18:43:10.251-05:00I have always felt writers should not be "typ...I have always felt writers should not be "type cast" into genres, after all this is a CREATIVE process right? Good to see discussion on this topic!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16437468137859528880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-88816549398969339272014-04-07T16:57:23.380-05:002014-04-07T16:57:23.380-05:00Interesting. Though my books are non-fiction, I...Interesting. Though my books are non-fiction, I've already given some thought to when and if I will write fiction - which was my first love, and what teachers in school thought I was good at writing. Hmmmm… It will be a branding issue I'm sure. LOLLisa Jey Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11418743455432887436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-74074846388710326162014-04-07T12:40:24.563-05:002014-04-07T12:40:24.563-05:00You raise some interesting questions, Scott. I...You raise some interesting questions, Scott. I've written a series and a few stand-alone books, as well. The books in the series far outsell the stand-alone offerings, although they're all in the mystery / thriller genre. I'm trying to balance what the market tells me my readers want with what I want to write. I'm curious to see if more readers respond. I found Alta's comments enlightening.Charles Doughertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16888669370784744314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-27621688554934592362014-04-07T11:54:58.601-05:002014-04-07T11:54:58.601-05:00I am embroiled in this right now - and while all m...I am embroiled in this right now - and while all my books have some sort of fantastical element, I switch from YA to Adult genres. I've had some people think I only write YA so when they've gotten an adult book of mine it's been a shock to say the least. I don't want to be stuck in one genre and you hope readers will read the blurb to know what the book is about. Good luck! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-36797529054873352332014-04-07T11:25:27.846-05:002014-04-07T11:25:27.846-05:00I think about this a lot too. My favorite author i...I think about this a lot too. My favorite author is Jack Ketchum. He writes mostly horrors but has a few different genres out there. Sometimes his style even changes a bit from dark and disturbing to a bit of comedy and less gore. What always kept me buying his books no matter what was the fact he warned the reader that this novel was going to be different. I thought this was a great idea. That way the reader isn't surprised or disappointed in the end. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06916364754807063537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-84752185994157456112014-04-07T11:20:05.068-05:002014-04-07T11:20:05.068-05:00I think about this a lot too. Jack Ketchum is my f...I think about this a lot too. Jack Ketchum is my favorite author. Most of his novels are horror, but here and there he has mixed in other genres. I did read them because I buy everything written by him, but I honestly did find myself not as into them. In saying that though, he did warn the reader that the this novel would be different. I thought that was a great idea. Make sure you the reader knows so they won't be surprised or disappointed. Then it's all on them on whether to make the decision to check it out.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06916364754807063537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23776112.post-45209254138513936122014-04-07T09:53:12.929-05:002014-04-07T09:53:12.929-05:00As a reader, I like my authors to stick to their g...As a reader, I like my authors to stick to their genre. If I pick up a book by an author I have previously read and they are writing something different, I will be hesitant to choose that author again. However, if I know they write another genre under different name, I am likely to check out the other one or avoid the other one. As an example, I enjoy Rita Mae Brown books written with her cat Sneaky Pie Brown. Her other books written without Sneaky Pie are not for me. I am wondering if you could add a tagline like Rita Mae Brown does so th reader quickly knows what they are getting?Onisha Ellishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05242741267749390554noreply@blogger.com