This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
This question is pertinent to me with the release of my latest novel, “The Mystery at Love’s Manor.” Mysteries have entertained me for as long as I can remember, but this release will be my first foray into the genre.
Conventional wisdom is that writers should stick with one genre throughout their careers to build readership. They should find the genre they love and run with it. From a purely financial point of view, I can see the attraction of this route. Score one for “staying in your lane.”
But what if you have more than one love as a reader or author? Must we remain monogamous in our literary choices? I have always been an eclectic reader, from the backs of cereal boxes to the occasional high-brow classic (points for that to my many literature teachers over the years). As writers, we are told to write what we know, but I believe we should write what we love. I would find it very limiting to stick with one narrow genre. This round goes to writing in the genre where your story takes you.
Of course, we must consider our craft. Some say that sticking with one genre hones our writing, defines the tropes for our genre, and develops proper pacing for the effect we are trying to achieve. If you have laser-focused your writing and found the only genre that draws you in and puts a smile on your face, I’d say that’s the route for you.
By contrast, if your reading and writing leave you turning the page for the next clue in a who-done-it, anxiously awaiting when the two friends become lovers, hoping your hero will survive the apocalypse, or on pins and needles as your starship enters an unknown galaxy, join the club. What better way to expand your horizons to become the best writer you can be?
“Nana, you are home. This is your room. See? There’s the window you love looking out of.”
“I do love my window, and they don’t like me seeing everything that I see, but it’s still not my room. It just looks like my room. Somebody’s trying to trick me, Sarah. There are all these people outside day and night. This isn’t my home.”
“We did have a lot of company today, Nana.”
“At least I don’t hear all the voices at night like I used to. Maybe the ghosts are too old to be wandering about.”
“I didn’t know you believed in ghosts, Nana.”
“Well, I talk to my husband Frank all the time, don’t I? And there’s an old woman too, old as me. Sometimes I hear Maya scrambling around. Do you remember her, Sarah?”
“I sure do. I talk to her sometimes in my dreams.”
Nana turned in her chair and clutched my arm until it hurt. She stared at me with a disturbing intensity.
“You saw something, didn’t you…that day?”
“When Nana?”
“When what? Did I tell you about the potatoes? We had a good crop this year. We won’t go hungry this winter.”
Maria came in with coffee for Nana then, and I said my goodbyes.
When he isn't writing, Dave enjoys time with his family, kayaking (flat water, please), fishing, hiking, archery, gardening, winemaking, and pursuing his other "creative passion"- woodcarving.
He'd love to hear your thoughts on his tales that he describes as occasionally twisted, but always honest and original!
Website: https://www.david-w-thompson.com
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Thank you so much for hosting THE MYSTERY AT LOVE MANOR today.
ReplyDeleteThe book sounds very interesting. Love the cover.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for sharing.
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