Blogger: Rachel Kent
Location: Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers’ Conference, Philadelphia, PA
Many writers write in a specific genre for a specific audience. They’re able to follow the guidelines for writing in that genre well, and it comes naturally. Sometimes authors want to step out of their genre to try something new or to write what’s on their heart at the time.
Do you think a writer can break out of a genre? If so, how? If not, why?
I look forward to reading your comments!
Interesting topic. I think it CAN be done if the writer is skilled enough. I’ve even seen people take different pen names for the different genres.
I’ve heard the argument that a writer should stick to one genre because his/her readers might be surprised by a genre shift – – has anyone heard that?
I’m interested in reading the comments on this topic.
Anne Rice’s Wikipedia page bills her as “a best-selling author of gothic, erotic, and religious-themed books.” Talk about a genre shift! And recent articles raise speculation about whether she’s shifting back. Theology and media gossip aside, the shifts have kept her already-recognized name in public focus, and she has certainly sold a large number of books.
I think, though, that you’d have to have a loyal fan base to make such a radical shift work to your advantage. In the experimental stage, a pen name seems to be a safer option. If the switch succeeds, you could always piggyback the marketing sensation by confessing that the “two” writers are, in fact, the same author. 🙂
This topic is particularly interesting to me, as many of the things I have written/plan to write have shifted genres. I agree with Lynn, above. I have heard it is difficult to genre shift, particularly if the author is well established in his/her genre. It certainly would take some doing.
I think of authors such as Stephen King and Anne Rice when I think of this topic. Both are well established in the horror field, but also are capable of inspirational or historical dramas.
Perhaps a consistency of tone is what’s needed. Keep in mind the same audience, just tell them a different story.
Lynn, I’ve definitely heard that: I’ve heard the argument that a writer should stick to one genre because his/her readers might be surprised by a genre shift. And I’m sure it has merit for some readers.
However, as a reader and a writer, if I like the voice and style of an author, I will read whatever they write. Take Tom Morrisey. He started out with adventure, but his depth and skill as a writer also led him to compose two more literary pieces (In High Places and Wind River). I’d read anything the man writes. He’s that good. Same with Chris Fabry.
I suppose if you’re addicted to historicals and one of your author favorites dares to write a contemporary novel, you might be incensed. Who knows?
Once again, Travis Thrasher writes both romance and horror. Can’t get much more opposite than those, and he breaks the writing rules spectacularly. Yay for him! It works in his case.
John Grisham had a difficult time doing it. I think people are still shocked about some of the books he wrote after all the legal thrillers.
Brandilyn Collins had to buckle down and stay in one genre (ha, ha, “Seatbelt Suspense,”) not going back to the women’s fiction she wrote in her early days.
I suppose it is possible, but difficult.
A writer needs to really pay attention to her voice, because I think the voice lends itself better to some genres than others.
While I like the idea of writing in whatever genre I want, I have to consider the amount of my time and energy it will take to market to an entirely different audience. Sometimes as writers we complain about the amount of marketing we are asked to do. Wouldn’t it take even more time and energy to market different genre books (and do it well)? I’m not doing all I could for the genre I’ve chosen. How would I market more than one genre? Feels like I’d have even less time to write.
I love this question. It’s one I’ve been asking lately.
I love writing historical fiction, and always have story ideas in that genre, but what if I added a little fantasy to one of the stories?
I totally agree with these answers though. Readers fall in love with the authors voice. So, I think that means an author would have to write a good strong stream of a particular genre until she builds a fan base and then possibly she can add a little something different.
I think it depends on the writer and the genre. Someone who writes military thrillers could write mystery or pirate adventure and their audience follow; but they probably wouldn’t make it as a romance writer.