I’ve just turned in my newly edited manuscript to my agent (after just 2 weeks! Go me!) and am now patiently awaiting the next step.
And by waiting, I mean immediately going to work on something else.
I’m going back to work on the first draft of my second historical novel, based on the Blizzard of 1888, and also resuming the nonfiction blog/book project I started in January. I’m excited to get back to both of these projects. But I’ve also been thinking about other things: a YA novel I wrote last fall and haven’t yet re-drafted; a short story collection inspired by Life magazines I found in an antiques store; the contemporary novel I outlined last summer and dropped in favor of the Blizzard novel. It hasn’t escaped my notice that I’m either working or thinking about working on five different categories of books: historical novel, modern novel, YA, nonfiction, and short story collection.
On the one hand, I feel good about writing in different categories. (I’m not going to call them “genres” because except for the nonfiction book, they’re all literary fiction.) As a musician, I don’t expect or prefer to play only one type of music; crossing over to different styles creates a greater depth of experience and increases my joy in performing. So it doesn’t feel odd to me that I’d want to do the same with writing. Why stick to one category if it’s fun and good experience to try several?
On the other hand, I also believe in specializing. I love that when I pick up a book by Jodi Picoult or Agatha Christie, I know exactly what I’m getting. These days, it’s as important for authors to have a recognizable brand as it is for a corporation. It makes sense that J.K. Rowling penned her mysteries under the name Robert Galbraith; it creates a separation between them and the Harry Potter books, and gives her name recognition in two genres. But J.K. can also afford to do whatever she wants. I’m not there yet!
And so while I’m contemplating projects and thinking about what I want to write, I’m also thinking about what I want to be known for, and what I want a reader to expect when she picks up my latest book in the bookstore.
Have you ever been tempted to write in different categories? What do you consider your niche category to be?
I can’t say I’m tempted to write in multiple genres. Fantasy is and always has been my first love, so I know that’s what I want to write. But I’d definitely like to write for different age groups. Some of my story ideas would work better for a YA audience, and others for an adult audience (mostly because I have ideas of how old each story’s protagonist(s) would be).
But I enjoy reading from other genres, though. I’d actually say historical fiction is my second favorite genre, followed by science fiction, dystopian, and the occasional mystery or contemporary / literary fiction (either YA or adult for all). And I think writers can learn a lot from reading outside their preferred genres, and maybe even bring those lessons into their own work.
Best of luck with your next project, Leanne! And with the next stage for Waist, too. 🙂
Good point about reading, Sara! That could be a companion post- writing vs. reading in different genres. I love mixing genres when I read. Nothing is safe from my reach (except most horror).