Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Writer Wednesday: Following Ideas Regardless of Age Level or Genre


Lately, I've noticed more than a few writers switching genres and/or age groups. I've written across both for years, but I've noticed a definite trend in the books I've been drafting over the past year. They're all adult.

My first love was middle grade because I taught middle school. Then I had my daughter and was reading picture books, so I turned to writing those. I never set out to write young adult, but I got an idea one day that suited a young adult novel better than middle grade, so I ran with it. The one thing I swore I'd never write was adult. ;) We all know how that went.

I guess part of growing (both as a person and a writer) is recognizing the stories that you need to tell. I know changing genres and age groups affects readership, but I firmly believe you can't force a story. If I were to continue writing MG because readers wanted it, the writing wouldn't be as good because it's not where my heart is at the moment. That's not to say I'll never write another MG. All of this has proven we can't predict what ideas will come and when.

So, to those of you who are scared of following that new idea because it's out of your comfort genre or age level, I say go for it. Why not try it and see what happens? At the very worst, you can chalk it up to writing for experience, which is never a bad thing.

*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.

23 comments:

  1. I never thought I would be thinking of writing MG or Picture books but I've been doing so recently. I get what you are saying Kelly. I even have an erotic novel for my adult pseudonym that I'm working on! So different from the YA book plans I talk about on my blog. Hell I'm even entering NA territory in 2018. So trust me, I get when you go from one genre (YA) to a whole bunch and it seems like a blink of an eye.

    Question: What is the best way to create an author's website? How can you do it yourself or affordably without it looking cheap and do expensive looking sites really sell books?

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    1. Yes, you definitely do get it then! :)

      I have your question marked for next Wednesday.

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  2. Hi Kelly!

    I'm always reading authors who switch genres yet I read all their books. So I think its a common ground for authors to wonder about this.

    I look forward to reading your answer to Sheena-Kay Graham's question. I just set up a new website.

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    1. That's great that you read all their books! I wish more readers were like you. ;)

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  3. Great post, Kelly. I have ideas for more than one age group and more than one genre too. Just have to write them now. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. I agree, Kelly. Write the story that's dying to get out. Some of the writing advice out there is to switch up point of view character and see what angle is best for the story. The same with genre. Sometimes if you imagine a story in different genres and age groups, the story might spark a unique path.

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    1. That's very true! When I started writing my first YA, I had no idea it was YA. I thought I was writing upper middle grade. The story let me know differently, and when I switched mindsets about it, the book really came to life.

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  5. Very true, Kelly. Each stage of our lives brings new perspective. Why not write about it?

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  6. I too swore I'd never write adult. Looks at Ghost Touch. I also swore I'd never write a sex. Looks askance at adult WIP. Maybe I should swear I'll never write a blockbuster!

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    1. LOL That's how I feel too. Every time I say, "I'll never..." I wind up doing exactly that.

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  7. Nothing is worse than writing what you don't feel. Well...actually there are alot of worse things, but you know what I mean! =)

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  8. The one age category I don't see writing is YA. If my story is for adults, (because of the issues and concerns) I hope I have the gumption and drive to write it. So far I've only "grown" ;) to age fourteen, technically "upper MG"

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  9. I often get great ideas that don't fit into any genre. Usually when I'm watching Twilight Zone or reading Stephen King's short stories!

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    1. Oh, but surely those do fit a genre. It's just not one you write. ;)

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  10. Yes, go all out for each story, including the genre they truly belong to.

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  11. I'm surprised that more and more I am delving into more romantic authorship than my adventures. However, I am opened to trying new genres out as an author that I have a passion for at the time.

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