House
Not sure why I took that quote, but it might ring true. Honestly, ‘change of pace’ ended up being pics of a band and porn. ‘Change of style’ was all fashion and porn. Let’s face it, people. Every topic gets porn if you have Safe Search off, but that’s a topic for another day like Wednesday.
Crossing Bedlam is a deviation from the stuff I normally write. Magic and monsters have been replaced by cars, guns, explosives, gangs, and real world locations. Google Earth was my friend on this one, which isn’t a tool I’ve had to pull out for a Legends of Windemere book. It’s a change of landscape and familiarity for all involved, which brings up the question of it will work. How often do authors successfully change to another genre and avoid angering their fan base?
First, I will admit that I retained as much of my style as I could. Humor and action remain along with my present tense third person ways. These things couldn’t be shaken off, but it wasn’t like I tried. I wasn’t trying to be a different author here. Just the same author in a new story and setting. Will this be enough to keep those who follow me entertained while attracting more? Maybe my two series will help each other even though there are fundamental differences.
The biggest difference between ‘Bedlam’ and ‘Windemere’ is that the former is definitely Rated-R. I’ll get more into this on Wednesday and Friday, but ‘Bedlam’ would be Rated-R while ‘Windemere’ would fall into PG or PG-13. There’s a lot more cursing, the violence is more cold-blooded, and sex is much more clear here. Yet, I still haven’t reached a point where I can write a sex scene or mention the actual naughty bits. The closest I come is if someone uses the words for an insult. Either way, I had to take on a different mentality with this story and become less self-conscious about my word usage. Something about allowing a character to swear like a New Yorker stuck in traffic on a hot day is oddly freeing. Hopefully I don’t go too far.
The differences really require that we touch on them in their own posts. Yet I feel like I should acknowledge that I’m going to publish a book that runs on a different track than what I normally do. I attempted it before in a genre I had no connection to and that failed miserably. This is action, wild characters, and humor. Anybody who has read my previous books know those are part of my wheelhouse. So maybe having a comfort zone as the core of this new adventure will work to my advantage. Still, one has to wonder about that previous question. Many authors have switched genres and been crucified for it. Then again, they were famous and had a locked in reputation. I’m an indie author and I think most people are happy I can string a comprehensible sentence together. Other people swear that I can’t.
So, let’s open the floor. What do you think about authors who try another genre? Any examples of success that you can think of?
Legends of Windemere 
Elmore Leonard was successful with both westerns and crime novels. Anne Rice has erotica and paranormal. I think J.K. Rowling is fairly successful with her crime novels even though her name propelled her to fame there.
Poeple who like Leonard’s crime novels often don’t care for his westerns and vice-versa. I know some people who loved RC&R didn’t find NA acceptable. Their opinions were based on preconceived notions of my work, but there is a whole audience out there who have no preconceived notions. Go for it. Who knows? It may turn out to be another forte.
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It is interesting how people will like an author in one genre and not in another. It all depends on personal taste and original exposure. Rowling is a good example because you rarely hear about her non-Harry Potter stories. Other things are out there, but the majority of her fans are only interested in the thing that made her famous. I wonder if this is an issue with more modern authors. You get known for a specific series instead of the genre or style. I mean, we think ‘Harry Potter’ when we hear Rowling, but we think of a greater variety of works when we hear Stephen King.
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Anne Rice was writing erotica long many years before her vampire series came out, but it was the vampire series that made her famous. I believe it depends on the ability to reach the right audience at the right time. Unfortunately, that’s not predictable.
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Interesting. I always thought Interview with a Vampire was her first novel and the erotica came later. Didn’t realize it was the other way around.
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She was publishing under a pseudonym, but already had a huge following. It was long after her Vampire series became so popular that she “came out of the closet” with her pen names and erotica. Of course, they surged in popularity after that happened.
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Makes sense. Think I’ve heard of other authors doing that.
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I think it is an exciting prospect to see an author stretch himself and bring to another genre what could turn out to be refreshing points of view. A fan base that is really a fan base should welcome a new place to visit. If not then the old spot is still there. I think you are doing the right thing but hey I’m a fan no matter what.
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Thanks. Good point on an author bringing a new POV to a genre that is outside of their original work. I mentioned to Susan that one issue could be that some fans are fans of the original work instead of the author as a whole. That might be a factor that we forget about.
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True and they will stick with the original work and all stories like the original.
