Know Your Genre and Write in Series
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?
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