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The Steve Laube Agency

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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Genre

Genre

What Makes Readers Cross Genres?

By Bob Hostetleron September 22, 2022
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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.

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Category: Craft, Genre

Writing in Multiple Genres, Okay? Not Okay?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 17, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ In a recent Q & A, Steve Laube talked about how writers will pitch different projects to him in the same meeting:  a novel, a nonfiction, a devotional, etc.  He said that writers need to decide “what they want to be when they grow up.”  I’d like some clarity on why writing in different genres is discouraged.  As ideas come to …

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Category: Agents, Genre, Pitching, Platform, Your Questions Answered Series

Should You Write Short Stories First?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 20, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ What are your thoughts on writing some short stories before you jump into your first novel? I don’t recommend writing short stories before jumping into your first novel IF your goal is to be a novelist. Writing where you don’t want your success to be is akin to the dieter craving a chocolate candy bar but eating a container of yogurt instead. I’ve …

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Category: Branding, Career, Craft, Creativity, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

What’s in a Name?

By Bob Hostetleron July 22, 2020
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Years ago I was reading a book by Louis L’Amour, a favorite author of mine. I don’t remember which book it was (I haven’t yet read them all, but I’ve read many of them), but I do recall being confused throughout. Why? I’m so glad you asked. Because three of the main characters had similar names, names that all started with the letter T. Something like, Taggart, Taylor, and Trevayne. I was …

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Category: Craft, Creativity, Genre, Writing Craft

How Do I Pick the Right Genre for My Book?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 16, 2020
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The “Your Questions Answered” Series __________ I’d love to learn more about the system behind categorizing books, specifically fiction. I want to write a book that fits well in a category and make sure a book I’ve already written fits into a definite category, but I feel like I’m missing a lot of specifics. Also, I’ve learned from this blog that it’s important to …

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Category: Book Proposals, Book Review, Genre, Your Questions Answered Series

Saving the World, One Romance at a Time

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon February 27, 2020
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Often I will receive submissions of novels tying in an element of mystery and suspense with romance. Writers targeting the romantic suspense market will find difficulty in placing this type of story. Why? Because romantic suspense readers have certain expectations that won't be met with a mere element of mystery and intrigue.

In my experience trying to sell and market romantic suspense, I have …

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Category: Genre, Get Published, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Tamela, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Pitching, Proposals, Tamela, Trends

To Romance or Not to Romance

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 14, 2019
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According to St. Teresa of Avila’s biography, the battle over romance novels has been going on at least since the 1500s:

Teresa's father was rigidly honest and pious, but he may have carried his strictness to extremes. Teresa's mother loved romance novels but because her husband objected to these fanciful books, she hid the books from him. This put Teresa in the middle -- especially since she …

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Category: Genre, Romance, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Ideas, Romance, Tamela, Trends, Writing Craft

Romance Writing: Is Your Couple Compatible?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon July 11, 2019
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Recently, my husband and I watched an old movie focusing on a romance. The couple devoted their time to fighting with each other over issues, both major and minor. The heroine complained to her friends about the love affair. My husband and I agreed that this couple was not compatible. They had no business marrying. But! Sigh! He was veddy, veddy rich. She married up! So surely all will be well! …

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Category: Book Proposals, Genre, Writing Craft

The Quest for Originality

By Steve Laubeon January 14, 2019
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Are you tired of being told by a publisher “We simply don’t do books like that”? or “Yours is certainly out of the box, but is not what we are looking for at this time”? What’s the Deal with Boxes? In general all books are sold under a category. Be it a fiction genre (historical, suspense, romance) or a topical non-fiction category (marriage, parenting, finance, theology). When you are told your …

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Category: Book Business, Creativity, Genre, Legal Issues, The Publishing Life, The Writing Life

Popular Story Tropes in Current Fiction

By Steve Laubeon November 19, 2018
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When we think of fiction, we put books in genres based on the story line. Then within each genre, they are separated by subgenres. The Book Industry Study Group has defined over 100 different classifications of fiction. These BISAC codes are what you find on the back of the book. And yet, despite the variety of genres, there are certain tropes (defined as overused plot devices) that appear …

Read morePopular Story Tropes in Current Fiction
Category: Book Proposals, Creativity, Genre, Trends
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