Writing multiple genres can get complicated, not because of differences in voice and style, but because of thematic and literary ones. Moreover, as an eclectic gal, I’m often tempted to blur the lines a little more than I should: politically charged speculative tidbits find their way into my romantic sci-fi; my satire is rarely humorous; and I’ve been known to throw in a splash of erotica into my dystopia and horror.
So why not just pick a genre and stick with it? Sounds simple, right? It would be simple—if I had just one reason for writing—but the fact of the matter is my reasons for writing are varied and many. Among the most important are:
Reason #1: Not to abuse Maugham’s famous quote, but I write because I must. The words started piling up in my head when I was eight or nine. At that time, I found myself no longer content just reading what others wrote, but compelled to record the stories I began to experience in my own mind’s eye. I found that the stories would begin to haunt me if I did not “release” them in a timely manner.
Reason #2: I want to bring entertainment and joy to others. I get giddy when I learn that a reader has enjoyed one of my stories. It is one of my greatest delights.
Reason #3: I want to change the world. Yeah, that’s about a cliché as it gets, but it’s actually the strongest driving factor behind my writing. As a speculative fiction writer, I have at my fingertips the potential to touch people in ways I might not be able to otherwise. I can write about alternate worlds with governments similar to ours, about worldwide wars over aliens’ religious differences, or about worlds destroyed by human-like greed. Saying something, making a point, is important to me in my writing.
As a result, I have novels and short stories that range from literary to erotic science fiction romance and horror. My two most recent releases, Myths of Gods and “Super Nova” exemplify this.
Myths of Gods is a dramatic sci-fi satire that spans from the Big Bang to present day, speculating God’s thoughts on the various beliefs, conflicts, and holy wars that have existed since the dawn of humankind. A prologue and epilogue, each subtitled “The Beginning,” frame the story, which in itself is a fictitious account of an infant, fallible deity that stumbles upon creation and then struggles to make sense of it all.
“Super Nova,” on the other hand, is a spicy sci-fi short included in an anthology titled Three’s a Charm, edited by Lori Perkins. While I secretly tucked in commentary on sexual tolerance, using a hermaphrodite alien species to represent bisexuality, make no mistake that “Super Nova” is a work of erotic romance—meant to entertain, amuse, and arouse.
I often write two or three stories at a time, much like some avid readers will read multiple books at a time. For me, it’s a good way to work around writer’s block, as a shift in genres helps me to let go of whatever over-thinking might be holding me back in any given story. It works well for me; however, I have found the need to use different pen names—purely to delineate my “adult” works from my “literary” ones. I am 100% transparent about my use of them, hiding from no one that Lisa Lane and Leigh M. Lane are one in the same. I’m proud to be eclectic.
So, my question for all of you readers today is this: What are your expectations when it comes to authors and genre? Do you appreciate consistency, or do you like a little variety in your favorite authors’ works? Leave your thoughts for a chance to win an electronic copy of one of my published books. Leave a particularly insightful comment, and I might just send you a signed paperback (sorry, continental U.S. only, due to shipping costs).
Thanks for stopping by! I look forward to chatting with you.
Lisa (Leigh M.) Lane
For more information on my writing, stop by my website: http://www.cerebralwriter.com For more about my erotica, go to http://newsensuality.blogspot.com
I will follow a writer I love into any genre. But that's not really a challenge for me. I read across genres, anyway. I also write across genres which, as you probably already know, can be a bit of a challenge when it comes to marketing yourself. Not every horror reader is going to want to read romance and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'm usually writing in a few different genres simultaneously. We have a lot in common!
Best of luck, Lisa/Leigh Lane.
Thanks again for having me here, Gary!
ReplyDeleteDiane, I'm the same way; I'll follow an author across genres if I like his/her style. Anne Rice and Stephen King are great examples of talented authors who write numerous genres. Then of course there's Asimov, Wells, and all of my favorite "pulp" writers who showcased their talent across the literary map.
While not all readers agree, I think being eclectic in one's writing is a good thing.
My work's full of different 'genres'. Sure, it makes it hard to put the book on the right shelf in the bookstore but let's face it, those divisions are artificial, anyway. Life is full of 'genres. So, ladies, that makes 3 of us, I guess.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I'm not as alone as I thought. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the invite Gary :)
ReplyDeleteNew Follower
www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com
Great food for thought!
ReplyDeleteI'm always, always open to a mix of genres as long as the stories don't bore me. I think the separation between genres has been in large part an artificial one wrought by the limitations of the print distribution system. I believe ebooks are helping authors break those restricting genre labels and can't wait to see what they come up with next!