On Specialization

[slyc_willie]

This is probably more appropriate concerning published writers, but even here on Lit, I wonder if there is any pressure, whether from readers or the writer's own mind, to specialize in a certain genre. Several writers do so already, and I've always wondered as to the exact reasons why. Is it because they have a strong fascination for a particular genre, or did they write one story and received such overwhelming response they felt compelled to continue in that vein?

I started wondering about this following a few comments I've received here and there about some of my stories both on Lit and published through eXcessica. One in particular expressed surprise that I could write some pretty detailed non-con stuff and also peddle out a romance (with the comment that my darker works make it hard for the reader to appreciate the romantic stories). As if writing one type precluded the ability to write another, I suppose.

Granted, I've more or less settled into a certain writing style, and many of my stories have a sort of dark morality to them now. But I don't plan on giving up the "feel-good" tales, either. I know that fans of one style may not like the other, so I'm not asking for advice on whether or not to write a certain way.

I'm just wondering if anyone out there feels some kind of obligation to write in certain genres or styles, and if so, why?

 

[sr71plt]

I recently was asked, in a Rainbows-Reviews interview on my erotica writing, why I didn't write more straight epics like Raven Possession (eXcessica) (serialized here as Wolf Creek). My answer was that my eXcessica Gay Male stuff sold the best--and especially the thematic GM anthologies--so there's less of an incentive to write more to the straight audience--which, anyway, I can sell in the mainstream if I tone the sex down.

However, I do try to mix it up. My menage works are selling well at eXcessica (but not particularly well here on Lit.), and my nonerotic stories do particularly well here. (I'm trying a nonerotic anthology through eXcessica for Christmas).

 

[DG Hear]

I usually write what I feel. It's Romance, erotic couples, loving wifes, among others. Every once in a while I break loose and write something a little more raunchy. I do tell the readers that it is different from my usual faire and that not every story is for everyone.

Before I used to do this, a lot of regulars asked me what happened to me and that they were going to stop reading my stories. So now I placate them by letting them know ahead of time. I still write for me.

Just understand that I'm not really a good writer. Just an old guy having a little fun. When it stops being fun, I'll stop.
DG

 

[slyc_willie]

I recently was asked, in a Rainbows-Reviews interview on my erotica writing, why I didn't write more straight epics like Raven Possession (eXcessica) (serialized here as Wolf Creek). My answer was that my eXcessica Gay Male stuff sold the best--and especially the thematic GM anthologies--so there's less of an incentive to write more to the straight audience--which, anyway, I can sell in the mainstream if I tone the sex down.

However, I do try to mix it up. My melange works are selling well at eXcessica (but not particularly well here on Lit.), and my nonerotic stories do particularly well here. (I'm trying a nonerotic anthology through eXcessica for Christmas).

So it's an issue of exposure for you (since you don't accept royalties through eXcessica). I can understand that; your gay male stories sell, so you publish more of them and thereby get more exposure.

But, have you had any direct criticism about such titles as Raven Possession? As in, "why did you branch out?" or, "I was expecting another gay male romance" etc.

 

[slyc_willie]

I usually write what I feel. It's Romance, erotic couples, loving wifes, among others. Every once in a while I break loose and write something a little more raunchy. I do tell the readers that it is different from my usual faire and that not every story is for everyone.

Before I used to do this, a lot of regulars asked me what happened to me and that they were going to stop reading my stories. So now I placate them by letting them know ahead of time. I still write for me.

Just understand that I'm not really a good writer. Just an old guy having a little fun. When it stops being fun, I'll stop.
DG

Amen.

A while back, I pulled a few of my raunchier incest stories from Lit. The main reason was that I didn't want to be associated with them anymore. Within days, I had quite a few emails asking what happened to them, and I'd lost about 20 people who had previously favorited me. Ah, well.

Like you said, I write what I feel.

 

[Darkniciad]

In a way I do, and in a way I don't. I started out with Fantasy, because that's what inspired me to write in the first place. When I started having ideas outside that, I created another pen name to house them. So far, that one isn't pinned down into any genre.

My third pen name was supposed to be another escape, letting me toss out some ideas that only had half-formed plots, and were primarily steam-release stroke stories. That one has ended up dominated by one theme, though. The reason is simple enough. The feedback from those type of stories was always far and above what I got from anything else, and that motivates me to write more along those lines.

So, I'm sort of penned in on two pen names, but only by choice. Then I have Les to toss out anything that strikes my fancy.

 

[slyc_willie]

In a way I do, and in a way I don't. I started out with Fantasy, because that's what inspired me to write in the first place. When I started having ideas outside that, I created another pen name to house them. So far, that one isn't pinned down into any genre.

My third pen name was supposed to be another escape, letting me toss out some ideas that only had half-formed plots, and were primarily steam-release stroke stories. That one has ended up dominated by one theme, though. The reason is simple enough. The feedback from those type of stories was always far and above what I got from anything else, and that motivates me to write more along those lines.

