For the longest time, I struggled to place my novels in any specific genre because both are mash ups. This was not intentional. In fact, from what I’ve learned, it’s not recommended either.
The ‘experts’ say you need a clearly defined genre because readers want to know what to expect before they buy and then invest the time to read your book. Mystery readers don’t necessarily want romance/spice mixed in. Those who enjoy supernatural thrillers and horror may not care that the plot revolves around crime. All that works vice-versa too.
Also, If the publisher and bookstore don’t know what category to shove a novel into, then how are they gonna sell that book? Right? Well, I agree that this all makes sense, but I also disagree with the pragmatic obstacles placed in front of writers who seek to be a part of the evolution of writing.
So, how did I choose my genre(s)? In regard to my first novel, Three Worlds Collide: Rise of the Demon Scorpion, I didn’t choose a genre before starting the book.
Here’s how that one began: Frustrated with things in general and gripped with anxiety, I tore myself from a cozy bed one random morning and redirected my insomnia towards the keyboard. I never intended to become an author, just wanted to ventilate. Writing helped. That was almost 5 years ago.
So, I guess I should say that, like a deranged kitten lost in a parking lot and suffering from multiple personality disorder, the genre for Three Worlds Collide picked me. But that kitten eventually matured into a beast, a snarling feline mutt that refused to be coaxed into any category. As a result, I’m stuck dancing along the seams between genres, the beast swatting at my heals, pointy claws drawing blood whenever I attempt to describe and market my writing. I believe sales and spirits are suffering because of this. But, I cannot deny what the novel became in regards to genres—a mashup.
In regard to my second novel, Low Men, I was conscious of selecting the genre for that book. After completing Three Worlds Collide: Rise of the Demon Scorpion, I felt like I needed step back and educate myself. I had been reading books ‘on writing’ but I wanted to go deep in one specific genre. So, I selected the murder mystery genre.
I did a deep-dive into that genre and learned the ropes. At the same time, I outlined my novel. While doing so, I read up on crime scene investigation, forensics, and police procedure. I also absorbed as much as I could about the horrors of drug and human trafficking, watched and read interviews with people who suffered from these crimes, and studied in depth the issues facing our southern border with Mexico. All this coalesced into the story that is now Low Men.
Once I had all that in place, I turned myself loose at the keyboard. I just unleashed all that pain and anguish that I absorbed from watching those interviews, all the frustration and anger I felt when I thought about sick criminals profiting from the pain and enslavement of others, and the helplessness that gripped me when I realized there was little I could do about it… besides write.
At some point, I realized that human connection would bring much more depth to the novel. I know there are a lot of books out there that revolve around the portrayal of relationships and intimacy simple for that sake. Cool. But, I wanted to offer something more. The moments of joy and love people feel in those rare moments in life where we are granted a bit of time to connect in the midst of unfolding tragedy. So, I decided to add the romantic aspect and dial in on the various relationships between the main characters. Not in a gratuitous way, but in a way that twists the plot tighter. There is a sensuality and purpose to the characters actions that simply would not have been there without it. So, in the end I wound up with another mashup—a spicy whodunit. Think romance meets Gone Girl meets a darker yet slightly less capable Jack Reacher.
Given that, it helps that the spicy whodunit could be considered romantic suspense. Also, my work in progress, the next supernatural thriller leans more into the horror genre. It could be marketed as such. That’s all well and good, I suppose. But the one thing I learned the hard way – beginning your novel without a plan (and a clear choice of genre) in mind can make things harder down the road, especially if you want to take a shot at making a living at it. I thought I was carving my own path but in an effort to offer something truly original, but I really just wound up pushing myself to the fringes.
Regardless, I’m going to set up camp along the fringe. I’ve always been drawn to the wilderness. Besides, I’m tired of dancing for the kitty-cat beast, tired of fighting the genre war. I just wanna write. If you take a different perspective, the fringes can be seen as uncharted territory where like-minded people have a shot at building a unique community of our own imagining. Here, the beast can run free and I’ll have more time to write.
There is nothing I enjoy more than settling into a novel only to be pleasantly surprised by an approach or a combination of elements like genre or even style. Sure, I enjoy a face paced thriller that stays in the flow of main character’s consciousness. But I also enjoy being in the hands of a skilled writer who can zoom out from the action, sort of be a ‘fly on the wall’, and offer the reader a big picture view of what’s happening. It’s also interesting when a writer works in a bit of a literary touch as well. Tinkering with genre boundaries, point of view, and style are all ways to evolve writing in general, making it more interesting to those who do read. It’s a bit of a movement or an evolution, so to speak, that maybe… definitely needs to happen. At least this is my thinking.
Thanks, Gransom Hayes
Three Worlds Collide: Rise of the Demon Scorpion (A supernatural thriller)
Low Men (Romantic suspense: A symphony of psychological disorders wound into a spicy techno-thriller whodunit with a neo-noir vibe with a dash of medium spice. Okay… a bit more than a dash. How’s that for a genre?)
These are available wherever books are sold. Check me out on social media.
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