by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
Hi everyone! Today I’m over at writer Elysabeth Eldering’s blog. In my interview with her there, I talk about juggling several series, my typical writing day, and why I write mysteries, among other things. Hope you’ll pop by.
Today’s post will be a short one here, since I’m deep in edits for one book and writing another. I thought I’d pose a question to you that nearly stumped me at a recent event.
It was after a talk I’d given and one of the writers in attendance asked me, “So you’re only writing mysteries. Don’t you want to try writing other things? How do you keep getting creative satisfaction from writing one genre? How do you stay challenged?”
I know that I am currently satisfied writing mysteries. I’ve written eight books in the same genre and haven’t gotten bored with it a bit. But I’d never really thought about why. So it took me a while to answer his question…in fact, I had to tell him, “Hold on a second while I think about that.”
For me, these are the reasons I’m sticking with my genre and staying satisfied (for at least the foreseeable future):
I love reading mysteries. I’m a fan.
I’m writing more than one series. So each book focuses on a different setting and different characters with different personalities.
I love the characters I’m writing. I enjoy spending time with them in the made-up worlds I’ve created.
It’s a challenge to come up with different plots instead of recycling the same ones. That’s creativity in action.
With each book, I’m introducing new characters as suspects and victims.
I’m curious to hear from you. Do you focus on a single genre? A single series? How do you keep feeling creatively satisfied and challenged?
Elizabeth – Oh, that is a great question! I’m happy just writing mysteries, too. I think the big reason is that there is so much variety on mystery-writing. So many people can be murderers, suspects or victims. There aren’t that many believable motives for murder, but there are, for instance, many ways one could gain from a murder. There are many reasons to fear a person and thus want to commit murder. Well, you get what I mean. Besides, I want to keep writing mysteries so that I can concentrate on developing my skill at doing that for the moment.
I love reading and writing mystery. You write mystery well. I love writing all kinds of things, which makes me a master of nothing.
Gotta go to the Emerald City.
I think the fact that you love reading mysteries is an excellent reason to stay with that genre. And coming up with new characters and new plots within that genre can never get boring because it’s a big challenge.
I’m only on my second book and it’s fiction versus memoir, so I can’t speak to getting bored with a particular genre. But I know as a reader, I’m never bored with your books, Elizabeth. Each one stands on its own and holds my interest.
Karen
what I write might not be as narrow as cozy mysteries but all of my stories contain an element of mystery so I don’t see switching to romance or a completely different genre – more like a mashup with there always being a mystery.
I’m working on my seventh book and it’s the third different genre, so I guess I like to hop around.
I don’t think I could be content in a single genre, but as Laura said, everything I write has some element of mystery to it. My young adult stuff is really more suspense, as is some of my other adult. It is all the darker side. But my ideas don’t seem to fall into line to stick with just one genre.
Margot–You’re so right! There aren’t many motives, but so much we can do with the motives that we have. And there are so many different types of killers, too…innocuous-seeming ones, frightening ones, enigmatic ones. There’s always something different.
Laura–Interesting way of looking at it! I’m actually including a bit of romance in my latest series for the first time. So, from that perspective, maybe I’m trying something different after all.
Journaling Woman–No, I think it makes you very accomplished!
Barbara–I think it’s challenging, too. I guess if it stops being challenging, that’s when I’ll start exploring a little.
Diane–For sure, you do! And fiction as well as non-fiction.
Hart–I think you’re probably reading a wider variety of books than I am, too. That’s one of my goals–switch it up a bit.
Karen–Thanks so much for saying so! It’s always a concern of mine.
Right now I’m just trying to one genre right. I’ll worry about others later!
I’ve played around with several genres and age levels over the past couple of years trying to find where I’ll (hopefully) fit. I hope to write in one genre that will keep me excited for years. I agree – there’s still lots of opportunities for creativity within one genre :)
I doubt I’ll ever tire of mystery writing and reading. I worked on Lowcountry Bribe for 14 years, and never tired of it. Just released last month from Bell Bridge Books (had to get that plug in there). But I can understand how a genre can be all encompassing. Think about it. We can never read all the quality mystery on the shelves now. Also, crime never ceases, and there’s always a new way to depict it. I say stick to your genre, and enjoy feeling comfortable in its company.
Hope
C. Hope Clark
Editor, FundsforWriters, http://www.fundsforwriters.com
Writer’s Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers
-and-
Author, Lowcountry Bribe, a Carolina Slade Mystery
from Bell Bridge Books, Feb 2012
http://www.chopeclark.com
I write in two genres, horror and paranormal romance. I started off writing horror only, but there was a softer side of me that wanted to have happy endings, sometimes. In stepped paranormal romance in which I can fulfill my occasional hunger for happy ending. Writing in these two genres gives my psyche a balance; darker side and lighter side are satisfied.
I love Elizabeth’s blog because it has a variety of topics related to writing in general and to mystery in specific. I benefit from both.
Great post.
Hmm, right now I’m focused on the mystery genre (which has also been my favorite to read).
On being challenged in my writing: My goal is to always produce something better than the last, so the challenge never ends! :)
Nah, I can’t stick to anything! ;)
I’ve written plays – musicals and light comedies and dramas. I’ve now written one and a half mysteries (as well as the about two or three hundred I’ve written with my partners for our murder mystery weekend biz), two ‘literary’ novels and I’m working on a memoirish novel too. I wouldn’t get bored in one genre though – I think that is crazy. I talked to an old friend on the phone last night. We talked for about an hour and a half. We’ve known each other for 37 years. Are we bored? No, my dear, no. Boredom isn’t in the genre and you have lots left to say! Does anyone ask opera singers this question?
My mind and interest wander. So I’ve to write different things all the time. (BTW, like your Quilt or Innocence book cover)
The Spinster’s Vow
Alex–Good point! One thing at a time, right?
Jemi–Hope you’ll find the right fit!
Hope–Congratulations on your release! And I think being comfortable in a genre makes it fun (and easier) to write, for sure.
Su–Thanks! And I like your idea of balance with the two genres.
Tracy–Getting better is challenge enough!
Jan–That’s a brilliant way of looking at it! No, I bet singers probably don’t get it. :) There is definitely depth to explore in just one genre. And I frequently focus on *reading* just one genre, without being bored.
Enid–Thanks!