So, I'm sort of penned in on two pen names, but only by choice. Then I have Les to toss out anything that strikes my fancy.

But why differentiate? Do you think you'd get backlash if "Darkniciad" started posting pure stroke?

 

[sr71plt]

So it's an issue of exposure for you (since you don't accept royalties through eXcessica). I can understand that; your gay male stories sell, so you publish more of them and thereby get more exposure.

But, have you had any direct criticism about such titles as Raven Possession? As in, "why did you branch out?" or, "I was expecting another gay male romance" etc.

On the issue of exposure--it's more an issue of competitiveness. I like for my work to be received well, so it's the relative placement in ratings I look for on the erotica rather than the money value--since I don' take back any of the money.

And on the criticism, no, strangely enough, I haven't received any criticism like that (yet). I started off writing across the board, though--including lesbian. One of my lesbian ones here has an E on it--and, strangely enough, none of my lesbian ones have garnered "you shouldn't be doing this" comments (again, yet).

I am wondering about my menage. My eXcessica Menage anthology hit best-seller at Allromance and is in eXcessica's top 25 still at Fictionwise, but I've been posting the inidividual stories from it here at Lit.--and they are all falling in the 3 rating zone. Practically nothing else of mine has fallen that low.

 

[Darkniciad]

But why differentiate? Do you think you'd get backlash if "Darkniciad" started posting pure stroke?

Not really, as a couple of the shorter tales aren't much more than that, and Danica is almost a series of stroke stories strung together with interludes.

Just seemed like the thing to do. If all my stories were under one name, I'd probably have a decent place in the favorites list, but I prefer it this way. Some of the fans cross over, but many don't even follow the links to discover that Les and Dark are one and the same. Very few even know about my third pen name.

Keeps down "why are you writing this when I want more of this story" complaints when I don't feel like writing on some subject/story and toss out another idea that's filling my head. *laugh*

 

[sr71plt]

I usually write what I feel. It's Romance, erotic couples, loving wifes, among others. Every once in a while I break loose and write something a little more raunchy. I do tell the readers that it is different from my usual faire and that not every story is for everyone.

With me, it's more "what can I write today that's radically different from what I wrote yesterday?" And even when putting together thematic anthology (I'm working a GM spy one now), each time I start forming a story--and I've now written one a day for two weeks--uppermost in my mind is "how can this one still be in the mold of the anthology but be different from the rest of the stories here?"

 

[slyc_willie]

On the issue of exposure--it's more an issue of competitiveness. I like for my work to be received well, so it's the relative placement in ratings I look for on the erotica rather than the money value--since I don' take back any of the money.

And on the criticism, no, strangely enough, I haven't received any criticism like that (yet). I started off writing across the board, though--including lesbian. One of my lesbian ones here has an E on it--and, strangely enough, none of my lesbian ones have garnered "you shouldn't be doing this" comments (again, yet).

I am wondering about my menage. My eXcessica Menage anthology hit best-seller at Allromance and is in eXcessica's top 25 still at Fictionwise, but I've been posting the inidividual stories from it here at Lit.--and they are all falling in the 3 rating zone. Practically nothing else of mine has fallen that low.

I'm not touching any comments about the voting here at Lit.

So, you mainly stick to gay erotica because it's received well?

 

[slyc_willie]

Keeps down "why are you writing this when I want more of this story" complaints when I don't feel like writing on some subject/story and toss out another idea that's filling my head. *laugh*

Good point. That's one of the reasons why I got rid of those particular Incest stories to begin with. Got tired of the "More! More! More!" when I clearly did not plan on continuing.

 

[slyc_willie]

. . . uppermost in my mind is "how can this one still be in the mold of the anthology but be different from the rest of the stories here?"

Strangely enough, regarding my submission for Selena's fairy tales anthology, I'm not worried about that.

 

[sr71plt]

Amen.

A while back, I pulled a few of my raunchier incest stories from Lit. The main reason was that I didn't want to be associated with them anymore. Within days, I had quite a few emails asking what happened to them, and I'd lost about 20 people who had previously favorited me. Ah, well.

Like you said, I write what I feel.

I'll second that on the raunchy ones. My raunchy ones are the best best-sellers. My literary ones pretty much languish. My current GM anthology from eXcessica is titled Rough Rides--and you can easily guess what those stories are about. It has zipped to #6 on the eXcessica best-seller list at Fictionwise in four days and is the #3 best-seller for all anthologies (all publishers) at Allromance at the moment.

I had Ms. Giggles pan my Hard Knocks U stroker novella as being "fine for those who want to read this stuff." It continues to be my all-time erotica best-seller. And probably on the strength of her "if you like that kind of stuff."

 

[sr71plt]

I'm not touching any comments about the voting here at Lit.

So, you mainly stick to gay erotica because it's received well?

In terms of writing erotica, I mainly stick to GM because I can write anything else and just tone it down a bit and sell it in the mainstream. Because of some of my other writing topics in the mainstream, I couldn't possibly publish GM there and not negatively affect the other writings.

