Genre is important. For many reasons, it’s crucial for a writer to know the genre he or she is writing in and to know it well. In some cases, the devoted readers of a certain genre have defined expectations. For example, they may expect certain tropes and taboos to be observed (even if they’ve never thought about their expectations). After all, there are reasons readers prefer certain genres. And authors, editors, and agents think about genre all the time.
But recently a reader of this blog asked a genre question I’d never considered. Bill Bethel, commenting on my post about my favorite “writer movies,” said it made him wonder what qualities in a book might tempt readers away from their favorite genre.
Thanks, Bill. Now I wonder that too. I wasn’t sure what my answer would be, so I asked some of my wonderful friends (who also happen to be clients), “As a reader, what (if anything) about a book tempts you to read outside your favorite or usual genre?” Here’s what they said:
“Some of the most interesting people I know are curious. Promiscuously curious. Their many and varied inquiries span a broad range of topics and fields—which seldom limits their reading to one category or genre. These are the people that inspire me to read outside of my (normal) area of interest” (Kevin Brown, author of Designed for Good).
“If a trusted friend or colleague strongly recommends a particular book” (Andrea Jo Rodgers, author of At Heaven’s Edge).
“I’m intensely loyal to my favorite genres so it takes a full-on assault to make me read outside the lines. The most effective weapon? Enthusiastic reviews from like-minded friends” (Lori Hatcher, author of Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible).
“When a storyline resonated with an experience in my life or in the headlines” (Lori Stanley Roeleveld, co-author of Colorful Connections: 12 Questions about Race that Open Healthy Conversations).
“Something that challenged my thinking and helped me see something from another perspective” (Brenda Yoder, author of Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind).
“Author friends who write in different genres and recommendations from those I admire” (Crystal Storms, host of the Simplicity of Heart podcast).
“Outside my favorite genre of woodworking books and novels, I read books that help me learn a new task that I need to address or do something a little better. Those get my attention” (Austin Boyd, author of the Mars Hill Classified trilogy, Nobody’s Child, and H2O).
“What tempts me is the understanding that any well-written book outside my usual genre will introduce some fresh breezes into my stuffy writing style” (Rob Currie, author of Hunger Winter: A World War II Novel).
“I’ll pick up a brief book that’s way outside my usual subject matter. For example, Letters from an Astrophysicist by Neil deGrasse Tyson, or How to Tell a Joke by Cicero. I figure a hundred pages won’t cost me too much” (Lawrence W. Wilson, author of Promises & Prayers for Men).
“Characters! Interesting or unusual characters will prompt me to purchase a book outside my comfort zone” (Liz Shoaf, author of Texas Ranch Sabotage and Texas Ranch Refuge).
“I’m tempted by a library, Amazon, or Audible recommendation that piques my curiosity by offering a new take on something I have thought about in the past. Titles and subtitles carry a lot of power. The back of the book is the next place I’ll look before diving in” (Alan Ehler, author of How to Make Big Decisions Wisely).
“It usually takes the recommendation (AKA book-pushing), from a friend for me to read outside of my favorite genre” (Rebekah Millet, inspirational romance author).
“Book club gives me the chance to try new genres. We vote on a different genre for each month and then a book from that genre” (Leslie DeVooght, writing faith, love, and laughter at “In a Sea Shell” and Spark Flash Fiction).
“When my spouse won’t stop talking about it” (Rick Hamlin, author of Even Silence Is Praise).
“When the topic addresses an urgent or current event topic. They provide valuable insights into subjects of which I have limited knowledge” (Sharon Hoover, author of Mapping Church Missions).
What about you? What (if anything) about a book tempts you to read outside your favorite or usual genre? Let us all know in the comments.
Should I Enter the Contest?
War was my profession;
what I could give, it took,
and still informs selection
of most every book.
Venturing outside is hard,
for reality’s within
this home, this hell, this prison yard,
but if I could begin
again to chart a reading path,
I’d look for folks at play,
those for whom to write’s to laugh,
and read them every day
to keep a smile upon my face
no stainless grin could dare replace.
