What's it like to switch writing genres?
What is genre and why can it be confusing?
Genre can be confusing to work in and around when it comes to being an aspiring author and even for established authors. For this post I’m going to define genre in the fiction category. Most often you will have; mystery, thriller/crime, horror, romance, comedy, fantasy, and science fiction. What makes it so confusing is subgenres and all the ways that genre can be mixed and matched. Let’s take a popular book series; Harry Potter. Harry Potter books fall into Children’s Lit. and move into young adult by the end of the series. They are also mysteries set in the fantasy genre. We could get even more picky and say that Harry Potter is an Urban Fantasy, mystery novels for children and young adults. You see what I mean?
What genre do you write, share your genres below in the comments. I’d love to talk about genres with you.
What genre did I start writing in? Well if you’ve been reading my blog for a while or found me because of my first novel published early 2021. You know that I write Romance, suspense fiction. This is my anchor genre and series, what in the world am I talking about now with anchor genres and series?
The belief about publishing and genre.
An anchor genre or series is whatever genre or series you publish first and focus most of your publishing attention on. The basic school of thought about publishing is start in one genre or with one series in that genre and make that your anchor genre and series. This makes it easy for readers to connect with you and the algorithm of book sale sites like Amazon to categorize you. You want to make friends and understand the algorithm of the biggest sites, believe me. Our world now runs on algorithms. I hear you, but I want to write in other genres. I have so many stories to tell. For more on why this is important see the interview with Rachel Lacey we did earlier this year and her issues and plans to deal with the algorithms when she switched genres under the same pen name.
Why might you want to mix things up a bit?
I didn’t say you couldn’t write other genres, I said you need to make your anchor genre and/or series the main focus of your publishing attention. Here are some reasons you might want to mix things up and write in other genres or write outside your series.
You have a compelling story idea and you can’t walk away from it
You need to refill the well and writing about the same stuff is stifling your creativity
You want to work on a series in another genre that will take years to brainstorm and get right
I often make notes in my writers’ notebook. If I have a story idea hit me, I might also work on the plot and characters in my off months. If it really is compelling I’ll add the project to my writing year plan.
Stagnation is the bane of creativity. Sometimes you need something else to write to get you excited again. It’s a good idea to have some projects on your writing year plan that aren't the same old thing. Mix it up and meet some new characters.
I’m working on an urban fantasy noir mystery series and it’ll be years before it goes to publication. Why, you might ask, would I wait? One, I want to write several of the novels and shorts so that way I can publish them quickly. Also I want to have alpha readers beat up my world building and magic system while they are still in the early stages.
Okay I wrote in another genre now what?
So you wrote a book in a different genre now what do you do? Make a plan first of all. Do you want to publish this work? If you say yes, where do you want to publish it? There are a lot of options for you to share your writing with your readers or with new readers.
You could try pitching it to publishers.
Share it on Kindle vella.
Share it on Campfire Blaze’s new site.
Share it in your Newsletter.
Share it on Wattpad as public or private.
Publish it under a different pen name as your anchor series.
Work on it and save it for publication later like I’m doing.
Whatever you’re going to do, just know that things change. Please share in the comments your experience working in different genres and what you’re working on.
What I’m working on now
I’m back to approving the developmental edits on The Fire Inside until November 1st when it’s NaNo time baby.
What I learned this month.
How to drive a story by character. Catch this video on YouTube for more.
What I’m watching.
Rizzoli and Isles Tv show on HBO max
Dune
What I’m reading.
Archangel's Light
Nalini Singh
Hot Seal Daddy: An Age Gap Secret Baby Romance (Alphalicious Daddies)
Sofia Finn
What are my plans for NaNoWriMo
I’m going to take Sundays off and I’m giving myself 4 off days because of chronic illness and doctor visits. So I have to write 2,275 words a day to reach my goal of 50 k in 30 days.
I made a standing desk out of boxes from my garage and a sheet so I have options because of chronic pain. What is your plans for NaNoWriMo? I'll also be trying my hand at video editing because I'll be doing NaNoWriMo vlogs this year. See you on my YouTube channel
If you are taking part in NaNoWriMo or just a writer looking for a diverse writing community, come join us in On the Wings for Writers, a Discord server for writers by writers.
November schedule of events
Writing Retreat 5-7th
Author Chat days 3 and 17th
Live Critique Read on the 10th
Book Club meeting on the 24th
Would you like to get something every week to read in your email over your cup of coffee? Tap the cup and become a Bronze Cup holder today!
Wow look at this
You could win a writing coaching session with me a $99 dollar value prize for winning show vs. tell bingo this November. Download the
and follow the instructions.
What’s happening with The Fire Inside?
Wow so much is happening you can find the placeholder on Goodreads right now
I’m catching up to my editor. She is on chapter 20 with 9 more to go.
I’m on chapter 15 behind her.
I’m happy to announce that the proof reader is on chapter 3.
We will be 5 months out next month and I’m so excited.
As soon as I’m done with my NaNo project I’ll be back to catching up to my editor.
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