One exhilarating thing about writing is that there are so many choices for our story.
When I’m working on the Memphis Barbeque series, the plot possibilities are endless. There are dozens of possibilities for story direction, new characters, and character development.
What I do know when I start writing, is that the book will be set in Memphis. There will be at least one murder (and probably two.) Much of the story’s activity will be centered around a barbeque restaurant.
There will not be a lot of profanity, excessive gore, or over-the-top violence.
The lack of profanity, gore and violence is because I know my genre and my readers—and I respect them. I’m writing for a particular market…and readers who might not buy my next book if they’re disappointed by a radical departure from cozy norms. Check out these posts from Margot Kinberg (she explains that these subgenre categories help readers find the kinds of books they want) and Alan Orloff (writers should know their audience and the conventions that audience expects.)
The story’s setting, the murders, and the centering around a restaurant is due to the series’ branding and the expectations of my publisher. This is how we’re marketing the series—it’s set in Memphis, Tennessee which is a vibrant city known for its barbeque. The series is a culinary mystery series.
When I signed the contract for the series, I agreed to certain conditions. My publisher paid me an advance on the books that I hadn’t written yet, and in return I promised to produce something that they could market and put on the shelf—that fit the parameters of the genre.
I was on Twitter the other day and someone sent me a message. They were interested in my agent’s name because they had written something that “had never been done before.”
I know that many unpublished writers say that they want to write a book that is unique and really stands out from the crowd…or the slush pile.
Of course you should write the book you want to write. The one with the characters that talk to you all hours of the day and night, begging for more lines.
But, if you’re looking for publication, I don’t think you have to go wildly original. And you don’t have to push the boundaries or be really edgy to stand out.
In most genres, there’s an audience for what’s considered standbys for the genre. And what you see on the shelves in those genres represent, for the most part, what works. What people want to read, what they’re talking about and sharing with each other.
It’s great to have the breakout novel that defies definition. I think many of us have a book like that in us.
But I think there’s a lot to be said for following industry guidelines for a genre and delivering something that can easily be marketed and sold. The type of book that readers of that genre genuinely love to read.
What makes your book unique and not the same as every other fantasy or YA book or mystery out there? Your characters and your voice.
So, if it’s the edgy, breakout novel that resists labeling is the one that’s asking you to be written, definitely write it.
But don’t feel like that’s the novel you have to write. There’s plenty of room for the old standards. For the kinds of stories that people go back to. For comfortable reads. For what works.
I think it’s great to wow an agent or editor with your unique voice and your amazing characters. I don’t think you necessarily have to forge new territory with a radically different or edgy plot.
And maybe…once you’ve established yourself in the industry with with reliable sales, you can more easily find a home for something really unusual or unique or edgy.
I know there are folks who feel otherwise, though, like the man who contacted me on Twitter. What do you think? New territory? Old standards? Which do you see making its way through the slush pile easier?
Elizabeth – First, thanks so much for mentioning my post! You are so very right that each author has an individual style, voice and set of characters. That, in itself, can make an author distinct and unique. There is something to be said for doing something a bit unusual, but for instance in my genre, crime fiction, there are only so many believable motives for murder. It’s hard to invent an entirely new one. So instead, I think the most successful writers focus on characters, interesting settings, and so on. Things that they can really “play with.”
The wonderful thing is that the reader sees the voice of the writer in the writing whether it’s quirky or normal. Even the calmer writing of Stephen King shows the flavor of his style.
I’m one of those writers who writes what my heart urges me to write. If I were younger and trying to be successful in a career writing, I would probably do it differently. This post is so helpful to new writers, Elizabeth, because it shows that there are different ways of doing things and each of us can choose our own path.
Karen
Safe to say I went with a standard plot for my first book – space opera, young rebel, older mentor – but I really tried to make my characters and take on the story unique.
I think it’s important to write what means the most to you. What you are passionate about. If you try to force yourself into a mold or a trend then it won’t work.
I definitely agree with both sides of it. No matter what, great writing trumps all. It’s very true that people who like a genre should have a wide variety of novels that fit exactly into that style. There’s nothing wrong with that.
There are conventions and expectations, and right now, with this economy, I don’t think publishers are looking for too much that’s never been done before (or else why the plethora of vampire/paranormal books). Unless, of course, you’re a celebrity, and you can do whatever you want because people are buying the name, not the book.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I think it is SO MUCH easier to find publication with something that fits into these already set niches. My first book was hard to describe and is broadly family centered, suspenseful general fiction… no takers yet. (have shelved trying) I think YA likes EDGY (as does Thriller or suspense) but there are STILL parameters that need to be kept. I think people who have those ‘never been done’ ideas should go ahead, but expect to not be able to publish until they’ve publised some slightly more traditional stuff first and built a name (unless they go the contest route–then they might be able to do it)
Margot–It’s all been done before, hasn’t it? But we make it fresh with our unique perspective!