O Andrew I like to read whatever you say.
I was gone from here about 4 years.
I missed you.
Your style encouraged me to do write my way
and someone will like it.
I wanted you to know you are valuable.
Author recognition. 🙂
I’ve read widely since I was a kid, so it’s not that hard to get me to try something outside my go-to genres. As long as the story concept is interesting to me in some way, I’ll give most things a whack. There are also a select few authors (select few as in, two or three authors :p) whom I love and trust enough to follow absolutely anywhere, so if they cross genres, so will I. The only exception would be horror because my sensitive self just can’t handle that.
I had to read science fiction for a college class, and realized I liked it (at least a little). That taught me there ARE interesting reads outside my preference.
Bob, thanks for the answers.
Thank you for your inspiration and fun.
Eclectic tastes run in our family, and we often read favorite sentences/paragraphs aloud. If that fails to entice others to read our new find, we are not above gifting it to each other:)
I might read outside my genre for any of the reasons you mentioned in your post, but one thing that has made me consistently get out of my reading comfort zone has been a book club. It started with Oprah’s book club. I read books that I never would have chosen myself, and I thought that all of them, except one, were worth my time and attention. Next, I joined a Jane Austen group. It’s never a bad idea to read the classics. Here in Rochester we have a community read every year, and I often participate in that. I’m not in a book club now, but I read some of the titles from my sister-in-law’s group. So now I’ll delve into a new book, but not until I’ve finished my latest mystery novel.
I’m tempted to read in other genres when my curiosity is aroused, and the book blurb or cover catches my interest.
When trusted in-person or online friends highly recommend a book, that influences me to check it out.
So do sales. I follow a site that shares Christian books on sale for the Kindle app, and I might try something for a dollar or two that I wouldn’t otherwise.
I’ll also follow an author I like when he or she crosses genres. That’s why I don’t like the advice some give that authors should write under another name if they write outside their usual genre. That name recognition is the very thing that draws me.
Oh, I can’t resist.
I went inflamed to genres crossed
with author friend, quite quick and hard,
and none could say who would have lost
when she cried, “En garde!”,
and thus devolved the slashing steel,
my RomCom ‘gainst Dystopia,
and her bluntness made me reel
against her cornucopia
(yes, lifted from The Hunger Games),
but I recovered, parried wit
and called her many snarky names,
but that mattered not a bit
as with a coup de grace and smile,
she said, “We are both out of style.”
Friends and family who can’t stop talking about a book. This most often happens when my 3 teenage sons insist that I need to read something and I get curious about why they loved the book so much. Also, someone who can’t resist reading a quote from a book out loud will get me to try the story.
I agree with the other comments, especially the strong recommendation by friends as well as titles. The only thing I can add is I’m very attracted to books that offer strong, clean humor! I find very few well written books with humor. Humor is certainly important to lift our spirits, and it also keeps us healthy. A good laugh reduces stress and can reduce blood pressure.
I agree with this comment about humor. When you meet someone new and wind up laughing together, it feels more like coming home. I think the same can be said about laughing with characters over a new genre.
I will read outside my usual comfort zone if I know the name of the author and am willing to give it a go.
Recommendations. Interesting covers or intriguing blurbs. Meeting the author. Knowing an author I like liked the book. I also try to browse my local Christian bookstore once a year looking for a new author to try. It keeps things fresh and interesting to try new things. Oddly though, I’m more reluctant if it was a favourite author of mine that jumped genres. I will probably give their new stuff a go, but I’m nervous not excited when my favourite authors cross genres.
I LIKE to try different genres. (Except horror and erotica.) If it’s a local author, I like to support them. Honestly, if it’s free, like through Amazon Prime and the reviews are positive, I’ll try it.
I was just at a writer’s group and a new author read part of a short story she’s submitting to an online magazine that wants stories about the “Undead”. She blew me away by writing about someone who falls in love with an angel. (Fallen angel, that is!) It was about how seductive the enemy’s traps can be. Now I want to read the whole story…