Crossing Genres?

Allie · Dec 5, 2006

So I have this idea for a "lighthearted mystery". Or perhaps it could be called a "Comedy Mystery".

I dislike the genra system to begin with and I can't seem to pin any of my ideas into one genra. They seem to meander between them, like my three year old in a public restroom.

So for saleablity, good idea? Bad idea? Maybe I should go write Math textbooks. Then I'd be forced into a topic.

Willowmound · Dec 5, 2006

Write something good! Scr*w genre.

J.S Greer · Dec 5, 2006

Genre is not the issue. You could call it comedy or mystery, and both would be true.

Write it first, then worry about what classification you want to give it later.

PeeDee · Dec 5, 2006

I don't think I've ever read or written a piece of genra fiction in my life. Nasty stuff.

Nakhlasmoke · Dec 5, 2006

Go ahead and write it. One element will be stronger than the others, and that's what it will be marketed as.

mooncars · Dec 5, 2006

Tell the story. I've classified mine as a mystery, although it isn't what one thinks of when they hear the word.

Still puzzled after all these years,
Rick

farfromfearless · Dec 5, 2006

Don't tie yourself with that ball and chain (it was for me at least). Best advice I was ever given: just write.

Sean D. Schaffer · Dec 5, 2006

I agree with most everyone here. Just write the work, then worry later on about what genre it should be in.

Interesting to note, though, there are a number of different cross-genre works out there. I've heard of things such as Paranormal Romance and Science-Fantasy; a Mystery/Humor piece should not be all that hard of a sell, IMO.

Still, the best thing to do right now, is just write what you want to write, and later on figure out what genre it should belong to.

Linda Adams · Dec 6, 2006

Allie said:
So I have this idea for a "lighthearted mystery". Or perhaps it could be called a "Comedy Mystery".

These kinds of books are already available in the mystery genre. Just look for writers like Janet Evonovich.

JimmyB27 · Dec 6, 2006

PeeDee said:
I don't think I've ever read or written a piece of genra fiction in my life. Nasty stuff.

Do you know what no-one likes?

A smartarse, that's what no-one likes.

:tongue

JimmyB27 · Dec 6, 2006

J.S Greer said:
Genre is not the issue. You could call it comedy or mystery, and both would be true.

Write it first, then worry about what classification you want to give it later.

This is my take, too. You write a book, then fit it to a genre. You don't pick a genre then try to write a book to fit it.

Willowmound · Dec 6, 2006

JimmyB27 said:
Do you know what no-one likes?

A smartarse, that's what no-one likes.

Hey, I like smartarses. They spice up the day.

J.S Greer · Dec 6, 2006

Willowmound said:
Hey, I like smartarses. They spice up the day.

I have to agree, and not just because I am one myself :tongue

FloVoyager · Dec 7, 2006

Write first. Put your heart and soul into it and believe in what you're doing. Do your best writing, and pigeonhole it later, at query time.

UrsusMinor · Dec 7, 2006

Publishers hate that, except when they don't

Publishers generally dislike the sound of 'cross-genre,' because it seems like a synonym for 'marketing nightmare' (or, to use the publishing cliche, it sounds as if "it falls between two stools").

So, don't use the term. Use a standard genre term and apply adjectives as needed. Donald Westlake has written dozen of hilarious crime and caper novels--no marketing problems there.

Write the damn book. Then figure out how to pitch it. Pitch to the completed manuscript, don't write to the imagined pitch.

Nickie · Dec 7, 2006

I can only but agree. Write what you want to write, and figure out later what kind of genre it is. I do the same! I write historicals, but they are also adventure stories, have suspense, romance... They don't really fit into one genre, but people like to read them!

Nickie

zenofeller · Dec 7, 2006

Willowmound said:
Write something good! Scr*w genre.

ditto. except it should read screw genre.

Willowmound · Dec 7, 2006

Or fuck it even, if that's how we want to do it.

PeeDee · Dec 7, 2006

Language.........son.

(this man scares me, whoever he is)

Willowmound · Dec 7, 2006

Kentuk · Dec 7, 2006

One of the most striking signs of the decay of art is the intermixing of different genres.

* Propylaea (1798)

J.S Greer · Dec 7, 2006

PeeDee said:
Language.........son.

(this man scares me, whoever he is)

Thats Gore Vidal, and he is intimidating!

PeeDee · Dec 7, 2006

You are wiser than I. I just picked a good picture. Browsing his books, I don't think I've read anything by him, nor do I see much that I want to pick up. Ah well.

zenofeller · Dec 8, 2006

JimmyB27 said:
Do you know what no-one likes?
A smartarse, that's what no-one likes.

right. by comparison, an idiot everyone loves, mostly because they're so easy to get along with.

therefore, if you try to become what people like, guess what you're most likely to end up ?

genre fiction is and remains this unreadable pulp created by accountants to simplify marketing, they aren't books, they're comics with more words.

Sean D. Schaffer · Dec 8, 2006

zenofeller said:
genre fiction is and remains this unreadable pulp created by accountants to simplify marketing, they aren't books, they're comics with more words.

All in your opinion, of course...

Crossing Genres?

Lightly salted

Feel the power!

Where's my tea, please...?

yes

Soldier, Storyteller

Hoopy frood

Hoopy frood

Lightly salted

Feel the power!

Will write for chocolate

Not too old to learn

Lightly salted

Where's my tea, please...?

Lightly salted

I want to write what I want to write

Feel the power!

Where's my tea, please...?