I recently switched genres, a big one, from women’s fiction to a paranormal novella. It felt right when I was writing women’s fiction, but it felt great writing the novella, breezing through it, and now taking more time with the next drafts. Another writer once told me I should stick to one thing. Why? When I’m published, maybe, but even then I see writers going from genre to genre. I think it keeps the spark inside us alive.
Barbara Samuel, aka Ruth Wind, blogged on Writer Unboxed few weeks ago about writing different books in different genres — from category to medievals to women’s fiction — under different names. Now she’s adding another name and another genre, “magic realism,” under the name Barbara O’Neal.
She’s not alone. Erica Orloff writes dark paranormals, women’s fiction, chick lit, young adult, and probably a few more genres. Karin Tabke started with her sizzling Hot Cops books, and has since dabbled in paranormal, veered off into passionate Medieval Knights, and I happen to know she’s also co-written a mystery. 
I could mention many writers who branch out, including Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz, but this blog was inspired by a local newspaper columnist, Joanne Weintraub. After 24 years at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, she’s leaving to start a career as a freelance writer. According to this article, her freelance column “will trace connections between and among books and movies, pop songs and commercials, YouTube videos and e-mail jokes.”
She says, “I’ll try to pay attention to things that often fall between the cracks of conventional arts and entertainment coverage: advertising slogans, Facebook friending, spam filters, user reviews on IMDB, wish lists on Amazon, obsessive blogging, the etiquette of e-mail.”
Now that’s major gear switching! It made me think of Zoe Winters and her plans to make her name in publishing by giving away free novellas and podcasts. A change is coming to publishing and Zoe might be in the forefront. I hope there will always be print books, ones we can hold and turn pages. Even Zoe has said she prefers print books over e-books. But e-books and podcasts will grow more popular. New venues will probably open up too. Maybe someone is drawing up plans for of one right now. 
Weintraub, who was the newspaper’s TV critic since 1994, writes that when she started, the three main networks hogged the center ring of TV and “cable was something of a sideshow.” Not anymore. Weintraub says now we’re more likely to turn to cable for the most provocative shows and best dramatic series “while the networks survive on the likes of “American Idol” and “Deal or No Deal.”
I’m not quite ready to jump on the podcast train with Zoe, but I’ll be clapping and cheering on the sidelines, yelling , “Go, Zoe, go!” I hope she succeeds wildly. In the meantime, I’ll write the stories that excite me and not worry about their genre.
What about you? What genres do you write or are thinking of writing? And are you ready to hop on Zoe’s train?
I’ve written a time travel, a historical, many romantic suspenses with paranormal elements, two fantasies, and 6 children’s picture books. The first two are a mess, under the bed worthy, but they have potential if ripped apart and totally rewritten. I’m really happy with the RS paranormal and fantasy books, while the children’s books happened quite by accident when my daughter and I developed 6 stories about Peter the fly while walking to school.
I think a writer should experiment, as you might discover your true voice in an unexpected place.
Margaret
Well, with my kinky mix, I write everything. Fantasy, contemporary, chick lit, futuristic, suspense, historical… I think that’s all. I do like the freedom.
I LOVE that picture!
A couple of years ago, I followed the same common wisdom about sticking to one thing, but I’ve since changed gears, too. At the moment, I have several very different projects under consideration at various houses.
This is not the same thing as querying an agent or editor with multiple projects mentioned in the same letter. That’s still not a good idea, IMO, because you only have so many paragraphs in a query to make your case for ONE project. In this case, I am shopping one project at a time to the same place but have multiple queries floating around out there.
If they all sell, great. If not, there’s plenty more where those came from.
Margaret, a nice variety! Paranormal romantic suspense is selling right now, and I’ve always liked fantasy. Good luck with the children’s books. I’d buy your Peter the Fly stories.
Spy, what a great mix! I know you enjoy what you write, and that’s the main thing. It’s not for all writer, but for many of us, trying new things keeps us fresh.
I love the picture too.
Hey Edie, it’s all about the story to me, whatever that falls under. When I first started writing, I was targeting category but it wasn’t right for my voice. It did prove to be an invaluable learning tool, though. I just needed to write, and to know I could write many stories not just one.
Several years ago, I sat down to write what would be my “thing.” Each story is different and I love that. Heck, I’m just following these amazing characters that drop by, and see where it takes me.
I’m all about staying fresh too. I love that you’re following your muse like this.
And to everyone else with stories out there, and new projects in the works….Bravo!!! You go!
Lynne, I wouldn’t mention multiple projects in one query either. It sounds like you’re going about it the right way. I hope you hear some good news soon!
Great post, Edie! I think as time goes on, ebooks will become more and more popular. Especially as the generations after us grow up with it (my son, for instance, has never lived without a DVR or DirecTV and he’s 7). But I also think people still want real books to hold in their hands to read. It reminds me of Star Trek II, when Spock gives Kirk “A Tale of Two Cities” for his birthday in hardback form. Spock tells him he knows of his fondness for “antiques” and that’s where I think, ultimately, books will end up. As antiques.
LaD, my first book was category too. I do think you found your voice and you’re writing stories that come from your heart. Even when you write one genre, every story you write is different and every character. Writers can stretch and grow and stay fresh in one genre too.
Michelle, I hate to think of books ending up as “antigues,” but it’s likely it will happen. Or maybe owning print books will be a mark of a very wealthy person. I like that! Print books will be a status symbol.
