On Specialization

[slyc_willie]

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

Well, you know there's only one qualified opinion on that.

 

[_Lynn_]

Well, you know there's only one qualified opinion on that.

I have an opinion, but I'm not sure how qualified I am.

 

[jomar]

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

Good memory!

Originally those two were in erotic couplings. But I co-opted them for a TMA story, which was in science fiction, of course (and was basically non-erotic).

 

[oggbashan]

...

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

The few fans I have want me to write more for their particular fetish.

I prefer to try something new. I'm trying to get away from fetish into a less specialised genres.

The only writing I have been paid for has been technical non-fiction manuals and guides (except for 100 Australian dollars for Breathless Stargazing ).

Og

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

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 do good impersonations of Bullwinkle Moose, Mickey Mouse, Uncle Remus, and harelips, so these are the impersonations I do. I have a talent for parody, horror stories, snuff stories, and mythological sex stories (I wrote a story about Maui and a Centaur yesterday). I think you have to discover your range and your limits.

 

[Boota]

Especially on the write for pay trail there is an element that only wants authors to write in a specific genre. I spoke with an agent about possibly representing me and he was very clear that he wants authors who can turn out books in the same genre. My thing is that I don't want to do that. I have lots of different things I want to do. Different genres, different styles, different markets. Not very business savvy, I know, but for me it's not about that.

 

[sr71plt]

Especially on the write for pay trail there is an element that only wants authors to write in a specific genre. I spoke with an agent about possibly representing me and he was very clear that he wants authors who can turn out books in the same genre. My thing is that I don't want to do that. I have lots of different things I want to do. Different genres, different styles, different markets. Not very business savvy, I know, but for me it's not about that.

Use different agents. And/or, as I (and others) do, different names.

 

[slyc_willie]

Especially on the write for pay trail there is an element that only wants authors to write in a specific genre. I spoke with an agent about possibly representing me and he was very clear that he wants authors who can turn out books in the same genre. My thing is that I don't want to do that. I have lots of different things I want to do. Different genres, different styles, different markets. Not very business savvy, I know, but for me it's not about that.

Use different agents. And/or, as I (and others) do, different names.

I've been thinking about that, too. Considering I have several books for sale under my pen name, and I also want to publish mainstream with Fido, I'm torn between using the same pen name for all books, or picking a new one for Fido.