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That’s probably why a lot of people want authors to establish a fan-base before going for an agent or traditional publisher.
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Could well be.
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J. K. Rowling is now writing adult mysteries. I haven’t read any of them yet, Robin McKinley writes all kinds of books as does Shannon Hale (who also writes graphic novels too).
Terry Pratchett wrote for different ages–picture books, adult fantasy novels, young adults novels, middle grade books.
I think John Grisham has tried to break away from the legal thriller. But his audience seems to want to keep him there.
Guillermo del Toro writes screenplays and novels. Joss Whedon writes graphic novels, screenplays, etc.
I agree with John. If an author has the willingness to try a different genre or audience, go for it.
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Stephen King has a varied repertoire too. Guess there’s a pretty big tradition of genre jumping. Maybe it’s even a milestone for an author.
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I think it is fine for an author to try out another genre as long as it is made obvious to the reader that they are doing so.
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That does seem to be the trick. Especially if both genres take place on Earth. Guess fantasy authors branching out have it a little easier.
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Well, you can probably guess how I feel. I try to write what I would want to read. My reading is diverse, and so is my writing. I try to keep it speculative, but refuse to be fenced in too tight. I’ll probably never get famous, or rich. Then again, I probably wouldn’t if I stuck strictly to science fiction either (as an example.) Now I’m struggling with a murder idea that has no speculative basis at all. Maybe it can be part of the next Macabre Macaroni.
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You definitely have a wide variety of projects and ideas. I’m trying to think of any big name author that can match you, but I’m coming up blank. This issue might be more for a series author or from the older days where it seems you tried to build an audience in one area.
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Can you imagine how many pen names I’d need, along with the corresponding blogs and other social media.
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I do know an author who operates like that actually. Though, why wouldn’t you use one name for everything? Keep in mind that I’m not really sure what the modern use of a pen name is. Too easy to discern the real identity.
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I have too many other things to worry about. If some want to hold it against me, that’s okay. Unless and until this project becomes a major source of income my happiness is important.
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Honestly, I think happiness should be important for writing at any level. Income is an added bonus to the sense of fulfillment and fun. 🙂
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Genre? Not sure I’m qualified to answer that as I/we write across so many blurry borders 🙂
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So they’re like amalgamations of genres?
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Nice post. Crucifying writers for crossing genres isn’t a problem if one ot the big boys is doing it. It should be accepted as part of our natural transformation as authors. The ability to move outside out comfort zone should be admired.
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It is odd that the crucifying happens in the first place. Though I assume it’s done by a small, fringe group.
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Yeah. That is the world we live in. Good post.
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Thanks. Sad, but true there.
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I don’t have a problem with authors that write outside of their own genre. If they’re able to do so, then all the more power to them.
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Ability is definitely a factor. 🙂 Seriously, I’ve tried genres that I don’t think I had any business being in, so that is a big thing to consider.
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Reblogged this on POTL: All Things Books, Reading and Publishing and commented:
Authors and Readers, what do you think of authors changing genres? Charles makes some very interesting points here.
My view is there’s nothing wrong with it. Authors need a change of pace and so do readers. 🙂
MRS N
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Thanks for the reblog.
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You’re welcome. 🙂
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One of the most famous authors I know of is Nora Roberts. She writes romance and mystery/suspense brilliantly. As an author myself, I write in a variety of blurry genres but I think there’s always a paranormal element. I like trying new things and that is also true for my writing. Great post, Charles!
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I wonder if every author has a little something that carries over even in a different genre. For me, it’s humor and action.
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I bet so. I can’t be the only one out there.
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Nothing wrong with writers changing genres as long as they continue to do the most important thing: Tell a good story!
Stephen King is the author who comes to mind regarding writing in a new genre. Honestly, his Dark Tower series is an epic, and while it has horror elements in it, it mixes the standard tropes of of so many different genres it really seems unfair to label it one or another.
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I remember reading that Dark Tower was a tough write for him. I’ll have to look for that info again.
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I’m with Sue. I write across genres, but then again, there’s always an underpinning romance in there, so it can be argued they are all the same genre and it’s the subgenre I play with! I found it easy enough to switch between suspense and fantasy, but I found it extremely challenging to work in first person. The Fifth Watcher almost didn’t get published because I struggled with it, I really did. Now I want to try it again, just to challenge myself, but I have a few more project to juggle first (no avoidance here!) 😀
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Romance tends to get around. A very popular secondary genre that seeps into all others. Style changes are definitely a different realm than genre swaps. I can jump from fantasy to whatever ‘Crossing Bedlam’ is with more ease than my present tense style to a past tense one.