I do genre hopping. Currently,I’m working on a my medieval, and I’m trying to do a 100 words a day on romantic comedy, based on my sister’s life. It can be confusing, fun, frustrating, but I love it. It keeps my writing fresh, and me young. There is nothing that says as writers we can’t do that. Why not it, just makes us more well rounded.
Lee, it looks like most of us genre hop. Good for you for writing two books at once. That’s something I haven’t mastered yet. So funny writing a book based on your sister’s life. In my last book, I based two characters on friends. One of them turned out to be my favorite character in the book.
I do a little hopping, but its all within the paranormal genre. I’ve sold science fiction romances, have a futuristic urban fantasy in revisions, am working on a vampire story and have a magic book that I’m shopping around.
I love ebooks but I still love the feel of a book in my hands … hence the reason I might have to break down and get an ebook reader.
Ditto Liz. I like writing paranormal. Period. Everything else that comes under that, I’m good with, too. The only other thing I’d like to take a stab at have failed thus far is sci-fi. I LOVE sci-fi, so it’s not like I won’t try it again someday. Telling my other WIPs to chill out while I do it is another story.
Liz, you also have some mystery in the magic book. I love that one! I know you’ll find a good home for it some day.
When you get an ebook reader, you can bring it to a meeting and show the rest of us. We like to see your toys.
Marcia, paranormal has a whole lot of genres. In one contest, I saw they have categories for Dark Paranormal and Light Paranormal.
Funny about talking to your stories. Mine usually talk to me.
Hi, Edie! I’m with you–I think being able to write different stories keeps the spark alive in us. Sure, I do love my paranormals, and that will always be my favorite area to write, but I do like to explore other areas. I feel like it keeps my mind and my writing fresh.
And–Go, Zoe, go!!!!
haha Edie, I’m not sure I’m quite ready to be the Norma Rae of this motley crew.
I’m not really that innovative. Podcasting has been used as a successful fictional springboard by the likes of Scott Sigler, Tee Morris, Philippa Balentine, and J.C. Hutchins. Two of which have major contracts now, two of which are with a small press. All four of which have gotten this success relatively recently, as podcasting is still in early enough baby stages that it’s not completely overcrowded (though that is changing fast.)
A lot of innovation tends to happen first in the Horror/Sci-Fi/Fantasy world because those people tend to respect the indie spirit far more than other genres.
It hasn’t really gotten big and started with romance yet. I’m not sure if it will. Because a lot of romance writers seem really shy about reading their sex out loud, and that’s part of podcasting, lol. But I’m a shameless hussy so I don’t care. I just care about not alienating readers/listeners.
Also, the free ebooks and podcasts are just part of my marketing plan (fingers crossed) to create a print version. Because I prefer print over the other formats, I know I’m not alone. If people know going in that they like a book (and hopefully some will), and they want it in print, well there ya go.
Oh, and on the other topic, the diff stuff. I write some erotica too (which when I get that going will likely be under a different name.)
To me the problem in writing a bunch of diff things is a problem of branding. I want to (over time) create a strong brand. So people associate my name with paranormal romance (or whatever people start calling it when for some reason it becomes unfashionable to call it that. Sort of like how people feel compelled to rename Chick Lit to sell it.)
The more diff things I write, the more I split my focus and the less likely I am to be able to create a strong unified brand.
Cindy, whatever you’re doing, it’s working for you. The most important thing in any genre is good writing, and you’ve got that.
Zoe, I love it that we’re “motley.” You can be the Norma Rae of paranormal romance.
Branding is good, but like Jayne Ann Krentz says, in all the books she writes — paranormal, historical, mystery — it’s the same core stories. Not everyone does that. I can see a big differnce in Barbara Samuel and Ruth Wind books. In that case, it’s smart to use a different name.
hahaha @ the Norma Rae of paranormal romance. Say that five times fast.
Good point about Jayne Ann Krentz. My paranormals and erotica are in many ways “the same thing.” They play with the same kind of power dynamics. The paranormals are just slightly more covert/subtle about it.
I think there would be SOME reader crossover, but for some overt kinky fiction is going to turn them off. Or lack of vampires/incubi/werewhatevers. Or some aren’t going to want the more tame “vanilla” paranormals, and think vampires/incubi/werewhatevers are stupid. So I think there will be some overlap, but not for all readers.
Edie, I’m going to start a novella on my site in a few weeks. A chapter every couple of weeks. I think it’s a great way to showcase writing and everyone loves a free story! Podcasts are great too. A couple of other writers and I are going to put something together. We have a great idea in mind. But damn if it isn’t difficult to find the time!
Zoe, I said it 4 times and fumbled on the fifth.
It’s a good idea to separate the kinky from the tamer books. Either way, you’re likely to disappoint one or the other. I don’t know if the vampires/incubi/weres would matter. They would see that on the blurb and would know what they were getting into.
Karin, cool! You’re always thinking. That’s a great idea. Good luck with the podcasts. I get the time thing. The internet is probably my biggest time suck.
I LOVE that pic, Edie
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I write historical and fantasy, and for now, that’s enough for me, although I have a few mainstream with a twist stories circling around in my head from time to time.
I love the way you went with your heart with your current novella and it has ended so well for you.
Karin, I can’t wait to hear the podcast!
Michelle, your historical and fantasy books are so lovely. I want them to be published NOW.
The novella was such fun to write, especially since I was struggling with writing a mainstream book before then. I’d still like to use the premise, but the way I did it obviously wasn’t working for me.