I’m usually the type of girl who hates change, but when it comes to writing, I can’t make up my mind. I’m a genre hopper. I know that’s bad, but I can’t help it. I started writing women’s fiction and then popped over to suspense thinking that was my home. I’ve had some great responses on both from my beta readers and a few writing contests, but I’m hesitant to pursue either project. I don’t want to be tied to one genre, especially when I have a hankering to try sci-fi/fantasy--darn you, Captain Kirk.
My husband loves Star Trek (Original Series) and I’ve been making fun of him for years. I’ve watched the newer stuff with Patrick Stewart, but never with old school Kirk and Spock. I think my husband must’ve tied me down or something because one day, I started watching and couldn’t get enough.
I love the shows. They are creative, romantic, suspenseful, and laugh-out-loud hilarious. My kids love them too. It is the one show we all watch together without grumbles or complaints. But now, I have a problem. I have two books sitting around collecting dust with a third ready to do the same because I’m told to find a genre and stick to it.
That’s not fun. I like to challenge myself, see if I have the writing chops to actually pull off something out of my realm--if I have a realm.
I get the reason why I’m supposed to stay monogamous, build a brand yada yada yada, but what if I choose incorrectly?
So how do I know, how do I settle on just one?
Someone told me to pick the genre I read the most. Great advice, but I don’t just read one genre. I’m an impatient reader with a short attention span. I will stick to any book as long as the writer hooks me right away.
So what’s a writer to do who hasn’t found her niche? Lately, I’ve been experimenting with writing exercises with random photos, writing the first thing that comes to mind. I have a few photo challenges on my blog, each in a different genre. And still, I want to try more.
Shoot some advice to a genre-hopping writer. Help me find my home. Was it easy for you find your genre and stick with it?
