Skip to main content

Life isn't one genre; why should our books be limited to one?

Image
By

Did you know that The Help and Clan of the Cave Bear were turned down because of genre? 

 Yes...because some exec somewhere didn't know how to market them. It required someone with vision. Someone who would sell a book based on its content with a great book blurb instead of worrying if it was in the top genre market or by an established author.

 Don't get me wrong, I understand that if the writing is all over the place, it won't sell. But what's wrong with a little genre bending?

 From my first book, I ran into trouble with agents and publishers who couldn't decide whether to classify my book as a romance or a mystery. It wasn't either; it was both. I know there are readers out there who only want mystery or just pages filled with swooning; but since I've always enjoyed a little of everything, I assumed there were readers who also enjoyed a mix. After all, isn't variety the spice of life?
Life isn't one genre; why should our books be limited to one?



My life starts out every day as a family comedy. I think most parents struggling with getting kids out of bed and off to school can attest to that. Then, as I start my day, I'd say my life is a daily drama of bills, work, medical issues, family and friends, and a mystery of what my future holds. Our lives are a constant suspense of what will happen in the next hour, tomorrow, weeks, and years. By nightfall, my hope is that my life will transform into a romance... I'll leave it at that. :)

 So, yes, I genre hop just a tad. I fill my books with a mixture of romance, mystery, suspense, and sometimes, I even add a touch of paranormal into the mix. I do, however, always give you a description above every book that prepares you before you download, so you should never be taken by surprise. Well, other than 'whodunit' or 'what the heck's going on?' anyway. 

 As always, happy reading and writing!

 Carmen

Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my musings. Remember, these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer.  If you’re curious about what I write, please visit one of my author pages, where you can read all about my novels and short stories. And hey, I’ll even give you a free book just for stopping by.

If it isn’t available free in your area, use…


Image credit: leeser / 123RF Stock Photo
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

To prologue or not to prologue, that is the question. Readers, please weigh in!

By
Personally, I love prologues. They get you right into the action whether it was in the past or something exciting that is to come. But that’s exactly why most agents’ blogs I’ve read say not to use them. Paraphrasing…“If you need a prologue, then your story must not be strong enough…” Hmm … well, I like them, and I use them. But I’m curious what readers think, and I’d love you to weigh in. AND, if you have some great examples, please leave the title in the comment section. Now … here’s what I’ve noticed. Plenty of bestselling books have used them, even though they aren’t always called prologues . Same diff in my opinion. My biggest example is ‘Twilight’. If that little blurb wasn’t in the beginning, I don’t think I would have made it through the first chapter. How about movies? I don’t watch a lot. But I’ve started to notice how many have “prologues”. I also don’t have cable, but I have NetFlix, and hubby has just started watching ‘Breaking Bad’. Okay … I...
47 comments
Read more

"I’ll show you things that will take your breath away" Excerpt from LAND OF THE NOONDAY SUN

By
When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land of the Noonday Sun . Excerpt: As soon as he set her on the ground, she heard the waterfall. She gazed at the pounding waters as they fell over the rock and hit the stream below. “Wow, this is … so beautiful and so close, right off the road, near our house … amazing. He smiled. “This is nothing, Cassie, hardly anyone even comes here. I’ll show you some waterfalls and trails over the next few weeks that will take your breath away.” Cassandra couldn’t contain her smile or the feelings rushing through her veins. He wanted to show her his state. It was beautiful she realized, and the thought of discovering it with him made it even more exciting. She was certain he was correct about taking her breath away, but she was also sure it wouldn’t ju st be the wa terfalls. Land of the Noonday Sun is Book Three of t...
16 comments
Read more

First look at Creatus Animus...

By
Warning!!! Spoiler Alert!!! This is an excerpt from Creatus Animus , the fourth book (fifth if you count the prequel) in the ongoing Creatus series. Although each book can stand on its own, you will learn secrets that will spoil the mystery and suspense for you if you read out of order. If you haven't already read the Creatus series, find the entire series on Amazon.com . For the rest of you, welcome to the first peek of Creatus Animus . I hope you enjoy. Carmen If we allow enmity in our hearts, war is inevitable... For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Now, one rogue faction plans to retaliate by ridding the world of humankind. Only one division of creatus, with the strength and numbers to fight the sinister sect, stands between humanity and a new world order. What they discover, however, might prove the truth about the creatus myths, and why humans started hunting them so man...
28 comments
Read more