Today we'll explore the case for single-mindedness, or focus, if you will. Tomorrow we'll move on to the opposite point of view, that being write whatever you're passionate about at the time. Wednesday I'll let you know which side of the fence I fall on, and you can tell me where you've landed. Ready? Let's go...
The most compelling reason to write in one genre alone is so that readers know what to expect. What am I talking about? Here's the standard 'radio station' example.
Let's say you're a talk radio fan. Every time you get in the car, you switch on the ol' heated political talking-head as you're driving. You look forward to it because you like the fella's snarky comments and it brings you up-to-date on what's happening in the ruling class, which is important when you're a plebian. Always good to know what's barreling down the pike toward you.
So one day you toodle out to the car and flip on your station. A country western twanger belts you "You Done Stomped On My Heart and Knocked That Sucker Flat." You chalk it up to a program manager who's on drugs. Surely tomorrow will be better.
Nope. The following day they serve up opera, and the next they're on to Bieber's 'Baby'. Three strikes and they're out, baby. You'll no longer listen to that station because you don't know what to expect...and you don't always like what they're playing.
Same with writing. If you garner a tribe of historical fiction readers and then switch to horror, your original pack of natives are going to scatter. They expect historical fiction from you. It's what they want. You veer out of that track and they'll no longer buy any of your books. Recently on Novel Rocket, James Rubart wrote a succinct post making this point. You Can Only Write in One Genre. Period. End of Story.
Top 3 Reasons to Write in One Genre
1. Readers know what to expect
2. Easier to market
3. Focuses and hones your writing, inching your way toward expertise in that particular genre
Pretty compelling, eh? Stay tuned. We'll argue the opposite tomorrow.
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6 comments:
Great thoughts, Michelle. I look forward to tomorrow's post as well. Now you've got me and I have to read your blog all week. I'm trapped. Maybe that was your evil plan all along. ;-)
Cuing evil laughter...
Were you reading my mind this week? I'm struggling with this BIG TIME. I like to write stories that move me--YA, children's chapter books, adult suspense, memoir--I'm ALL over the place. My agent keeps telling me NO, which I understand for this reason above, but it's tough, really tough for me to fit into one category. My husband has called me the RANDOM SUBJECT GENERATOR for all our married life (32 years) and that's kinda how my writing goes too-it's RANDOM depending on what's motivating me to write. (The RANDOM STORY GENERATOR.) I've been at this writing game for close to ten years and I'm still not falling into just one genre. Very tough. Thanks for posting these examples. I can't wait to see the OTHER side of the story.
M
You know, I enjoy reading different genres, but not from the same author. I like knowing which author to go to when I need a certain reading fix.
Dear RGS (random subject generator) ~ Just like deciding on which dessert to indulge in, how can one possibly know their favorite genre to write in unless they've sampled them all?
Chaplain ~ Ahhh....so are you telling me if MaryLu wrote a contemporary you wouldn't rush out to buy it?
I will follow my favorites and give them the benefit of the doubt, I just like knowing that if I am looking for a certain story, I know where I can turn. :)
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