I’ve written 35 books. Many of them have been on the best-seller list. A number have won awards. And at least half are….romance. When I get to that last sentence, whatever literary cred I’ve earned with the first three statements seems to vanish. “You write Romance?” someone will ask, (as if they haven’t heard me) and sometimes add an accompanying look of…disdain? Disappointment? As if writing romance is somehow less highbrow than general fiction. I hate the assumption that general fiction is better written. Hogwash. Words are words, and the truth is, writing fabulous genre fiction is harder than general fiction. You have to stand out in a category with your words while delivering a plot that follows the genre constructs. General fiction can be wonderful…or it can be a […]
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Conversations: In defense of Genre
Ice crusted the parking lot as I slipped my way to the coffee shop. The warm spell we’d experienced over the weekend had turned frosty with the blizzard sweeping across middle America, turning the pavement to a black skating rink. I should have expected the cold, but the sudden spell of warmth caught me off guard and ignited my hope of spring. Worse, I now nursed a cold because winter hadn’t followed the rules. Which was exactly what I was going to talk to Sally about today – following genre rules as she writes her first novel. She waited at our table, beside a crackling fire, reading her Nook. “Hey,” she said as I slid into the seat. Blessed Kathy walked over with my mug of vanilla latte. “What are […]
Read the RestStill trying to pick a genre?
Maybe this will help: I asked the wise and brilliant Chip MacGregor (www.chipmacgregor.com) what genre was the hottest right now… ” The fastest growing category in publishing right now is YA, but that’s only because of TWILIGHT. Aside from that, romance is definitely the strongest category. Next fastest growing? Probably thrillers. What genre sold the most? In terms of numbers of books, it was romance.” and the illustrious and also wise Steve Laube (www.stevelaube.com) said, “If I were to be held down and forced into an answer I would have to say “romance.” That category, while always evergreen, continues to be the staple of the fiction industry.” (Thanks, guys, for your help!) so, there you go… Every voice counts! Online Surveys & Market Research
Read the RestHigh concept? Low concept? I’m so confused…
BookTherapyGal : Hey Rach! Are you as excited as I am about our new Blog-A-Book Project at MBT? heartlikemary : Yes, I love this idea. BookTherapyGal: I can’t wait to see what the MBT Voices help us come up with. But, we’ve been hearing all this talk lately about High concept and Low concept books. What do you think of when you hear those terms? heartlikemary : I think “oh brother, more marketing schmaltz.” haha BookTherapyGal: Good point! I mean a good book is a good book, right? But, maybe there are two types of good books. heartlikemary : yes, a good book is a good book. But high concept to me is a story with high stakes, ones that are easily explained. BookTherapyGal: High stakes…like global stakes? The takeover of […]
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