by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Today I’m posting another entry in my series ‘making life easier as a writer.’ With today’s post, I want to add a proviso: this advice is only if you do really want to make life easier. If you aren’t writing commercial fiction or if you’re really wanting to pursue a one-off book, that’s definitely what you should do.
Genre: Especially if you’re just starting out (but even if you’re a veteran writer), it’s easiest to write a story that fits perfectly into a particular genre…especially a genre that you’re very well-read in and acquainted with.
For one thing, these stories have certain parameters and reader expectations. Those help you keep your story on track. For example, with cozy mysteries, readers are expecting an amateur sleuth, quirky recurring characters, and a lack of blood, gore, and profanity. Following a genre’s conventions can help you plan and execute your story.
But that’s not all it does. Each genre has its super-fans who read as many new books as possible each month. So, in many ways, you have a built-in audience, too (provided you’ve also paid attention to book design, a strong story, and good editing).
Sometimes I’ll hear new writers say that their story has ‘something for everyone.’ That can be code for ‘I haven’t targeted an audience.’ I recently watched a series on Netflix that did have something for everyone. But the lack of focus meant that the reviews complained about the screenwriters not knowing what kind of show it was: was it a family drama? A historical piece on social turmoil? On politics in the 1700s? Social change? In the attempt to fit it all in, the show didn’t satisfy anyone.
Series: One reason writing in series makes a writer’s life easier because usually everything after book one has already been established. You’ve already created the setting and readers are familiar with it. You’ve already developed the main characters and the huge amount of work that goes along with that is mainly finished. The groundwork has been laid and you can focus on other aspects of your story.
Another reason that writing series is easier is because it can be easier for readers to find your books online if you have more ‘real estate’ on the retail sites. Plus, once you’ve hooked readers on book one, you’ll be able to funnel them into the other stories. After all, readers have also made an investment in your stories, time-wise, and it makes sense for them to continue in the same story world they’ve gotten used to.
Do you write series or standalones? Or, as a reader, do you have a favorite genre? Do you enjoy reading series?
Tips for Easier Writing and Promo: Know Your Genre and Write in Series: Share on XPhoto on Visual Hunt;
Nothing appeals to all people.
I’ve done a series and a stand-alone. The series does have its advantages with the built-in audience of fans of book one.
I’ve done one standalone, too. It’s years in and is starting to get traction, but only because it’s on Wattpad. And I get emails from readers asking for it to become a series, ha! So, I guess, no escaping series even when I’m looking for something different.
This is all good advice, Elizabeth, as ever. I think it is really important, especially starting out, to have a clear sense of the genre you’re aiming for. And read in that genre – a lot – so you have a good sense of its tropes, ‘rules,’ and so on. That helps the writer focus, I think.
Reading is so important! And it really does help us to nail genre.
Great tips. Especially when you’re starting out, it’s a good idea to write in a genre that is known and to follow the rules. I could see how a long-term series, like a mystery series, would be easier with a setting and the main characters established too.
Thanks, Natalie! Writing in series can really shorten the writing time for commercial fiction stories.
As a reader, I’ve always loved series so I think that was/is my natural inclination. I’m working on a romance series set in the fictional town of Bloo Moose, Vermont :)
I get submissions often that the writer says the book is for everyone and that’s a big red flag that it’s not.
I’m with you–it’s exactly the type of statement that makes me wince. I know my books have a very narrow audience. In fact, the narrower I make the appeal, the better the books seem to do because they’re in a niche.
I’ve written standalones and series. I like both forms, but it’s definitely easier not to have to create a new world with each book. As to sliding perfectly into a genre, I so wish I could do that. It seems to be beyond my grasp. One of the categories Amazon uses for my books is “Mystery Romance.”
I think there’s actually a pretty strong market for romantic mysteries…I know Heather Webber’s books always do well. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6681523-truly-madly