This month's question is one that comes up pretty often in writing circles. It's two-fold - can you write, and write well, in multiple genres, and if so, how do you pull it off when it can mean different agents, pen names, etc.?
I'm not anticipating writing in completely different genres (I'll stick to fantasy), but I've definitely written for multiple sub-genres and age groups. It's never bothered me as a reader when writers skip into several genres. In fact, I love that they're able to be so versatile, and if it's an author I like, I'll usually follow them across a genre jump.
How about you? Do you write in multiple genres? Are you worried about how to balance it from the publishing side?
Do you write in more than one genre?
Do you anticipate that being messy with crossover between agents, publishers and readers?
Four manuscripts in and I think I'm pretty much stuck in space opera.
ReplyDeleteI've written non-fiction about gaming, historical fiction about the California missions, a YA fantasy with a scifi backplot, a Cold War novel set in Vienna, a terrorist attack on the Las Vegas Strip, a genre non-specific about a war hero suffering PTSD treated using Native American medicines, and my wip is the story of a heroic California historical figure.
ReplyDeleteThey key is not to worry about the genre! It's worrying about telling the story.
the easy part for me is sci fi and fantasy are considered very similar, though they really aren't... i just have to build up my series, then i will have 2 groups of fans, right? ha!
ReplyDeleteIt's great that most of the authors in your poll write different genres. I'm looking forward to experimenting with some different genres once I finish my series. One book to go!
ReplyDeleteOh, I got here too late to vote in the poll! But yes, I do write in multiple genres, and I agree that I'll cross that bridge when I come to it with regard to potential publishing/readership issues. I have several favorite authors who write in different genres and it's never bothered me personally, if I enjoy their writing.
ReplyDeleteI think the few times I followed an author across a genre jump, I was a little unsettled by it. But, unsettled can be a good thing too.
ReplyDelete