My friend Mary blogged about writer branding today, and it got me to thinking — just who am I as a writer? Most of my “success” has come in the field of romantic suspense. All of my Golden Heart finals have been in that subgenre. But as I look back at the manuscripts I’ve written, they break down like this:
1 historical (western, Oregon Trail)
5 plain ol’ romance (though when I look back, I can see suspense beginning to creep into some of them)
1 young adult
1 chick lit
1 women’s fiction
5 romantic suspense
1 suspense (the one targeted at Bombshell)
I can see myself writing any of these types of stories, with the possible exception of historical. I love to read them, not sure if I want to write them. Of course, it probably doesn’t matter since historicals are in a slump anyway. But romantic suspense, straight suspense, YA and women’s fiction — I have multiple ideas for all of those subgenres, and I think being able to write more than one type of story would keep things fresh and interesting for me as a writer.
Well, I’m off to work on one type of story — revisions to my women’s fiction so I can send some chapters to my critique partners.
June 21st, 2005 at 10:29 am
Well, I’ve read your suspense and your RS and your women’s fiction. I think if you can (hey, Julie Kenner does it), write as much different stuff as you can.
Just for fun, I’ve written:
2 action adventures
4 RSs
and all the rest straight romance.
June 21st, 2005 at 11:17 am
Oh, I once made a list like this, taking stock of all my writings. It was fun! I realized that I’m pretty much versatile. Note I didn’t say I was a good writer though. *lol*
June 22nd, 2005 at 4:46 pm
Trish, I can’t wait to see your paranormal Bombshell!
JoAnn
Thus far I have written:
3 straight romances
1 paranormal romantic mystery
and endless starts on a lot of other things.
I have a long way to go, to catch up to the proficiency and skill of, say…Mary and Trish.
June 22nd, 2005 at 9:06 pm
I’ll bite:
>I’ve written a fantasy novel (ok most of one) with a smart assed hero
>A fantasy romance with a smart assed hero and sarcastic heroine (yes, they’re different)
>A paranormal romance with a sarcastic hero and a somewhat idiot heroine in which gnomes eat people
>A hick lit in which everyone is pretty much a smart ass
>Have begun a paranormal chick lit with a…yeah, smart assed and sarcastic heroine
I just don’t know. Gosh, it’s so confusing. Who ever could I be??
June 22nd, 2005 at 9:13 pm
Jody, I’m sensing a trend. Hahahahaha.