Do I Have to Focus?

JANE007 · Jan 28, 2009

I am on my 4th book now and they are ALL totally different:

#1 - CRAVE: Edgy YA Novel about addiction
#2 - Telly the Telly Head - Childrens picture re: watching too much TV
#3 - Dirty Fingernails - Flash Fiction Compilation
#4 - The Apartment - Fiction novel about a people watcher

Is this bad? I also write a ton of poetry (and perform at slam poetry events)... I don't want to pigeon hold myself into only writing one genre...

Do you cross genres? What is your experience with doing this? Am I going to make publishers nervous?

Thanks for your help,
Selina J

L.C. Blackwell · Jan 28, 2009

Hi, Selina!

I'm going to give you a link to a recent post by agent Nathan Bransford in which he refers to the challenges of crossing genres. (And if you haven't met Nathan yet, don't be surprised if you get addicted to his blog like so many of us.)

http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2009/01/questions-answered-kind-of.html

In general, genre crossing is not encouraged for the writer just trying to make a name for himself or herself, since so much depends on building name recognition with a particular audience. That doesn't mean that it can't be done, just that it may involve additional complications. And also, you'll have to demonstrate that you can write brilliantly in more than one direction; otherwise, you'll be advised to stick with your strengths.

NeuroFizz · Jan 29, 2009

It appears that you finish what you start, which is critical. Have you submitted any of these for representation or publication? Sometimes the direction we go with our writing is determined by what is most marketable. I agree with the "go with what you do best" but that could mean you (as an individual) just go with your best ideas regardless of genre. The advice form agents like Nathan is good, but realize they are looking at it strictly from the marketing side. You may have to fit yourself into that alley eventually, but until then, follow your creativity and see what sells, or sells best.

James81 · Jan 29, 2009

I have the same problem.

I just finished a YA sort of cheesey novel. I have a WIP about half finished that is sort of Sci-Fi/darker toned. And just yesterday I started a new WIP that is Thriller/Comedy. lol

I would agree, though, that you should get in a genre until you get a name built for yourself. Makes sense to me.

Kathleen42 · Jan 29, 2009

JANE007 said:
Do you cross genres? What is your experience with doing this? Am I going to make publishers nervous?

If you're unpublished, I can't see how it would make publishers (or, possibly more appropriately, agents) nervous. If you get an agent based on a particular book, then they may urge you to settle down a bit.

At present, I've written a flash fiction compilation and am currently working on a YA urban fantasy with a few other ideas kicking around in my head for both chick lit and urban fantasy (of the Charles De Lint and Neil Gaiman variety).

Since I'm only shopping one completed ms at a time and I haven't published anything yet, I don't see that there is an issue. I am however, a bit conscious about it when selecting agents to query as I'd like one who has expressed an interest (or at least willingness) to handle at least two of the genres I'm interested in.

Danthia · Jan 29, 2009

Write what makes you happy while you're learning and working on your craft. Once you get published, then you can determine the direction of your writing career. It's a hard enough business without putting undue stress on yourself at this stage of the game

After all, a genre you haven't tried yet might be the perfect fit for you and the one that launches your career.

Claudia Gray · Jan 29, 2009

I agree with Danthia. While you're starting out, try on every genre and style you can. When the time comes to publish, you'll need to focus more.

tehuti88 · Jan 29, 2009

I write primarily fantasy serials, but I also write occult/suspense/psychological novels, and an adult/anthro/erotica serial, and various shorter items as well. I used to write nature poetry until I realized I suck.

I think it's fine to genre hop (and format hop...whatever you'd call switching between things like novels and poetry), as long as you're comfortable with the writing in question and can actually finish things. (Some people can't, and you'll see this talked about on these boards whenever people mention shuffling projects.) You HAVE to focus, yes, to get something done. It's just that some people are good at focusing on different things at different times.

I have no clue how publishers would react to such things since publication isn't a goal of mine.

scarletpeaches · Jan 29, 2009

If you finish what you start and meet your deadlines, there's nothing to stop you genre-hopping under a pseudonym. Plenty of authors do it when they write too fast for their publishing house.

JANE007 · Jan 29, 2009

Thanks for your responses and advice. Greatly appreciated. Right now I see my Flash Fiction as being my strongest and most marketable, so maybe I should focus on publishing that one for now. Go one at a time.

Kathleen42 · Jan 29, 2009

JANE007 said:
Thanks for your responses and advice. Greatly appreciated. Right now I see my Flash Fiction as being my strongest and most marketable, so maybe I should focus on publishing that one for now. Go one at a time.

Just as a heads up, if you're trying to get it published as a collection you may have a hard time interesting agents (if you are interested in representation). At least, that's been my experience.

Kathleen42 · Jan 29, 2009

Kathleen42 said:
Just as a heads up, if you're trying to get it published as a collection you may have a hard time interesting agents (if you are interested in representation). At least, that's been my experience.

Oh that sounded terribly negative. It actually wasn't meant to be: for the record, I wouldn't trade having written by own collection for any of the more commercial ideas rattling around in my brain.

JANE007 · Jan 29, 2009

Kathleen42 said:
Oh that sounded terribly negative. It actually wasn't meant to be: for the record, I wouldn't trade having written by own collection for any of the more commercial ideas rattling around in my brain.

LOL!! No it didn't. Do you think I should split them up and sell them separately? If I did that, would I still be able to include those stories in the collection when I find someone to publish the entire book?

Kathleen42 · Jan 29, 2009

JANE007 said:
If I did that, would I still be able to include those stories in the collection when I find someone to publish the entire book?

Possibly not as then you get into "first-rights" issues. You might be able to get it more advice on that over on the short story or flash forums.

I'm not, mind you, saying it's impossible to get an agent, just that it might be difficult (though, in my case, I suppose it might help if I queried more; I started the query process but am now just sort of sitting on my ms as I stew things over).

I recently got one very nice personal rejection from an agent who said that the main problem was that she wouldn't be able to interest one of the big houses in it because I was unknown/unpublished. She thought I would have better luck approaching small presses.

Cassiopeia · Jan 29, 2009

I have cross genre projects. I don't think we are limited to just one genre. However,
I think it is important to learn all you can about one genre at a time and practice it at length. Skipping around doesn't necessarily hone your skills.

Do I Have to Focus?

JANE007

I'm Part Of The Problem

L.C. Blackwell

Keeper of Fort Blanket

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

James81

Great Scott Member

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

Danthia

Claudia Gray

tehuti88

Mackinac Island Fanatic

scarletpeaches

JANE007

I'm Part Of The Problem

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

JANE007

I'm Part Of The Problem

Kathleen42

crushing on fictional characters

Cassiopeia

Otherwise Occupied