Teresa–It’s great when that voice just shines through!
Karen–You’re so right–so many different ways to approach life, and writing, too! I also think that writing just for yourself or for family or friends or a small press can be just as rewarding as aiming for a bigger market. And, in many ways, *more* satisfying.
Alex–That’s what made your book such a successful release!
Lisa–Absolutely. Or what you read…I’ve just always been such an avid mystery reader that it was easy to make the leap to writing one.
Elena–Very good point that it all boils down to the storytelling, in the end.
Hart–That’s my way of thinking, too, but then I guess I *would* think that, considering that was my route to publication…yours, too!
Readers have certain expectations depending on the genre and category they like to read, so sweet romance will never have graphic sex, cozy mystery will never have explicit violence or colorful language. A writer can do whatever she wants in terms of a fresh and out-of-the ordinary character and situation for a story, but is well-advised to stay within the parameters of the type of book she is writing.
JMHO.
I kind of feel that my so-called novel is becoming a little bit provocative, so it will hardly have any readers in the end … time will show >:)
Cold As Heaven
Cold as Heaven–Doesn’t matter! Write what you want to write. :) There may be a market for what you’re writing…or maybe you’ll not even be interested in submitting. I think that we shouldn’t just feel like we *have* to do something totally different. Some of us will want to, though, which is what makes the bookstore such an interesting place. :)
Excellent advice. Although I am encouraged by my book group to read a variety of excellent books, I still tend to return to the same type of novels I’ve enjoyed most of my life.
Terry–Vampire works right now, doesn’t it? The readers are there. Of course, the readers won’t *always* be there, but right now it’s not a bit risky to put out a vampire book. You’re right–the publishers are being super conservative right now.
Maryann–That’s exactly what I think. It’s one of those things that we need to watch if we’re submitting, but something that doesn’t have to be worried about if someone is writing to please themselves.
Nancy–Oh, my book club has me reading “Crank” right now. :) But I have an Elizabeth George book on my Kindle that I’m reading after that.
Thanks for sending me over to Margot’s blog. Great overview.
You are so right–edgy and original is NOT what’s selling now. People want something that feels safe.
But I think publishers are making a mistake with churning out the paranormals at the expense of the older forms–especially the big, fun “guilty pleasure” reads in the Judith Kranz/Valley of the Dolls tradition. They dropped those for the zombies and vampires, but my bookseller friends tell me paranormal does not sell any more–and never did to the women over 40 who buy most books. I think the publishers are missing the boat here. (No, I don’t write glizzy sagas, but I used to love to read them.)
Hi Elizabeth .. thanks for these thoughts – I’d hate to read regurgitated plots and ideas, and if we get hooked into a series it’s because we can recognise the ‘arena’ .. be it barbeque and Memphis .. or the Botswanan novels of McCall Smith & Madame Romatswe “The Number One Ladies’ Detective Agency”, or Georgette Heyer ..
Margot’s posts are brilliant and I love reading them ..
It’s that unique voice isn’t it .. we return to and enjoy reading .. thanks – Hilary
I am sure there is room for variation *within* the genre, but crime writers should be very cautious not to disappoint their readers. So if you really want to be innovative, it is probably much safer not to label your work ´crime fiction´.
As lovers of crime fiction know, there are only so many pieces to juggle with, so the trick is to use the same old pieces to create a picture that seems new (yet also recognizable) to the reader.
NB: thank you so much for taking your time to help my youngest with her paper.
Anne–I wonder if maybe there’s just a dearth of writers putting it out there? I’d be surprised if the market wasn’t there. I’m writing for a slightly older demographic than myself (and I’m not young), and I’ve been following with great interest the fact that middle aged women are completely powering the book industry right now. But, honestly, there may not be polished manuscripts that are ready to hit the presses. Just a thought. You should give it a go! I used to read them, too–not sure if I could write one.
Hilary–I think there’s such a thin line there between regurgitated and familiar. I think my post had a bit of a controversial feel to it, which I understand…there’s such a difference between the art of writing and writing commercial fiction. But there’s an art to commercial fiction, too–it has to do with world-building. Not the same kind that fantasy authors use, but the kind that results in a place readers want to hang out in. And author’s voice plays a tremendous role in the art of commercial fiction, too. Thanks for coming by!
Dorte–A disappointed crime fiction reader is going to find another author to read…that’s the way it is! You’re so right. That’s why I tread so carefully…so many other authors for readers to check out and I can’t afford to lose any.
And..you are very welcome! Happy to help out. :)
Shortly after I watched Avatar, I wrote a post called THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS. Because Avatar? It’s been done before. But it is still mind-blowingly amazing.
I think it’s important to find your voice. The market has already been established, but we can shake it up by having an original voice. If you’re targetting a particaular market or writing a series then you have to write in character. I’m not sure that I could do that, but that might be because I’m not a good enough writer yet.