Today I'm talking about staying in your lane--aka writing in the same genre, sub-genre, whatever. Common knowledge is that you need to build your brand by sticking with one. Being known for one thing.
Yeah, or not.
I'm not arguing that might generate more of a tight following. If everything you write is of the same sub category, and similar, it can be easier for folks who love you to grab one of your books--aka an auto-buy.
But writing is more than just marketing. It is damn hard work and whether you are still pre-published or working on your 50th book, you need to love what you're doing or it will eat you alive.
I write Science Fiction/Fantasy. But within that I have a humorous fantasy series, a space opera trilogy, a steampunk series. I'm working on an alternative history elf crime novel, an epic fantasy, and others. I write what I love.
The trick is to realize that not all of your readers will follow. Just like not everyone likes the same books, not everyone loves all MY books. I do have folks who have read and loved them all. I have folks who loved the space opera and hated the fantasy. It can be scary when you know people aren't jumping to the next series.
But many do. And as a reader, I do too. If I want to write Gothic romances all of a sudden--I'm going to do it. Writing is hard, go where your heart is.
An aside, I get obsessed with different bands from time to time, and right now it's been Twenty-One Pilots. They have a song that made me think of staying in your lane. He's talking about music, but it's the same for writing ;).
They say, "stay in your lane, boy, lane, boy"
But we go where we want to
They think this thing is a highway, highway
But will they be alive tomorrow?
They think this thing is a highway
If it was our way, we'd have a tempo change every other time change
'Cause our mind's changed on what we think is good.
Do what feels right to YOU--switch lanes when the call comes. And Happy IWSG Day!
I agree with you 100% about writing across sub-genres. I know an author writing under a pen name with a small press that has done a great job building a very specific brand and not only sticks with erotic paranormal romance but so far, writes it all in the same fictional universe. However, that isn't for everyone. I've thought of trying something similar under a pen name, but most of my writing, I just go with what I am most invested in. As a kid, I could never color inside the lines. I can't write in the lines either.
ReplyDeleteLOL! I like that-- Writers who go outside the lines :). We have to do what speaks to us!
DeleteYes I've heard you should stick closely to one genre or if you want to branch out you needed different pen names. That sounds like more effort than I'd want to put in. I don't write 'to market' so to speak so I would be the one to write whatever idea came to me. The one thing that is consistent is that it falls somewhere in the contemporary romance area because that's what I am into. I don't think a person should box themselves in. If you want to branch out and tell other stories, go for it.
ReplyDeleteAgreed :)
DeleteProbably shouldn't bring up a big name author since they a rarer types of birds, but Stephen King writes horror, sci-fi/fantasy, and contemporary fiction. Carrie, The Dark Tower, and The Shawshank Redemption are all different genres. People follow him across genre types. Works for him, why not for others?
ReplyDeleteLOL- even when he started he stuck with one genre (under his own name ;)). But I think the "wisdom" is that it's easier it we stick with one--obviously, you and I don't work that way!
DeleteI'm with you there. I write speculative fiction which includes all kinds of sub-genres. I'm good with changing lanes. :-)
ReplyDeletehttps://emaginette.wordpress.com/2019/03/05/iwsg-58-villians-motivation/
Lane changers unite! :)
DeleteI do see the advantage of sticking to one genre – but I agree that we must love what we write if we hope others will love it and that could involve a change of direction.
ReplyDeleteVery true, if we don't love what we're writing, how can we expect others to love reading it?
DeleteHi, Marie! Like you, I'm all for writing from the heart. I write about what I love, whatever the genre. Same with reading. All the best to you and your writing in the coming month!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Have an awesome writing month as well :).
DeleteMy first two novels are both fantasy, but two-thirds of my current WIPs are not. They're poetry and contemporary romance. I want to write what I'm inspired to write. I hope the readers will come along for the ride, but we'll find out, I guess.
ReplyDeleteVery true and you will probably find new readers as well!
DeleteI agree! Branding is probably a great idea, and I know many wonderful authors who stick to the same area. But I don't think it's for me either. The stories come as they come. I don't want to fight that just because 'I should' or it's more marketable.
ReplyDeleteIndeed! :)
DeleteReaders really can tell when a writer has checked out from what their writing.
ReplyDeleteIf everything you do stays in one tight little sub-genre, I think it's hard for both the writer and the reader. We need some variation or we'll go crazy. Your brand is Faeries, Dragons, and Spaceships, so anything you do along those lines is within your brand. Will all your readers read all your different sub-genres? Probably not, but that's okay, since you bring in new readers. And who's to say their reading preferences won't expand with time. Keep writing what you love.
ReplyDeleteHEH- ya caught me ;) (with the faeries, dragons, and spaceships). Yup. I knew I had varying interests so kept the brand wide. And it's always cool to pick up new readers, even if they only like one series :).
DeleteGreat post, Maria. I started out in science fiction romance and, I think, built up a following. My sisters don't like sci-fi. I had a romantic suspense that wasn't pubbed yet and thought why not. They loved it. So I alternated between sfr and rom suspense. Then I got the wild idea of writing a cozy mystery series. I loved it, friends and family love it. So I threw that into the mix. I have grandkids who want to read my books, so now I'm publishing a Middle Grade sci-fi adventure. I still have ideas for more sfr and rom suspense plus another cozy. Lately, another MG started swirling in my mind. I just can't stay in one lane. LOL
ReplyDeleteAt least with your switch up you are staying basically with Spec Fiction. I like writing fantasy, and women's fiction. Talk about worlds apart, lol.
ReplyDeleteAn author does need to write what feels right to them. I think its good for craft growth. A lot of the big name authors right now - Stephen King, Dean Koonts, James Patterson, Neil Gaiman - cross multiple genre's. Of course not everyone likes every book, but they know a good author and story teller, and only need to wait for the next release to see its something they like.
I really like and appreciate your post.Thanks Again. Keep writing.
ReplyDelete