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Yep, tenses are a tricky business! I guess we all have our comfort zone, and that’s a good thing – it’s what our readers expect.
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You do have to be comfortable and confident when writing. 🙂
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I think an author can do so quite well. My most prominent example is Stephen King. He is known for the horror genre, but has released the first two novels in his detective/mystery series, Mr. Mercedes and Finders Keepers. Of course, like me, his voracious readers follow him everywhere, but he has done a good job. A not so wonderful example is John Grisham’s move into the YA market with his Theodore Boone novels and Harlan Coben with his Mickey Bolitar novels. They write teenage characters that are full of 70’s and 80’s references and are not very convincing in this genre.
I recently released a terrorism thriller novel after releasing three detective novels.While the results were positive, I found a different demographic responding to this new genre. Mostly a female to male shift. The good thing about being an independent author is that one can switch genres and not really affect their credibility significantly due to the number of niche markets that exist.
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King has definitely played the genre field. Dark Tower is still considered an amazing fantasy series. Kind of shows how not everyone can do it or at least some people need to do more research. Probably a reason I never heard about Grisham’s YA attempt. 🙂
Indie authors definitely have a lot more freedom when it comes to taking risks. We can react quicker to criticisms too. Interesting about that shift in demographic. So is it that women like mystery thrillers while men like more action-based ones?
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That is correct. My demographic for my detective novels is women in their 50’s to 70’s…which is fine. They have plenty of free time to read and that’s my demographic anyway…except for the woman part 🙂
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I have noticed that more women read mysteries/detective stories than men. Wonder why that is.
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As long as the author does it with love for it, and for the adventure (as opposed cause the author heard erotica is most sold bla bla and wants to give it a go and make more moniz! – again this is a personal choice of mine, and even then an author might succeed in writing a decent book.)
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Oh yeah. I’ve met many who see the bandwagon and leap on without a second thought. It’s either erotica or zombies that they go for.
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If an author excels in a particular genre fans tend to expect more of the same from the autho. JK Rowling did superbly in YA fantasy with the Harry Potter series then she went to adult which is not as successful. I read two of her adult novels, nothing as good or memorable as Harry Potter.
I started out writing strictly children’s PS-Grade 3. I then branched out to an adult mystery/thriller novel, next middle-grade mystery/detective/magic series, a new novel, paranormal/romance/mystery coming out soon, and plan to publish a YA fantasy series later this year or next. I am all over the place with genres and loving every minute of it! I think that crossing genres helps open up my creative processes. I find I never feel like I am in a rut or getting stale or bored with what I am doing. I hope my readers will be happy with my choices of genres too.
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Maybe the bar got set too high for her. Was there a change of style with her adult novels?
Definitely have a lot of genres and demographics under your belt. Very impressive. 🙂
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I think it’s great that you’re doing this, Charles. J. K. Rowling did it, but she used a pen name to do it in order to protect her Harry Potter property. I think authors, though, should be like actors–have the ability to write about anything regardless of how sane or crazy the writing is. Look at Leonardo Di Caprio. Some of his early stuff would make your stomach cringe. I’m thinking Basketball Diaries. Yet, he’s gone on to make some of the most incredible movies out there all because he didn’t limit himself. I think authors should do the same–talk about anything and write about anything.
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Great example with Di Caprio. He’s shown a lot of range over the years even though he’s been mostly dramas recently. I just remembered how Rowling’s book was doing okay until it was revealed to be her. Then it skyrocketed. Wonder what the lesson is from that.
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I guess the lesson is make a name that everyone recognizes. The other example of this is Nora Roberts who writes romances under that name and J.D. Robb who writes sci-fi. Both are one in the same. Not sure if that helps. 🙂
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Interesting. The fun of pen names. 🙂
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Brandon Sanderson is best known for fantasy, but he’s written fairly successful superhero books too. And Orson Scott Card is best known for sci-fi, but he’s written Harry Potter-esque fantasy too, at one point.
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I’ve found that fantasy does help with jumps to superheroes and sci-fi. I think they’re similar in the amount of world building and bending of reality. One of my favorite authors is Fred Saberhagen who did fantasy, vampires, and sci-fi. So I think it helps to get a little overlap in some way.
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