tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post598804617049233584..comments2023-10-23T12:40:22.672-07:00Comments on The Writers Alley: Is Writing in Multiple Genres For You?Sherrinda Ketchersidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07581676437345249386noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-63845036986656688452014-04-25T15:10:18.085-07:002014-04-25T15:10:18.085-07:00Carla, this is so cool because just yesterday, I w...Carla, this is so cool because just yesterday, I write about identifying the genre(s) that best fit your writer's voice, and I had no idea you'd be chatting about multiple genres today! Small world! You are seriously a superhero to be able to handle so many different kind of stories without mixing them up. :) So glad we could have you at the Alley today!Ashley Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15448862585766728595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-37543299562414661352014-04-25T11:45:06.201-07:002014-04-25T11:45:06.201-07:00Carla, you are seriously my hero. I have NO idea h...Carla, you are seriously my hero. I have NO idea how you do what you do. And btw, you still need to squeeze me into your busy schedule a lunch date. ;-)<br /><br />BUT, I'm so thrilled to see where your writing is taking you. Glad to have you share your wisdom and learning experiences here on the Alley!Caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920406327885410557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-86367389468751812242014-04-25T10:20:34.691-07:002014-04-25T10:20:34.691-07:00Hmmm. If you asked me today, I'd say romance, ...Hmmm. If you asked me today, I'd say romance, but that's just because I'm currently writing fantasy. If I were writing romance at the moment, I'd say I prefer fantasy!<br /><br />I actually have a bit of ADD when it comes to WIPs, so it really helps for me to be working on two entirely different projects at once. I always seem to forget just how nerve-wracking the process of writing a new book is!<br /><br />How was that for evasive? It's honestly the truth, though. :)<br /><br />And for reading, I'm really enjoying suspense and Regency romance right now, two genres in which I DO NOT write at all!Carla Laureanohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15671520341544066936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-5048830702243474082014-04-25T09:45:47.023-07:002014-04-25T09:45:47.023-07:00Alright Carla... So here's the big question. W...Alright Carla... So here's the big question. Which genre do you like writing more? Reading more? And if you HAD to just pick one... Which would if be? Dun dun duhhh!Amy Leigh Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13631381714658134094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-7769656174259023752014-04-25T09:40:35.394-07:002014-04-25T09:40:35.394-07:00Cindy - Thanks for dropping by! And thanks for the...Cindy - Thanks for dropping by! And thanks for the compliment on the cover. It was made by the fantastic Kirk DouPounce. I love how well he captured the book.<br /><br />Marilynn - I think you have a great point. The indie model is changing some things-- I actually know a number of authors who successfully write multiple genres simultanously, but they write four or five books a year. I completely agree you certainly can't release a book at a time, alternating genres, and build a fan base. You hit on exactly why traditional wisdom is to stick with one genre first.<br /><br />Jeanne - Thank you! Definitely helps to know where you stand before you dive into it. :)<br /><br />Pepper - I think when you're trying to nab an agent, it's great to write in multiple genres and find where your passion--and your abilities!--lie. I never thought I would like to write romance, let alone actually be good at it! Imagine my surprise. I also have interest in writing alternate history and romantic suspense, but it would make no sense to write those now. I make notes of those ideas and put them away for a future time. I try to channel the things I like most about the ideas into a genre in which I'm currently writing. Instead of writing suspense, I'll include a suspense thread into the fantasy plot, for example.<br /><br />Laurie - I hope you enjoy it now that there's no danger of me making you all lyrical. LOLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-61003471452604950682014-04-25T09:39:49.435-07:002014-04-25T09:39:49.435-07:00Thanks Laurie :) I'm not a fantasy reader but ...Thanks Laurie :) I'm not a fantasy reader but I'm a big Carla Laureano fan so I'm definitely gonna have to expand my horizons!<br />Amy Leigh Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13631381714658134094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-14467081918806346122014-04-25T09:37:56.800-07:002014-04-25T09:37:56.800-07:00Pepper, I imagine you'll be published in like ...Pepper, I imagine you'll be published in like four different genres someday! You all amaze me!Amy Leigh Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13631381714658134094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-16638385704736888962014-04-25T09:36:59.289-07:002014-04-25T09:36:59.289-07:00I agree with Cindy! You are amazing at juggling it...I agree with Cindy! You are amazing at juggling it all with such grace and style!<br /><br />Marilynn-thank you for coming by the Alley! Love to have another multi genre perspective. Not many people are skilled or brave enough to tackle that :)Amy Leigh Simpsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13631381714658134094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-22920181231238542142014-04-25T08:16:04.004-07:002014-04-25T08:16:04.004-07:00Great interview! Good choice, Amy :) Looking forwa...Great interview! Good choice, Amy :) Looking forward to digging into OATH this weekend! <3Laurie Tomlinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11129712423197020619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-53262693649050614382014-04-25T08:11:19.432-07:002014-04-25T08:11:19.432-07:00Great post, Carla - and somewhat terrifying.
I'...Great post, Carla - and somewhat terrifying.<br />I'm a big fan of yours. Your personality and your work! Five Days was a lovely, LOVELY book. I read it in 2 days.<br /><br />The idea of writing, marketing, and promoting 2 book series at the same time sounds daunting enough to sober the most 'fairy-brained' enthusiast...but what happens when your brain automatically THINKS in more than one genre?<br />I know yours does.<br /><br />Do you just write where the passion is, or do you try to hone the daydreams to one genre or other?Pepperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02771295798003844102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-54902163087022571762014-04-25T07:45:46.433-07:002014-04-25T07:45:46.433-07:00Wow, Carla, I don't know how you do it, but ob...Wow, Carla, I don't know how you do it, but obviously you're doing something that WORKS for you! I loved Five Days in Skye. I'm sure your fantasies are just as good. :)<br /><br />Thanks for confirming the fact, that I am indeed, a one-genre-at-a-time writer. :) Great post today!Jeanne Takenakahttp://jeannetakenaka.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-22739258263872847972014-04-25T07:36:45.372-07:002014-04-25T07:36:45.372-07:00As someone with a career writing multiple genres, ...As someone with a career writing multiple genres, I have had difficulty building a fan base because many of my fans wouldn't follow me from genre to genre. That means new books don't sell backlist, and each genre requires different promotion and a lot more work. <br /><br />A smarter move for a writer is to write in very similar genres or subgenres. Jim Butcher, for instance, built his career on the "Dresden Files" urban fantasy novels, then he started a traditional fantasy series. Now, he's also writing a steampunk fantasy series.<br /><br />Other writers who have been successful at this suggest that you write and promote at least three books in the same series or genre before you add a second so you'll have better name recognition and a stronger fan base.Marilynn Byerlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720129999636676998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7392393277880937685.post-66494782557466332732014-04-25T07:23:08.179-07:002014-04-25T07:23:08.179-07:00Hey Carla! *waves* Yes, writing multiple genres ca...Hey Carla! *waves* Yes, writing multiple genres can be tricky--but you're great at it!! I'm still loving that Oath of the Brotherhood cover. It always draws my eye. Have a great weekend - you, too, Writer's Alley ladies!Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.com