Topic: The Wisdom and or Experience of Trying a Whole New Genre
Thank you, Skye, for this month's topic.
I began my career writing nonfiction, short stories, and preschool games in magazines (Humpty Dumpty, Jr. Medical Detective, etc.). So, it was only natural to branch out into Y.A. historical fiction.
I assumed it would require extensive research, travel, and interviews.
The challenge was adding more. More descriptions, additional characters, multiple plot lines, plot twists, etc. In other words, a storyline that was not linear.
Historical documents, interviews with tribal storytellers, and interviews with those who attended Native American boarding schools.
This also required adapting my story to the reading levels of the Y.A. readership and their understanding of what I was explaining: the sensory details, the harshness of life, and the meals prepared. Was the information relatable to a child who watched television and had a microwave oven?
I was blessed with beautiful book reviews and student letters.
I was proud of the book and its recognition: awards for historical accuracy, "Teen Read Selection" in Public Libraries, the G.A.T.E. program, and speaking engagements in Southern California.
Will I attempt another Y.A. historical novel? Probably not.
This project was a five-year journey. The most discouraging part was the shrinking of the hardbound/paperback publishers. I signed a contract for a hardbound novel, but the editor pulled it when he learned the company was being sold. (I discovered later that he did me a huge favor).
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The next growing market was women's fiction. I selected Contemporary Romance.
Did I hesitate? No, I decided to dive in.
Setting?
I have all this Western research material. My father's people were Texans, and I enjoyed Bull Riding events. My hero was a cowboy. My heroine lived in Montana; her late father was a Bronc Rider.
My plot, characters, subplots, setting, etc. I'm at the keyboard after the kids are in bed, writing chapters one, two, and three.
I reread and reread the chapters.
Something needs to be fixed.
This was the kicker. I knew something was wrong but did not know precisely what it was.
Was the flow? Word choices? Pacing? Or was it the tone?
I was residing in "The-Land-of-in- Between." And I need an intervention!
Fortunately, I joined a critique with members of my local R.W.A. Chapter. We wrote in multiple genres (though I was the only one who started out in children's). We read each other's chapters, made suggestions, and brought revisions the following week.
I garnered a few rejections, made changes, and sent the story out again.
Then I received that "Phone Call" in February, and the book was released in July!
This book received multiple awards and excellent reviews.
Will I change genres again? I've branched out into Romantic Suspense, RomCom/Paranormal. At the moment, I'm writing several novellas, and I've begun another romance series. I may write a Cozy Mystery novel or a Western Gothic (only if I don't cause myself to experience nightmares!)
The emerging genres seem to be Worldbuilding, Horror, "Bad Mothers," Science Fiction, Western Gothic, Foodie Romance, and Fratito. However, this could change next month.
If you want to write in a new genre, look into it. Examine the market and see what is trending. If you are selling novels and have a following, you're good.
If you still want to change, consider a nome-de-plum. And see how it goes.
Good Luck & Happy Reading,
Connie
XOXO
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Connie Vines (you are here)
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