No one has ever come up with better advice than “Know your strengths and target them.” And that’s where our September 7th IWSG question comes in: “What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why?”
I know, a good writer can write anything, but a smart writer knows where that written word has the best chance of finding the right audience. To find that reader, you must first define your genre style. To do that, you need to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
While publishing approximately 70 titles, most through four traditional NY houses, I had to teach myself how to look for what they wanted. It was more than just good writing. They wanted to be able to market those words to a specific audience – that audience now defined by genres, both broad and very specific. My resume expanded from Historical to Contemporary then to Romantic Suspense and Paranormal, and I loved the diversity, responding to it with different pen names so readers would know what they were getting.
And then came a fantastic offer to write a contemporary set in an established series. It was a genre I’d never written in, and I confess, one I’d never read, but I’m a writer, right? I can do this. I came up with a plot and characters for my suspense, but when I started writing it, I discovered something surprising – plot/characters wasn’t enough – I didn’t have the “tone/voice” for the genre of “Inspirational Suspense” because it was one that didn’t connect with my creative strengths.
That was a hard pill of truth to swallow, but to force it would have produced a product that didn’t take advantage of my best writing abilities. Still, it taught this old dog a new trick.
Life is too short to not love what/where you’re writing.
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the September 7th posting of the IWSG will be Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Michelle Wallace, and Louise - Fundy Blue!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
If we have to force it, the story won't be very good. I'm comfortable with science fiction which is why I've stuck with it.
ReplyDeleteOnce you find that perfect fit, buy it in every color!!
DeleteThat's great that you can write in a number of genres. But it's good to recognize when one isn't a good fit for you.
ReplyDeleteIf it's right for you, it's (not quite) effortless. Stretching outside one genre allowed me to get more books out in a smaller period of time,
DeleteYou're absolutely right. If you don't love what you write, neither will the readers. That's why I would never write thrillers. I don't like them and I wouldn't be good at writing them.
ReplyDeleteSo true!
DeleteNancy, very interesting. Yes, as writers we can extend ourselves, but we should write where we feel expert. That didn't exactly come out as I meant it to, but we can't be expert at everything. I do write both contemporary and paranormal romance which is a great fit for me.
ReplyDeleteWhere you have confidence and experience - then you can feel like an expert!
DeleteWow, publishing seventy titles is impressive, as well as writing in a number of different genres. It's good to recognise our strengths and weaknesses and that you've recognised your own limitations. I've tried a few different genres myself, but always go back to writing what I'm passionate about and feel comfortable with.
ReplyDeleteMust be because I'm a Gemini but love exloring more than one thing. And then there was that striking while the iron was hot thing!
DeleteI recently read "The Story Grid" by Shawn Coyne, and he breaks down how every genre has very specific tropes and elements that the reader expects, and lays out a framework out to ensure you include them. The more elements you leave out or invert, the smaller your potential audience becomes, because you will inevitably turn off some readers. It's a fascinating way to look at story structure, though I fully admit it may be too analytical for some. I found it very helpful to notice certain things in my own genres, and I imagine it would be very helpful for someone writing a new genre for the first time.
ReplyDeleteI agree, you got to love what you write. Your passion often translates on paper for your readers to fully immerse themselves into your world. Because, only if you believe it's real, can you convince someone else that it is :D
ReplyDelete"Life's too short to not love what you're writing"--YES. I struggle with the idea of marketability and still loving/believing in what I'm writing.
ReplyDelete