 

[slyc_willie]

I had Ms. Giggles pan my Hard Knocks U stroker novella as being "fine for those who want to read this stuff." It continues to be my all-time erotica best-seller. And probably on the strength of her "if you like that kind of stuff."

For the same basic reasons, my Gingerbread (a modern Hansel & Gretel with a very dark theme and a central theme of incest) has become my personal best seller.

In terms of writing erotica, I mainly stick to GM because I can write anything else and just tone it down a bit and sell it in the mainstream. Because of some of my other writing topics in the mainstream, I couldn't possibly publish GM there and not negatively affect the other writings.

No, the market isn't all that ready yet for erotica/mainstream crossovers. Witness Piers Anthony's downward slide on eXcessica.

 

[jomar]

I've experimented with a variety of styles and categories for fun, but have to admit I have written two multiple chapter stories because the first story on the subject got a very positive response. I've got another along the same line knocking about in my head and will probably write it just to see if I can do it again.

 

[sr71plt]

No, the market isn't all that ready yet for erotica/mainstream crossovers. Witness Piers Anthony's downward slide on eXcessica.

Do you mean Piers Anthony's downward slide TO eXcessica? His eXcessica book is doing relatively well (if you don't take into account that he's a national best-selling author and is behind the works of several other authors at eXcessica. Of course, Selena is busy pushing us all off the best-seller list there. She has six out of the top ten eXcessica best-seller slots at Fictionwise today.)

 

[slyc_willie]

Do you mean Piers Anthony's downward slide TO eXcessica? His eXcessica book is doing relatively well (if you don't take into account that he's a national best-selling author and is behind the works of several other authors at eXcessica. Of course, Selena is busy pushing us all off the best-seller list there. She has six out of the top ten eXcessica best-seller slots at Fictionwise today.)

If his fans bought his eXcessica book simply because it was a Piers Anthony title, he'd be sitting at #1 on eXcessica. Probably. Selena's fan base is pretty big, after all.

 

[sr71plt]

If his fans bought his eXcessica book simply because it was a Piers Anthony title, he'd be sitting at #1 on eXcessica. Probably. Selena's fan base is pretty big, after all.

I don't think the folks shopping at eXcessica know Piers Anthony from Peter Pan--or at least that's my guess.

I suppose Selena won't mind you telling her she's a got a big base. If I told that, she being throwing flower vases at me.

 

[_Lynn_]

This is probably more appropriate concerning published writers, but even here on Lit, I wonder if there is any pressure, whether from readers or the writer's own mind, to specialize in a certain genre. Several writers do so already, and I've always wondered as to the exact reasons why. Is it because they have a strong fascination for a particular genre, or did they write one story and received such overwhelming response they felt compelled to continue in that vein?

I started wondering about this following a few comments I've received here and there about some of my stories both on Lit and published through eXcessica. One in particular expressed surprise that I could write some pretty detailed non-con stuff and also peddle out a romance (with the comment that my darker works make it hard for the reader to appreciate the romantic stories). As if writing one type precluded the ability to write another, I suppose.

Granted, I've more or less settled into a certain writing style, and many of my stories have a sort of dark morality to them now. But I don't plan on giving up the "feel-good" tales, either. I know that fans of one style may not like the other, so I'm not asking for advice on whether or not to write a certain way.

I'm just wondering if anyone out there feels some kind of obligation to write in certain genres or styles, and if so, why?

I started with stroke pieces here on Lit, which did well. Back then, I had no clue what I was doing. (and still learning all the time too) Once I wrote non-fiction/romance/non-erotic pieces, I felt more comfortable. Those categories are where I do best. Anything else I find has a 'forced' feel to it.

 

[slyc_willie]

I've experimented with a variety of styles and categories for fun, but have to admit I have written two multiple chapter stories because the first story on the subject got a very positive response. I've got another along the same line knocking about in my head and will probably write it just to see if I can do it again.

You also have a few crossovers/related stories with your Chase and Box characters. They pretty much stay in the same genre, though, right?

 

[slyc_willie]

I don't think the folks shopping at eXcessica know Piers Anthony from Peter Pan--or at least that's my guess.

You may be right. Or they may be thinking, "that's not THE Piers Anthony, right?" and gloss on to the next title.

I suppose Selena won't mind you telling her she's a got a big base. If I told that, she being throwing flower vases at me.

Maybe I should duck behind the AH Forum couch, then.

 

[slyc_willie]

I started with stroke pieces here on Lit, which did well. Back then, I had no clue what I was doing. (and still learning all the time too) Once I wrote non-fiction/romance/non-erotic pieces, I felt more comfortable. Those categories are where I do best. Anything else I find has a 'forced' feel to it.

Yeah, your style has definitely changed in the last two and a half years.

 

[_Lynn_]

Yeah, your style has definitely changed in the last two and a half years.

In many ways, and I hope all for the better.